Skrtel - first game

[Guest Snorky]

Great recovering tackle in the second half. Unlucky for his deflection.

 

However, how poor was he when we had corners ?

 

He had two unchallenged headers that we were just embarassing. He really really should have done better.

[Spike]

Thought he went to both extremes today. Hopefully his role in set pieces etc will improve with training and his language skills. He showed he has the heart for it though.

[Falconhoof]

Looked nervous, probably because his first touch he shinned the ball out for a corner. It would be unfair to judge him on that one game.

[Guest Snorky]

Looked nervous, probably because his first touch he shinned the ball out for a corner. It would be unfair to judge him on that one game.

 

Not judging, just observing.

[MFletcher]

Looked nervous, probably because his first touch he shinned the ball out for a corner. It would be unfair to judge him on that one game.

 

Agreed.

 

He had one moment where he controlled a ball coming out of the air with ease, turned and played a pass out of the defence to a red shirt. It was excellent to watch.

 

He did seem very nervous at times today though.

[magneto]

Very difficult to judge him. He hasn't played in a while and coming up against a non-league side in the FA cup is tough.

 

He needs 6 months to settle in and then have a proper pre-season before anyone can judge him.

[Falconhoof]

Not judging, just observing.

 

I know Kev, not you in particular. I just mean it would be easy to be harsh on him, at times I was worried about his ball control and hesitancy but he improved as the game wore on.

[Sion]

I thought he was terrible and can only improve in weeks to come. Would have benefited from playing with Carra more I think. His heading was terrible, I hope he's not our Kroldrup.

Edited January 26, 2008 by Sion

[David Hodgson]

I know Kev, not you in particular. I just mean it would be easy to be harsh on him, at times I was worried about his ball control and hesitancy but he improved as the game wore on.

 

 

Of course we've got to reserve judgement n' all, but didn't he just look a total cart horse. I'm sorry but he just did.

[Sion]

Of course we've got to reserve judgement n' all, but didn't he just look a total cart horse. I'm sorry but he just did.

 

No need to apologise, I agree completely.

[MFletcher]

He showed glimpses of what he can do, but I will attribute his mistakes to nerves today.

[Falconhoof]

Of course we've got to reserve judgement n' all, but didn't he just look a total cart horse. I'm sorry but he just did.

 

It was worrying, i'm trying to stay positive and hope his nerves settle and he grows into the role.

[plonky]

thought he, and a few others, had a bad first half but he did much better in the second

[Guest FidelMurphy]

He seemed to have a bit more pace than I thought. The fact that the Russian league finished in December might explain his jittery performance, at least that seemed to be the case with Vidic last year

[Ste M]

Started poorly, played well for about an hour, finished poorly. IMO.

 

He got shrugged off the ball far too much for my liking, and he's a big old unit.

[RafaShanks]

Great recovering tackle in the second half. Unlucky for his deflection.

 

However, how poor was he when we had corners ?

 

He had two unchallenged headers that we were just embarassing. He really really should have done better.

 

I posted this a few weeks ago:

 

"There is an occasional question mark against his defending from set-pieces, something that Benitez - or his replacement in the summer, if you believe the papers - may look to iron out."

 

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/09012008/58/...tin-skrtel.html

 

Looks like he had a point.

[Barnesy_10]

Vidic was piss poor when he first came over here... I remember that FA Cup game against them at Anfield and he was all over the place making errors.. Glad he got his full debut today, rather than against Premiership opposition..

From the highlights on MOTD just then the defence was shambolic... god knows whats happened to Finnan! Even Mr Reliable is making glaring errors!

[mathewbet1]

Hes our new Torben Pichenik. Sell the donkey like now.

[Guest spk]

just looked like a nervy start by a player who has just arrived at a big club, isnt used to playing with 45,000 fans wailing away, didnt know his team mates and hasnt kicked a ball competively in a long, long time. i reckon itll only be a few weeks before he starts turning in the solid performances expected of him.

[Guest Anders Honoré]

he sealed his fate today.

[Guest spk]

he sealed his fate today.

 

you're having a laugh surely?!

[fyds]

Anyone remember Jocky's first game? Enough said.

[CaptainXabi]

you're having a laugh surely?!

Look at the other threads in the forum.

[Redkop]

Slating a new player on his first full game is unbelievable, especially when he hasn't played for a month. He hardly had the best 3 defenders alongside him to give him confidence - did he? The offensive nicknames given to him so far beggars belief!

 

Finnan was far, far worse than him yesterday and it wasn't one of Sami's better games either.

 

Put Skrtel alongside Carra and you will probably see a hell of a difference.

 

It makes you wonder whether half the users on this forum have the slightest clue about football sometimes

[KD07]

He'll be fine. Vidic was the same flapping mess.