Sammyjunn
New Member
He didnt really catch my eye, I think that means he's solid.
Yeah let us stick with that partnership until injury breaks it up. Our defense has looked as solid as it had all season these last two matches.#Smalling+Jones
Reminds me of Phil Neville doing the stepovers and everyone laughing at him.Our best defender tonight imo. Kept his calm in every situation and was always there when it counted.
His dribbling in the second half I think surprised everyone including his own team mates who just seemed to stand there and watch like "wtf is going on with this guy?"
So did Danny Welbeck.You can see why Michael Owen rates him as the best centre back he trained with while he was here.
He was never even that bad there. Defensively, he was still among the best. See the home against Arsenal last season where he single handedly shut down that right hand side and completely took Cazorla out of the game. He's just a classy defender.Love him. I genuinely don't think he's put a foot wrong since that calamity of a display against City. He makes slight positional and marking errors on occasions which all defenders do every game, but he's just so incredibly solid overall. I never felt nervous seeing quick, powerful players like Sturridge, Balotelli and Sterling running at him. He kept managing to show them away from goal, and he always seems to win the kick-and-chase race. Physically he is perfect. Enormous presence, but blistering quick. Severely underrated, even amongst United fans. I don't think I know anyone outside of the caf who doesn't think he's useless. Those godawful RB performances have really given him a lasting reputation.
And he served Welbeck up for pace just to remind himSo did Danny Welbeck.
Defensively he was decent. Solid in one-on-ones as always. I think his passing and moving with the ball has improved massively, quite probably from being exposed to playing at right back. He often did look horribly clumsy out there though. I do remember some pretty naff performances from him out there. Hard to blame him completely, as it's just not his position anyway. Very glad Van Gaal is not even considering him out there, so it seems.He was never even that bad there. Defensively, he was still among the best. See the home against Arsenal last season where he single handedly shut down that right hand side and completely took Cazorla out of the game. He's just a classy defender.
I always feel it was really detrimental to both Smalling and Jones being played at RB so much. I don't think it is any coincidence that now they are finally getting a run of games at CB (and staying fit) that they are both playing at a much higher level (although I am still not entirely convinced by Jones).He was never even that bad there. Defensively, he was still among the best. See the home against Arsenal last season where he single handedly shut down that right hand side and completely took Cazorla out of the game. He's just a classy defender.
Yeah it startles me when you see people talking about how we should be signing some new young CB prospect just because they look solid in the Dutch league (for example).Just a matter of time to prove what a good player he is. He just needed to stay fit and played in his proper position. SMH at posters who even now suggest that we get rid of him. Clearly the best defender we have at the club at the moment. I really like his partnership with Jones right now, hope we continue with that partnership as long as they both stay fit.