Robbo*
Full Member
- Joined
- May 15, 2013
- Messages
- 672
Heard somebody making a £9m offer for him today.
So who is this "reliable and unquestionable" CB we have now?...
And "out of his way" likely would have meant giving Smalling assurances that he'd be a starting man per default. Which he didn't deserve - it's as simple as that. If Smalling had developed ideally, he would've been our go-to man at CB by now - a veteran, reliable and unquestionable. But he isn't that, is he? He never turned into that.
If he, himself, wants to come back and fight for a place in the starting XI (but being prepared for a more marginal role, as a squad option) - then by all means. I'd have no problem with that. Would be odd, though, given why he wanted that loan in the first place.
I think if we have Pereira or Trent as a right back who are good in keeping possession when under high pressure instead of Bissaka, may be Smalling will still be okay as an option. We're playing from the back & Smalling doesn't suit with the style. Under Mourinho we used to just take a long goal kick and let Lukaku wins the header.If Smalling wants out, fair enough. But if we have him and he wants to stay, who is against him being our starting CB next season, and if you are against it, can you state why?
I wonder why we don't involve Smalling in a swap + money for Zaniolo. The guy can play as RW, AM and MC. He's the biggest young talent in Italy.Unless Roma are willing to pay north of 30 million for him i dont see the point of getting rid yet and there are plenty more that should be sold before him.
That being said though, one decent season in Italy does not mean hes top PL quality all of a sudden.
Yeah, the thought of Smalling trying to pass his way through a press in his own box is kind of frightening.His weakness on the ball shouldn't be something that is brushed away. We can't be playing hoofballs from the back because our are front 3 are very poor in the air and Ole is clearly trying to implement a style.
Currently, our build up from the back is hardly fantastic and we rely alot on the CBs to hold the ball in tight situations. Smalling needs to play as the right-sided CB where he can use his preferred foot. Couple that with AWB beside him and it will be a complete nightmare.
He came up against them for years and was never exposed. Why would it suddenly start happening now?Smalling has had an amazing season but I would rate him at Tom Cleverley/Mkhitaryan/Lingard/Welbeck level. A player who would thrive at West Ham or Everton, but not quite good enough for the first XI of Man Utd.
Southgate has picked Tyrone Mings, Lewis Dunk, Tarkowski, Michael Keane, Tomori, Gary Cahill, Joe Gomez, John Stones all ahead of Smalling.
I think if we bring back Smalling, I believe his performances would be on a par with what Lindelof offers. I think when we came up against world class forwards like Aguerro, Sadio Mane, Harry Kane..... I think Smalling would get exposed.
Think Smalling has his uses as a back up here, was our best and most consistent cb post Fergie but his brutal ability on the ball lets him down big time.You could argue Lingard, Cleverley etc are good enough to be in our first XI. With a proper run in the team like Fred and McTominay got this season, a much riled player can suddenly turn into an important cog in the wheel.
But the Jury will always be out because Fred will never be Keane, Lingard will never be Rooney. I don't doubt for a second that Lingard could be a huge success at West Ham or AC Milan if he moves. There's definitely a player in there. But will he offer enough goals and assists to cement his place in the Man Utd first XI, even if he's playing very well each week?
And I just think Smalling is one of those players. Of course he could partner Maguire and be decent next season. But I feel the jury will always be out that he's lacking that bit extra that a true Man Utd player has. I don't personnaly think he would offer more than Lindelof.
There isn't a single player that hasn't been hated on relentlessly before on this forum. Not a single one, not even one of our own like Rashford and McTominay. All of them have been trashed and called all sorts of insults before.I don't understand the hate around Smalling. He's fantastic in air, he's fast and he's strong. That all qualities Lindelof doesn't have. Sure his passing is meah. However he can be trained to play safe, a bit like Shaw does every fecking time he's got the ball at his feet. Gattuso wasn't Pirlo either but his contribution made Milan and Italy win CLs and a WC
Why do people keep going on about this?Would have broken the record for penalties conceded for holding through VAR
Roma seems to be unwilling to sign him for even 15 m, hopefully there is some interest from English clubs we might get around 20 m if we are lucky.If ake goes for 40mil, whats smalling worth?
Ake is 25 and could improve with experience. Smalling is 30 and is only likely to get worse. So that plays a factor. If Ake is worth £40M then Smalling is worth... £10M to £15M perhaps?If ake goes for 40mil, whats smalling worth?
De Gea isn't vocal at all he is very quiet and so is Lindelof and Maguire. They have been afforded a lot of time to get the partnership working this season, but De Gea seems insecure and void of confidence. He didn't when Smalling was around. Smalling played with many different partners and is very very loud, and clear.He is very poor on the ball, not a great communicator, can’t carry the ball out as Ole wants. Also quite simply I don’t think he has the character to be a Man Utd starting player. However, if our transfer budget is going on other areas I’d be happier with him being our first change centre back than Bailly etc, obviously.
I had expected him to partner Maguire. With Tuanzebe/Bailly paired with Lindeloff as the alternative pair. Then he got sent on loan and we stayed with Jones....He's the best defender but Maguires ball paying ability elevate him.
Alwayd been a smalling fan and defended him in his thread these last few years.
Think he's pefect to play alongside maguire until a cant miss player becomes available.
I'm not sure how anyone believes this. For I remember us dropping crucial points in the league due to using Phil Jones. Not to mention it costing us a cabrao cup semi....He starts that fa cup semi ahead of Bailly. I doubt a chelsea beats us.but in reality we haven't missed him this season. .....
Roma are 5th in Serie A. Conceded the most goals in the top 7 in Serie A.I'm not sure how anyone believes this. For I remember us dropping crucial points in the league due to using Phil Jones. Not to mention it costing us a cabrao cup semi....
Each to their own, but I find it hard to believe that anyone looking back on our season could sit there and think "If only we had Smalling".I'm not sure how anyone believes this. For I remember us dropping crucial points in the league due to using Phil Jones. Not to mention it costing us a cabrao cup semi....He starts that fa cup semi ahead of Bailly. I doubt a chelsea beats us.
Smalling was part of a series of defences that were vulnerable and poor. He’s been at the club for years and had a million chances. Maguire has come in straight away and been a leader, perhaps this has made Lindelof look better but I like Lindelof as a younger centre back who is constantly improving and also showing increasing aggression, control on the ball and leadership qualities. DeGea has special talents which have meant previously his lack of being vocal hasn’t been an issue, but I’d argue it is also an issue with him, and that doesn’t make it ok in Mike.De Gea isn't vocal at all he is very quiet and so is Lindelof and Maguire. They have been afforded a lot of time to get the partnership working this season, but De Gea seems insecure and void of confidence. He didn't when Smalling was around. Smalling played with many different partners and is very very loud, and clear.
He showed a 'never give up' winning mentality several times during his time here. He obviously has the right character. Scoring the winning goal against City and in other comebacks, goals in injury time etc.
That says more about Southgate than it does smallings abilities. There’s no way the likes of Mings is better defensively or better on the ball. He’s just not.Smalling has had an amazing season but I would rate him at Tom Cleverley/Mkhitaryan/Lingard/Welbeck level. A player who would thrive at West Ham or Everton, but not quite good enough for the first XI of Man Utd.
Southgate has picked Tyrone Mings, Lewis Dunk, Tarkowski, Michael Keane, Tomori, Gary Cahill, Joe Gomez, John Stones all ahead of Smalling.
I think if we bring back Smalling, I believe his performances would be on a par with what Lindelof offers. I think when we came up against world class forwards like Aguerro, Sadio Mane, Harry Kane..... I think Smalling would get exposed.
He is good at stopping goals. Since Fergie left every season that has had a good defensive partnership at the back ta United has included him. It isn't by coincidence. Plus given we actually lost important games and points because of the likes of Jones playing. There is nothing strange about saying he was missed.Each to their own, but I find it hard to believe that anyone looking back on our season could sit there and think "If only we had Smalling".
Good player, but not a difference maker. We lost/drew games because we were unable to control the game and play football. He doesn't add enough value to be in that team, given how we play.
List the ones that were his fault. Before you bring this up as a point to knock himRoma are 5th in Serie A. Conceded the most goals in the top 7 in Serie A.
He is part of the defensive unit. We didn't lose to Chelsea and City because we missed Smalling.List the ones that were his fault. Before you bring this up as a point to knock him