Rossa
Full Member
When did Darmian ever set the line? Don't cbs typically do that.Out of focus on the first goal. Darmian, who sets the line in that situation, pushed higher. Smalling should have stayed on his line.
When did Darmian ever set the line? Don't cbs typically do that.Out of focus on the first goal. Darmian, who sets the line in that situation, pushed higher. Smalling should have stayed on his line.
2 minutes in, Bale almost scored from a ball that travelled 40 yards. Ball watching, low footballing IQAgreed, hasn't put a foot wrong today and I've seen him clean up his peers messes too.
In zonal marking it is the player closest to the first defender (or closest to the ball).When did Darmian ever set the line? Don't cbs typically do that.
It's not just his height. He's also our best pure defender, as he showed again tonight. Let the two guys on each side of him do most of the playing out of the back.I like smalling but I absolutely hate him as the middle CB. He is surely only used there for his height - provides us no stability on the ball whatsoever. He should be at at RCB.
I flicked on from 13 mins but saw him cover up defender mistakes well. Our conceded goals had nothing to do with him, he was there to have a couple of last ditch tackles that would have easily led to goals, Bale one and Asencio I think was the other.2 minutes in, Bale almost scored from a ball that travelled 40 yards. Ball watching, low footballing IQ
Yes people like to blame Smalling more than he deserve. He is not great at the ball, but not as bad as many claim.These qualities will never trump being a good defender first.
And also his passing accuracy is very high, Jones passes the ball sideways & backwards more than he does, but he makes the odd maurauding run.
Rojo lumps it forward the most out of our CB's, and Bailly is most comfortable with the ball.
However, Smalling had 2 assists last year, more than any of our CB's, one of which was a sublime through ball to Mhiki I think it was.
I would agree if he was more composed he would be ideal, but I think this is made more out of because he looks like a goof, and is lanky & awkward.
I understand what you are saying but in my opinion a single ball playing CB in the centre can do as much of a job than 2 ball playing defenders by either side of a robust defender.It's not just his height. He's also our best pure defender, as he showed again tonight. Let the two guys on each side of him do most of the playing out of the back.
I think Smalling is going to be the big winner if we do play 3-5-2 quite often throughout this season. It takes the pressure off his biggest weakness (his passing ability under pressure), both by giving him more options and also making it harder for the opposition to press him. Even tonight against this Real Madrid team he looked more comfortable on the ball than he normally does.
Jepp. Under SAF he didn't often play as we had Vidic, Ferdinand, Evans and Jones the last year he was there. Usually did play well when he did.I think the more people have been saying it on here, I think people are starting to believe he is rubbish or whatever. Always been a top defender, just doesn't quite have the touch of Zidane.
Is it?Bailey - ball playing CB- smalling
Is better than
Ball playing CB - smalling - ball playing CB
Funny isn't it?Still scratching my receding hair, of why people still label Smalling as 'mentally weak' player. He's in the last two of the biggest games United had (Europa Final and Super Cup), and has always proved as one of the best CB.
Not many choices when everyone else but Blind was suspended. Bailly was suspended for the final as well.Still scratching my receding hair, of why people still label Smalling as 'mentally weak' player. He's in the last two of the biggest games United had (Europa Final and Super Cup), and has always proved as one of the best CB.
Well it's mainly due to his ability on the ball, when we concede possession against the likes of Madrid there's a strong argument that he's our best pure defender. Unfortunately for him though, in 90% of games we are the team that boss possession and then he hampers us.Genuinely confused why he was copping so much shit during the summer, if we play a two he will play next to Eric.
He panics like a little girl whenever the ball comes near him. He is also not very good at actual defending, bar the legendary half season under LvG.Genuinely confused why he was copping so much shit during the summer, if we play a two he will play next to Eric.
Because Jose had had a go at him for not playing through injury, even though he quite literally got injured while playing through an injury. Some people really are that simple. He's easily our best defender.Genuinely confused why he was copping so much shit during the summer, if we play a two he will play next to Eric.
How is he not very good at actual defending?He panics like a little girl whenever the ball comes near him. He is also not very good at actual defending, bar the legendary half season under LvG.
His biggest strength however, is that he's a goal scoring CB. Gets himself in the right places to bag a few. 5 goals a season CB, I just wish he was better in other aspects of his game.
I am not going into football semantics of what consitutes defending, but the fact is that he has been mediocre to average for the most part with some good games here and there. That's being overall, not good enough.How is he not very good at actual defending?
What nonsense is this
You're absolutely entitled to your opinion, I never said you weren't.I am not going into football semantics of what consitutes defending, but the fact is that he has been mediocre to average for the most part with some good games here and there. That's being overall, not good enough.
Regardless of what we think, he's gonna be here for the season. So if he puts in more consistent performances like he did against Ajax and Madrid, I will be quite happy to be proven wrong. But until then, I will maintain my opinion of him.
Which is a genuinely confusing argument for a defender to start with, due to the fact that as you correctly put it that he is one of our better (if not best) pure defenders. I think Bailly might be a better pound for pound all-round defender. His ability on the ball means absolutely zero if he can defend adequately.Well it's mainly due to his ability on the ball,
Ah there it is. Rock on brother.He panics like a little girl whenever the ball comes near him. He is also not very good at actual defending, bar the legendary half season under LvG.
Agree. I still don't know our best partner for Bailly and just when you think you know, someone gets injured or does something really stupid.....Has a brainfart or three in him, but on his day he can put in decent perfomances.
Wouldn't sell him. Wouldn't sell any of them. At least this Summer.
It would depend on form, fitness and suspension, I would assume.When Rojo returns, what is he, like 4th choice CB now?
Yup, a-lot will obviously depend on how long it takes Rojo to return to full fitness and if Jones can stay fit. For me, Bailly looks the only automatic starter and Lindelof will obviously take time to settle. With everyone fit and firing, it looks like Smalling will be fourth choice but of course injuries and other circumstances can change that.It would depend on form, fitness and suspension, I would assume.
In an ideal world, Jones would remain fit long term, but that doesn't seem likely. Rojo will be coming back from one of the worst injuries a footballer can have and it would be unrealistic to expect him to come back and be immediately back on top form (though he might!). Bailly is excellent, but has a streak of being a bit of a loony, and he is prone to having the odd stinker of a game. Nobody seems to have any idea if Lindelof is actually any good.
In theory, Bailly and Rojo should probably be #1, but lots of circumstances mean that every CB slot is to play for IMO. I predict Smalling will have a sizeable role to play this season, but if Rojo returns strongly, Lindelof proves he is significantly better than he was in pre-season and Jones proves he can remain fit for longer periods, then that might spell the end (or a much reduced role in future) for Smalling.
I hope it proves to be a good problem to have.
A lot of depth there, at least. We seem to have had a centre back injury crisis every season since about 2009. Surely it can't happen again this season with 6 centre backs, if you also include Daley Blind.Yup, a-lot will obviously depend on how long it takes Rojo to return to full fitness and if Jones can stay fit. For me, Bailly looks the only automatic starter and Lindelof will obviously take time to settle. With everyone fit and firing, it looks like Smalling will be fourth choice but of course injuries and other circumstances can change that.
He had a good game tbf but it't annoying how he had to adjust he whole body to play a simple pass.Lindelof, DDG and Blind all had a go at him, he's shying away from making himself available for the pass when other team mates are under pressure, annoying as feck.