I love how he always want to show up in important games. He always shows real heart in these games, and tries to get that match-winning goal. Was very close today, too bad he didn't throw himself at that last one, it would have been a perfect ending for us.
12
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 34
- Clean sheets
- 8
- Goals
- 1
- Assists
- 0
- Yellow cards
- 2
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik @Rood and Imran @Annihilate Now! start with the good news by celebrating Manchester United Women's emphatic FA Cup win over Spurs at Wembley and the future of manager Marc Skinner.
Then it's the bad news and the ever worsening form of our Men with losses to Arsenal and Palace.
Finally the main debate - ETH Out now or keep him until the end of the season - if not longer. Are you Team Nik or Team Imran?
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No coincidence we’ve stopped haemorrhaging chances now he’s back in the team, he and Lindelof were imperious. Hopefully no injuries to either of them as they’re clearly our best pairing.
Our best CB. I'm sure the same people will still call for him to be sold this summer though
Liverpool were pathetic in attack with Salah and Mane having stinkers, our CBs were never under the cosh. But Smalling did well against VVD especially on set pieces, and the Liverpool CB is very dangerous in the air. Smalling was also very dangerous in attack and could've quite easily won the game for us.
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We can defend long balls and crosses, amazing what a CB that can head the ball can help achieve.
Played a great part in us bossing their attack.
3 games, 3 cleansheets. Next please.
He was good today.
Brilliant, we’ve missed him
Ole has made us a more solid team at the back, but teams have continued to make chances against us (the Tottenham game being the most notable example).
But since Smalling has come back, we've looked impenetrable. He HAS TO play when fit.
But since Smalling has come back, we've looked impenetrable. He HAS TO play when fit.
Since the new haircut he's been much improved.
Motm.
I hope you didn’t miss the game again.
Thought he was absolutely brilliant today (and I’m not normally a fan). Superb performance.
A fantastic solid 7-8 standard defender that has really evolved from some erratic form. I've been particularly impressed on how much he has worked on his passing which is now quite decent actually without being spectacular.
Still has a Wes "I think I've left the oven on" Brown type moment within him during a match but these are becoming less and less which proves my point.
Still struggles against mazy dribblers and can get caught out on quick-counters but very dependable and solid compliment to Lindelof.
Still has a Wes "I think I've left the oven on" Brown type moment within him during a match but these are becoming less and less which proves my point.
Still struggles against mazy dribblers and can get caught out on quick-counters but very dependable and solid compliment to Lindelof.
Maybe you missed the game or misread my post. I used Liverpool and City as examples of playing fast moving attacking play which they are capable of. However, Liverpool played long balls which is actually his strength. Shaw was the only one who had to defend properly today.
My point still stands.
Have always said he's our best defender. Passing was fine today too. Him and Lindelof compliment each other well.
His lofted pass with the outside of his foot to relieve pressure displayed good vision and understanding of play.
I don't get why neither of our defenders are capable in attack as he is? It seems like his both heading and on ball ability, plus movement in the attack is far better than any of our other CBs combined. He was at the end of few good crosses today and it wasn't because he is tall, but because his movement was good. We should use him more often as an attacking outlet when we are chasing the result.
He and Lindelof looked really class. It’s hard to find a CB that could then give massive improvement to replace any of them.
Outstanding today. Just flawless.
The best thing about Big Mike is that Jones doesn't even make a bench anymore. Superb performance today, and could even score (also it was him making a pass for a dissallowed own goal).
Played a good game, as he did against Chelsea.
Should have launched himself at that Lukaku cross, a striker buries that.
Should have launched himself at that Lukaku cross, a striker buries that.
So you are saying a team that capable plays fast moving attacking play decided to change their style to long balls against Smalling? That doesn’t make sense.
Only Shaw? You really are hater.
Lindelof is our best cb at the moment, as he can play with the ball as well.
Good game but I still believe he is a good bench option and not a starter level to play for us. A world class CB buries that cross in the back of the net and that's the level of CB we should be looking at.
Agree. Shaw actually had a test now and again from Salah trying to take him on, but I think Mane and Firminho/Sturridge played a match that was quite comfortable to deal with. Obviously Lindelof and Smalling played well against what they were up against but I went into the match thinking we'd be tested a lot more than they actually were.
Weird comment. He's got one of the better goalscoring records for CBs in the league and he's pretty much our only CB who ever scores
This is really harsh considering Smalling is the only CB we have who's a real goal threat. Are you being serious? Smalling has scored 18 goals for United, including 3 goals against City, a goal against Chelsea and a variety of goals to boot (with either foot, volleys, shots and headers). If you're criticizing him for missing that chance then what do you think of our other CBs who contribute nothing in attack? Jones has 5 goals for United since 2011
Wouldn't a world class CB also score his goal against City then?
Or what about an assist like this ?
I also just remembered him just throwing Salah to the floor for no particular reason, the look of Salah's face.
Or what about an assist like this ?
I also just remembered him just throwing Salah to the floor for no particular reason, the look of Salah's face.
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At least people will stop crying about Bailly not starting.
It's nice having two sane CBs again.
But nothing will ever stop you from crying about other posters.
Yeah, love you too mate.
I did find myself thinking that with Jones instead of Smalling out there we find a way to lose 1-0.
For that reason alone it seems pretty clear we should go into next season with a starter signed to partner Lindelof and keep Smalling and Bailly as the other CBs, sell off Jones and Rojo and if we need a 5th then bring back Tuanzebe, or have him go on loan for one last year (or even just until January and bring him back if we have injury issues).
You're not going to enjoy this summerSmalling has 3/3 cleansheets since Ole took over. Away to Fulham, away to Chelsea, home against Liverpool.
That's a very good record.
That's a very good record.
Glad to see Smalling get some credit. He isn't the best on the ball but that shouldn't take away from the fact that he's clearly a quality CB.
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