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Milan Skriniar

rossdapep

Well-Known Member
Aug 25, 2011
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Not really mega news, but Skriniar is not in the starting XI today for Inter according to Di Marzio. Don't think it indicates that anything's close, as the reason they're selling him is that he doesn't play, but interesting for sure.

Makes our case stronger because if this was a case of "stump up the money or get lost" then had likely still be involved.

The fact that he isn't involved shows that Inter are hoping a deal is agreed and the player is moved on.
 

Japhet

Well-Known Member
Aug 30, 2010
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Not really mega news, but Skriniar is not in the starting XI today for Inter according to Di Marzio. Don't think it indicates that anything's close, as the reason they're selling him is that he doesn't play, but interesting for sure.



Christ! Just remembered Mrs Japhet told me to order some rug shampoo. Cheers mate!
 

Cinemattis

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Aug 5, 2013
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I need som insight here people ...

I don´t watch much Serie A anymore, and haven´t seen Skriniar in any matches to be honest.

I see in FIFA and FM that he´s not very fast - it seems like he has got not much pace about him, mediocre at best: 69 of 100 in FIFA, and 13 + 14 of 20 in accelaration and pace respectively in FM. I know these are just computer games, but FM is known to have one of the best scouting networks in the world, and is used by real managers and clubs to get a first impression of players.

And: Skriniar is right footed. After Jan left we´re desperately lacking of left footed natural CDs (Davies is not a natural central defender).

Sanchez has decent pace. Dier too (or he used to have: uncertain about his pace over the last season or two). Davies and Toby are defo on the slow side, Doherty is no Kyle Walker either (Aurier is slightly better in that aspect). Reguilon should have decent pace. But compared to our best season a couple of years ago when Walker and Rose covered for Jan & Toby´s lack of speed, we now have a kind of slowish back line. And with no established cover in midfield (still early days for PEH) to protect the defence, our defence is in dire need of quick legs imho.

Those of you that have seen Skriniar play and know about him, and taking in the difference of speed of play from Serie A to PL: is he quick enough to play in a slightly unprotected defence who has no Usain Bolt look a likes in it? Or is he a positional genius and does he have such a great reading of the game that he can disguise his lack of natural speed? Like Jan to some degree did at his best (and even our great Ledley)?

In short, however unrealistic it might be, I´d love us to get a fast, left footed power house of a central defender who can be the leader of our back line for many years. If not left footed, at least very comfortable in playing in the left side. Is Skriniar this player?

Honest question guys - I want to know and understand more why some are so adamant that this guys is the solution to all our problems. :)
 

Japhet

Well-Known Member
Aug 30, 2010
19,232
57,392
I need som insight here people ...

I don´t watch much Serie A anymore, and haven´t seen Skriniar in any matches to be honest.

I see in FIFA and FM that he´s not very fast - it seems like he has got not much pace about him, mediocre at best: 69 of 100 in FIFA, and 13 + 14 of 20 in accelaration and pace respectively in FM. I know these are just computer games, but FM is known to have one of the best scouting networks in the world, and is used by real managers and clubs to get a first impression of players.

And: Skriniar is right footed. After Jan left we´re desperately lacking of left footed natural CDs (Davies is not a natural central defender).

Sanchez has decent pace. Dier too (or he used to have: uncertain about his pace over the last season or two). Davies and Toby are defo on the slow side, Doherty is no Kyle Walker either (Aurier is slightly better in that aspect). Reguilon should have decent pace. But compared to our best season a couple of years ago when Walker and Rose covered for Jan & Toby´s lack of speed, we now have a kind of slowish back line. And with no established cover in midfield (still early days for PEH) to protect the defence, our defence is in dire need of quick legs imho.

Those of you that have seen Skriniar play and know about him, and taking in the difference of speed of play from Serie A to PL: is he quick enough to play in a slightly unprotected defence who has no Usain Bolt look a likes in it? Or is he a positional genius and does he have such a great reading of the game that he can disguise his lack of natural speed? Like Jan to some degree did at his best (and even our great Ledley)?

In short, however unrealistic it might be, I´d love us to get a fast, left footed power house of a central defender who can be the leader of our back line for many years. If not left footed, at least very comfortable in playing in the left side. Is Skriniar this player?

Honest question guys - I want to know and understand more why some are so adamant that this guys is the solution to all our problems. :)


Pace for CBs isn't such an issue when you sit deep like Mourinho has us playing. It's a big issue if you push up high and leave space behind though. Skriniar will be fine in our system and he's also very good positionally and with decision making. If we get him he'll be a top performer IMO.
 

Thanksandy

Well-Known Member
Aug 27, 2005
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Pace is more crucial in the full back positions to help with our attacking play. That's why Reguilon and Doherty will be important.
From what I have seen and what I have read, Skriniar can use both feet and can play LCB or RCB.
Kim Min Jae could still join as well, as he is predominantly left footed.
Mourinho will have a system and formarion in place to suit our defenders and we are unlikely to play a high line.
 

Cinemattis

Fully Functional Member
Aug 5, 2013
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Pace for CBs isn't such an issue when you sit deep like Mourinho has us playing. It's a big issue if you push up high and leave space behind though. Skriniar will be fine in our system and he's also very good positionally and with decision making. If we get him he'll be a top performer IMO.
Thanks for your thoughts and insight. :) (y)

Personally I slightly disagree - accelleration and a minimum of pace will always be an important feature for a top defender. And it´s not like our back line is always sitting on our own 20 yard box under Mourinho. When at least one of our full/wing backs are told to go forward, the central defenders will have to have decent pace to cover out to the sides. As we´ve already seen this season, our central defenders have been caught - even though they´re not very far advanced on the pitch. The lack of acceleration and top speed to quickly repair mistakes have been lacking. This, obviously(!), is not solley because of lack of pace, but just as much a lack of positional skills and ability to read the game and to do the right moves at the right time (Ings´first goal against us a prime example of sub par movoement from Dier and Sanchez). I have a hunch that Skriniar might be a clear imporvement compared to the players we have?
 

Japhet

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Aug 30, 2010
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Thanks for your thoughts and insight. :) (y)

Personally I slightly disagree - accelleration and a minimum of pace will always be an important feature for a top defender. And it´s not like our back line is always sitting on our own 20 yard box under Mourinho. When at least one of our full/wing backs are told to go forward, the central defenders will have to have decent pace to cover out to the sides. As we´ve already seen this season, our central defenders have been caught - even though they´re not very far advanced on the pitch. The lack of acceleration and top speed to quickly repair mistakes have been lacking. This, obviously(!), is not solley because of lack of pace, but just as much a lack of positional skills and ability to read the game and to do the right moves at the right time (Ings´first goal against us a prime example of sub par movoement from Dier and Sanchez). I have a hunch that Skriniar might be a clear imporvement compared to the players we have?


I think he'll anticipate better than what we currently have and that equates to a couple of yards. He's also very good at staying on his feet and making the right decisions. I don't think he's particularly slow either, but just not an out and out speed merchant.
 

Cinemattis

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Aug 5, 2013
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Speed/pace and accelaration is not only about quick feet, but just as much about positional awareness and ability to read the game quickly ("football intelligence"). Verthongen was very good at this - but his legs became too slow in the end (and maybe his reading of the game too?). Ledley King was no Usain Bolt either, but was fast enough and had world class positional skills which made him very difficult to play against - even for the fastest forwards around.

Is Skriniar that kind of defender? Does he have the "brain" and skills that can cover for any lack of (super) speed? Genuine question as I don´t know. :)
 

Cinemattis

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Aug 5, 2013
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I think he'll anticipate better than what we currently have and that equates to a couple of yards. He's also very good at staying on his feet and making the right decisions. I don't think he's particularly slow either, but just not an out and out speed merchant.
Brilliant - thanks! That really answers my question in the post above. :)
 

LDNYid

Well-Known Member
Jan 28, 2011
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Skriniar may not be fast. But Tanganga is. I would not be surprised if that is our first choice CB pairing one year from now.
That’s the hope. Skriniar and Tanganga would seem like a good complement (based on my limited experience of watching Skriniar and my hopes that Japhet reaches his obvious potential).
 

Khilari

Plumber. Sort of.
Jun 19, 2008
3,461
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Re: Skriniar - I worry about the reason he's been demoted somewhat from surefire starter to backup / rotating CB. I just haven't seen any of Inter's matches the season before to really know how good he was nor his vulnerabilities. I'd expect him to be a significant upgrade on Sanchez if we were to bring him in - otherwise personally I'd prefer to give Japhet Tangaga or even CCV (though it seems he may well be on his way out) a chance in the league cup and EL games.


Re: this thread... WTF.
 

Cinemattis

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Aug 5, 2013
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Skriniar may not be fast. But Tanganga is. I would not be surprised if that is our first choice CB pairing one year from now.
That’s the hope. Skriniar and Tanganga would seem like a good complement (based on my limited experience of watching Skriniar and my hopes that Japhet reaches his obvious potential).
Interesting thoughts - thanks. I still haven´t given up hope on Sanchez yet: he looked to me like a potential world class defender when we signed him as he has all the physical attributes needed. But he has somewhat regressed - if he just doesn´t "have it", or if this has been some kind of lack of quality training and/or that he needed more stability in playing time, I don´t know. A King interview gave me hopes this summer, when Ledley clearly stated that Sanchez was the one he really liked to work with as he reminded him of himself as a younger player.

If Skriniar is the real thing and we get him, a pairing of him with Sanchez or Taganga (whichever fulfills his potential) sounds quite solid to me.
 

TPdYID

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Jul 18, 2003
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Anybody questioning speed & acceleratation as a vital component to being a successful CB needs their head reading.

The game is so fast nowadays that even excellent positional sense can still not be enough.

Acceleration in particular is the difference between keeping up and toeing the ball away for a corner, and giving away needless free kicks / pens as the CB clambers to keep up with an attacker.

Gallas was a good example. Technically not great, positionally sound but no Baresi. What he did have was the after burners to keep up. Before somebody quotes me on my point about Baresi being average speed wise. How many players world wide are there with his unique skill set.
 
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