Blind's passing was also pretty awful today.On today's performance Smalling is a ballon d'or contender whilst Blind is a contender for best championship defender, don't let his passing fool you into thinking he's good at defending
Blind's passing was also pretty awful today.On today's performance Smalling is a ballon d'or contender whilst Blind is a contender for best championship defender, don't let his passing fool you into thinking he's good at defending
Well, he sure aint getting one.He was a bit better than the last few weeks. He still looked absolutely knackered to me at times, needs a rest.
Stats are deceiving, Smalling one 2 really good defensive headers which bailed our defence out. Two of the aereal battles he lost, im pretty sure we got the ball from it because Long stretched to head it with nobody around but our players.Smalling won 3 out 7 aerial duels, Blind won 3 out of 4. Smalling made 2 out of 4 successful heading clearances, Blind made 5 out of 5. Shane Long beat Smalling in the air on several occasions.
They also prove that he has a partner that did something.He needs a proper LCB next to him. Somebody like prime Vidic.
Stats are deceiving, Smalling one 2 really good defensive headers which bailed our defence out. Two of the aereal battles he lost, im pretty sure we got the ball from it because Long stretched to head it with nobody around but our players.
Yes and no, as I said stats are deceiving. There is no context in terms of how he won the headers or cleared them. Regardless, Blind was one of the worst players on the pitch today whereas Smalling is one of the best.They also prove that he has a partner that did something.
People cant see past their prejudices most of the time.Smalling won 3 out 7 aerial duels, Blind won 3 out of 4. Smalling made 2 out of 4 successful heading clearances, Blind made 5 out of 5. Shane Long beat Smalling in the air on several occasions.
Its just the same shit every match about Smalling and his one man backline and how Blind is a midfielder, despite playing as defender far more than midfield in his career.People cant see past their prejudices most of the time.
Every defender does that in the box in the PL, why is it blown out of proportion when it comes to Smalling?I just hope he cuts out holding on to players shirts it's doing my head in!
Because he gave away a penalty against Newcastle the last time he did it perhaps. Referee's will soon start taking note of it more like what happened with Shawcross.Every defender does that in the box in the PL, why is it blown out of proportion when it comes to Smalling?
Bit harsh, you can't blame him for their DM running past our whole midfield to get in behind. If they don't track they need to at least alert our defence to the threat.Don't you dare revert to early Smalling Utd days Mike.
That Derby goal was all his fault. Snap out of it Mike.
He failed to win the initial challenge. Then decided not to fall back into line after it was lost. Then charged across to the left hand side, and in front of Blind, to fail to win it again. Thus leaving the gaping hole that was then exploited by Derby.Bit harsh, you can't blame him for their DM running past our whole midfield to get in behind. If they don't track they need to at least alert our defence to the threat.
1 - 1 Thorne
Eh? See post above.Thorne ran through from defensive midfield, he should have been picked up. And Blind was beaten far too easily on the header but that's what can happen as he isn't a CB. Collective fault.
What should he have done differently in your opinion? 100% Schneiderlin's fault imo.Terrible on the goal, 90% his fault IMO.
Not bothered pushing out to compete for the header, then we can post 100% header win rate stats after the game.What should he have done differently in your opinion? 100% Schneiderlin's fault imo.
Not bothered pushing out to compete for the header, then we can post 100% header win rate stats after the game.
After he lost that header drop back into position instead of running out chasing way out to the left side, leaving the middle of the pitch wide open? Standard defending really.What should he have done differently in your opinion? 100% Schneiderlin's fault imo.
If he'd just turned round and run back to position then the Derby player on the ball would have had a free run at our back four. Schneiderlin should have noticed Smalling had no choice but to close the man down and filled in. Alternatively Schneiderlin or Fellaini should have been there shielding the back 4 so Smalling didn't have to.After he lost that header drop back into position instead of running out chasing way out to the left side, leaving the middle of the pitch wide open? Standard defending really.
Likewise. He handled Crouch's aerial threat brilliantly.He got my vote for MOTM although i think it was a close one with Martial. He was an absolute rock today against crouch who is a menace to deal with for many defenders. Also made a couple of vital blocks and interceptions and i thought he drove the ball out from the back in fantastic fashion. Hes had a dip in form last few weeks....right back to the top CB in the division today!
True that. Strange to see actually, they're not worried at all, but to be fair why would they be? Just once though I hope he catches them by surprise and tries to go all the way, he's got the pace if not the technique, Carrick's got his back, no worries.He did well and was solid tonight. Shame he's not better on the ball though. I think he would be knocking on the door of world class if he was. The opposition regularly seem happy to let him run into their half as they know very well that he'll stop dead and pass sideways/backwards. Imagine if he was a genuine threat who needed to be closed down