Big week for Jiri Skalak - and why the Czechs think he was a bargain

Skalak, recalled to the starting XI for the trip to Birmingham, put set-pieces right on to the heads of Connor Goldson and Lewis Dunk as Albion beat the Blues and trebled their tally of goals from defenders this season.

The Czech’s part in the 2-1 success took him to four assists for the season in limited playing time since his mid-season move from Mlada Boleslav.

Sometimes a player needs to find a niche for himself when he is going through an adaptation process.

A chance to show what he can do to those who do not see him every day in training. Something to catch the eye and make a difference.

David Lopez’s ability to take unstoppable penalties late 2012 is an example from recent seasons. That wasn’t all he did but it was the route via which fans first started to appreciate him.

Skalak’s crossing ability is marking him out while he tries to adapt in other areas and he will feel a little more at home in more ways than one by the end of this week.

“I’m happy in my new life here and it’s a good week for me,” he told The Argus after playing his part at St Andrew’s.

“I’m getting a house this week and a car. I’m settling in. My wife won’t be coming here until next season but I’m getting used to England and the football. I’m learning.

“I have two English lessons a week. My teacher is Danish and she is good. I’m happy with how she is teaching me. It is one-and-a-half hour for a lesson and I think that’s good.”

Skalak is reluctant to do interviews in English – but he starts to venture into his new language for a few words at a time as the discussion continues and confidence grows.

Jiri Skalak in action at Preston 

On the pitch, he has struggled at times to be physically strong enough. He lost possession to a full-blooded tackle just before Jon Toral wasted a great chance to put Birmingham 2-0 up on Tuesday.

But he earned thunderous cheers from the away section for an equally thunderous challenge in the closing minutes as Albion protected their lead.

He is also starting to realise just how precious the ability to deliver a great ball from out wide is in English football.

Skalak said: “I was glad to be able to help in the two goals at Birmingham. The set-pieces and free-kicks are something I did at Mlada Boleslav. I played a similar role there.

“I’m glad the coach (Chris Hughton) gave me that responsibility to take the set-pieces here.”

Perhaps Skalak’s best piece of work in an Albion shirt was the cross from the byline which set up Tomer Hemed’s second goal at MK Dons. Maybe overlooked was the fact he won the ball to start that counter-attack.

Then he found himself out of the side against Burnley as Anthony Knockaert scored one goal, set up another – and was in turn left out at Birmingham.

Albion are having to make do with pretty thin resources in attack and central midfield, certainly if anything should happen to any of Dale Stephens, Beram Kayal and Hemed. But they have a wealth of riches out wide.

Skalak said: “There are more good players here than me. It can only be good for Brighton and the club. I know Anthony played the last game and scored a goal.

"I think next time he didn’t play because there were only three days since the last match. He was maybe tired and the coach changed it so it’s no problem.”

Skalak never quite made it at Sparta Prague, the biggest club in the Czech Republic. He crossed the border and progressed at Slovak side Ruzomberok, whose small but modern ground nestles at the foot of the Tatras mountains.

His recent home, Mlada Boleslav, is also a far cry from Brighton. It is an industrial town with a population of 45,000 whose economy depends hugely on its major Skoda car plant.

Jiri Skalak was a big hit at Mlada Boleslav

Finding his way out to the team coach through one of the newer stands at St Andrew’s, Skalak observed: “The stadia here are very nice. Better than in the Czech Republic. But some of the pitches are worse.”

Jaroslav Bilek, who reported on Skalak’s games in the past two seasons for Boleslavsky Denik newspaper, recognises tales of set-piece accuracy. But he underlines the fact that there might be more to come.

He also suggests why Albion might have got in at the right time.

Bilek told The Argus: “He had 12 goals in two seasons and more assists. He was hailed here not only for free kicks and corners but also for his creativity in play.

“In the winter transfer window, there was talk that Sparta were interested in Jirí.

“In the media we were speaking about Jiri staying at Mlada Boleslav until the European Championships this summer because, if he plays well there, his value can rise.

“So it was a surprise his moving to Brighton when he did.“ There is always that chance that a good Euro 2016 could increase his value. Which would make Albion‘s move look very shrewd.

He has settled with the Seagulls but has some way to go in being totally at home in England and our football. He knows that.

But his deadball delivery was being likened to that of Paul Watson yesterday. In Albion terms, that is not a bad start.