In praise of Skrtel

[Kenneth]

Almost all of out players have been below par so far this season, but Skrtel has stood out to me. He's dominant in the air and brings a lot of Hyypia's arial ability to the back four. Positionally he is very good and he can stick to an attacker like glue. An inspired purchase and whoever scouts our CBs needs a pay rise. We talk so little about him, except in 'comedy' terms but he really is a great asset, up there with the best in the league imo. Obviously you have to give a player time to settle before judging him one way or the other, but it took him 1 or 2 games to settle and he's been top class since. I think now is the time to settle on the fact that we have a potentially great CB in our squad in the shape of the big Slovakian.

The obvious 'problem' we have is having Agger, who is a refined and footballing CB, and Carra competing for places. Rotating at CB is a bad idea imo so we need to settle on 2 asap. For me, it's Skrtel + one other, depending on the opposition.

http://z.about.com/d/worldsoccer/1/0/p/4/-/-/martin-skrtel.jpg

[Tee]

Here here. Awesome defender.

[BFG]

Very true mate.

Thought he was our main man in the first half especially yesterday. I loved it when the camera turned to their striker after every tackle and he looked like he didn't know what had hit him.

Awesome defender.

[BFG]

Here here. Awesome defender.

Awesome defender.

You're clearly a clairvoyant plagiarist.

[BigChief]

Don't agree with having Agger as a problem though, more of Skrtel allows us to rest Agger and allow a smoother comeback for him.

Agger has to play against 10 men defences, so that's where Carra will be 'rested'. Hyppia will probably see very little play time
or rotate with Skertel (or sold?).

If Skertel plays I have no fears of facing Agbonlahor. He concentrates on his defensive position ala Carra and is probably as fast as Gabby.

[Kenneth]

BTW, I have just noticed the glaring contradiction in my last paragraph

I don't know what I think now

[Tee]

You're clearly a clairvoyant plagiarist.

BTW, I have just noticed the glaring contradiction in my last paragraph

I don't know what I think now

EPIC FAIL

[Nicey]

I have to say I agree with you, but I think we are going to have to find a way to make it work because I would not like to see either of them move for more regular football.

I think Agger offers more attacking options, but I would play Skirtel against the top 4 .. I might even bench Jamie ever now and then to keep him fresh ... great problem to have ..and I love the way Sami takes his sliding down the pecking order in his stride and always does a top class job for us when required ... we need a squad like that .. and the fans I think need to think in terms like that ...

[billy_mac]

Have been very impressed with him. He got done once last night, when going in hot headed with a sliding tackle. The boy just flicked it over him, that aside he was faultless. He's fast and aggressive, I don't think he is all that dominant in the air, but he is very comfortable on the ball and carries it over the half way line with ease. I think we would have gone through against Chelsea in the CL semi's if he didn't have to go off. Great problem to have 4 solid CB's.

[Craig_H]

Excellent signing.

[billy_mac]

I might even bench Jamie ever now and then to keep him fresh ...

I'd imagine Carra will play RB against the tough opponents, starting with Villa away on Saturday.

[Darkon]

I have to say I agree with you, but I think we are going to have to find a way to make it work because I would not like to see either of them move for more regular football.

I think Agger offers more attacking options, but I would play Skirtel against the top 4 .. I might even bench Jamie ever now and then to keep him fresh ... great problem to have ..and I love the way Sami takes his sliding down the pecking order in his stride and always does a top class job for us when required ... we need a squad like that .. and the fans I think need to think in terms like that ...

Agree with that.

When Agger gets back in form, he will be our best CB again, and better than Skrtel IMO. We need a CB that is comfortable on the ball and can bring it forward, it allows the CM to move further forward before recieving the ball, basically meaning they already have 2 less players to wory about in the opp attackers. Love skrtels defensive skills, same with carra, but their job on the ball gives a lot of pressure to the people in front of them

Therefor I see Agger as the crucial CB piece, and Carra or Skrtel to compete for the rock-solid defensive position.

[Shaggy]

Couple of faults last night, I thought. He let one ball bounce over his head and he was rash in the tackle once or twice; committing and selling himself.

That said I agree with the sentiment of the thread - a beast of a centre-half. I would love to see what sort of understanding he could develop with Agger.

[Imy]

I would love to see what sort of understanding he could develop with Agger.

They both need to add communication to their game, Carra is the over riding leader of the centre backs we need one or ideally both to be able to organise and lead like how Carra does.

[DannyMan2006]

I have to say I agree with you, but I think we are going to have to find a way to make it work because I would not like to see either of them move for more regular football.

I think Agger offers more attacking options, but I would play Skirtel against the top 4 .. I might even bench Jamie ever now and then to keep him fresh ... great problem to have ..and I love the way Sami takes his sliding down the pecking order in his stride and always does a top class job for us when required ... we need a squad like that .. and the fans I think need to think in terms like that ...

If we had that same problem all over the park we'd be a shoe in for league champions.

I should add that in Mikel San Jose we have one of our better prospects at CB. Hopefully he can step up when Sami retires so we still have four top class CB.