Jamie Carragher has praised Oliver Skipp for his performance during Tottenham Hotspur’s 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United on Sunday.
The 22-year-old has only made sub appearances this season, but with the visit of Eddie Howe’s high-flying Newcastle, Skipp was handed his first start of the campaign and Carragher thinks he did ‘quite well’, as he told Sky Sports Premier League (23/10/22 at 5:55 pm).
Just after the hour mark, as Skipp picked up a booking, he was subbed for a more attacking change when Lucas Moura was introduced into the action.
Some Spurs fans would have argued that change should have been made a lot earlier, not because of the midfielder’s performance, but because the game was crying out for it.
Even though Conte watched his team get outplayed, it’s less to do with a player like Skipp’s performance, but with how the team was set up overall.
Nonetheless, whilst there is a lot of gloom around north London, Carragher spoke highly about Skipp’s display in the middle of the park.
“He’s definitely more of an offensive player (Moura sub), but to be fair to Skipp,” said Carragher. “In that first half, he was the one from midfield who was making those penetrating runs in-behind.
“He did quite well in the first half and he hasn’t played too often this season.”
MORE MINUTES FOR SKIPP
For large parts, Tottenham’s usual midfield two – Rodrigo Bentancur and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – have performed very well for the roles they have been deployed.
Added to that, Yves Bissouma arrived in the summer, and at times, even he struggled to get going under Conte.
Therefore, it was going to be even more difficult for someone like Skipp to earn those all-important minutes and starts.
Whilst it’s great playing for Spurs and being part of a Champions League team, if he wants to progress his career, then he needs to head for the exit door and earn those regular starts elsewhere.
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