Myles Lewis-Skelly: Spooky Scary Skelly

[Geofranco]

AMN's problem is that he was never a 90 minute player in terms of focus and concentration. I too felt he should have got more midfield time, but I can see why coaches might not have been keen, as he had a habit of out of nowhere playing loose passes in central areas. AMN has always been a bit of a street footballer - amazing physical and technical gifts but not the mentality for the very top level. Personally I would have tried harder to keep him as a swiss army knife, but he was caught between not having quite the technical level to be a winger at the elite level, not quite the vision to be an attacking midfielder, not quite the focus to be a DM and not quite the defensive chops positionally (despite being excellent 1 on 1) to be a full back at the elite level.

I reckon in the 80s, 90s he would have absolutely killed it in central midfield, but the tactical side of his game wasn't quite strong enough for the current elite level.

MLS seems less loose in his style and naturally more intense/driven. Might not be as talented, but looks to be the kind of personality Arteta loves.

Skelly is way more talented than AMN. Much better technician with better vision and decision making. AMN is probably a better athlete, but not by much.

 

[lomekian]

Skelly is way more talented than AMN. Much better technician with better vision and decision making. AMN is probably a better athlete, but not by much.

Certainly better vision and decision making, but AMN used to levels above his peers technically. Some of the goals and assists he got in the age groups were ridiculous, hence him going on loan so early.

 

[Geofranco]

Certainly better vision and decision making, but AMN used to levels above his peers technically. Some of the goals and assists he got in the age groups were ridiculous, hence him going on loan so early.

To me whenever I watched AMN he just looked like an athlete to me, never saw any guile in his game. I could never see him playing as a midfielder or winger here, could have potentially developed into a very good fullback if he completely bought in. Skelly has a lot of the same guile and mentality that made Saka stand out when I watched him in the academy.

 

[MutableEarth]

Skelly is way more talented than AMN. Much better technician with better vision and decision making. AMN is probably a better athlete, but not by much.

I don't think talent is the main difference between them, I think Lewis-Skelly has better conviction. AMN gave himself problems by being too casual and that often betrayed his technical ability which IMO was considerable - especially at the time he came through. Lewis-Skelly only slightly edges him, his technique rivalling almost anyone who came through at Hale End, but he puts meaning into every use of the ball and that is the major difference between him and a lot of players we've brought through, let alone AMN.

 

[Geofranco]

I don't think talent is the main difference between them, I think Lewis-Skelly has better conviction. AMN gave himself problems by being too casual and that often betrayed his technical ability which IMO was considerable - especially at the time he came through. Lewis-Skelly only slightly edges him, his technique rivalling almost anyone who came through at Hale End, but he puts meaning into every use of the ball and that is the major difference between him and a lot of players we've brought through, let alone AMN.

I just don't think AMN had the vision, decision making and quick thinking to make it as a midfielder or attacking prospect here. He was probably one of the best pure athletes to ever come out of hale end though with solid technical ability.

 

[MutableEarth]

I just don't think AMN had the vision, decision making and quick thinking to make it as a midfielder or attacking prospect here. He was probably one of the best pure athletes to ever come out of hale end though with solid technical ability.

The masterstroke by Andries Jonker was moving him to defensive midfield. I initially thought he had great future as a #6, in a similar vein to what Rice is currently doing. I don't think he had the vision for a more attacking role either but I agree on his decision-making. He would do a lot of good stuff followed by a handful of ridiculous things that undoes all of his good work. Ironically he was fine when it came to thinking quickly, my problem is he didn't do it enough. A player that needs to be in the thick of it, otherwise he gets idle and does silly ****.

 

[Gooner Zig]

That slipped ball he managed after he got put under the pump from a pass was magnificent. I thought for sure he was going to get caught on the ball.

 

[Deleted member 98559]

I just don't think AMN had the vision, decision making and quick thinking to make it as a midfielder or attacking prospect here. He was probably one of the best pure athletes to ever come out of hale end though with solid technical ability.

Agree, occasionally it would work when he would get out of trouble with his physicality and it would give people a false sense of hope that he could play in midfield on a high level.

I was fooled a few times by it, but he was indeed missing some basics for a good midfielder

 

[Deleted member 98559]

AMN has always been a bit of a street footballer - amazing physical and technical gifts but not the mentality for the very top level. Personally I would have tried harder to keep him as a swiss army knife, but he was caught between not having quite the technical level to be a winger at the elite level, not quite the vision to be an attacking midfielder, not quite the focus to be a DM and not quite the defensive chops positionally (despite being excellent 1 on 1) to be a full back at the elite level.

He did get a chance to change positions when it was obvious nobody would have him as a midfielder, but his head wasn't in it. I kinda agree with the coaches when they played him as a RB, it hid away things that he was missing and it should've exposed things that he was good at

 

[Batman]

He did get a chance to change positions when it was obvious nobody would have him as a midfielder, but his head wasn't in it. I kinda agree with the coaches when they played him as a RB, it hid away things that he was missing and it should've exposed things that he was good at

I think mentality comes into it somewhat. I'm quite sure MLS doesn't want to be playing LB but he's humble and mature enough to see it might be his pathway into first team minutes for his club and he's making the most of it with a smile on his face. He'll earn himself minutes in his preferred role by performing in the one the team needs. AMN just didn't seem as enthusiastic about accepting what he could be here and honing that skillset.

 

[GoonerJeeves]

I think mentality comes into it somewhat. I'm quite sure MLS doesn't want to be playing LB but he's humble and mature enough to see it might be his pathway into first team minutes for his club and he's making the most of it with a smile on his face. He'll earn himself minutes in his preferred role by performing in the one the team needs. AMN just didn't seem as enthusiastic about accepting what he could be here and honing that skillset.

I think the mentality bit is probably the key thing here. AMN also had to contend with his mother and everything surrounding that. Maybe he would have fared better had he wholeheartedly embraced the fullback - wingback role. Still, he's having a good career. Most youth players do not make it in professional football. Turning out for Lyon is nothing to scoff at.

MLS just needs to plug away and listen to the manager. He's getting minutes, and will for sure start tomorrow.

 

[Blankety Blank]

Kid showed some really nice touches & has a bright future.


Caught too far forward & didn't react/ sprint back fast enough.

Good play by Liverpool but ultimately his lack of awareness/inexperience was a major factor in us losing the points.

 

[Blankety Blank]

Kid showed some really nice touches & has a bright future.


Caught too far forward & didn't react/ sprint back fast enough.

Good play by Liverpool but ultimately his lack of awareness/inexperience was a major factor in us losing the points.

Tbf dont want to be too harsh on the kid but just stating that these are the requirements at the very top level.

Just highlighting it's a very tough ask for young players who will at times make mistakes.

Anyhow looking forward to seeing more of him & it will be interesting to see where he plays against PNE.

Does he stay at LB to further his development in that position or perhaps get a game in CM

You would think Zinny must get a run out.

 

[bastun]

Kid showed some really nice touches & has a bright future.


Caught too far forward & didn't react/ sprint back fast enough.

Good play by Liverpool but ultimately his lack of awareness/inexperience was a major factor in us losing the points.

I think he is the least at fault here. Martinelli lost the ball in no mans land and Kiwior covered both Salah and Nunez onside because of his indecisiveness. MLS is a bit unlucky all the games he played are with a LCB partner who is a 3rd or 4th choice. I'm sure he will have a great game if you play him in a back 4 with White , Saliba, Gabriel who can cover for his inexperience.

 

[Blankety Blank]

I think he is the least at fault here. Martinelli lost the ball in no mans land and Kiwior covered both Salah and Nunez onside because of his indecisiveness. MLS is a bit unlucky all the games he played are with a LCB partner who is a 3rd or 4th choice. I'm sure he will have a great game if you play him in a back 4 with White , Saliba, Gabriel who can cover for his inexperience.

Nelli lost the ball on the edge of the Pool box. It happens, no way it can be pinned on him.

Yes it may seem harsh but the fact is MLS was caught.(by a top player tbf)
Sure Kiwior could have perhaps also done better.

it's very tough at the very top level.

The reason MLS got the nod over say Zinny is likely Tets thinks he is better defensively. Quicker & better at the duels?

Im not here to kill the Kid. All I'm saying is that he got exposed a bit.

Understandably Younger players are perhaps at times more likely to be found out defensively.

 

[bastun]

Nelli lost the ball on the edge of the Pool box. It happens, no way it can be pinned on him.

Yes it may seem harsh but the fact is MLS was caught.(by a top player tbf)
Sure Kiwior could have perhaps also done better.

it's very tough at the very top level.

The reason MLS got the nod over say Zinny is likely Tets thinks he is better defensively. Quicker & better at the duels?

Im not here to kill the Kid. All I'm saying is that he got exposed a bit.

Understandably Younger players are perhaps at times more likely to be found out defensively.

Just watched the situation again. I still think Kiwior is more at fault but MLS underestimated the whole action. He gave Salah too much space and his movement was a bit nonchalant the whole time. But that is a young 17 year old who is used to playing in the under 21s. He will clear this mistakes with time but we definitely have another gem in him.

 

[El Duderino]

@MutableEarth Maybe it's down to him being deployed as a left back for now, but I'm getting some real Nacho Monreal vibes here.

Understated classiness kind of deal where he's making a lot of little things look effortless. Really hope he gets to play in midfield if we ever have less than 65 injured left sided defenders at the club.

 

[MutableEarth]

@MutableEarth Maybe it's down to him being deployed as a left back for now, but I'm getting some real Nacho Monreal vibes here.

Understated classiness kind of deal where he's making a lot of little things look effortless. Really hope he gets to play in midfield if we ever have less than 65 injured left sided defenders at the club.

Agree, doing a lot of simple things really well. I actually didn't think he was great last night actually, was perhaps a little too withdrawn on occasion and was late to a few duels where he'd normally be ahead of play but at 18 you expect those odd lapses from time to time. He's a driven kid, he'll iron that out pretty quickly.

I was quite impressed with how tenacious Ayden Heaven was when he came on! Isn't normally that front footed off the ball, especially with his lack of top end speed, so that was encouraging. He still is yet to sign a pro deal for us so I hope his debut last night will push things in the right direction. I think he could have a future at Arsenal - I'm not sure that future is CB personally but the opportunity is certainly there. I see massive #6 potential with him - especially with Lewis-Skelly being shunted into this inverted role, it could be a pathway of sorts.

 

[teamsoutheast]

To me whenever I watched AMN he just looked like an athlete to me, never saw any guile in his game. I could never see him playing as a midfielder or winger here, could have potentially developed into a very good fullback if he completely bought in. Skelly has a lot of the same guile and mentality that made Saka stand out when I watched him in the academy.

AMN's passing wasn't good enough for this team. His average pass completion rate was in the mid to late 70's. Gotta be in the mid to late 80's/ early 90's if you wanna play midfield in this team.

Myles Lewis Skelly may well be in midfield in the long term, but it's good for him to learn his trade at FB in the inverted role where he can work on his defensive positioning and start integrating with the team. His passing will need to be exceptional if he want's to stay in the first team midfield. losing the ball here or there is not gonna cut it at this level as certain teams can punish you for losing the ball.

Fabregas/Wilshere level passing is the expectation if you wanna start at those tender ages.

 

[boonthegoon]

At their current levels, I feel MLS is better than nwaneri. Excited to see how he develops.