RedorDead21
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If he's Ice Man.....is Smalling Maverick or Goose?
Glad I’m not the only one who hasn’t developed selective blindness. There were numerous examples of this in the match versus Juventus which is being held up as his new best performance.Happy with him right now. If we adopted a more posessive style if would bring out more of his qualities.
My biggest issue with him though is that he doesn't snuff out danger fast enough. He regularly backs out of 50/50s. Watching him closely since the past two international breaks he randomly doesn't contest for aerial balls sometimes and just lets his attackers win. I need him to add a lot more aggression to his game. be more ruthless with protecting the box and not letting attackers bully him.
Right now he is okay but lets see what Mourinho decides over the next couple of months. for all we know we might have someone replace him by January.
how very Trumpesque of youYes and that could happen to any defender. Sometimes you have to give credit to the attacker for finding that space rather than blaming the defender. Juve conceded two goals - one of which was an own goal with their exceptional defence.
Overall in the two matches against Juve, Lindelof had Ronaldo in his pocket which is not an easy feat.
Also, he was proactive on a number of occasions especially that header pass that Ronaldo tried. Any other defender and he doesn't read it imo but Lindelof stayed back and cut that out.
Smalling is more like Washout from Hot ShotsIf he's Ice Man.....is Smalling Maverick or Goose?
Smalling is our best defender, Bailly has been erratic when fit.I like him. Starting to get some momentum and form under him. Would like him with Bailly, who is still our best CB.
I think we'll only know that for sure at the end of this season. He deserves a chance to prove himself over that period. Hell Smalling has had about 8 years.He isn't good enough to be a first choice CB for a team looking to win the PL - that's just my opinion, hopefully I'm wrong.
And maybe with a genuine World Class CB next to him he'd be fine... but then that's probably true of a lot of CBs...
He literally scored a goal after Lindelöf failed to match his instincts and run, literally! That having someone in your pocket-expression is the most overused and stupid thing I hear. In no way did Lindelöf control Ronaldo in these games, just not at all. Ronaldo had an assist in the first game, he had an insane shot saved by de Gea, he teed up Cuadrado to miss an open goal from five yards out, he had a volley saved by a knee in the second game... and that’s just top of mind.Yes and that could happen to any defender. Sometimes you have to give credit to the attacker for finding that space rather than blaming the defender. Juve conceded two goals - one of which was an own goal with their exceptional defence.
Overall in the two matches against Juve, Lindelof had Ronaldo in his pocket which is not an easy feat.
Also, he was proactive on a number of occasions especially that header pass that Ronaldo tried. Any other defender and he doesn't read it imo but Lindelof stayed back and cut that out.
Oh I agree totally - not saying we should look to get rid, or not play him.I think we'll only know that for sure at the end of this season. He deserves a chance to prove himself over that period. Hell Smalling has had about 8 years.
And that's more or less what I was doing. Related with what I saw in Portugal must be said.We should compare a 23 years old couto, pepe, andn otamendi. Not the 30 years one
The other big chance for Juve / Khedira was Lindelof's man though. He was good in that game and had some good games recently, but positioning and focusing has always been his big problem. It's not a great trade to have when you're a defender.The Ronaldo goal was a thing of beauty. He always had the pace on Lindelof. Not much he could have done on thst apart from fouling him.
I think knowing your partner will bail you out is important and that's an issue with Smalling. One never knows how good or how bad he is going to be.
If we can get a solid CB like Vidic Lindelof would be a great player for us.
Smalling dealt with a similar ball over the top from Bonucci to Ronaldo in the first 10 mins. He kept up with him and didnt let him get goalside.The Ronaldo goal was a thing of beauty. He always had the pace on Lindelof. Not much he could have done on thst apart from fouling him.
I think knowing your partner will bail you out is important and that's an issue with Smalling. One never knows how good or how bad he is going to be.
If we can get a solid CB like Vidic Lindelof would be a great player for us.
Yes indeed.Never thought he'd be world class but was reasonably confident he was better than his first games. I think having a settled back four is helping a bit too.
Maybe Joker at times.If he's Ice Man.....is Smalling Maverick or Goose?
Pretty spot on unfortunately.He literally scored a goal after Lindelöf failed to match his instincts and run, literally! That having someone in your pocket-expression is the most overused and stupid thing I hear. In no way did Lindelöf control Ronaldo in these games, just not at all. Ronaldo had an assist in the first game, he had an insane shot saved by De Gea, he teed up Cuadrado to miss an open goal from five yards out, he had a volley saved by a knee in the second game... and that’s just top of mind.
People see what fits their agendas, let’s try and be objective. We have kept one clean sheet this season in the league.... one!
What's sad is that Mourinho had no confidence in him, and it's affected the entire defensive line. Mourinho is a dick.It’s a bit of a weird one. I’m really starting to like him, he’s really growing into the role, he’s showing some real instinct in sniffing out danger, positioning well and timing some excellent tackles but we’re still haemorrhaging goals.
His comfort on the ball is obviously a plus but I think there’s still more to come from him when it comes to his passing.
So what do we reckon? Some good moments shining over average play? Good form that he will struggle to maintain?
Oh give it a restWhat's sad is that Mourinho had no confidence in him, and it's affected the entire defensive line. Mourinho is a dick.
Gawd. Remember when Dave arrived? And he was making mistakes? And was rotated regularly with Lindegaard? Was that Fergie being a dick? He's a big boy at a big club. He's made mistakes in the spotlight because he's always in the spotlight but he's learning and toughening up. He's first choice now because that dick has made him first choice and is getting credit from Jose and everyone else because he is earning it. As it should be.What's sad is that Mourinho had no confidence in him, and it's affected the entire defensive line. Mourinho is a dick.
What's sad is that Mourinho had no confidence in him, and it's affected the entire defensive line. Mourinho is a dick.
How many clean sheets have we got by the way?Oh give it a rest
Give me a break. Injuries have forced him to pick Lindelof with Smalling. His confidence is growing because he's not a bad player.Gawd. Remember when Dave arrived? And he was making mistakes? And was rotated regularly with Lindegaard? Was that Fergie being a dick? He's a big boy at a big club. He's made mistakes in the spotlight because he's always in the spotlight but he's learning and toughening up. He's first choice now because that dick has made him first choice and is getting credit from Jose and everyone else because he is earning it. As it should be.
Smalling is a good partner for him as they both cover each other weaknesses. Lindelof better in getting the ball from the back while Smalling cover the aerial aspects and physicality issues. Bailly and Lindelof for example will never work as they're both shite in the air. As for De Ligt I don't think he'll have the same dominance in the air as Smalling.Do we think a partnership with De Ligt would be fruitful?