Chris Erskine- “The comeback king”
If somebody had told you on the 10th of August 2013, a year later new signing Chris Erskine would be Dundee United’s top scorer four months into the 2014-15 season, you’d most likely question their sanity.
In August, Erskine had just signed from Championship winning Partick Thistle, and in United’s second match of the season, Jackie McNamara brought in the midfielder for his first start. After a poor first 60 minutes in a tangerine jersey, McNamara eventually took off Erskine. The disappointing debut continued when he was subbed off, United "fans" booed and sarcastically cheered Erskine's substitution.
For the remainder of the 2013-14 season, Erskine made only a further eight first appearances before choosing to go back on loan to Partick Thistle until the end of the season. Despite not setting the heather alight at Firhill either, fast forward 15 months from that nightmare debut against Inverness, Erskine has possibly been United’s stand out performer this season. Not only has he scored five goals thus far in the season, he has proved to be United’s go to man in attacking positions.
With Erskine scoring off the bench in the first game of the season against Aberdeen, the quiet yet confident midfielder very much seems to be a confidence player, when Erskine is full of confidence (like he's been this season) his unique running style, close control and unconventional technique is a handful for any opposing defenders.
What kind of player is he?
A video of what Erskine has produced so far this season, by @ScottishEdits. Follow or subscribe for more Scottish football player edits!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSpDV5JI9Uk
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Unlike most players, with Erskine it is very difficult to find another player in World football who we can say has a similar playing style as. Erskine is a player with a lethal left boot, only two of his last six goals for United have been from his right foot. Despite Erskine scoring a healthy tally of goals already this season, the attacker doesn’t have an overly powerful shot, instead his shooting is pinpoint accurate and struck with almost the right pace to get past the goalkeeper and in the corner of the net.
Although Erskine has an unusual running style, his pace doesn’t get as much credit as it deserves. In some people’s opinion, his long and skinny legs make his sprinting look uncoordinated and slow, however, the midfielders goals against St Mirren and Hibernian prove that the midfielder does have the pace necessary to drive past a defender in a sprint.
This season, we have also discovered that Erskine has his own trademark tackle. He somehow manages to tackle the player from behind and scoop the ball away from the opposition.
Despite Erskine tiring towards the end of many United matches this season, when he is on the pitch he is a player that always gives 100% and makes decisions that benefit the team.
For Erskine to transform from a player whose own fans disliked from such an early stage into arguably United’s most consistent attacker so far this season, this proves that Erskine is mentally tough and possesses a fantastic attitude, a natural trait vital for any footballer to reach their full potential.
Player rating-
Passing: 8/10
Shooting: 8.5/10
Heading: 7/10
Speed: 8.5/10
Stamina: 7.5/10
Footballing brain: 8.5/10
Skill: 8.5/10
Tackling: 8/10
Overall rating: 65.5/80
Article by Joseph James
If somebody had told you on the 10th of August 2013, a year later new signing Chris Erskine would be Dundee United’s top scorer four months into the 2014-15 season, you’d most likely question their sanity.
In August, Erskine had just signed from Championship winning Partick Thistle, and in United’s second match of the season, Jackie McNamara brought in the midfielder for his first start. After a poor first 60 minutes in a tangerine jersey, McNamara eventually took off Erskine. The disappointing debut continued when he was subbed off, United "fans" booed and sarcastically cheered Erskine's substitution.
For the remainder of the 2013-14 season, Erskine made only a further eight first appearances before choosing to go back on loan to Partick Thistle until the end of the season. Despite not setting the heather alight at Firhill either, fast forward 15 months from that nightmare debut against Inverness, Erskine has possibly been United’s stand out performer this season. Not only has he scored five goals thus far in the season, he has proved to be United’s go to man in attacking positions.
With Erskine scoring off the bench in the first game of the season against Aberdeen, the quiet yet confident midfielder very much seems to be a confidence player, when Erskine is full of confidence (like he's been this season) his unique running style, close control and unconventional technique is a handful for any opposing defenders.
What kind of player is he?
A video of what Erskine has produced so far this season, by @ScottishEdits. Follow or subscribe for more Scottish football player edits!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSpDV5JI9Uk
_
Unlike most players, with Erskine it is very difficult to find another player in World football who we can say has a similar playing style as. Erskine is a player with a lethal left boot, only two of his last six goals for United have been from his right foot. Despite Erskine scoring a healthy tally of goals already this season, the attacker doesn’t have an overly powerful shot, instead his shooting is pinpoint accurate and struck with almost the right pace to get past the goalkeeper and in the corner of the net.
Although Erskine has an unusual running style, his pace doesn’t get as much credit as it deserves. In some people’s opinion, his long and skinny legs make his sprinting look uncoordinated and slow, however, the midfielders goals against St Mirren and Hibernian prove that the midfielder does have the pace necessary to drive past a defender in a sprint.
This season, we have also discovered that Erskine has his own trademark tackle. He somehow manages to tackle the player from behind and scoop the ball away from the opposition.
Despite Erskine tiring towards the end of many United matches this season, when he is on the pitch he is a player that always gives 100% and makes decisions that benefit the team.
For Erskine to transform from a player whose own fans disliked from such an early stage into arguably United’s most consistent attacker so far this season, this proves that Erskine is mentally tough and possesses a fantastic attitude, a natural trait vital for any footballer to reach their full potential.
Player rating-
Passing: 8/10
Shooting: 8.5/10
Heading: 7/10
Speed: 8.5/10
Stamina: 7.5/10
Footballing brain: 8.5/10
Skill: 8.5/10
Tackling: 8/10
Overall rating: 65.5/80
Article by Joseph James