[RedPed]

I think you need a better reference for your points. McKola's ridiculously anti-Smalling. One of the prime users of the "X was poor but it was because Smalling unsettles him" argument.

No I don't. It's only some people on here that think Smalling is any good. I haven't met anybody in the real world that rate him at all. All my mates use him as banter fodder. If any rival fans on here can say that they would have him in their team and who he would replace, I will take it all back.

 

[Frank Grimes]

Guys, if you seriously rate Smalling as good enough for a team competing for major honours then you are living in a different world. Even Southgate could see that he is pants. I don't care if hes a nice guy, the guy is not and never was good enough to be anything other than a squad player(like liverpool have Matip).

 

[Loublaze]

Zaha had to leave their left wing because he couldn't get the better of Smalling.

Right. I saw that.

 

[Loublaze]

Guys, if you seriously rate Smalling as good enough for a team competing for major honours then you are living in a different world. Even Southgate could see that he is pants. I don't care if hes a nice guy, the guy is not and never was good enough to be anything other than a squad player(like liverpool have Matip).

Smalling has won more as a player than Southgate ever did and has played at a much higher level. What the feck has Southgate won actually as both a player and a coach? Smalling was signed and played by one of the greatest managers ever and he's been first choice by two managers among the top 20 most decorated managers ever. feck Southgate

 

[Frank Grimes]

Smalling has won more as a player than Southgate ever did and has played at a much higher level. What the feck has Southgate won actually as both a player and a coach? Smalling was signed and played by one of the greatest managers ever and he's been first choice by two managers among the top 20 most decorated managers ever. feck Southgate

Smalling is not the level required for a top team. Not only him though but this is the Smalling thread.

 

[Ekeke]

No I don't. It's only some people on here that think Smalling is any good. I haven't met anybody in the real world that rate him at all. All my mates use him as banter fodder. If any rival fans on here can say that they would have him in their team and who he would replace, I will take it all back.

So basically all your opinions are made up of what other people say, got it.

Weak as shit

 

[Ekeke]

Guys, if you seriously rate Smalling as good enough for a team competing for major honours then you are living in a different world. Even Southgate could see that he is pants. I don't care if hes a nice guy, the guy is not and never was good enough to be anything other than a squad player(like liverpool have Matip).

So what major honour did Southgate win without Smalling?

 

[RedPed]

So basically all your opinions are made up of what other people say, got it.

Weak as shit

Yes of course, so just because you and 500 other people who shout the loudest hink he is the best thing since sliced bread, he must be great and everybody else is wrong.

Weak as shit.

 

[Ekeke]

Yes of course, so just because you and 500 other people who shout the loudest hink he is the best thing since sliced bread, he must be great and everybody else is wrong.

Weak as shit.

Nobody thinks he's that good. They just dont agree with you that he's shit. Its not shit or the best thing ever. Its is he shit or not. And they think he's not, because they watch him play well as a defender. While you think hes shit because some people who dont watch us play say so.

Shit as weak.

 

[Red_toad]

So we draw 0-0 and the Smalling thread is the hot topic. Lord help him if we dare concede a goal...

 

[RedPed]

Nobody thinks he's that good. They just dont agree with you that he's shit. Its not shit or the best thing ever. Its is he shit or not. And they think he's not, because they watch him play well as a defender. While you think hes shit because some people who dont watch us play say so.

Shit as weak.

Let me clarify for you. I think he's an average defender but shit for United. He should be playing for Fulham or Southampton. Nothing against the guy but he's nowhere near United level and that's where the contention is. You're wrong as there are fans on here that think he is that good. The point I was making is that there are no other fans (and they do watch us play) that rate him.

 

[Loublaze]

Smalling is not the level required for a top team. Not only him though but this is the Smalling thread.

Smalling has won titles and silverware with United when we were considered a 'top' team and even now when we are not (Europa league, FA cup, League cup). He has proven his quality already among the best.

 

[Loublaze]

Let me clarify for you. I think he's an average defender but shit for United. He should be playing for Fulham or Southampton. Nothing against the guy but he's nowhere near United level and that's where the contention is. You're wrong as there are fans on here that think he is that good. The point I was making is that there are no other fans (and they do watch us play) that rate him.

They don't watch United week in week out. You're foolish to think they do. Why do you value their opinions so highly?

 

[RedPed]

They don't watch United week in week out. You're foolish to think they do. Why do you value their opinions so highly?

I don't. Just adding some perspective. And you're foolish to think that United aren't watched by mi!!ions of other fans week in, week out. Where do you think the PL revenue comes from?

Smalling reminds me of the Emperor's New Clothes scenario.

 

[Minimalist]

Jesus Christ, now Gareth 'Wanker Waistcoat' Southgate is the true judge of a player.

 

[Sauldogba]

I used to think he was good enough but im slowly moving to the side of him not being good enough now.

 

[Isotope]

As I said before, outside of a few deluded fans on here, Smalling is a laughing stock and not rated at all by oppo fans. No way would he get into any of the top 6. Probably wouldn't make the bench.

Carrick git the same treatment by oppo fans, and his National Team. So was Andy Cole. Even our team while winning the league regularly under SAF, still not many oppo fans rate them.

You just need to understand about defending to know how good Smalling is, without listening to what the oppo fans saying. He’s not world class, but definitely good enough for team to win the League. Just like Cahill, Otomendi, Huth, Evans, Morgan, etc. where some of those are below Smalling.

 

[el3mel]

I never understand the reason of the ferious defending he gets from some fans here. Out of all our players he's the strangest o have that strong **** around him tbh. Can't find any particular reason.

Anyway still at my point. The guy is good but very upgradable and we will have to do it at some point. It's just there are more pressing problems now to care about more than Smalling. He should be playing at the moment once we have an actually good team, he shouldn't be main part of it.

 

[Yorkeontop]

I'm annoyed at how he "let" Lindelof be exposed at that disallowed goal set piece. Smalling should be taking on the bigger guy always in those situations.

 

[kouroux]

Ideally, he should never start for us but be a back up

 

[MadDogg]

I'm annoyed at how he "let" Lindelof be exposed at that disallowed goal set piece. Smalling should be taking on the bigger guy always in those situations.

That would be organised by the coaching staff before the match.

 

[Ekeke]

I'm annoyed at how he "let" Lindelof be exposed at that disallowed goal set piece. Smalling should be taking on the bigger guy always in those situations.

Why are you under the impression that Chris Smalling is the manager of Manchester United football club?

 

[Ekeke]

I never understand the reason of the ferious defending he gets from some fans here. Out of all our players he's the strangest o have that strong **** around him tbh. Can't find any particular reason.

Anyway still at my point. The guy is good but very upgradable and we will have to do it at some point. It's just there are more pressing problems now to care about more than Smalling. He should be playing at the moment once we have an actually good team, he shouldn't be main part of it.

A couple of people value a defender who actually has a talent for defending. I know its shocking.

 

[Mcking]

Smalling was solid today but that bit is as much down to Darmian as anything. It's the first time we've had someone who knows how to position themselves defensively at full back this season.

I can't even recall Zaha taking on Darmian, most of his duels were with Smalling. Zaha started the game upfront, it was Meyer against Darmian.

 

[Mcking]

I never understand the reason of the ferious defending he gets from some fans here. Out of all our players he's the strangest o have that strong **** around him tbh. Can't find any particular reason.

Anyway still at my point. The guy is good but very upgradable and we will have to do it at some point. It's just there are more pressing problems now to care about more than Smalling. He should be playing at the moment once we have an actually good team, he shouldn't be main part of it.

The fact you think it is strange shows that it has nothing to do with **** or whatever. It is just a few people recognizing a very good defender.

 

[11101]

I can't even recall Zaha taking on Darmian, most of his duels were with Smalling. Zaha started the game upfront, it was Meyer against Darmian.

That's because Darmian was properly positioned most of the time. Zaha played his usual left forward where he likes to come in from the left and go between the fullback and centre back. That's a lot harder to do when the fullback isn't leaving any space.

 

[Minimalist]

I never understand the reason of the ferious defending he gets from some fans here. Out of all our players he's the strangest o have that strong **** around him tbh. Can't find any particular reason.

Anyway still at my point. The guy is good but very upgradable and we will have to do it at some point. It's just there are more pressing problems now to care about more than Smalling. He should be playing at the moment once we have an actually good team, he shouldn't be main part of it.

You make some really weird posts.

 

[el3mel]

The fact you think it is strange shows that it has nothing to do with **** or whatever. It is just a few people recognizing a very good defender.

Anyone who dares to criticize him in this thread gets at least 2-3 posters jumping on his back like Smalling is aboslute faultless and shouldn't be questiones or criticized. It's weird and illogical, especially when talking about a very good at best defender and he's only good inside the box, not world class or not excellent to have these amount of postes devoting themselves to replay on almost everyone who dares to criticize him.

 

[Ekeke]

Anyone who dares to criticize him in this thread gets at least 2-3 posters jumping on his back like Smalling is aboslute faultless and shouldn't be questiones or criticized. It's weird and illogical, especially when talking about a very good at best defender and he's only good inside the box, not world class or not excellent to have these amount of postes devoting themselves to replay on almost everyone who dares to criticize him.

And you've made more shit up. Who has ever said Smalling is faultless and should never be questioned? Nobody.

 

[Yorkeontop]

That would be organised by the coaching staff before the match.

Why are you under the impression that Chris Smalling is the manager of Manchester United football club?

If this is true (I have no reason to believe otherwise), then I consider it a failure on the coaching staff. Still don't see how it prevents Smalling from calling an audible and switching things up, but maybe then I'm asking too much from the limited fella.

 

[Ekeke]

If this is true (I have no reason to believe otherwise), then I consider it a failure on the coaching staff. Still don't see how it prevents Smalling from calling an audible and switching things up, but maybe then I'm asking too much from the limited fella.

Do you think Jose Mourinho is the type of manager who likes his players to go against his instructions?

We dont truly know if he is or isnt told before the match to mark a specific player who is their most threatening from set pieces. But if you tell your CB to do that and he doesnt mark that player, why would Jose Mourinho pick Smalling the next match? Someone who doesnt listen to his instructions?

Likewise, if Smalling "calls an audiable" and does what he thinks is best against the managers instructions he's going to be in the dog house there as well.

So if you are Chris Smalling all you can really do is what you're told, because even if its the wrong thing and costs your team a goal, the manager isnt able to blame you and leave you out for following exactly what he told you to do. Thats what he wants from his players.

 

[Yorkeontop]

Do you think Jose Mourinho is the type of manager who likes his players to go against his instructions?

We dont truly know if he is or isnt told before the match to mark a specific player who is their most threatening from set pieces. But if you tell your CB to do that and he doesnt mark that player, why would Jose Mourinho pick Smalling the next match? Someone who doesnt listen to his instructions?

Likewise, if Smalling "calls an audiable" and does what he thinks is best against the managers instructions he's going to be in the dog house there as well.

So if you are Chris Smalling all you can really do is what you're told, because even if its the wrong thing and costs your team a goal, the manager isnt able to blame you and leave you out for following exactly what he told you to do. Thats what he wants from his players.

I guess we are not 100% sure about how that situation was supposed to be handled. Smalling ends up marking McArthur though (who's not as imposing as Kouyate). I'm just bemused at how that came to be because it seems wrong to me. If these is indeed are the instructions I'd like somebody to enlight me on what was the point of that.

Edit: Just looked at the play again. Pogba messes up his assignment on Kouyate ( still feel Smalling should be in him). Lindelof was actually free on that play and tries to clean up after Pogba.

 

[golden_blunder]

Smalling is our strongest CB for 1 main reason HES THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN HEAD A BALL!!!

I’m getting sick saying this to United fans. He’s the last CB that should be shown the door until they are replaced with quality

Every week I hear or read someone saying that Bailly - lindelof should be the partnership. This would not be suitable for PL football and would result in us having to play fellaini every game to protect them at set plays etc

Open your eyes people!

 

[villain]

Why is this the most recently active player thread?

 

[AltiUn]

As I said before, outside of a few deluded fans on here, Smalling is a laughing stock and not rated at all by oppo fans. No way would he get into any of the top 6. Probably wouldn't make the bench.

Opposition fans are a horrible metric to rate a player against, it took 3 years of De Gea being exceptional before they actually started to rate him. They tried to make out Pogba was worse than Henderson when he first came and that lingered for a while too.

Smalling is our strongest CB for 1 main reason HES THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN HEAD A BALL!!!

I’m getting sick saying this to United fans. He’s the last CB that should be shown the door until they are replaced with quality

Every week I hear or read someone saying that Bailly - lindelof should be the partnership. This would not be suitable for PL football and would result in us having to play fellaini every game to protect them at set plays etc

Open your eyes people!

Pretty much this, it's really shocking that we have 5 odd CBs in the PL and only one can actually use his head, it's ridiculous really. A Bailly/Lindelof partnership would be defensive suicide.

 

[Bobski]

Downright bizarre that after Smalling plays an excellent game there is so much anger. Forced regurgitation of previous stances, unwillingness to give him any unqualified credit.

 

[Annihilate Now!]

Smalling is our strongest CB for 1 main reason HES THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN HEAD A BALL!!!

I’m getting sick saying this to United fans. He’s the last CB that should be shown the door until they are replaced with quality

Every week I hear or read someone saying that Bailly - lindelof should be the partnership. This would not be suitable for PL football and would result in us having to play fellaini every game to protect them at set plays etc

Open your eyes people!

Agreed, he's not perfect but he is by far our most competent centre back.

Lindelof is so crap in the air, he doesn't even go up for our attacking corners... I mean what the feck.

 

[RedPed]

Opposition fans are a horrible metric to rate a player against, it took 3 years of De Gea being exceptional before they actually started to rate him. They tried to make out Pogba was worse than Henderson when he first came and that lingered for a while too.

No they aren't. They just confirm how deluded some United fans are. Smalling has been here for about 9 years now and we're still having these discussions about how good he is. If we have any player, and I'm not just talking about Smalling that would not walk into any of the top 6, then something is wrong, especially if that applies to a good part of the team.

You can look at the top 6 teams and reel off a list of players that you would happily take at United. How many of ours can we honestly say that about. Smalling is certainly not one of them. He may be a decent defender but the fact that so many are happy to accept him as the standard that we should be striving for is just baffling.

I was praying that Fulham would have come in for him when they came back up but no such luck. Still waiting for rival fans to prove me wrong.

 

[11101]

Smalling is the least of our problems. Put a world class guy with leadership qualities next to him and he'd do a fantastic job as 'the beast'.

Most great CB pairings are a Beauty and the Beast pairing. One footballing man with organisational skills and great reading of the game, one guy to do the dirty work. Is he world class? Of course not. But pair him with a Rio, and he'd be very good.

We did pair him with the actual Rio, and he wasn't 'very good'. He was fifth in the pecking order behind Rio, Vidic, Phil Jones and Jonny Evans.

 

[Bobski]

We did pair him with the actual Rio, and he wasn't 'very good'. He was fifth in the pecking order behind Rio, Vidic, Phil Jones and Jonny Evans.

When he was a 20 yo kid, 10 months removed from Maidenstone? Shocker that.