Oliver Skipp Confirmed

[MaidstoneFox]

2 hours ago, Langston said:

In all the clips for Norwich he looks a completely different player, mobile, combative, quick-footed, pinging passes all over the place.. Whether or not its a confidence thing I don't know, but that season was 4/5 years ago and physically he looks and moves completely differently now..

 

I'd love him to come good but his standout season was quite a while ago tbh and there wasn't even a glimmer of anything approaching decent last year.. 

Looks like he's got arthritis to me.

[jv1]

Having him over soumare any day of the week in this league - he will be fine - hopefully will show he has a bit more quality against lesser opposition than last year where he was completely out of his depth just like the rest of them 

[DJ Barry Hammond]

2 hours ago, VLC86 said:

The fee is ridiculous and looks worse every day, but surely as a pro you aren’t that acutely aware of it.

 

I think he could do alright in the Championship but I wouldn’t be hanging my hat on it based on his season there with Norwich.

Of course they will be aware of it; we’re dealing with humans.

 

The impact will differ between players; we’ve all seen examples of players that have got their big move, become Jonny BB’cks and never put a shift in again.

 

Alternatively, there are some players that will embrace a big fee and the stature that comes with it and use it as a way to drive their own performance.

 

But equally there are some that may feel the pressure of a big fee and the expectations they perceive that fee commands.

 

Imagine for example everyone’s wages in your company are published for everyone to see; and you find you’re deemed to be valued 10x more than a lot of staff that do a similar job as you; there’s going to be some sort of psychological effect on you then isn’t there? 
 

And of course a footballer is not immune from psychological impacts just because they’re a “professional.”

[Dan]

4 hours ago, honeybradger said:

5 years ago. Soyuncu was in the PL team of the year 6 years ago and now he's playing in Turkey.

 

If you actually watch him play football he clearly lacks quality but people are gaslighting themselves that he will tear up the division next season because he was good on loan half a decade ago.

 

If you compare him to Dewsbury Hall for example who was our star player in the championship last time around there's a clear gap in quality. You could point to KDH's ball carrying, playmaking, athleticism and runs into the box and say those were his key qualities.

 

What exactly does Skipp do well? His positioning is very poor, often times he is left standing like a statue whilst the opposition bypass him, his passing isn't good, he's not particularly energetic, he's short, he's not a goal threat, he's not press resistant, he doesnt progress the ball up the pitch well, often times just laying it straight back to the centrebacks. When he was in the championship last time around he was a lot more mobile and a lot more confident, that's all gone.

We're in for a bit of a surprise I think. Squad is weaker than the one we had two years ago, substantially fewer goals in the team, plenty of players who had fresh starts at the time are now part of the deadwood. Add that to midtable form for the last third of the season. Wouldn't be surprised at all if we're in for a rude awakening - particularly as the clubs MO is just 'do nothing and hope for the best'. You can get away with it when you're blatantly a cut above, it will eventually catch us - could be this time around.

[VLC86]

12 minutes ago, DJ Barry Hammond said:

Of course they will be aware of it; we’re dealing with humans.

 

The impact will differ between players; we’ve all seen examples of players that have got their big move, become Jonny BB’cks and never put a shift in again.

 

Alternatively, there are some players that will embrace a big fee and the stature that comes with it and use it as a way to drive their own performance.

 

But equally there are some that may feel the pressure of a big fee and the expectations they perceive that fee commands.

 

Imagine for example everyone’s wages in your company are published for everyone to see; and you find you’re deemed to be valued 10x more than a lot of staff that do a similar job as you; there’s going to be some sort of psychological effect on you then isn’t there? 
 

And of course a footballer is not immune from psychological impacts just because they’re a “professional.”

Agree with all of that, but do I think he’s been shit just because we signed him for £25m? Absolutely not.

[Supergray22]

21 minutes ago, jv1 said:

Having him over soumare any day of the week in this league - he will be fine - hopefully will show he has a bit more quality against lesser opposition than last year where he was completely out of his depth just like the rest of them 

I wouldn’t take him over soumare. Yes soumare looks a bit lethargic and lazy at times and lacks consistency. At his best he offers a physical presence and the power to burst through lines and initiate breaks. We got our pants pulled down with the skipp fee and got a winks lite in return whose form has been deteriorating for several years. If Marti can get a tune out of the likes of soumare or ndidi they would offer the team more in this division. 

[DJ Barry Hammond]

4 minutes ago, Dan said:

We're in for a bit of a surprise I think. Squad is weaker than the one we had two years ago, substantially fewer goals in the team, plenty of players who had fresh starts at the time are now part of the deadwood. Add that to midtable form for the last third of the season. Wouldn't be surprised at all if we're in for a rude awakening - particularly as the clubs MO is just 'do nothing and hope for the best'. You can get away with it when you're blatantly a cut above, it will eventually catch us - could be this time around.

I think one thing a lot of people are missing this time round is how essential KDH was to getting us going the last time we were in this league.

 

His dynamic driving play really was a catalyst for the rest of the team; and the 12 goals and 14 assists he claimed that season really highlight something we don’t really have this time around.

 

Add in no Vardy as well… and I’m wondering why a lot of people think this season will be a cake walk with the squad as is.

 

We really could do with bringing in a couple of mentality monsters and a striker.

[foxfan92]

4 minutes ago, Dan said:

We're in for a bit of a surprise I think. Squad is weaker than the one we had two years ago, substantially fewer goals in the team, plenty of players who had fresh starts at the time are now part of the deadwood. Add that to midtable form for the last third of the season. Wouldn't be surprised at all if we're in for a rude awakening - particularly as the clubs MO is just 'do nothing and hope for the best'. You can get away with it when you're blatantly a cut above, it will eventually catch us - could be this time around.

Why I'm desperate for us to keep hold of Bilal.

 

While I agree we're potentially weaker in some areas, losing players since last time like KDH, potentially  some key players like Mads (and arguably N'didi) before the season starts, and we've a huge vardy shaped hole up front that begs the question where will the goals come from, we are also arguably better off in other areas. If they stay fit, Fatawu and Mavididi should both be getting better and better, and time will tell how good our new manager is.

 

We've also got a lot of hungry new talent coming through which I hope will get their chance to shine this season.

 

But back to my first point I feel players like Bilial are vital to us doing well this season.

 

As for Skipp ... let's hope the manager knows how to play to his strengths because I don't understand what he's done so far to justify the 25 M we wasted on him ....

[foxfan92]

Just now, DJ Barry Hammond said:

I think one thing a lot of people are missing this time round is how essential KDH was to getting us going the last time we were in this league.

 

His dynamic driving play really was a catalyst for the rest of the team; and the 12 goals and 14 assists he claimed that season really highlight something we don’t really have this time around.

 

Add in no Vardy as well… and I’m wondering why a lot of people think this season will be a cake walk with the squad as is.

 

We really could do with bringing in a couple of mentality monsters and a striker.

Lol. My response was longer and delayed by having to entertain my kids, but we both seem to have made similar points and now it looks like I either copied you or didn't bother to read what you wrote. 

[DJ Barry Hammond]

2 minutes ago, VLC86 said:

Agree with all of that, but do I think he’s been shit just because we signed him for £25m? Absolutely not.

I’m suggesting it’s a factor that probably hasn’t helped him settle and play with a freedom of mind and in a fully relaxed state which is how players generally perform to their optimum standards.

 

There are other factors at play too - joining later into the pre-season, moving away from a club he’s been comfortable at for years, having a largely undefined role in a truly awful system.

 

You know, it was a challenging situation to jump into and I can completely understand why he’s not impressed so far - and why he probably never will because he just can’t live up to that price tag.

[AKCJ]

27 minutes ago, Dan said:

We're in for a bit of a surprise I think. Squad is weaker than the one we had two years ago, substantially fewer goals in the team, plenty of players who had fresh starts at the time are now part of the deadwood. Add that to midtable form for the last third of the season. Wouldn't be surprised at all if we're in for a rude awakening - particularly as the clubs MO is just 'do nothing and hope for the best'. You can get away with it when you're blatantly a cut above, it will eventually catch us - could be this time around.

Also Enzo is quite clearly a top level manager.

[Collymore]

I can see similarities to when Maresca took over. He got a tune out of Rodgers' rejects and then offered tripe like Vestergaard new contracts and then f**ked off. 

 

I hope we learn our lesson and sell them to a Championship club who know they can do the business at that level. 

 

[Dan]

2 hours ago, DJ Barry Hammond said:

I think one thing a lot of people are missing this time round is how essential KDH was to getting us going the last time we were in this league.

 

His dynamic driving play really was a catalyst for the rest of the team; and the 12 goals and 14 assists he claimed that season really highlight something we don’t really have this time around.

 

Add in no Vardy as well… and I’m wondering why a lot of people think this season will be a cake walk with the squad as is.

 

We really could do with bringing in a couple of mentality monsters and a striker.

 

2 hours ago, foxfan92 said:

Why I'm desperate for us to keep hold of Bilal.

 

While I agree we're potentially weaker in some areas, losing players since last time like KDH, potentially  some key players like Mads (and arguably N'didi) before the season starts, and we've a huge vardy shaped hole up front that begs the question where will the goals come from, we are also arguably better off in other areas. If they stay fit, Fatawu and Mavididi should both be getting better and better, and time will tell how good our new manager is.

 

We've also got a lot of hungry new talent coming through which I hope will get their chance to shine this season.

 

But back to my first point I feel players like Bilial are vital to us doing well this season.

 

As for Skipp ... let's hope the manager knows how to play to his strengths because I don't understand what he's done so far to justify the 25 M we wasted on him ....

Even El Khannouss himself though - he's a good player but he doesn't score many, and this was also the case in Belgium where he was in a relatively strong team.

 

Our central midfielder goal tallies are frankly an embarrassment.

[Tielemans63]

As for Skipp, I've never seen anything from him to suggest he's suddenly going to become a decent player for us. He's been a woeful signing. Couldn't even tell you what it is he's supposed to be good at.

[filbertway]

5 minutes ago, Tielemans63 said:

As for Skipp, I've never seen anything from him to suggest he's suddenly going to become a decent player for us. He's been a woeful signing. Couldn't even tell you what it is he's supposed to be good at.

He got into the PFA team of the year at this level with Norwich.

 

He's also going to be playing under a manager that I fancy is better than the 2 he played under last year.

 

I expect he will do well for us this season.

 

He was just such an unnecessary signing at the time.

[dmayne7]

2 hours ago, Supergray22 said:

I wouldn’t take him over soumare. Yes soumare looks a bit lethargic and lazy at times and lacks consistency. At his best he offers a physical presence and the power to burst through lines and initiate breaks. We got our pants pulled down with the skipp fee and got a winks lite in return whose form has been deteriorating for several years. If Marti can get a tune out of the likes of soumare or ndidi they would offer the team more in this division. 

No way. Soumare has absolutely no tactical awarenesses. Can look amazing 1 second but then he's back to completely switching off and being a liability. Soumare has the potential to wow you (in a good way before somebody tries to sneak that joke in!), something that Skipp won't do, but Skipp will be a million times more reliable.

 

Personally, would love to see a new centre mid in who's athletic as that's what we're missing.

[Tommy Fresh]

Skipp will be the midfield version of Vestergaard, be class at this level, the club will think we don't need to replace them if we go up and they'll look shit again in the prem

[Sol thewall Bamba]

39 minutes ago, dmayne7 said:

No way. Soumare has absolutely no tactical awarenesses. Can look amazing 1 second but then he's back to completely switching off and being a liability. Soumare has the potential to wow you (in a good way before somebody tries to sneak that joke in!), something that Skipp won't do, but Skipp will be a million times more reliable.

 

Personally, would love to see a new centre mid in who's athletic as that's what we're missing.

Without looking at the stats I would wager that Skipp gives the ball away more than Soumare does. 

[Supergray22]

39 minutes ago, dmayne7 said:

No way. Soumare has absolutely no tactical awarenesses. Can look amazing 1 second but then he's back to completely switching off and being a liability. Soumare has the potential to wow you (in a good way before somebody tries to sneak that joke in!), something that Skipp won't do, but Skipp will be a million times more reliable.

 

Personally, would love to see a new centre mid in who's athletic as that's what we're missing.

You’re kidding. The amount of times skipp gets played through as though he is not there and loses possession through a misplaced pass. Soumare will be gone but neither of them are what we need.  I would not be relying on skipp even at this level. It will be interesting to see what Marti lands on after ten games or so but I hope he can build something out of what he inherits. I suspect it won’t be that different from what Enzo used unless we get some inspired loans or start to utilise the youngsters coming through. 

[Brainy]

He reminds me of that weird head statue on art attack. BIN

[dmayne7]

16 minutes ago, Supergray22 said:

You’re kidding. The amount of times skipp gets played through as though he is not there and loses possession through a misplaced pass. Soumare will be gone but neither of them are what we need.  I would not be relying on skipp even at this level. It will be interesting to see what Marti lands on after ten games or so but I hope he can build something out of what he inherits. I suspect it won’t be that different from what Enzo used unless we get some inspired loans or start to utilise the youngsters coming through. 

I'm not mad on Skipp either but he has proved his capable at this level. Soumare will have that 1 moment when you think he's a world beater and then people forget how crap he is for 5 games. Skipp isn't lazy either though that's hardly a ringing endorsement.

 

Plus we're lumbered with Skipp for the time being.

[Supergray22]

4 minutes ago, dmayne7 said:

I'm not mad on Skipp either but he has proved his capable at this level. Soumare will have that 1 moment when you think he's a world beater and then people forget how crap he is for 5 games. Skipp isn't lazy either though that's hardly a ringing endorsement.

 

Plus we're lumbered with Skipp for the time being.

Capable at this level. I’ll believe it when I see it with my own eyes. But you are right we are lumbered with him. No one else will come near him for a fifth of what we paid but I don’t want to see him starting. 

[tylesta]

4 hours ago, Collymore said:

I can see similarities to when Maresca took over. He got a tune out of Rodgers' rejects and then offered tripe like Vestergaard new contracts and then f**ked off. 

 

I hope we learn our lesson and sell them to a Championship club who know they can do the business at that level. 

 

Maresca had already left before he signed his deal

[Sol thewall Bamba]

3 minutes ago, tylesta said:

Maresca had already left before he signed his deal

Incorrect. 

[tylesta]

4 minutes ago, Sol thewall Bamba said:

Incorrect. 

Maresca joined chelsea 30th may

 

Janik signed 7th of june

Edited 24 July 2025 by tylesta