[Sigma]

Good performance, not really tested though that much. Has to be one of the best centre backs in the world now.

 

[thejtrain]

Good performance, not really tested though that much. Has to be one of the best centre backs in the world now.

League - yes. World - no. Doesn't have to be a ball playing CB, but has to be a lot more comfortable on the ball than he is right now.

 

[Sigma]

League - yes. World - no. Doesn't have to be a ball playing CB, but has to be a lot more comfortable on the ball than he is right now.

Who's better than him? He's in the top 5 in the world for me.

 

[JaffyJoe]

Who's better than him? He's in the top 5 in the world for me.

Defenders who have been playing at a high level for longer. Koscielny, Pique, Pepe, Ramos, Thiago Silva, Godin, Bonucci. Kompany at his best is better but Smalling has been the best cb in the league this season. Terry has declined now. He just needs to maintain this level. But he has been quality.

 

[Sigma]

Defenders who have been playing at a high level for longer. Koscielny, Pique, Pepe, Ramos, Thiago Silva, Godin, Bonucci. Kompany at his best is better but Smalling has been the best cb in the league this season. Terry has declined now. He just needs to maintain this level. But he has been quality.

You are basing this on reputation, I'm talking about now. And Smalling has been consistently brilliant for over a year so I think that qualifies him for discussion about this.

 

[JaffyJoe]

You are basing this on reputation, I'm talking about now. And Smalling has been consistently brilliant for over a year so I think that qualifies him for discussion about this.

Not reputation, performance. These guys have been playing at a high level for longer. None of them have declined and as good as Smalling has been I don't think he has been good for long enough to be mentioned with this group. He's in the next group for me.

 

[Devil may care]

Give him the armband.

 

[wiz4231]

That beast of defending against schlupp was ridiculous, gif please

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

That beast of defending against schlupp was ridiculous, gif please

Loved that. Effortless.

 

[Hed Zitin]

Give him the armband.

Absolutely. He's far more vocal these days. Every aspect of top defending he's got.

 

[Raw]

That beast of defending against schlupp was ridiculous, gif please

That was great, and I just expected him to win the battle too. I didn't at all think Smalling would have trouble diffusing the situation.

 

[the hea]

He's easy the best defender in the league at the moment and one of the bright spots of our season.​

 

[K2K]

Don't really feel the need to praise him much anymore.

Have come to simply expect those kind of performances from him.

 

[Adam-Utd]

World class. He's reached the level of 8/10 performances every week. He and de gea are head and shoulders above the rest of the squad.

 

[Sam]

He's our best player.

Its got to the point where I just expect him to play well every game.

 

[djembatheking]

We`d be fecked without him , that`s for sure .

 

[Bwuk]

His pace and strength is such a huge asset at the back.

 

[pillory]

Unlike some other people I still enjoy watching United play every time, the problem is it's about 70% due to Smalling and De Gea.

 

[ZDwyr]

Pretty solid performance again. Wish we had two of him so he could have covered their counter from the corner.

 

[Rossa]

A beast at the back again. Did brilliantly to catch up with Vardy near the end.

Vardy is quoted as the fastest player in the league this season, but twice Smalling bettered him chasing the ball. He really is ridiculously fast when he gets going, not sluggish off the mark either, mind you. The way he dealt with Schlupp was also brilliant - looked like a PL defender dispossessing a twelve year old off the ball.

It's a shame DDG and Smalling has to be our best players match after match.

 

[Rossa]

Unlike some other people I still enjoy watching United play every time, the problem is it's about 70% due to Smalling and De Gea.

Defending can be sexy - as can good goalkeeping. Sexy in the way of football-sexy, like football-philosophy, not actual philosophy, right. Felt the need to explain myself there.

 

[Eric'sCollar]

Good, solid, expected performance. Same again next week.

 

[Rossa]

Good, solid, expected performance. Same again next week.

Almost boring, isn't it? Consistently good, pff, unheard of. I'm guessing the other players have him and DDG eat at another table.

 

[kouroux]

His anticipation has improved so much. He doesn't need to enter into physical battles anymore because he gets to the ball quicker than most strikers. He reminds me a lot of Ferdinand in that aspect.

 

[Oo0AahCantona]

I dont see in any way shape or form how Koscielny can be rated higher than smalling in this form right now.

 

[GledTheRed]

I dont see in any way shape or form how Koscielny can be rated higher than smalling in this form right now.

I laughed when i saw the comparison above.

 

[Kraftwerker]

Almost boring, isn't it? Consistently good, pff, unheard of. I'm guessing the other players have him and DDG eat at another table.

Blind has hardly been putting a foot wrong either.

Defensively sound and has actually been setting up the occasional goal and some of the few chances we make a game.

But yeah only really those three performing consistently well.

 

[Feed Me]

He's been pretty flawless throughout 2015. At what point do people stop saying this is a good spell of form and admit that he's the best defender in the country?

Can't remember who the Leicester player who yesterday - Schlupp? - but he went one on one against Smalling and was swatted away with minimal fuss and complete authority.

 

[Ballache]

That beast of defending against schlupp was ridiculous, gif please

That's was absolutely brilliant, just bullied him out of the way.

 

[Yorkeontop]

He's been pretty flawless throughout 2015. At what point do people stop saying this is a good spell of form and admit that he's the best defender in the country?

Can't remember who the Leicester player who yesterday - Schlupp? - but he went one on one against Smalling and was swatted away with minimal fuss and complete authority.

Form my a** I say, the dude is class. He's come undone *Robbie Williams*

 

[Scorpy]

He's been pretty flawless throughout 2015. At what point do people stop saying this is a good spell of form and admit that he's the best defender in the country?

Can't remember who the Leicester player who yesterday - Schlupp? - but he went one on one against Smalling and was swatted away with minimal fuss and complete authority.

That's a good question.

 

[DWelbz19]

Many months ago.

 

[horsechoker]

He's good but I won't rate him until the media and THE LADS say we only win games because of him.

 

[Gazza]

Was struck by how much organizing and instructing he was doing for our attacking corners and set pieces. Everyone on our team seemed to be taking their direction from him. Impressive to see.

 

[Devil may care]

Many months ago.

Were you the originator of Smalling + 1?

 

[DWelbz19]

Were you the originator of Smalling + 1?

Nah, I think that was @Rozay. I've been a Chris Smalling stan for many years, though.

 

[arthurka]

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

You're all wrong...

Yeah right!!

 

[Floyd]

A beast at the back again. Did brilliantly to catch up with Vardy near the end.

Yes. The commentator said Vardy must be tired since he didn't go straight at DDG. I'm absolutely certain he checked back because he saw who he was up against and just knew there would be no point trying.

 

[VorZakone]

Some say Schlupp is still having nightmares.

 

[VorZakone]

I think we should call him Smalldini by now.