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That speaks poor about our CBS signings rather than good about Smalling himself. He's not bad but extremely overrated and his defenders see no wrong about him at all.
Even his most ardent defenders can see his faults. It's just judging if they out way his benefits. Atm they do. Better signings and he will make way and it's probably about time we got a cb signing right.
He obviously is considering he's the only CB we have that won player's player of the year and Rooney suggested he's a top 3 CB in the world. Wheres Jones, Rojo, Bailly or Lindelof's accomplishments? Where are the quotes from teammates that suggest they are among the best in the world?
That was years ago. Valencia has won players' player of the year as well.
Valencia doesnt play. Smalling plays almost every game he's fit for. One of the first names on the teamsheet
Yep, the fact he's been here for 9 years and has been a mainstay in our defense post Fergie yet has not emerged as a leader is quite telling. The fact that Ole gave a mute in De Gea the armband when Young isn't playing says it all. You've got players who have been here a couple of seasons being more vocal and commanding than a player who's verging on a testimonial.
Seen you always posting about Smalling ya miserable yolk. You haven't a clue pal. 8 goals yeah but what exactly was his fault? He should have gotten closer to Coutinho against Barca. That's about it. No player is perfect but as the team goes he's been one of our better players. Sick of the nit-picking moany people on here. Give credit where it's due.
Something he won years ago doesn't mean they are immune forever, and Rooney was also convinced he wasn't finished at the top level when his legs had clearly gone, so I'm not taking his word as gospel with all due respect.
Theres a difference between your personal bias to yourself and how you rate another player.
Rooney was always going to big up his team mates, why wouldn't he? Everyone would pretty much do the same. Doesn't mean it's a gospel opinion. Smalling can't even get in the England team, which says it all.
Great.
Yeah, its just the opinion of someone who knows much more about football than you.Imagine taking Rooney saying Smalling is a top 3 CB in the world seriously
So you genuinely think Smalling was/is a top 3 cb in the world? Just because Rooney said it?Yeah, its just the opinion of someone who knows much more about football than you.
Imagine taking something you said seriously
I think he was a really strong CB at his best defensively. No frills, but defensively one of the best in the league. And he had his 2nd best season last season so it wasnt long ago.
You say England's defence is crap and Smalling can't get near the team, so go figure.
Because he's a good defender and England clearly dont want those.
But England are coping just fine without him, this is the best they've looked in years.
Against easy teams sure. I mean... kinda. They still didnt score goals from open play. Just set pieces.
So, England are picking bad defenders on purpose?
If he wasnt why would he be our most picked CB in our big matches and why is he our only CB who has played more games in the champions league than the amount of goals conceded in those games?So, England are picking bad defenders on purpose?
Or maybe you can just face facts, that Smalling is an average defender who isn't at the top level.
Maybe it is personal. Smalling once rejected Southgate for Hodgson.
.I mean, Spain in Spain is a good example. And they also beat Croatia and drew with Croatia too. For what Southgate and England want to do smalling isn't good enough.
Yeah we beat Spain with long balls up the pitch not playing it out from the back. The keeper smashed it long and the forwards had some great interplay that caught a poorly performing Spanish side (at least defensively) asleep and the England forwards were pretty electric and made the most of it.
Could be, but Southgate doesn't seem that type of guy. Probably more to do with the fact other cbs are better.
The fact he has played so much is one of the reasons we are in decline. He is one of the 8-9 bang average players we have who should not start for a big team. When my Everton supporting friends wouldn't even want him for their club it says it all really.
Just look at our first goal Vs spain. Cos of the ability of England at the back it brings Spain to press meaning Pickford can pass it kane in our own half with 7 players taken out of the game
Everton eh. Lukaku won 10 headers against them. We didnt score from those though.
He picks Dunk, Jones and Tarkowski.
A return to stone age football would be 2 x Chris Smallings next to each other.
I didnt say 2 Smallings. Just someone as good at defending as Smalling. Hopefully they'd be better on the ball too because Smalling needs someone better than him on the ball next to him
At 29 and having been here almost 10 years, if he still needs somebody better than him it says more about him (having somebody as good as him at defending won't see us win the league)
Thank goodness.
And if he's still seen as our best defender next season were in trouble
