Said this a year or so ago, the man took to heart the whole lesson "face your chest the way you want the ball to go" from year 7 PE.
I'm not sure how a pro footballer can have so little ball manipulation skills or actual technique. I suppose he makes up for it with his physicality and strength but you need more than that at the highest level.
Not really sure what this clip is meant to show.
Yes he’s awkward and gangly, but he chose the best option in that situation.
He’s got 6 players surrounding him in close proximity in our final third.
If he passed it back it would place us under pressure, and he would get criticised for that. He can’t pass it to Fellaini because he’s not a ball carrier, Matic is too close to the opposing player and any interception would put us under pressure also.
Given the amount of players who are near him, there’s only 3 players further forward out of picture.
There’s only 3 opposing players in that video so it’s fair to assume there’s at least 6 opposing players in front of the ball, while we only have 3
So what would you have him do?
This video is a damning verdict of our coaching and lack of direction. Smalling does nothing wrong.