InterestingLingard certainly is. It's not McT's strong point either.
InterestingLingard certainly is. It's not McT's strong point either.
We're in for a ruff ride.Anything bar relegation goes for me this season(and next), Ole can take it easy and finish the damn job, blood in youngsters and get rid of the deadwood, then buy the players we need when finished. Too much time has been lost trying to do everything at the same time.
But tying them down for even longer makes them unsellable. Jones and Rojos deals could have lapsed and let go for nothing to get them off the wage bill, and Smalling could've been kept as back up with Tuanzebe, at least for this season.Who is signing Jones though? Bailly gets injured before gathering up enough form to garner any interest and Rojo seems to have little or no interest. It’s the fact that Smalling is the best of that bunch, is the reason he’s actually possible to move on. Add to the fact he’s pony with the ball at his feet and that doesn’t suit our style now, it makes perfect sense to get him out.
I'm not surprised he'd rather go to Roma than Inter Milan, I've heard it's not for everyone.... sorry I'll get my coat.
Roma were looking for experienced and fit defender.No idea why he is the first one to leave out of all the unwanted defenders at the club.
Because he is the only one who wants to leave for gametimeNo idea why he is the first one to leave out of all the unwanted defenders at the club.
Because no one wants Jones or Bailly or RojoNo idea why he is the first one to leave out of all the unwanted defenders at the club.
No idea why he is the first one to leave out of all the unwanted defenders at the club.
feck me, this is sooo fecking great. Excellent, absolutely fantastic.
He may well be sold next summer. Probably doesnt want to be our 4th choice CB. Maybe he will have some decent performances and someone will splash the cashI don't really get it. I could have understood it had it been a permanent deal, if we want to get rid of a centerhalf and he's the only one someone wants, but what's the great benefit of a loan deal? We lose our best backup at centerhalf - for me anyway - but still keep the player, who could be back next year. If he's ours, might as well keep him at the club.
Was part of SAF, LVG and Jose's tenures. Capped 31 times by England. He's a good defender. Again, not a world beater and not as bad as many people think he was.That's a lot of bad defending for a supposedly good defender.
He was part of Fergie's squad because he was still young and had a bit of potential. No chance Fergie would have persisted with Smalling as he turned out. Being a defender in LVG and Jose's United is no ringing endorsement neither is 31 caps in a era where England have been sorely lacking in quality CBs. Particularly after he's been dropped as soon as England transitioned into a more modern style of play. Has been obvious for years he's not good enough for us.Was part of SAF, LVG and Jose's tenures. Capped 31 times by England. He's a good defender. Again, not a world beater and not as bad as many people think he was.
Scored some goals too for United.
My guess is so that Ole isnt pressured by the fans/media to play Smalling when one of our CBs makes a cock up like happened this week. Out of sight, out of mind is maybe what they're hoping for. I wouldnt be surprised if its the other way around thoughI don't really get it. I could have understood it had it been a permanent deal, if we want to get rid of a centerhalf and he's the only one someone wants, but what's the great benefit of a loan deal? We lose our best backup at centerhalf - for me anyway - but still keep the player, who could be back next year. If he's ours, might as well keep him at the club.
Is it really though? Would need to see a compilation of the bad moments of each of the great modern defenders to accurately judge it. Rather than compilations people with agendas have.That's a lot of bad defending for a supposedly good defender.
Agree with all of this.I think Smalling is a much better player than he has been given credit for and will always defend him from some of the more pointless criticism.
However, this as a continuation of the theme of Ole's restructuring is logical. He got rid of guys like Fellaini and Lukaku, 2 others whose limitations influence the style of play but whose effectiveness made them attractive when results pressure came on. Ole is removing a temptation and is clearly looking to build something that can lead to a progressive style of play. You have to credit him, and at the same time reassess the goal for this season. This is true transition, something Mourinho had no stomach for, thus his fixation with older players and short term-ism. If the club are brave and don't panic when the inevitable bumps come then Ole's idealism might just be the start of something, at the very least we look to have a true plan in place for the first time since the early days of LVG.
I wish Smalling well, has matured into a good man, good for him to accept the challenge instead of sitting in the stands picking up his pay check.
That's a lot of bad defending for a supposedly good defender.
We don't know what Fergie would have done because we don't know what David Gill or even more what Woodward would have done. Being a 3rd choice or 4th choice CB of Smalling's ilk isn't bad, as long as your first choice CBs are bang on better...which currently for United it's still debatable that Smalling or even Tuanzebe could slot in next to Maguire. So it took about 7 years for Smalling to be pushed aside at United now that he's 30/31. Not bad. Or it's just ineptitude at United.He was part of Fergie's squad because he was still young and had a bit of potential. No chance Fergie would have persisted with Smalling as he turned out. Being a defender in LVG and Jose's United is no ringing endorsement neither is 31 caps in a era where England have been sorely lacking in quality CBs. Particularly after he's been dropped as soon as England transitioned into a more modern style of play. Has been obvious for years he's not good enough for us.
Answer on your question. Why would any club loan a player who will be injured all the time? You think that other clubs don't know the truth about Rojo ynd Jones?Honestly this makes little sense, out of Rojo, Jones and him, he’s the only one who isn’t a crock.
I’m far from being his biggest fan but he’s a decent defender and could actually come useful against fast attackers.
Ok but noone has come in for Jones and probably won't given his injury record. Bailly is injured so he won't be leaving. There is some interest in Rojo and he might leave as well. Smalling is a good reliable player but we have way too many CBs and if Maguire and Lindelof are first choice and Tuanzebe first reserve it leaves a good reliable player with insufficient opportunities. So probably best all round to go on loan. Not to a bad club either. We can't do the same with Jones as understandably the interest isn't there.Honestly this makes little sense, out of Rojo, Jones and him, he’s the only one who isn’t a crock.
I’m far from being his biggest fan but he’s a decent defender and could actually come useful against fast attackers.
Well saidI think Smalling is a much better player than he has been given credit for and will always defend him from some of the more pointless criticism.
However, this as a continuation of the theme of Ole's restructuring is logical. He got rid of guys like Fellaini and Lukaku, 2 others whose limitations influence the style of play but whose effectiveness made them attractive when results pressure came on. Ole is removing a temptation and is clearly looking to build something that can lead to a progressive style of play. You have to credit him, and at the same time reassess the goal for this season. This is true transition, something Mourinho had no stomach for, thus his fixation with older players and short term-ism. If the club are brave and don't panic when the inevitable bumps come then Ole's idealism might just be the start of something, at the very least we look to have a true plan in place for the first time since the early days of LVG.
I wish Smalling well, has matured into a good man, good for him to accept the challenge instead of sitting in the stands picking up his pay check.
Do you not think we have tried doing that? We're not sending him over there to get sharp for next season.If you search old threads regarding smalling, you will see he was a good defender for years but unfortunately all good defenders eventually run out of gas
I think we should have sold smalling and its the right time to part ways permanently so I'm bugged this is a loan.