Pathetic bump.
Agree, he was voted players player of the year that season so not sure what this proves.
Yes, I agree - your posts, which added nothing to this discussion, are quite, quite pathetic.
I was trying to drum up some new discussion and have a bit of a laugh.
Cop on and grow up, both of you.
"I told you so"
Ridiculous bump of a thread.
I note that you don't actually quote what I say here, and, in fact, completely make up my words. Do you work for the Sun?
Cop on.
feck sake. A lot can happen in two years
True. I don't think there's no hope for him though. He could start the EL final yet!
Sell him to Arsenal pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Is this sarcasm or serious??
Yeah, in this season's form he doesn't deserve to start. Get back playing like he was at the start of last season and I still maintain it'd be hard to buy anyone better. Not that there isn't better but that their clubs wouldn't sell for any price.
What a bump though
I wonder what he would sell for if Mou did try to cash in now.
His great progression hit an absolute halt this season. You can see it stylistically in his play also -- if you watch Smalling in his earlier seasons contrasted to now, he was nowhere near this rash. He was all about using his pace, standing tackle and generally intercepting play before he needed to dive in or grab an opponent. I feel like now that he has senses of his own strength and pace, he has become innately lazy and just 'Srktel-shoves', or pushes really close to his forward to intercept quickly because he knows it's unlikely the striker will turn him and win a footrace.
As a result, he's sort of reached a plateau in his abilities, yet I think he's too 'matured' in this style to go back. As a result, I see him as a very good first team option - his aerial ability isn't matched by many.
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FWIW, his current standing has significantly lessened in fans minds down to vilification from his manager - it has become commonplace to see him as this wuss who doesn't want to give it all for the team etc. despite playing the most outfield games for us last season.
At the risk of sounding a bit crackpot, I think he has definitely played through an injury or two down to the above, and that is affecting his performance levels. We know that for a fact against Chelsea earlier this season, for instance.
Cheer for the good response. I am a little confused though - you're saying he has become a bit rash/lazy, but a a result you DO see him as a good first-team option, or is that a mistake?
Good point re villification from the manager/playing a lot of outfield games last season, and re injuries. Hard to know if Mourinho has been fair there - we don't really have the insight, and won't until an autobiography comes out in a few years
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