Man Utd 1:1 Chelsea
Beast, rugby tackle on Ivanovic was a bit naughty, but that's the sort of thing Mourinho's centrebacks have been getting away for years with
12
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 29
- Clean sheets
- 8
- Goals
- 4
- Assists
- 0
- Yellow cards
- 3
- Red cards
- 1
I could've sworn Ivanovic was manhandling him as well.
Ivanovic gets away with that kinda shit everytime I watch him. Good defending.
Covering for a dodgy partner, he's done very well like usual. He's even played some very nice passes into Van Persie's feet which is a bit surprising
It could have been a penalty on Ivanovic, although Rojo was doing exactly the same thing on his man right next to him. It could be argued that its the type of defending we havent been doing enough of without Vidic. Well in that instance both were being quite rough and luckily we got away with it
It could have been a penalty on Ivanovic, although Rojo was doing exactly the same thing on his man right next to him. It could be argued that its the type of defending we havent been doing enough of without Vidic. Well in that instance both were being quite rough and luckily we got away with it
He's our best defender, just needs to improve when he's on the ball.
Said if before, and I'll keep on saying it, he's better then Jones.
He handled the situation vs Willian brilliantly and has been very sharp, as soon as Drogba gets the ball he closes him down, this is the Smalling I like to see.
Solid so far but lets see how he gets on in the second half. Thought Rojo was definitely the weaker of the two and more mistake prone. The aerial battle is Smallings bread and butter so going up against drugba might actually be better than say an aguero.
Great performance by him.
Chelsea and Jamie Carragher can f'ck off about that incident. John Terry has made a career out of doing that and they made him club and country captain.
Chelsea and Jamie Carragher can f'ck off about that incident. John Terry has made a career out of doing that and they made him club and country captain.
If anyone remembers this, I recall Drogba doing the exact same thing to Wes Brown a few years back to let Terry score
Quite pleased with how he's played.
He never loses those duels against fast players - on a stretch he always catches them. Plus, his anticipation and reading of the game in those one on ones is sensational. Passing is much, much better today.
Has the technique of a pub player
I know he gets hate, but has he ever actually looked bad as a centre back at United.
We know he's not very good on the ball, but as a defender he's the best we've got and proven it in difficult situations. If only he could stay fit.
We know he's not very good on the ball, but as a defender he's the best we've got and proven it in difficult situations. If only he could stay fit.
He was very good on the ball today.
With his passing today that seems a little out of place. He had some really sweet long range passes.
Also, what's with the hate? He was our best player today! Brilliant defensively and saved our ass a couple of times.
Excellent game.
As usual the fickle caf can change its mind on a player faster than Gerrard goes to ground when an opponent is within 10 meters.
In Smallings first season at the club he was heralded as the new Rio Ferdinand - a "Rolls Royce" of a defender.
Suddenly (and just to throw it out there - after having inconsistent gametime and being played out of position) he apparently has the technique of a pub player and we should be selling him.
A good performance today and he is our best defender again.
I am in the pro-Smalling camp. I think he and Jones complement each other well and should be our first choice partnership (as well as Englands, in a year or two). The both of them need regular gametime in their natural position (and to stay fit) however.
In Smallings first season at the club he was heralded as the new Rio Ferdinand - a "Rolls Royce" of a defender.
Suddenly (and just to throw it out there - after having inconsistent gametime and being played out of position) he apparently has the technique of a pub player and we should be selling him.
A good performance today and he is our best defender again.
I am in the pro-Smalling camp. I think he and Jones complement each other well and should be our first choice partnership (as well as Englands, in a year or two). The both of them need regular gametime in their natural position (and to stay fit) however.
MOTM in my opinion, and looked like a real leader at the back. He was incredibly vocal and organized the defence. Encouraging performance.
Agreed. The only mistake I can remember he has made that cost us a goal was the title decider against City. Hasn't let us down in any big games that he has played.
He can't pass for shit. But he's on another level defensively from Jones.
Fairly solid defensively today. Looked more reliable than Rojo.
Again, his passing today was very good - even sublime at times. So he can pass... people judge him too much from him playing at RB, which admittedly he doesn't have the close control to do well.
He's okay when you give him 40 yards of space, but apply any pressure to him and he's terrible on the ball. Just smashes it.
Our best defender by a mile.
Sure he could be more composed on the ball, but defending is what counts first.
Sure he could be more composed on the ball, but defending is what counts first.
Smalling >Jones
feck bringing the ball from the back. We need people who can defend.
feck bringing the ball from the back. We need people who can defend.
I agree with you on this, he has an awkward body position on the ball and that seems to give a false impression of his technique, now I'm not saying he's pirlo but he played some beautiful passes today.
The best for a high line.
Did well today, needs to keep these performances up.
I noticed he played a couple of brilliant passes today which was a surprise. Good performance from him.
Very good I thought. His strength and pace were exactly what we needed against Drogba and Hazard. Rojo made more mistakes than him out there but Smalling was alert to cover them up. His passing from the back was good today as well. He wasn't resorting to the aimless hoofing we seen from him in the past. Encouraging display, but just like our other defenders he is potentially brilliant if he stays fit.
Just stay fit Chris. 
Someone has formed their opinion, so no point in arguing.
Hope he shut a few of his doubters wrong today
Thought he was our best defender overall
Thought he was our best defender overall
He'd be my first defender on the teamsheet! I just don't think he's very good on the ball.
It's just one big joke, Smalling was good on the ball today and this is not the first time, its pathetic.
It takes very little to get excited by him only for him to get injured the next week and disappoints you.
I think he's our best defender to be fair to him. Probably my man of the match, looked unfazed today. He had a strong and intelligent display, hopefully he can get better and kick on from here.
I'm pleased with him, but ultimately this is what reality is.
He just doesn't get beaten in 1v1 situations. I had the utmost confidence in him when Willian was running at him, as you rarely see him beaten and he has pace in abundance for a centre back.
He needs to start, as he's our best centre back and compliments Jones and Rojo far better than the two compliment each other.
He needs to start, as he's our best centre back and compliments Jones and Rojo far better than the two compliment each other.