89% pass completion negates the argument that he is useless at passing, doesn't it? He still looks slightly awkward at times, like a goalie kicking a ball tbf, but he's far and away our best defender. Why LVG doesn't pick him is baffling. Jones doesn't impose himself on the game at all. At times I am wondering whether or not he plays at all, but then he goes dribbling as the last man and I go "there he is". Jones may have had, or may still have, more potential (whatever that may be), but currently Smalling is our best CB. I still think that Smalling and Jones could be a great partnership if not for the need to play a left footed CB. No wonder Rio and Vidic were shit.
12
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 29
- Clean sheets
- 8
- Goals
- 4
- Assists
- 0
- Yellow cards
- 3
- Red cards
- 1
-
In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) and Jamie (@Vault Dweller) are here to talk about United's dreadful home defeat at the hands of Big Ange's Tottenham Hotspur. Should this have been the end of Ten Hag? How long does he actually have left? And does Nik finally want ETH out?!
Another of those baffling selections from VG. Even with the LCB/RCB nonsense he should be starting whenever fit.
The only defender who takes charge of a situation instead of sitting around.
Should be starting every game for us if not injured. Superior to Jones imo.
How many giant defenders also have great pace (Wilson said on average he's the fastest we have in training) and are also consistant doing a good job with their defending?
I can't really think of any comparible CBs out there, who have these same strengths which are pretty much a dream combination for a CB
We're lucky to have him.
I can't really think of any comparible CBs out there, who have these same strengths which are pretty much a dream combination for a CB
We're lucky to have him.
Easily our best defender.
I just don't understand Van Gaals reason for dropping him in favour of Jones. He's taller, faster, better in the air both offensive and defensively and seems to be the only one of our defenders who pushes out with the ball. Its infuriating.
Well Jones makes the most interceptions of all our players, Rojo is also good at that. So perhaps its because they are more aggressive players with a high workrate, who win the ball more often.
Which is all fine and dandy until you count the fact that they both give the opponents far too many chances with loose touches, passes or switching off. And Smalling does a miles better job at doing those basics
Which is all fine and dandy until you count the fact that they both give the opponents far too many chances with loose touches, passes or switching off. And Smalling does a miles better job at doing those basics
Interceptions are fine but we need much more from our cb's. Jones' positioning at set pieces just leaves me speechless. I did have high hopes for him when he came but he just does not seem to have improved.
Actually position himself in the box to clear the cross instead of dwelling on the edge of it?
In all honesty, only the very best like Boateng, Ramos, Kompany (though he's not that good any more). Now I'm not comparing Smalling to them but he certainly possesses those traits.
Varane?
LVG has started this irritating trend where Some players need to be shit for 5 matches to be benched while some need to put up anything but a perfect performance and its bench time.
I think Herrera, Mata, Rafael and Smalling all fit into that category.
Fast, but a couple of inches smaller.
Smalling matches the likes of Fellaini and Matic
I wouldnt say they they have that kind of speed but they are probably all stronger/more powerful than Smalling
Why didnt he start yesterday I'll never know.
I hate when managers constantly change CB pair for no reason whatsoever. YOu have to have an established CB pair.
I hate when managers constantly change CB pair for no reason whatsoever. YOu have to have an established CB pair.
Last edited:
Smalling had an absolute shocker against Burney despite scoring 2 goals. Neither Jones or Smalling are good enough currently and might never be. Jones was dire against Swansea but Smalling has been equally dire for us in other games so it's a tough call...Jones seems to be a more aggressive defender but Smalling definitely has a lot more about him.
I'm certain Smalling will be in ahead of Jones in our next game but if he has a shocker then everyone will be crying for Jones to be back in the team again
I'm certain Smalling will be in ahead of Jones in our next game but if he has a shocker then everyone will be crying for Jones to be back in the team again
Varane isn't close to Smalling's level in the air, but he is very athletic. They are probably on par for pace. Rio was at least as fast, almost as good in the air and generally a better defender. Concerning today's defenders, Jagielka is the fastest in the league
He wasn't that shocking. For the first goal there were no other defender's in sight. The cross was executed perfectly and the run and timing for the header sublime. Smalling made a decision to go for the near post, which wasn't a bad decision, just turned out it was the wrong one. For the clearance where he missed the ball, Herrera came running into him. If Smalling had smashed that ball, he would most certainly have smashed Herrera's leg also. In the second half, he pretty much cleared everything that could be cleared.
I think it was Ferguson who said that the central players on the pitch should pretty much be established. LVG still seems to struggle to find out who is the nailed on starters. Disregarding DDG, It seems we only have Rooney and RVP for that, and both have been below par.
Smalling-Rojo should be our main CB pair. It hasnt been perfect but it has been the most comfortable of all the pairings we've seen this season. And we've seen a lot.
Agreed.
He's miles better then Jones.
LVG is an idiot.
LVG is an idiot.
I think he's far better than Rojo as well.
Yep.
I’ll most likely get it from all angles here but what’s the point of being a member of the forum for if you can’t give your opinion.
I think Smalling is massively over rated on here, he gets away with mistakes that others would be hung out to dry for, he’s also one of our worst passers in the squad (not talking about stats) and he will most likely be one of the first players to leave in the summer (if LVG stays).
I’m not saying he’s a bad player, he’s not and I’m as comfortable as anyone when he plays but he’s as capable of a mistake as any other CB. If all a defender had to do these days was defend then I’m sure Smalling would be picked ahead of Jones, but it’s not the way the team is being asked to play. I’ve been saying it for a while now, LVG doesn’t seem to rate Smalling, and with the way he wants his team to play I can understand why.
I think Smalling is massively over rated on here, he gets away with mistakes that others would be hung out to dry for, he’s also one of our worst passers in the squad (not talking about stats) and he will most likely be one of the first players to leave in the summer (if LVG stays).
I’m not saying he’s a bad player, he’s not and I’m as comfortable as anyone when he plays but he’s as capable of a mistake as any other CB. If all a defender had to do these days was defend then I’m sure Smalling would be picked ahead of Jones, but it’s not the way the team is being asked to play. I’ve been saying it for a while now, LVG doesn’t seem to rate Smalling, and with the way he wants his team to play I can understand why.
As I said in the Jones thread, he compliments Rojo much more than Jones does. He's a bit of a calming influence there, a Ying to Rojo's Yang. It's probably down to communication, when I see Jones on the field I always imagine he talks to everyone like Zed from police academy.
Which would all make sense if he wasn't getting dropped in favour of Jones who is a) far more prone to mistakes and b) almost as bad on the ball.
I have no answer for that, personally I would pick Smalling at the moment (although Jones at the start of the season was playing very well before the injury he got playing for England) but I can understand why LVG doesn't. The only reason I can think off is Jones is slightly better on the ball. Both make as many mistakes as each other, Smalling has a better recovery though.
Fair enough but of all our defenders you have to admit he's the least error prone, he is also probably the worst on the ball but he doesnt give the ball away and gives it to players who are better with it. If we had 0 ball playing players in defense, that would be catastrophe.
There are a few 'intangibles' to defending. One of them is to inspire confidence in your team-mates. Whether it's your goal keeper or your centre midfielders - they need to feel confident in you. I just don't get the impression that he inspires confidence in those around him, despite being good at the 'pure' defending.
None of them do, to be honest, but especially Smalling. Even his partnerships tend to look more like two separate centre backs doing their isolated defending, rather than playing in unison. Maybe I'm being harsh though.
None of them do, to be honest, but especially Smalling. Even his partnerships tend to look more like two separate centre backs doing their isolated defending, rather than playing in unison. Maybe I'm being harsh though.
Last edited:
At the moment he is yes, although I think Rojo has it in him to become a regular for us for years to come, the more experience he gets (along with a regular partner) I'd imagine the less error prone he will become .
I think the difference between Rojo’s and Smalling’s errors is Smalling’s are usually unforced (although that could my memory playing tricks on me) but for me Smalling’s biggest advantage over everyone else is his speed. Due to the way we play he very rarely gets to use it, which is another reason why I don’t think he fits into the managers plans. It seems its speed on the ball not speed of the player that LVG wants in defenders.
He's definitely shown improvement on the ball this season, doesnt give it away much and now and again he's done some nice work going past players and playing a pass. I'm not sure he's any worse than Jones or Evans on the ball anymore, they are the ones passing to opponents
Brilliant, and probably true.After our earlier debate in this thread thought id watch the Juve Dortmund game. Seriousley.......Matts Hummels is not a good centre half
He's not having a great season, but he's a fantastic player, and as you say we've had this debate.
Smalling is soo overrated by United fans it's embarrassing.
He's also criminally underrated by many. More united fans rate Jones. Evans was God before people woke up to his uselessness and now most of his diehard fans are OTT Smalling critics.