Vidic was very underrated on the ball, he’s practically Beckenbauer in comparison to Smalling
2
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 40
- Clean sheets
- 8
- Goals
- 1
- Assists
- 1
- Yellow cards
- 3
- Status
It is actually a bit bemusing to write off Smalling as an option for the LCB position while namechecking as an option, someone who has probably never played in that position in his career.
Taking a thread off topic
I think Bailly would be able to adapt, and his technique and passing is better than Smalling’s. Smalling looks so uncomfortable even when on his preferred side, it’s a bit scary to think how he’d look on the other.
Taking a thread off topic
Smalling has played on the left a lot and although he has never really looked as comfortable as he does on the right - when defending, he's not exactly been disastrous and it can be made to work. Bailly on the other hand has never played there - for us at least, and he is not exactly the type of defender you want to play on his weak side.
Taking a thread off topic
We haven't had a defender put in a complete performance like that at our club for quite a while. No mistakes, weird decisions or hair raising moments. Just assured and in command of the game, dictating to the attackers where and how he wants to defend instead of sitting back on our box and reacting. Yes it's only Cardiff but it's the perfect start to Solksjaers reign for Lindelof.
All five of our CB's have weaknesses which are well documented above. I would say Lindelof is the only one of te five capable of intiaiting atacks as he did on Saturday. Therefore, to play in a more attacking way he should play on the RHS. With a higher line quick recovery is needed, Smalling is the best for that and he is the tallest but can he play LHS? I'd probably go with Smalling against the "put it in the mixer teams" and Rojo against the others.
Man Utd 3:1 Huddersfield
Thought he was great tonight, much more aggressive when defending and attacking.
I thought his lack of strength in the air was causing us a bit of problem. It is not solely on him though. We need a CB that can dominate in the air.
Other than that, he is improving.
Other than that, he is improving.
He is getting better and better and also taking charge at the back. Yes his lack of pace is a worry but Jones is not a slouch so they can make a partnership. His flick for the first goal was brilliant.
Lack of awareness for their goal on the set piece and not as good with his passing as last match.
You mean Lindelof was responsible for Herrera not tracking his man? Ok.
He was responsible for the area he was patrolling yes. Thats the point of marking zonally
This guy.
Looked like a deer caught in the headlights when he first faced Huddersfield. Looked like a make-a-wish footballer that day.
Made significant progress since then. Lovely to see.
Made significant progress since then. Lovely to see.
He's getting better all the time and looking more confident.
I don't think any United player deserves blame for their goal, Huddersfields entire game is based on set pieces and they executed it perfectly.
I don't think any United player deserves blame for their goal, Huddersfields entire game is based on set pieces and they executed it perfectly.
Iceboy is turning into Iceman, all he needed was time.
Jesus, he was great today. The whole team was knackered when their goal went in and Herrera was the man who didn't track the runner.Another good game, making his case to be the partner for whichever CB we buy.
He’s really growing on me, but I’m not sure he’ll ever be part of a truly solid defense.
Indeed. Nice to see that he's improving all the time
Why would you track someone into a CB's zonal area that they are responsible for?
The entire point of zonal marking as our CBs did, is to leave no doubt whatsoever with who is responsible for that area. Lindelof.
This is the footballing definition of 'not my job'. Seeing as telekinesis isn't a thing and Herrera tracked him 80% of the way, it's bizarre that he let him go on and score. It looked more like tiredness and lack of concentration than anything, certainly not Lindelöf's fault anyway.
You really don't like him do you?
His ability with the ball is superb for a defender. Set pieces is where he'll be exposed as he's not good at heading.
So you’re actually saying that the goal is Phil Jones’s fault then. Your agenda agains Lindelöf is unbelievable.
Last edited by a moderator:
I like that both he and Jones step up the pitch when the opposition gave them that space/pressed. A top team's defenders HAS to go into that area between the lines otherwise you'll never build momentum for passages of play.
E.g we would always go back, square and hoof.
E.g we would always go back, square and hoof.
We were not zonal marking on corners or free kicks. It was man to man and this was the second time today Herrera let his man go.
He's the one who isnt alert and moving. Ander is taking care of the outside of the box and gets physical with the player to impede his run on the first ball. After that he's not with the player, he's taking care of the outside of the box.
Our CBs set up to the right of the rest of our players in the box, in a line, they werent marking anyone. Lindelof especially was there on his own with Jones slightly closer to the player who beats Pogba to the first header. Lindelof and Jones are marking space not players and those are our CBs.
Looking at it again its another ball thats dropping inside De Gea's 6 yard box. There are definitely keepers who would have come out to put pressure on the player or tried to claim it
He's been a good player for us for some time now, this place is just predictably slow to credit when it's due.
So tell me who Jones and Lindelof were marking if we were man to man marking
Or have you decided the only player man marking was Ander Herrera for some reason even though hes one of the worst players on the pitch in the air?
Now just to understand how absurd your suggestion is, Ander replaced Fred. So Fred our tiny midfielder would have been man marking him? While Lindelof marks nobody? He's marking space. Its his space.
Is he good enough on the ball to fill in for Matic as a midfield anchor? Looks extremely smooth and polished now, but he faces a lot less pressure from the opposition than he would slightly further up the field.
Matic has been crucial in both games so far, but will definitely need a rest soon and we lack a player that can cover his role in Solskjær's system.
Matic has been crucial in both games so far, but will definitely need a rest soon and we lack a player that can cover his role in Solskjær's system.
Jones was to his left, thats not his area. He starts off with the player that jumped against Pogba, Pogba moves in and leaps with him so Jones backs off back into his space.
Lindelof ball watches instead of being alert and moving.
So yes you'd be 100% completely correct, if Jones was standing where Lindelof was and vice versa. But actually Lindelof was marking the space where the goal came from. Could have been helped by his goalkeeper. He wasnt
Was good again today. But Im not singing his praises until we play someone remotely good.
Another great performance.
Love how confident and direct he is going forward with the ball.
Love how confident and direct he is going forward with the ball.
Correct.
Yeah, but Herrera is on the top of the list of players he likes so you can imagine how difficult this must be for him.
- Status