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Player Watch Player Watch: Oliver Skipp

DogsOfWar

Well-Known Member
Jan 12, 2005
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I remember when Poch put him in the first games he played and how industrious he was using space even when not getting the ball he would make himself available for a pass.He could see the angles. This is vision.
As time went on he was never afraid to either go forward or forward the play. That's what I liked about him.
I want to see more of him this season.He doesnt look like a DM to me as he is less conservative than most DMs. It will be great if he could get some gigs in the domestic cups in a more central role

There's a great video of Skipp on here where he's playing for the u19's against Real Madrid when he was around 16/17.

It's one of the most complete CM performances I've seen from a kid of that age. Keeping possession, passing, throughballs, tackling, intercepting, chasing back, bringing the ball out.

I agree he's more than just a DM and we'll see him becoming more progressive in his role once he starts to establish himself.
 

SpursSince1980

Well-Known Member
Jan 23, 2011
4,732
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I think regardless of how Skippy turns out, it's clear that his attitude and maturity is exactly what you'd want to see from a young player trying to make the breakthrough. I like the way he seems to be focused and unfazed by the occasion... he sorta gives off that, 'Been there, done that' aura. Not to be mistaken for arrogance. Just confidence, adaptability, and calm - which is one of the hardest things to teach an athlete in any professional sport.
 

edson

Well-Known Member
May 17, 2005
3,945
12,117
There's a great video of Skipp on here where he's playing for the u19's against Real Madrid when he was around 16/17.

It's one of the most complete CM performances I've seen from a kid of that age. Keeping possession, passing, throughballs, tackling, intercepting, chasing back, bringing the ball out.

I agree he's more than just a DM and we'll see him becoming more progressive in his role once he starts to establish himself.
 

DogsOfWar

Well-Known Member
Jan 12, 2005
2,292
3,603
I think regardless of how Skippy turns out, it's clear that his attitude and maturity is exactly what you'd want to see from a young player trying to make the breakthrough. I like the way he seems to be focused and unfazed by the occasion... he sorta gives off that, 'Been there, done that' aura. Not to be mistaken for arrogance. Just confidence, adaptability, and calm - which is one of the hardest things to teach an athlete in any professional sport.

I'd also add passion to that mix. I've posted this before but I watched him a few times for the u23's and the game that stood out for me was against City.

We were completely outclassed and 5-0 down but Skipp was still chasing back, still trying to drive us forward despite knowing it was a hopeless cause. It reminded me of early colts football where kids just run around because they love the game without any real idea of the implication of the score.

Add that attitude to his ability and I have no doubt he'll have a career with us, and I wouldn't be that surprised if it was as a starter.
 

SpursSince1980

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Jan 23, 2011
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Sorta exemplifies the difference between himself and Onomah. I think Josh hasn't quite developed that attitude yet. The drive, the passion, the focus, the aggressiveness competitiveness. Not to say he won't. Might still one day develop into an exceptional player. But skill and talent wise, there's not a huge difference between where these two players are/were at 18. Where Skippy differentiates himself is the mentality aspect of his approach. And that's why he's in our matchday squads and Josh is plying his trade at Fulham now.
 

beats1

Well-Known Member
Feb 22, 2010
30,006
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Sorta exemplifies the difference between himself and Onomah. I think Josh hasn't quite developed that attitude yet. The drive, the passion, the focus, the aggressiveness competitiveness. Not to say he won't. Might still one day develop into an exceptional player. But skill and talent wise, there's not a huge difference between where these two players are/were at 18. Where Skippy differentiates himself is the mentality aspect of his approach. And that's why he's in our matchday squads and Josh is plying his trade at Fulham now.
Funny every single manager that josh has played with still wants him even bruce who doesn't necessarily suit onomah style of play still tried to sign him

Not to mention the fact Josh and Skipp are different type of players, with Skipp a DM who needs to be aggressive and driven. Onomah is more of a flair player to say he doesn't have the drive is a typical bullshit take that people just keep on repeating
 

coys200

Well-Known Member
May 22, 2017
8,436
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Played a lot at U16 and largely ignored since then. No appearances last season which is pretty odd considering he was deemed good enough to play in a top 4 team.
 

DogsOfWar

Well-Known Member
Jan 12, 2005
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Funny every single manager that josh has played with still wants him even bruce who doesn't necessarily suit onomah style of play still tried to sign him

Not to mention the fact Josh and Skipp are different type of players, with Skipp a DM who needs to be aggressive and driven. Onomah is more of a flair player to say he doesn't have the drive is a typical bullshit take that people just keep on repeating

I disagree with this.

Finding space is the hardest part of playing at the highest level.
As a result, flair players, and those who want to control the game have to work the hardest.
That's why Eriksen is always top of our distance run charts. It's not just a measure of chasing back or pressing which is why most people seem to be surprised by the stat.

Whenever I've watched Josh being given time/space in the middle he's looked like a world beater, but when he's not he doesn't up his tempo to create that space and drifts out of the game.

I've defended players such as Berbs and Kanoute who received stick for not running around like headless chickens when the opposition had the ball, but when we did they came alive, and that's what Josh needs to learn to do.
 

Ronwol196061

Well-Known Member
Apr 9, 2018
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Thanks for the clip. Yes they exactly what I meant. He too immediately knows where he is going to place the ball. He has a sense where layers are. He doesn't have to play the safe ball with that. (his tackling is not bad in this either!) But the main point is he is always looking to forward to play and cleverly. Not once recycling the ball
 

Ronwol196061

Well-Known Member
Apr 9, 2018
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I disagree with this.

Finding space is the hardest part of playing at the highest level.
As a result, flair players, and those who want to control the game have to work the hardest.
That's why Eriksen is always top of our distance run charts. It's not just a measure of chasing back or pressing which is why most people seem to be surprised by the stat.

Whenever I've watched Josh being given time/space in the middle he's looked like a world beater, but when he's not he doesn't up his tempo to create that space and drifts out of the game.

I've defended players such as Berbs and Kanoute who received stick for not running around like headless chickens when the opposition had the ball, but when we did they came alive, and that's what Josh needs to learn to do.


Its a pleasure to see players who have a vision and the vision is about space,its seeing where it is or changing the angle so you can find it and hitting the pass. Berbatov was a natural for that )it would be more difficult for him today with the demands of todays game) but he saw the space well and had the natural talent to use it. As as Onomah goes,i remember he played for England under 21s as a Midfielder and he looked terrific but he failed to impress in many league games,with us as a forward and the clubs he went to.I believe he had talent though. Skipp I think is at a much higher level as his vision is very good
 

Luka Van der Bale

Well-Known Member
Jan 29, 2011
6,041
13,611
Will be very interesting to see if he’s in any England age group teams. The fact to date he hasn’t been is very odd.
Skipp captained England’s strongest age group at u16 level. It’s just such a competitive group he’s fallen behind his peers in the pecking order a bit. He’ll be back in the fold very soon if he keeps getting senior opportunities with us, I wouldn’t worry about that at all.
 

beats1

Well-Known Member
Feb 22, 2010
30,006
29,551
I disagree with this.

Finding space is the hardest part of playing at the highest level.
As a result, flair players, and those who want to control the game have to work the hardest.
That's why Eriksen is always top of our distance run charts. It's not just a measure of chasing back or pressing which is why most people seem to be surprised by the stat.

Whenever I've watched Josh being given time/space in the middle he's looked like a world beater, but when he's not he doesn't up his tempo to create that space and drifts out of the game.

I've defended players such as Berbs and Kanoute who received stick for not running around like headless chickens when the opposition had the ball, but when we did they came alive, and that's what Josh needs to learn to do.
On loan Onomah covered some of the most distance covered in his team but because he looks lazy that trope is constantly used on him, someone on here posted the stats of his distance covered
 

DogsOfWar

Well-Known Member
Jan 12, 2005
2,292
3,603
On loan Onomah covered some of the most distance covered in his team but because he looks lazy that trope is constantly used on him, someone on here posted the stats of his distance covered

Maybe he turned the corner at Wednesday, but beforehand I caught a few of his games live at Villa, his two cup games for us, and a few youth appearances for us and England.

I paid particular attention to him on most occasions due to his reputation and noticed that if the team he was in were doing well, and he was allowed to play, he looked great. But when they were struggling he disappeared.

A great example was the Wycombe game where I was looking forward to seeing him and CCV do their stuff. But ultimately I came away singing Wink's praises as the side was struggling and he was the only one really showing for the ball.

It's a shame he didn't do it a couple of seasons earlier as with the purchase of Ndombele, Sissoko kicking on, and the rise of Winks and Skipp he's missed the boat with us now.
 

GutBucket

Well-Known Member
May 26, 2013
6,808
11,492
He will make it in this league and with Wanyama being sold he should get more minutes. Next year maybe even become a regular starter.
 
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