Sheebo
Well-known member
- Jul 13, 2003
- 29,309
True that - I was only joking BG - this place wouldn't be the same without your 7 posts on each thread
Got something to say or just want fewer pesky ads? Join us... 😊
Mr Skalak
- Thread starter Irish Gin
- Start date
JC Footy Genius
Bringer of TRUTH
- Jun 9, 2015
- 10,568
Nigel Clough disagrees with you as did those standing behind the goal!
Mayonaise
Well-known member
Fair enough - I wasn't there so only going on the Sky Sports highlights. I don't really care TBH - we deserved and got the win so am happy to be wrong.
Justice
Dangerous Idiot
Whenever the opposition don't moan to the ref you know it's a kosher pen.
Biscuit Barrel
Well-known member
I love Chris, but can someone please tell me what he sees in Skalak
Yes, he scored a couple of good goals last season . But really all he does is look for the foul, or roll around pretending to be injured after being tackled! I find him really pathetic and the bloke is just plain irritating.
I really think we should look to offload him in Jan. R Van La Parra would have been a better option at a 1/3 of the price!
I thought he had a good game yesterday. Great free kick for Murray's second.
I think he will become an important player for us as the season progresses.
Cowfold Seagull
Fan of the 17 bus
Yes . . . and no. Whilst I agree that Murphy's form has dropped off recently, so I fear, has Skalak's. I'll go as far as to say, that what exactly has Skalak done since he has been at the club? I know he scored that wonder goal against QPR, and another really good one at Charlton in the run in at the end of last season, but not a lot else I fear.
True that his set piece delivery is pretty good, and he knows how to take a corner, but so often when playing on the left wing, rather than take on the full back, he turns inside on to his favoured right foot, rather than getting to the bye line and crossing with his left.
LuaLua and Solly March of course will be missing through injury for a while, so that leaves only Manu. To be honest I would have liked to have seen him given a start yesterday. I certainly think he has earned it from his recent performances in the cup. If nothing else he offers raw pace, which is something that the team lacks, he is more direct, and also I think, offers more of a goal threat.
nwgull
Well-known member
After joining last season, he got 6 assists (2nd highest in squad for the entire 15/16 season) in addition to those 2 goals. All in only 8 starts plus 8 from bench.
Slow start to this year and yesterday was his first direct assist, although he did also provide the delivery for our 2nd against Forrest when Hemed nodded it down for Murray to finish.
He'll never beat a man; he's all about dead ball delivery and crosses, with the occasional wonder goal thrown in. That style of play didn't do Beckham any harm throughout his career.
BUTTERBALL
East Stand Brighton Boyz
He's looking the part again, I thought he had a good game yesterday and worked hard for the team. Back in on merit at the moment.
For me his performance yesterday showed he's clearly been working on several things; he did take on his man several times over on the left wing in the first half, beat him round the outside twice and seemed to have a better understanding with Bong.
You cannot under estimate what having a dead ball specialist in your team does for strikers and opposition defenders. Before the second goal I saw Murray tell Jiri exactly where he wanted it and Lo and behold - GOAL.
Defenders know he can put the ball on a six pence and therefore cannot rest on their laurels and must not only defend the man but also the ball. He had another in a similar position in the second half which I think Dunk or Duffy got on the end of and the quality of the ball is such that if neither gets a touch it also turns into a difficult decision for the keeper because they are almost always nearly on target to go in as well.
His fitness is improving too as I felt his pace was up a notch yesterday on recent performances.
Granted football is a game of opinions but right now I think CH knows what quality he possesses and that's why he's in over and above Murphy.
Jamie got 6 goals and 4 or 5 assists last year.......................................They were in the early part of the season mostly. They tailed off, that's why he lost his place to Skalak. His free kicks and corners give us options at set pieces but for me beyond that he offers not much more. Really nice bloke apparently though and works so hard in training
Chris likes Jamie a lot as well though, I know this for sure because he has told me so but when he wasn't doing the business and creating goals in the latter part of last season so he lost his place in the team. That's how it should be and much as I like Jamie, there is no room for sentiment in football.
Absolutely. He'll get a few wrong, which is why he's playing for us, but not many. Hard, fast, curling into the target area and, pleasingly, not straight onto the head of the first defender.
Duffy put it over with, annoyingly, Dunk unmarked behind him. Didn't matter in the end...
Captain Sensible
Well-known member
Skalak was back to his best yesterday. Quality set pieces.
Mr Banana
Tedious chump
Creates goals and occasionally scores them.
Apart from that, not much.
Even if his crosses weren't pinpoint, the prospect of beating the first man every time the ball goes in is miraculous.
Apart from that, not much.
Even if his crosses weren't pinpoint, the prospect of beating the first man every time the ball goes in is miraculous.
Cowfold Seagull
Fan of the 17 bus
And because he finds it difficult to beat his man, I think he may be more effective in a more central role, or perhaps wide on the right, he is after all primarily right footed.
I take your point about David Beckham, but he wasn't a winger either.
Great summary, that's how I saw his performance yesterday, particularly linking up with Bong. We know what he can do with a dead ball, and with Murray, Hemed, Dunk and Duffy lurking we'll be a huge threat from set pieces. His FK for Murray's header yesterday was wicked - I sit right behind where he whipped it in from - low, hard and fizzing. Nightmare for a defender, meat and drink to Murray.
Billy the Fish
Technocrat
Thought he had a good game yesterday, it seemed to click into place for him and bits of his game that have suffered early in the season seemed to return. His crossing was back on the money and he had a better understanding with Bong.
When he's on form his deliveries are unplayable, he could've easily had another two assists because of his final ball accuracy - Murray sidefoot and the Duffy/Dunk header. It's all very well being able to go past a defender, but if there's no chance created at the end of it what's the point?
When he's on form his deliveries are unplayable, he could've easily had another two assists because of his final ball accuracy - Murray sidefoot and the Duffy/Dunk header. It's all very well being able to go past a defender, but if there's no chance created at the end of it what's the point?
When Skalak doesn't produce an assist or score a goal, he's going to attract criticism.
It's a shame but I doubt it will ever change. Unfortunately a lot of people only notice a winger when they beat a man or make something happen. It's the same with strikers to be fair. I thought Hemed's team play was excellent yesterday.
It's a shame but I doubt it will ever change. Unfortunately a lot of people only notice a winger when they beat a man or make something happen. It's the same with strikers to be fair. I thought Hemed's team play was excellent yesterday.
Biscuit Barrel
Well-known member
I love Chris, but can someone please tell me what he sees in Skalak
Yes, he scored a couple of good goals last season . But really all he does is look for the foul, or roll around pretending to be injured after being tackled! I find him really pathetic and the bloke is just plain irritating.
I really think we should look to offload him in Jan. R Van La Parra would have been a better option at a 1/3 of the price!
Are you starting to see what CH sees in him now?
Washie
Well-known member
I believe that was 3 assists in one match.
Machiavelli
Well-known member
He was top quality today. Edna made a good post a few weeks back, which indicated that Jiri's subdued start to the season was probably explained by the Euros, the lack of a break, late starting pre-season, etc. He's been right back on it for the last few games. Bong too. They worked well together today.