funkyrobot

Okoli got a lot of stick against Stoke but that’s because he was 100% responsible for the goal. If that had been Nelson he would’ve got stick for it. It is ultimately down to who looks the better footballer though. Nelson looks better on and off the ball. Watching a player who can barely kick a ball properly is a very difficult watch and those players are going to get more frustrated comments accordingly. The fact we have two non footballers in Okoli and Daka makes it even worse.

The one thing he did today that made him stand out from the rest the players was how he trudged off the pitch at the final whistle. A slow trudge without acknowledging the crowd, whilst simultaneously looking like he’d shat himself. Truly magical to see 🥰

There’s nothing in his game that suggests he’s going to dominate in League 1.

Him being an academy player is irrelevant. Nelson can actually retain possession and is no worse at defending than Okoli. That makes him a better player IMO. Drop Okoli and start Lascelles

Should’ve made half time subs. James for Skipp, Monga/Mavididi/Aribo for ‘The Ghost of Bobby Reid™️’. Lascelles for Okoli. Monga/Mavididi (whoever didn’t replace The Ghost) for Daka.

Nelson is a much better footballer than Okoli and he has much more potential to improve too.

Like Patson this lad wears 50p boots and a 50p head band. Another terrible Rudkin signing, one of the very worst ones in a very long list of the worst players to wear a LCFC shirt signed by Rudders.

2 on field spectators in ‘The Ghost of Bobby Reid™️’ and Skipp didn’t help. Nevermind the non footballing abilities of Okoli, Thomas and Daka.

Anyone who watched that match and doesn’t think Skipp is a big issue in our team is watching a different game. He wall passes, misplaces passes, underhits passes behind players, gets caught on the ball, gets easily beaten by players running at him. I know people think I get at Skipp but that’s because of his position. It’s so important. You cannot afford to carry a central midfielder, it’s absolutely vital role, particularly in the formation that we keep sticking to and particularly when we need to create chances and actually win games. The substitution should’ve been James for Skipp, not James for Mukasa and it should’ve come at half time.

It’s a no brainer for me. As soon as Lascelles is fit, Okoli is out of the team.

I haven’t said he hasn’t. I’ve suggested that he’s played more often with James playing in his natural 6 role where James can and has literally won games for us almost single-handedly. I’m suggesting if Winks was given the opportunity to play with James next to him rather than ahead of him as a less effective ten then we’d be even better in midfield.

What games did Skipp and James play alongside each other? When Cifuentes was playing Winks early in the season he was playing JJ as the 10. Rowett has already said that he has to have Winks in his team due to his ability to retain the ball, so the choice, assuming he retains the current formation, will be between Skipp and JJ and that’s a no brainer for me. As you say though, a formation change that gets rid of a 10 and that puts Mukasa as the centre forward position could allow them all to play and I’m not against that tbh.

Yeh when he’s fit he comes in for Skipp

Winks rarely if ever has had the opportunity to play with JJ next to him. Earlier in the season JJ was used as a 10. Skipp’s had the opportunity to play James was deeper, Winks had been binned by Marti and James pretty much carried the whole team. Playing James alongside Winks as 6’s with Mukasa ahead has to be the best formula for winning games surely?

Running and effort is better when that running and effort is combined with talent. In midfield Skipp has a challenge. JJ puts as much effort in as him but is a better footballer. Same can be said about Winks since he was brought back into the team.

I am more than old enough to remember both players. 🤣Mauchlen was limited, probably more so than Skipp but an absolute animal in the tackle. Lennon was a better footballer than Skipp is. He was a natural leader, he had creativity to go with the destructive side of his game and was comfortable on the ball.

Winks alongside James with Mukasa as a 10 is top quality in The Championship. It’s so strong It will make up somewhat for the fact we are weak in the back four and have no quality striker!

MOTM last night. Not arsed with his beef with his Cifuentes or that he’s leaving at the end of the season. He absolutely has to start for me.

Bias clouding people’s judgement works both ways. I’m not alone on here in seeing that despite fabulous effort, Skipp is an issue in such a key central role in the team.

I applaud his effort, I really do but if you watch that game again, he’s beaten often in a one to one situation and from an attacking perspective he offers very little. We can’t afford a player that is so one dimensional in a central pairing of two. He has to offer more than just hustle and bustle and water carrying, particularly when a lot of that hustle and bustle other than those two great blocks at the end was unsuccessful. JJ also offers 100% but has much more to his game. When he’s fit it’s a no brainer for me. A midfield ‘6’ pairing of Winks and JJ with Skipp an impact sub.

Bassey can play a bit too. Okoli can’t.

Skipp doesn’t influence the game enough for me as a senior central midfielder, particularly in a two. In that role you’ve got to dominate. Things break up around him or pass him by.

Has Skippy ever done a reaction test? I swear he plays with lag or high ping. He so often seems to tackle or intercept a second after he the ball has gone. We desperately need James back.

Wout can at least pass a ball

Okoli can’t pass. He either needs to play a very simple ball to someone close to him or just hoof it. He’s not worked that out himself yet too which would suggest he’s brainless too.