Skrtel, and why I just don't rate him

[Infadel]

i dont think it does, I would prefer an Agger over a skrtel every day of the week. it was all rough and tumble back on those days.

It's got to be "horses for courses". Agger would be more effective against certain teams as would Skrtel.
The primary function of a central defender in today's game is just the same as it's ever been, and that's to defend. Anything else, such as ball skills, game intelligence, awareness is a bonus.
Call me old fashioned if you like!

[JohnDoe]

Skrtel is a terminator centre-back. He takes no prisoners, seldom takes risks, clears the ball whenever he gets the chance. To be honest that's what centre-halves should do - anything else (such as the qualities Agger possesses) is a bonus. I suspect Agger isn't in the side ahead of him because, while he has the additional bonus qualities, he doesn't do the basics quite as well as Skrtel.

It could be argued that Agger is a better defender than Skrtel because he doesn't put himself in as much as pressure as the latter and requires less protection from his midfield and CB partner.

[anfieldanfield]

I like Martin, but he's clumsy and does make mistakes.

Very raw player.

[Shaggy]

It could be argued that Agger is a better defender than Skrtel because he doesn't put himself in as much as pressure as the latter and requires less protection from his midfield and CB partner.

It could be, but I wouldn't agree.

Don't get me wrong, I love Agger and hope to see him become our CB for years to come, but I can see why Skrtel is preferred.

[dww]

I like Skrtel but at the minute he is a bit like a young Rio Ferdinand in that someone else has to do all the thinking for him. It showed against England what problems he has without a leader beside him. i think this is why we are unlikely to see Agger - Skrtel in combination.

I agree with Ved that there is often a tendency to overrate him on here but he has the potential to be one of the worlds best IMO.

[lickedlollipop]

folks, Martin knows !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Vermilion]

folks, Martin knows !!!!!!!!!!!!!

about you all slagging him off, and he's gonna GET YA!!!!!!!!!!!

ps.especially JohnDoe.

[lickedlollipop]

about you all slagging him off, and he's gonna GET YA!!!!!!!!!!!

ps.especially JohnDoe.

He (Martin) can score two goals with one kick!

[Vermilion]

He (Martin) can score two goals with one kick!

Eats nuts and bolts with milk & honey for his breccie, 'crunch crunch'

[squaddie]

Maybe at the moment he is slightly overrated. But he's still got plenty of time and i think he's got the potential to be one the best defenders in the prem imho. Give him a few years and you'll have skittles and agger ripping the arse out of anyone that dares to take the ball near them.

[Darkon]

I agree with much of the first post.

Skrtel is a good defender, but should still be behind Carra and Agger, and perhaps even Hyypia. The only skill Skrtel is better than Agger in, is in the air and strenght, the rest Agger shows he has what it takes to be a top-5 defender in the world.

Aggers composure, ability to read the game, make important tackles and carrying the ball forward is much better than Skrtel.

In a few years, when Skrtel learns to be more calm and comfortable on the ball, he will move up the list for sure. But ATM Agger should take the place next to Carra when he is fit.

[wiw]

I agree with Shaggy and Joe tbh. I really like him, but these sporadic errors are a little bit worrying. Remember Inter away? He completely ****ed up a pass for no real reason and Ibra almost scored..kinda similar to yesterday in that it came from nowhere

My only other worry is that he has a tendency to grapple with people which he may eventually get a rep for and get punished a bit more

[dww]

I think the defence has looked better this season with Skrtel in than Agger to be honest.

[Carras_Shin_Pads]

I think the partnership between Agger and Carragher is better purely because of the types of players they are. Skrtel and Carra are too similar, where as agger gets in more advanced positions, looking forward to agger getting his position back.

[saj]

his pass yesterday straight to their striker just outside the area was almost suicide

Huh? It was at the half way line

And I bet he never misplaced that pass, I guarentee this thread would never have started. I thought he was immense yesterday. His passing was spot on and he brought the ball out of defence really well