Devil may care
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Very poor in the first half, they were getting between him and Young with ease. Was solid enough in the second half.
Hopefully people start rating him as what he's, a good defender and that's it. Some were trying to convince us he's world class few days ago and that there's not many defenders in Europe better than him!
Good defender, best of our bunch but that's it. Massively overrating some of our players beyond their abilities lead to disappointment later on.
Taking into consideration that United is supposed to dominate against Bournemouth, yes you could say so. But if you look at that game totally objective then they actually had quite a few nervous moments and feck ups throughout the game. Our defenders mainly had those moments of trouble early in the first half. Some shitty finishing aside and we would have absolutely ridiculed their CB's performances if they played for us.Bournemouth's CB pairing looked better than ours
Taking into consideration that United is supposed to dominate against Bournemouth, yes you could say so. But if you look at that game totally objective then they actually had quite a few nervous moments and feck ups throughout the game. Our defenders mainly had those moments of trouble early in the first half. Some shitty finishing aside and we would have absolutely ridiculed their CB's performances if they played for us.
He's been playing well and with confidence lately but that was as daft as it comes, almost seemed complacent. Hopefully it doesn't knock his confidence and bring the old deer in the headlights player out.
For me Ake played the ball right to one of our players in the first half, not sure if it was Fred or Mata. Other than that he did well the rest of the game up until the last few mins where he lost concetration and gave up the chance to Rashford ruining his performance.
For me that was still better than Smalling or Lindelof today. Bournemouth had more chances with poor finishing than we did.
Hmm. Maybe you're right, my stream wasn't good so maybe I mistook some players for others but I stand by my point. I like Aké and followed him throughout and while he did good, it wasn't a beastly performance from him at all, imo. A little bit disappointed actually and I do seem to remember there was a few more nervous moments that we failed to capitalise on from central areas of their defence. But I digress. Are you sure about that point about poor finishing? I felt it was pretty even with the chances, but think we had more obvious ones that could have gone in, or at least more of the bigger chances on goal.For me Ake played the ball right to one of our players in the first half, not sure if it was Fred or Mata. Other than that he did well the rest of the game up until the last few mins where he lost concetration and gave up the chance to Rashford ruining his performance.
For me that was still better than Smalling or Lindelof today. Bournemouth had more chances with poor finishing than we did.
yeh. I can't understand how a top CB like him could have that kind of passing skill. His passing was pretty good in the past, especially under LVG.His passing over 12 yards is League 2 stuff.
Hmm. Maybe you're right, my stream wasn't good so maybe I mistook some players for others but I stand by my point. I like Aké and followed him throughout and while he did good, it wasn't a beastly performance from him at all, imo. A little bit disappointed actually and I do seem to remember there was a few more nervous moments that we failed to capitalise on from central areas of their defence. But I digress. Are you sure about that point about poor finishing? I felt it was pretty even with the chances, but think we had more obvious ones that could have gone in, or at least more of the bigger chances on goal.
Both Lingard and Shaw shot from better positions than any of their chances tho. Terrible finishing and both should have been goals tbh. Sanchez header was a great save too. I think you might be wrong here.Well Rashford obviously had the best of them when he smashed it straight at Ake - who could hardly have moved out of the way if he wanted to. Just poor finishing from Rashford.
But I can remember 2 or 3 efforts where Bournemouth put their shots straight at De Gea when they had a decent chance. So in terms of accumulation yeah I think Bournemouth were the ones with worse finishing, but Rashford had the best missed chance
Not after one or two not very good performances. Our players are underrated if anything.Hopefully people start rating him as what he's, a good defender and that's it. Some were trying to convince us he's world class few days ago and that there's not many defenders in Europe better than him!
Good defender, best of our bunch but that's it. Massively overrating some of our players beyond their abilities lead to disappointment later on.
Poor in the first half. Didn't help that he had zero protection from our midfielders, though.
There was another one where Ake completely missed a clearance, I think from Herrera's cross.For me Ake played the ball right to one of our players in the first half, not sure if it was Fred or Mata. Other than that he did well the rest of the game up until the last few mins where he lost concetration and gave up the chance to Rashford ruining his performance.
For me that was still better than Smalling or Lindelof today. Bournemouth had more chances with poor finishing than we did.
And people always having a go at Jose for playing defensive football, perhaps there is a reason for that?
I am probably one of Mikes biggest defenders here: IMO he is top3 of defensive CBs in the PL. Defend in a low block where he just needs to attack the ball and from time to time deliver that football to someone as close to him as possible. He is class.We can't simply say he's one of the best in Europe depending on our own view when the rest of the world doesn't. He was talking about Europe not even England a lone.
I myself have no problem with him, how is that hard to grasp ? He's a very good defender and definitely the best of our bunch and will play him ahead of everyone we have, but he's simply not world class. Very good is his level.
Some here can't withstand a single negative thing said about him even if it's surrounded by praise it's astonishing tbh.
I am probably one of Mikes biggest defenders here: IMO he is top3 of defensive CBs in the PL. Defend in a low block where he just needs to attack the ball and from time to time deliver that football to someone as close to him as possible. He is class.
But even I can admit that he is severely exposed as soon as we try to stand a ltb higher up the pitch and even try to press the ball a teeny weeny bit. Like today. He was not good, and if this season is not going to feck itself we need to decide if we are going to sit back low, and try to counter; normal Mourinho style. Then there is not any other defender I would have in the team than Mike.
But he cannot play consistently if we are going to stand higher up the pitch and even try to press the ball from time to time. Neither can Matic who is a great player in a ultra-defensive system but is atrocious in games like today when we actually think we can attack a bit....
There was another one where Ake completely missed a clearance, I think from Herrera's cross.
Fred also had a clear cut chance.Both Lingard and Shaw shot from better positions than any of their chances tho. Terrible finishing and both should have been goals tbh. Sanchez header was a great save too. I think you might be wrong here.
And there’s still people in this thread that are supporters of the guy. Unbelievable.Woeful.
We’ll never be a top level side again with him leading our defence.
So it is time to trust Bailly, Rojo, Lindelof when none of them is actually as good as Smalling.And there’s still people in this thread that are supporters of the guy. Unbelievable.
I swear they must be watching a different game to me most of the time. Smalling is the reason we can’t build out from the back, he can’t pass, he loses his marker most of the time and his positional sense is non existent.
Combine all that with Ashley fecking Young on the full back and you have a defence that will struggle with ANY attack in the league.
It’s time to trust in the likes of Dalot, Bailly, Lindelöf and Rojo. The fact that the cameras were panning towards Phil Jones when shit was hitting the fan today says it all. As if he would be a fecking improvement on Smalling. They’re the exact same!
Lindelöf and Bailly’s ceilings are higher. They have more potential. Smalling will never be any better than he is now but Lindelöf and Bailly have a lot of room to grow.So it is time to trust Bailly, Rojo, Lindelof when none of them is actually as good as Smalling.
Well, Smalling wouldn't start for Argentina as he's English, not Argentine. Rojo and Smalling are both at Man Utd though and one have been bossing the other for four years.Lindelöf and Bailly’s ceilings are higher. They have more potential. Smalling will never be any better than he is now but Lindelöf and Bailly have a lot of room to grow.
Rojo always looked solid for us at CB. Would Smalling start for Argentina? Absolutely not.
People want attacking football but we’ll neber get it because Smalling can’t play out from the back. He always uses he keeper or boots it up the pitch or out the field. Rojo is way more comfortable on the ball. He basically offers everything Smalling can’t.
Lindelöf and Bailly’s ceilings are higher. They have more potential. Smalling will never be any better than he is now but Lindelöf and Bailly have a lot of room to grow.
Rojo always looked solid for us at CB. Would Smalling start for Argentina? Absolutely not.
People want attacking football but we’ll neber get it because Smalling can’t play out from the back. He always uses he keeper or boots it up the pitch or out the field. Rojo is way more comfortable on the ball. He basically offers everything Smalling can’t.
No he’s (lindelof) overtaken him as our most competent defender who is starting.For me Lindelof has now overtaken him as our most competent defender.
Just after 2 games of being crap?For me Lindelof has now overtaken him as our most competent defender.
Agree. I like Lindelof but I still doubt him when he doesn't have experienced CB as his pair. If only we can have player like Toby Alderweireld.Just after 2 games of being crap?
I'm glad some in here won't manage United. Bailly and Lindelof are total disaster as a pair.
Did you watch Spurs? Do you think Alderweireld - Lindelof would take us to another level, or even better than Smalling - Lindelof?Agree. I like Lindelof but I still doubt him when he doesn't have experienced CB as his pair. If only we can have player like Toby Alderweireld.
Anyway, we really need to sell Smalling next season, (also Jones).