Mweh, he's timed this statement to just before transfer window....states (if quoted correctly) that he believes current manager doesn't rate him but he rates himself as a starter in our group (not third choice) despite his figures being no better last year.....it may be more polite than Suarez, but smells like the passive aggressive nonsense Reina pulled.... Hendo wasn't "rated" by the boss either...he shut up and proved a point, he didn't throw out public ultimatums....do it begins doors and if you don't like what you hear, put in a transfer request.....
I don't read it that way. I also think BR made a mistake not playing him more considering there's an established partnership with Skrtel - you also can't down play the passion he brings.
He's timed his statement so he doesn't rock the boat and force Rodgers to answer questions about him at every press conference before every game. He waited until the end of the season which is the correct thing to do. He just said he wasn't anyone's third choice. Which is fair enough, we complain about players that are all too happy to sit on the bench and take home massive wages without contributing much e.g. Joe Cole. What he's clearly saying is that he'd rather play somewhere else than sit on the bench and be third choice, something similar to what Carragher said when retiring, that he'd rather retire in the first team than carry on for an year being on the bench and not getting games. You just have to look at the stats to see that we defend better with Agger in the team. These are the stats for the season just after the Man City game: please log in to view this image There's a pretty massive difference between the other 3 and Agger there.
Looks like a pretty even spread of voting. Agger is our best defender imo, but injuries are regular. Skrtel had a very good season, but also scored a record amount of own goals. Sahko has looked a beast at time, but he has looked a liability at other times. Really think we could do with signing Lovren and partnering him with one of them.
I am unsure here, frankly the past is the past but Skertl has had to have played himself to the rcb slot but after that? Sahko and agger each have issues, one had to step up, I personally don't fancy agger as I feel he's just too injury prone and even if he was to play the entire year he looks like his most athletic days are well behind him
Saw an article linking us to Stones today. I think he is a pretty good prospect- but across the park signings are pretty rare!
Danish paper, translation... Bet he just said he's frustrated at not playing, wants to play more and if he doesn't keep playing he'll think about moving due to wanting games at his age. Lot of fuss over nothing I think.
So far in the poll, Agger is the preferred choice. 13 voters: Agger: 9 votes New CB: 7 Sakho: 6 Skrtel: 4
If last summer is anything to go by we were linked to over 100 players. All quiet on Barkley front? That won't happen either.
Yep, I was a Skrtel hater at the start of the season but he deserves praise IMO, he's been our best CB by far.
Bit like being the tallest dwarf. He's still not good enough and has looked better by the rest being poor and by scoring a few goals. Still backs away from players who have the ball around the box instead of going out and closing them down. Always wants to go backwards rather than forward which causes problems. He's good in the air and attacks the ball well which I have to praise. Passing is still hit and miss but hasn't been as bad when compare to Toure who's masked it. Only formed a decent partnership with Agger because even at 29 (I think?) he's still not vocal enough and can't organise the defence. Our best CB this season but still not good enough. He'll stay and be first choice CB next season but I'd rather we replace him with someone similar and keep Agger who ha a bit of leadership at the back and hope Sakho can develop into that role.
Skrtel got 7 goals for us and 4 against us. That's still a net positive result which is more than Carragher managed in a couple of seasons and I, quite rightly, don't remember anyone slating him for it! 7 goals is a massive, huge accomplishment for a CB. I think (?) I remember Hangeland and Terry both getting 6 goals a season, and Vermaelan 7 goals one year, but has any other recent CB had more? Huge. I like Agger, don't get me wrong, but he's seen better years and he's massively injury prone. He can pass, but so can Skrtel and Sakho. He's more composed at the back than Sakho but he's been responsible for us leaking goals this season like everyone else. He might go this season, but, if he doesn't, let's see how well he does. Skrtel, for my money, deserves his berth. A giant for us this year.
Oggies are simply an occupational hazard for CBs and I don't like seeing too much made of them. Usually they're just unfortunate deflections off someone who is doing their level best to block a shot. Skrtel has been the best we've had this year, and even if he's the best of a bad lot, he's still the best. You don't get rid of your best player (in any given position) -you get rid of those who are worse than him until he's the worst- then you get shut. I've been disappointed in Agger's career. When he was young I had hopes for him being a new Jocky Hansen, but being made of meringue really hasn't helped him. He's very cultured in possession of the ball, but not strong enough in winning it, for me. I think he and Skrtel had the makings of a good complementary pairing, but his injuries have prevented it from ever really consolidating. It really does depend on who we buy, but I'd like Danny to stay. I still think he has a lot to offer, but I don't think he's in any position to demand a starting place- although that's probably just journalese anyway.
He looks really good. He should be in the England squad. Chelsea have been linked to a £12m deal. He'd be wasted there.
do people really take goal scoring into account when judging a CB? Surely its a bonus and nothing more?
Yeah, it is a bonus, people usually use it to separate defenders when their other stats are very close. No one was close to Skrtel for us this season. He was head and shoulders above our next best defender.
Only said it because it annoys me when people suggest others are only rating Skrtel so highly because of his scoring exploits this season. That never enters my mind since he's a CB and there to keep goals out.
His stats are there for everyone to see. I've used the player comparison tool on LFC website, and there are few CBs in the league who have better stats this season than Martin. He even won Whoscored?'s defender of the season award.
