Richard Cranium
New Member
Shouldn't play LCB as he doesn't have a left foot. Needs to be put as RCB.
That confidence thing is so overrated, look at what he does, not how he looks like. Phillip Cocu was a brilliant player, without any form of showing confidence. People are also saying Courtois is the best keeper because it looks like it's calm, that's irrelevant. Bonus but not something we should look at.He was fine against an average Costa Rica side playing at half intensity.
I like him. He's very defensively sound, as we all know, but he still doesn't come across to me (through his body language and the way he approaches the ball) as if he truly feels he should be playing at the top level.
Someone like Varane has that added confidence. If Smalling somehow gets it, he'll be one of the best around.
This.That confidence thing is so overrated, look at what he does, not how he looks like. Phillip Cocu was a brilliant player, without any form of showing confidence. People are also saying Courtois is the best keeper because it looks like it's calm, that's irrelevant. Bonus but not something we should look at.
It's holding him back in my opinion. There's an old video on Youtube floating about with Smalling's performance at the U21s against Spain. He plays with a serious conviction that I haven't seen from in a while, and he looks better for it. It translates to the rest of the team too. It helps set the tone.That confidence thing is so overrated, look at what he does, not how he looks like. Phillip Cocu was a brilliant player, without any form of showing confidence. People are also saying Courtois is the best keeper because it looks like it's calm, that's irrelevant. Bonus but not something we should look at.
The way he looks like is holding him back? Explain? Maybe the media talking this about him is holding him back but not the thing itself.It's holding him back in my opinion. There's an old video on Youtube floating about with Smalling's performance at the U21s against Spain. He plays with a serious conviction that I haven't seen from in a while, and he looks better for it. It translates to the rest of the team too. It helps set the tone.
Aye, good shout. I bet he was even jumping and heading for the ball with his eyes closed.Looks to be symptomatic of the ever increasing malaise that infests english players ie can't play football. In the first half he sliced the ball into touch after fighting with it for 10 yds without any pressure under the guise of trying to control it. The forum I was on someone wrote "call the police, this is criminal".
Championship standard at best.
It really wasn't. And I doubt Jagielka would have done much worse today against an average Costa Rica playing at half-pace.It was painfully obvious that he should be starting instead of Jagielka
It was obvious before the tournament and he's been found out during it.It really wasn't. And I doubt Jagielka would have done much worse today against an average Costa Rica playing at half-pace.
It was obvious that he wasn't a top centre back, or good enough for England to use as a proper solid base. But it certainly wasn't obvious that Smalling was a better choice.It was obvious before the tournament and he's been found out during it.
Agreed. Not only Smalling superior, he's used to playing at higher levels against higher levels of opposition. The Everton duo looked in awe this tournament.It was obvious before the tournament and he's been found out during it.
of course it was, he was our best CB this season. Jagielka's form wouldnt have seen him be the best at United. Distin carried himIt was obvious that he wasn't a top centre back, or good enough for England to use as a proper solid base. But it certainly wasn't obvious that Smalling was a better choice.
Suspect he closes his eyes when he kicks the ball as well mate.Aye, good shout. I bet he was even jumping and heading for the ball with his eyes closed.
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I think he'll be a starter under LvG for the years to come. I know there's been some talk about Martins Indi but Smalling looks far more developed defensively, and has the similar sort of physical stature about him. van Gaal will also make him (and the rest of our back line) far more confident on the ball and be able to play with it. It's really not that big a deal. The idea that he will never play again because he can't weave past players and pick a top pass is a bit silly.
Not that this should need pointing out but judging anyone by comments on twitter is fairly fecking stupid. It's wall to wall morons out there.Don't think supporters of any of the clubs that finished above us would say they'd have Smalling in their side. Jones either for that matter.
He was being destroyed on twitter during that game with many saying he isn't even Premier League standard.
True.Not that this should need pointing out but judging anyone by comments on twitter is fairly fecking stupid. It's wall to wall morons out there.
Of course they wouldn't be. When those two players have been played in roles outside of their own more often than in their own roles, why would one rate them for their natural roles? Some people see Smalling more as a right back and less as a central defender. Some people see Jones as more of a defensive midfielder than a central defender.True.
To my first point, though, just thinking about it here and I'm struggling to see him being a starter at any of the 6 clubs that finished above us. Spurs or Liverpool maybe. Don't think any Everton fans would have him over Stones or Jagielka.
He seems to be a player like Phil Jones where he really isn't rated by anyone but our own supporters.
Yeah, maybe. Think he'd struggle to make the bench at City, Chelsea, and Arsenal.I'd much rather Smalling than Jagielka, to be fair.
I think if United were to let him go, we'd swarm all over him. He's stalling a bit but he's got massive potential.Yeah, maybe. Think he'd struggle to make the bench at City, Chelsea, and Arsenal.
The bench? Hardly. He could even be starting for all of them. IMO he's just as good if not better than Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Demichelis, Terry, Lescott.Yeah, maybe. Think he'd struggle to make the bench at City, Chelsea, and Arsenal.
Okay, the bench may have been harsh. He certainly wouldn't start for City, Chelsea or Arsenal. He'd be on the bench for Arsenal and City in all likelihood. Better than Mertesacker and Terry? Not a chance.The bench? Hardly. He could even be starting for all of them. IMO he's just as good if not better than Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Demichelis, Terry, Lescott.
A gooner friend of mine also rates Smalling very highly. Even @peterstorey think he could be a great player iirc. Definitely not a player only rated by his own fans.I'd much rather Smalling than Jagielka, to be fair.
The people who don't rate him seem to have taken in a lot of games where he played right back for you, which obviously doesn't help him. When he's in the centre, he's top class potential.A gooner friend of mine also rates Smalling very highly. Even @peterstorey think he could be a great player iirc. Definitely not a player only rated by his own fans.
It's because he hasn't played as a central defender regularly for Man. Utd. Often, he'd be out injured or playing at right back. The fact that people haven't seen him become a regular at centre back as of now for Man. Utd. makes them think he (along with Jones and Evans) are average.Is it because United had a bad season or is it just an England thing? Everytime he plays fans and pundits are quick to criticise him but i never see the first choice defenders put in anything better. To me his England's best centre half (in the squad) but no one rates him. O well maybe a good season next season and pundits can all pretend he's improved beyond disbelief.