BarstoolProphet
Full Member
- Joined
- Aug 7, 2014
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- 6,700
We should be linked with right-sided centrebacks the entire season. Smalling really stepped up. Maybe having a solid midfield infront is showing Smalling's true colors?
He's top.Such a great defender. Mix of Rio and Vidic - can play a high line and defend on the front foot, but also defends the box like a champion.
He absolutely nullified Gestede's aerial threat, though.Didn't think he was as imperious in the second half. Obviously his passing is very fallible, but he struggled in a few 1v1's in the early stages in the second half. I suppose that's because I judge him to a very high standard, as he very rarely loses out.
Must be so easy playing next to him. Rojo's best run of form came when he was partnered with Smalling, same with Jones (apart from a few games at the start of the season) and the only time Evans started to look decent last season was when he got a run of a few games with Smalling too. He even almost got a clean sheet along with De Gea at the Emirates with Blackett and McNair partnering him. He takes on the bulk of the defensive responsibility taking pressure off his partners.He's top.
I'd prefer rojo but the rest is as solid as you can get really.I always favored Smalling over Evans/Jones. He has the most promise with his build/strength/speed to be the next Vidic. I actually like the pairing of Blind/Smalling. Both of them enjoy bringing the ball forward themselves and their passing is only going to get better as time goes on.
I actually have a lot of confidence in the:
Darmian - Smalling - Blind - Shaw
Schneiderlin - Carrick/Schweinsteiger
It's just feels so solid.
Come on, Shaw and Darmian are very solid players too and both he and Jones now have a midfielder playing next to them to compensate for their lack of ability on the ball. Hardly carrying a back line is it?Name me one 25 year old defender who can carry a backline at a topclub ? Smalling is a solid rock.
Who is he carrying exactly?Name me one 25 year old defender who can carry a backline at a topclub ? Smalling is a solid rock.
Me too. To say we can have....I'd prefer rojo but the rest is as solid as you can get really.
Think Smalling would probably be first name i'd put down in our first 11.