andy_g » Thu Apr 24, 2014 10:50 am wrote:i'm not convinced by this idea that sakho is much better at passing into midfield than skrtel is, and i actually think that this is an area of skrtel's game that is often overlooked. if you remember, he actually began his career as a forward, and you can see that when he has the ball at his feet in advanced positions he actually has pretty decent footwork. this confidence on the ball carries over into his general game if you ask me (which you didn't).
i was trying to find some more detailed analysis of his passing but the best i could find in the few moments i have is this diagram from the cardiff game. make of it what you will, but it at least proves that in this game his passing was pretty varied and for the most part forwards. (even the sideways ones are slightly forwards so i'm counting those as well
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its from this article by the way - which gives a pretty good analysis of his game. its objective, of course, and we can all pick holes in opinion but there's some good stats and points in there.
http://www.squawka.com/news/2014/03/24/skrtel-vs-cardiff/2014032486298
When you talk about Skrtel being comfortable on the ball I have to question whether or not we're talking about the same player?
To be quite honest, the goal against Southampton earlier in the season (which cost us yet another three points) was as a direct result of his terrible indecision and nervousness when the ball comes to his feet. He actually could have controlled the ball or done anything, instead he hesitated, more than once and allowed the ball to actually trickle out of play, rather than taking any sort of touch, the got a throw in, scored, we lost the match.
The stats you point too, do not show how deep the opposition were at the time of the pass, any of their positions, whether it was the right, wrong or safe ball and whether he was under pressure during any of those. They also do not show the position of the rest of our players, whether the pass resulted in the receiver being under massive pressure or having to check a run just about any other variable that can occur during a game.
For example on the last point... you can play a successful pass on a counter attack, but just because its successful doesn't mean its a good ball, you could play the pass to the wrong player, you can play it behind the player losing the momentum for a move.... again, any other variable you can think of.
All of which are valid points, however, the likes of certain muppets can't understand that its a valid point. (not specifically yourself Andy).
Skrtel has played well in parts this season, but will always have massive brain farts and make stupid amateurish errors that will cost us games and points. He has far to many of these to really be considered as anything other than a squad player, his goal threat this season is the main reason he's made up for these flaws.
Luckily, Southampton, Swansea and City don't look like they're going to cost us the title this season and he has made up for some shockers with goals in other games, but the reality is, in his five year stay, he's had more bad games than good. One decent season in five years does not constitute keeping a player who is part of the worst Liverpool back 4 we've had in the last 15 years.
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