Pros and cons to keeping both of them. For me, Jones' youth makes him a better bet. Easy to forget that in Smalling's first three seasons at United (similar age to what Jones is now) he consistently misseed 50%+ of our league games. His injury record improved over time, so Jones' might too.
"In a couple of days you will understand why I played Lindelof and Smalling"
- Thread starter Pogue Mahone
- Start date
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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?
Reading those comments it would suggest to me that Jones is currently 4th choice CB, and that's it.
Smalling & Jones have been our best defenders in pre-season though, Lindelof is still finding his feet, and possibly suffering from a lack of confidence.
Jose putting faith in him might be the confidence boost he's looking for.
Smalling & Jones have been our best defenders in pre-season though, Lindelof is still finding his feet, and possibly suffering from a lack of confidence.
Jose putting faith in him might be the confidence boost he's looking for.
He's trying to create a hybrid played called Lindelling, because it sounds like the word Swindling, and he thinks that's hilarious.
Maybe he's trying every possible combination?
Maybe just as simple as Jones starting on Sunday?
Doesn't make sense to risk a player who's about to be sold though does it - especially with Smalling / Jones' injury records we'll want them wrapped up in cotton wool until that medical is over if they are to be sold.
I'm going with the majority in Jones is off.
Guess we'll find out in a few days though
Rojo is unavailable until the new year (apparently), Blind is required at left back, Lindelof is unproven in the PL. There is also the suggestion we might play 3 at the back at times and that we always have an injury crisis. I'd be surprised if a £20m+ sale has gone under the radar.
Aye, this. Seemed this simple to me too.
He probably just means that he'll play Jones and Bailly in the next game. Either that or something equally uninteresting.
Although, it could be part of his personal agenda against Martial.
Although, it could be part of his personal agenda against Martial.
I read into that that he's not happy living in a hotel.
Hope is what we seek. Any signing in those two mentioned positions would be lovely regardless.
That logic only holds until such time as a deal is agreed in principle with another club, after which time the inclination would be to guard against injury, rather than further showcase the player. The timescale mentioned by Jose here would surely indicate a deal agreed (assuming we're even on vaguely the right track), in which case it's got to be Jones.
hmm, strange comment from the boss.
well, I dont mind if we sell Jones tbh.. I like him, but sadly he's so fragile like eggshell.
well, I dont mind if we sell Jones tbh.. I like him, but sadly he's so fragile like eggshell.
Smalling was in the squad for over 30 of our league games in 2010/11.
Not sure what to make of that comment, but if Jones is to be sold I would be sad but understand the decision. He is the better defender out of him and Mike, but just too injury prone. Probably a change of scene would do him good.
Bailly is suspended for the super cup, so maybe he rates Smalling as the better partner to Lindelof than Jones.
We are going to need both Smalling and Jones. Lindelof will take time to settle in as he looks very timid at the moment. Bailly with his playing style and risky tackles will get plenty of bookings and suspensions. Both of them have their faults, but they are going to be important players this season.
We're obviously signing one of the MSN and it was far too risky to play Jones, he would probably end up injuring one of them.
This.
But the creation of Lindelling is actually a smoke screen for the creation of another hybrid player, Bones, who's seriously good - but somewhat rash and injury prone.
He's trying to throw the game and covering the final two transfer deals with his winnings.
I think there's definitely something to this. If it were an injury/suspension Jose would have just said it.
Maybe Jones/ Smalling is being sold after all...let's just wait and see
Maybe Jones/ Smalling is being sold after all...let's just wait and see
He knows that Jones will injure himself tackling a tree and then later fall down the stairs taking Bailly and Blind out on the way down leaving only smalling and lindelof fit.
In 2 days, Jones is scheduled to be injured, which means he needs to find a CB pairing which can be used for the first few games of the season (with Baily suspended).
So, Lindelof and Smalling are being given games to get used to eachother before the important games start.
Either that, or we are buying Messi, Suarez, Neymar and Smalling will be offered to sweeten the deal.
Probably just means Bailly and Lindelof will start the next game.
Jones gone or Smalling + Lindelöf for the super cup. Either or both is fine with me.
Perhaps Mourinho is just full of shit and we shouldn't read too much into anything he says.
Jones being sold would be my interpretation.
Lindelof have had an average start to preseason. I think bailly would have pressed a lot better than him for the first goal. Lindelof needs to be more agressive.
The iceman's ice has melted with that heat.
Bailly and jones would have defended barcelona better
The iceman's ice has melted with that heat.
Bailly and jones would have defended barcelona better
Why?
I dont think we are. tuanzebe is a kid.
We needed to test Lindelof Agaist MSN
and Bale and Mpabbe
Blind isn't going to be playing CB under Mourinho unless every other bleeding soul on the team is out.
Won't be too happy if Jones gets sold instead of Smalling.
Same reasons as others have said. He mentions Bailly's suspension to imply that he is playing Smalling and Lindelof together in preparation for those matches. Would mean they are ahead of Jones in the pecking order. I would have assumed that anyway but I don't think he would have repeated that there is a reason why and it will be revealed soon unless Jones is leaving.
Strange statement to make. If he was playing them because Bailly is suspended, he need not give the you ll know in 2 days