If one thing is abundantly clear about Liverpool's defence, it's this: Martin Skrtel is not a viable long-term solution at right back. The has been played out of position in that role a couple of times this season, and it's fair to say he's looked a little uncomfortable at times. None of this fazes Kenny Dalglish though, who believes Skrtel is doing 'brilliantly' on the right.
When asked about the wisdom of playing Skrtel on the right, Dalglish observed:
"He is playing out of position but it’s not a problem for him. He came on against Bolton and was very comfortable.
"There’s no way that Skrtel is ever going to let you down for lack of commitment. He’s thrown himself into the right back position in the two games and done brilliantly.
"He doesn’t look out of place to me. If we have to keep him there we keep him there. Martin has done the best he possibly can, and he’ll continue to do it."
It's great that Dalglish offers this kind of public support for his players, but is there anyone else apart from him that really believes Skrtel has done 'brilliantly' at right back?
Irrespective of how Skrtel performs at right back, I would honestly rather have him there than Glen Johnson.
Jaimie Kanwar
When asked about the wisdom of playing Skrtel on the right, Dalglish observed:
"He is playing out of position but it’s not a problem for him. He came on against Bolton and was very comfortable.
"There’s no way that Skrtel is ever going to let you down for lack of commitment. He’s thrown himself into the right back position in the two games and done brilliantly.
"He doesn’t look out of place to me. If we have to keep him there we keep him there. Martin has done the best he possibly can, and he’ll continue to do it."
It's great that Dalglish offers this kind of public support for his players, but is there anyone else apart from him that really believes Skrtel has done 'brilliantly' at right back?
Irrespective of how Skrtel performs at right back, I would honestly rather have him there than Glen Johnson.
Jaimie Kanwar
more GJ hate?
ReplyDeleteso you would rather have a CB playing out of position that the england number 1 right back?
Too right, Skirtl is crap but Johnson is shite. Hurry back Kelly.
ReplyDeleteGive the lad a break! I am sure Skrtel set-up one of our goals recently, didn't he playing right back! You can never fault his commitment and if King Kenny says he is doing a great job at right-back then that is good enough for me!! I would like to see Coates given his chance soon. He could well be the signing of the season.
ReplyDeleteWhy don't you just accept that not everyone has the same opinion as you? I don't rate Johnson. Get over it.
ReplyDeletePlease give reasons for your preferred selection of Skrtel over Johnson. I personally want to be convinced in how that contributes to the team.
ReplyDeleteJohnson is error-prone and defensively suspect; I would rather have a solid defender at right back than a player who is guaranteed to give goals away every season. Right back is not not the most important role in the team, so we can get away with having a more defensive-minded player there, especially since we have an attacking left back in Jose Enrique.
ReplyDeleteBottom line: Johnson can't defend, Skrtel can.
jJamie if Glen is error prone and defensively suspect.....then what would you describe Carragher as.....carragher is a bigger problem than glen....
ReplyDeleteLook at Carra's entire career - 99% defensively solid. Johnson has been defensively suspect for Liverpool since day 1. Carra's problems are (IMO) only temporary).
ReplyDeleteJust when you think there's nothing left in the barrel to scrape...
ReplyDeleteJJamie for the last three years Carragher has been in the David James mode and you call that temporary. you have to call a spade a spade. At least Glen gives us something of an attacking option going forward but Carragher cannot even do that..
ReplyDeleteMaybe you should also accept that most people don't share you silly point of view either. Somehow I get the feeling you don't really know what you talk about Mr Stat Man. You rely on too much figures that other people put together. To say that MS can fill GJ boots is rather ignorant but then again you have shown how knowledgable of the game you are. Your subjective point of view is arrogant and tiring because you forget why you are doing what you are doing.
ReplyDeleteYou write horrible articles and I accept that but please, try objectivity as it will give your work more credibility.
ReplyDeletedefensively suspect since day one? nonsense. this is just an opinion plucked out of the air - you have nothing at all to back this up.
ReplyDeleteright back is not the most important role in the team?!?!?!?! what are the most important roles in the team, in order? see how daft that is? 11 players are equally as important, and if you do have the opinion that other positions are more vital, then this is down to what system the team is playing. just stating one position isn't that important is a strange way to look at a team game. completely and utterly untrue.
ReplyDeleteso, you slag off benitez for having favourites and putting round pegs in square holes, but this is exactly what you'd do if you were in charge of picking the team?
ReplyDeleteputting skrtel at RB alters the team massively. slows things down, puts pressure on deep midfielders who have less passing options and makes it tactically easy for the opposition who know exactly which wing an attacking, overlapping threat will come from.
'Irrespective of how Skrtel performs at right back, I would honestly rather have him there than Glen Johnson.'
ReplyDeletereally?
did you watch the spurs game today where skrtel was demolished at right back? not an important role? still choose him above johnson at RB?
ReplyDelete