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Ex-Spurs Player Oliver Skipp

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I sense if Hojbjerg had gone last summer and Skipp had those minutes (in that position at the base of midfield rather than high pressing 8 when he did get a chance), then we’d be a lot more positive on him. Sliding doors moment.
And for those arguing “if he was good enough he’d be ahead of Hoj” it’s not always that simple. Hojbjerg was the consummate professional and a big character who, despite most on the forums misgivings, has been a key player for every manager since he’s been here.
This is so true about Hojbjerg.......but youre not supposed to put positive comments about Hojbjerg in this Fighting Cock community mate.
 
Skipp needs a move and a fresh start IMO. He looks like he is a long way behind the other midfielders now, and players like Hall, Bergvall and even Tyrese Hall look a lot better suited to the system Ange wants to use as alternatives to Maddison, Sarr, Bissouma, Bentancur etc. One of Skipp's main problems is that he is small and relatively slow and in a modern midfield you need to be very athletic, especially for Ange ball. Skipp needs to go to a club that want to keep the ball where he can slot into the base of midfield and do what he is good at - recycling the ball and keeping things ticking along.
 
If kids will keep proving themselves during pre-season, his club trained status will no longer be that important. Which is I think fine also for his career - he could start somewhere at bottom PL/Top Champo level, for the sake of his career, instead being 23rd or 24th name on the team list.
 
Feel for him. Like Hojbjerg, they are not bad players, they just don't suit the way Ange wants the team to play. They slow the team down so much and look so clumsy. I really hope he can have a good career elsewhere.
 
Skipp needs a move and a fresh start IMO. He looks like he is a long way behind the other midfielders now, and players like Hall, Bergvall and even Tyrese Hall look a lot better suited to the system Ange wants to use as alternatives to Maddison, Sarr, Bissouma, Bentancur etc. One of Skipp's main problems is that he is small and relatively slow and in a modern midfield you need to be very athletic, especially for Ange ball. Skipp needs to go to a club that want to keep the ball where he can slot into the base of midfield and do what he is good at - recycling the ball and keeping things ticking along.
Is he slow? He always looks quite zippy to me. Maybe that was pre-injury?

He's a bit Winks in that he's a talented guy and genuine fan who had a nasty injury and hasn't really pushed on since. The bonus is that, unlike Winks, we don't have to keep playing him as we have better players. He's only 23 and loaning him out doesn't seem such a bad idea. See if he can regain some mojo and then reassess next season. Likely be able to sell him for more if he comes good as well. Rotting away on our bench is doing nothing for him. Winks regained his love for the game elsewhere; no reason why Ollie can't as well.
 
Seems like his time here is coming to an end soon but I figured I would bump his thread because he’s honestly been one of the more impressive players this preseason.

Thought he did pretty well as a makeshift CB early on and played well against Bayern second half yesterday.

I don’t think we’ll miss him much but he’s done himself a world of good showcasing his talents for his next club. I think he’ll be a solid option for a lower 1/3 Prem team or an incredible option for a Championship club with promotion ambitions.
 
I really don't get why Ange always plays him in the #8 position, when not playing him as a defender. To me he looks much more like a #6. I don't see him in training of course, but if I could have controlled the pre season I would have given him 2 or 3 halves at #6. I think he was playing in that position in his pretty successful loan at Norwich.
 
I really don't get why Ange always plays him in the #8 position, when not playing him as a defender. To me he looks much more like a #6. I don't see him in training of course, but if I could have controlled the pre season I would have given him 2 or 3 halves at #6. I think he was playing in that position in his pretty successful loan at Norwich.
Bet because he runs a lot and tackles a lot, but on the other hand he is not good at playing the ball under the pressure, with opposition on his back. So as a midfielder he is seen in Sarr role.
 
I really don't get why Ange always plays him in the #8 position, when not playing him as a defender. To me he looks much more like a #6. I don't see him in training of course, but if I could have controlled the pre season I would have given him 2 or 3 halves at #6. I think he was playing in that position in his pretty successful loan at Norwich.

Not press resistant enough. He'd be a disaster as the 6 in this system. Every single pass he receives with his back to play will either be given straight back to where it came from or likely turned over due to being pressed.

The 8 position allows him to get up and down the pitch and cover. The issue is due to his injuries, he's lost his athleticism so he's also not really suited to that anymore in this system and of course doesnt offer anywhere near enough offensively to counteract it.

Norwich Skipp and modern day Skipp are two completely different players, due to said injuries.
 
Not press resistant enough. He'd be a disaster as the 6 in this system. Every single pass he receives with his back to play will either be given straight back to where it came from or likely turned over due to being pressed.

The 8 position allows him to get up and down the pitch and cover. The issue is due to his injuries, he's lost his athleticism so he's also not really suited to that anymore in this system and of course doesnt offer anywhere near enough offensively to counteract it.

Norwich Skipp and modern day Skipp are two completely different players, due to said injuries.
I think a combination of the injuries and losing a bit of agility when he bulked up a bit. Gone from being great at reading the game and cutting out danger to being late in challenges and getting caught on the ball.
I remember that clip of the dutch u21 team talking about him at half time


View: https://youtu.be/ANHCN2T3ljQ?si=6VLc9awtTo7wNQbP&t=1522

"That Skipp guy is an annoying guy," said one of the team.
"He can play nice balls, he's a good footballer."
"He's very good in controlling the play. He keeps turning like Frenkie (De Jong)."
"Very annoying, I gave him a little push in the game."

As you say, completely different player now
 
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