Mr Skalak

[London Irish]

The fact is, we wouldn't have beaten Norwich 5-0 yesterday had Murphy been playing.

That's an utterly daft counterfactual that is totally unprovable. I probably wouldn't make the case for Murphy as a guaranteed starter because his form is too fitful but the game yesterday was tailor-made for his breaking strengths, given the space Norwich were leaving behind going forward making up for their blundering goalie. Knocky's set pieces are pretty damn good too.

 

[London Irish]

Surely then it is my right to disagree with people. I don't think it is constructive. Someone has a right to do it but others have a right to comment on it and say they are wrong. However, apparently that means they don't criticise players.

Do you not see the stupidity of writing off a player two games after they sign?

No problem with criticising others' views on players but can you make a tiny bit of an effort to be less of a sourpuss about it? It's player form, not families starving at foodbanks or kids being bombed.

And criticising a player for an unsteady start is not "writing them off". If your arguments hold water and stand the test of time, then you shouldn't have to caricature those of others.

 

[sdmartin1]

My take on Skalak is this. He is a superb crosser of the ball and works hard. When given space (like he was at points yesterday when Norwich were pushing their fullbacks forward) he is deadly. When he finds his rhythm from dead ball situations he can also be a huge asset in that area. However, when we are playing against disciplined teams who keep their shape with solid fullbacks he won't get much joy as he can very rarely beat a man and doesn't possess great acceleration or pace. I still think Knockaert and March are our two first choice wingers when Solly is fit again.

 

[Machiavelli]

Absolutely. When all are fit, we have five wingers who all offer something different. This is a good thing. We should be looking at what each of them offer but it seems to end up with players being criticised for what they don't offer e.g. Skalak not taking on players when he has other qualities that more than make up for that.

Just to add to that list of his qualities from yesterday: he did take on players

 

[Machiavelli]

My take on Skalak is this. He is a superb crosser of the ball and works hard. When given space (like he was at points yesterday when Norwich were pushing their fullbacks forward) he is deadly. When he finds his rhythm from dead ball situations he can also be a huge asset in that area. However, when we are playing against disciplined teams who keep their shape with solid fullbacks he won't get much joy as he can very rarely beat a man and doesn't possess great acceleration or pace. I still think Knockaert and March are our two first choice wingers when Solly is fit again.

Yup. Agree with this. The big question is when Solly will be up to speed again. We will have to wait and see, but I wouldn't be too surprised if it's earlier than others are fearing.

 

[Ninja Elephant]

Also worth saying for the millionth time, Skalak is playing out of position on the left wing. He is having to adapt his game to play that side, but he is a right winger by trade.

 

[Finchley Seagull]

No problem with criticising others' views on players but can you make a tiny bit of an effort to be less of a sourpuss about it? It's player form, not families starving at foodbanks or kids being bombed.

And criticising a player for an unsteady start is not "writing them off". If your arguments hold water and stand the test of time, then you shouldn't have to caricature those of others.

If you look at the Duffy thread, people were writing him off and saying he was a waste of money after two games.

Also, unlike some people on here, I don't bounce threads to gloat when I am proved right.

 

[LamieRobertson]

Did make me chuckle yesterday when Siddle pulled him up by his shirt ...Jiri had done one of those 'shot by a sniper' falls which we all know he is capable of...play had gone on some distance and he was still on the ground until Siddle just yanked him up

 

[London Irish]

If you look at the Duffy thread, people were writing him off and saying he was a waste of money after two games.

Also, unlike some people on here, I don't bounce threads to gloat when I am proved right.

Good forum etiquette not to, in my book. Have been guilty of it in the past when I was learning the ropes but you can kick me if you see me do it again

 

[Stat Brother]

Get a room, you two.

This was a thread about Skalak given more oomph by his 3 assists yesterday.

 

[Buzzer]

Lovely that you can't let it go that I called you out on your disgusting comments about Australian aboriginals. Putting the wind up blatant racists like you is one of the great pleasures of using this site. I guess my racism is racism against white people??, can't work out what your are dribbling on about but if so, you can stick that up your EDL arse

Stumpy Tim is a blatant racist who supports the EDL? That's going to come as a shock to his wife of 10 years who isn't white or British and to his 2 lovely mixed race children.

 

[Marshy]

Skalak, Murphy, March and Lua Lua... he'll of a choice to have

 

[Thunder Bolt]

There's literally no point in arguing with him. Everyone else knows what you meant. He is clueless, as this thread illustrates perfectly.

Also noticeable that the OP has not come back with his follow up after yesterday. Maybe he's seen the light.

Irish Gin, or London Irish on the gin?

 

[Buzzer]

As others have said, Skalak's game isn't about speed or physical presence and it has taken him a while to adjust to the English game but what he does bring is that final ball. Brovion and Simster and others are spot on. How many pacy wingers have we had over the last 20 years and how many of those could deliver a final ball. I can't think of any of the top of my head because if they've got pace and accuracy then they wouldn't have been playing for us. And how many players have we had in the same time who could cross a ball like Skalak? Carpenter, Spanish Dave (some of the time) and I'm struggling to remember any others. I think we've got the best of both worlds and the very best that we can realistically hope for in Murphy and Skalak.

One other thing that I think is worth mentioning is the Bong-Skalak partnership. Before his injury last season Bong and Lua Lua had an almost telepathic understanding, together they tore apart teams. Since Bong came back it has taken time for him and Skalak to understand each other's play but over the last few games at home they are both getting better and better and it looks like that little partnership could play just as big a role in our promotion challenge as the Dunk/Duffy, Sidwell/Stephens, Murray/Baldock combination.

 

[Wardy's twin]

It will be interesting to see whether March gets picked over Skalak, I thought he had a terrific game yesterday - commitment, hardwork, crosses &good understanding with other players not just Bong. So based on yesterday I don't see March being first choice.

 

[Super Steve Earle]

My take on Skalak is this. He is a superb crosser of the ball and works hard. When given space (like he was at points yesterday when Norwich were pushing their fullbacks forward) he is deadly. When he finds his rhythm from dead ball situations he can also be a huge asset in that area. However, when we are playing against disciplined teams who keep their shape with solid fullbacks he won't get much joy as he can very rarely beat a man and doesn't possess great acceleration or pace. I still think Knockaert and March are our two first choice wingers when Solly is fit again.

My take on Skalak is this. He has the (equal) most number of assists in The Championship from the least number of minutes. Based on that, it's probably best that we stick to Hughton picking the team rather than you or Macchiavelli. Solly has been out a long, long time and we have seen how long it took to get Bong back up to speed. I know you didn't mention Murphy, the usual favoured option by many to Skalak, but as Murphy only shows for about 20 minutes a game, I see him as no more than a useful sub either.

 

[sdmartin1]

My take on Skalak is this. He has the (equal) most number of assists in The Championship from the least number of minutes. Based on that, it's probably best that we stick to Hughton picking the team rather than you or Macchiavelli. Solly has been out a long, long time and we have seen how long it took to get Bong back up to speed. I know you didn't mention Murphy, the usual favoured option by many to Skalak, but as Murphy only shows for about 20 minutes a game, I see him as no more than a useful sub either.

Completely bizarre tone of post. I never suggested Hughton was picking the wrong team or that he didn't play well yesterday, and I am aware that it will take March a while to get up to speed.

 

[dazzer6666]

I think Murray loves Skalak playing - he knows he's going to get a couple of decent chances to nod one in.

 

[Guinness Boy]

Stumpy Tim is a blatant racist who supports the EDL? That's going to come as a shock to his wife of 10 years who isn't white or British and to his 2 lovely mixed race children.

exactly my first thought!

 

[Stumpy Tim]

Lovely that you can't let it go that I called you out on your disgusting comments about Australian aboriginals. Putting the wind up blatant racists like you is one of the great pleasures of using this site. I guess my racism is racism against white people??, can't work out what your are dribbling on about but if so, you can stick that up your EDL arse

Particularly shameful EDL comments there, but nothing surprising from our resident know it all. Those "racist" comments you mention surrounded one thread where an aboriginal joy rider was shot by the police. When I suggested that it was a joy rider misbehaving you immediately played the race card... seems to be standard for you though.

Given my ten year mixed race marriage and mixed race children, your comments are particularly distasteful. You need to grow up