Yeah, he was a beast on the ball 2012/2013, but this season he has been just as bad with the ball as Smalling, especially vs Dons/Burnley, but to be fair, that's my least worry, I want defenders who are reliable defensively, it seems none of them are capable of doing that except Shaw.
12
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 29
- Clean sheets
- 8
- Goals
- 4
- Assists
- 0
- Yellow cards
- 3
- Red cards
- 1
They friggin deserve to be destroyed by that fans man. We're up against it this season, so when our players get sent off needlessly - they let the team down & the game plan goes out the window. This season is crucial for us.
Its not on & they deserve all the grief they get as far as i'm concerned. We could have won today with 11 men on the field..
It is, that's why it's so frustrating. He's went out and put himself in the spotlight as some kind of glaring example of our defensive woes, when he is actually the best at defending of all our central defenders. He's picked a right game to do this in, and what's more, this could end up going some way in defining the length of his United career. which is sad.
Some of the reaction in here is pathetic though. Pretending as if today is the norm with Smalling isn't fair at all. He'll be more pissed off than us, I can assure you. So, so unlike him.
If we can ever get Evans match-fit again I think we have a first choice CB to play alongside Rojo that wont let you down. We certainly need to strengthen in Jan though as it seems we can't keep any of them fit.
Not defending Smalling, it was a really stupid thing to get booked for, but Balotelli got away with it yesterday.
Brain dead for both yellows but still the best CB we have. Insane decision for both yellows though, a single neuron should have told him not to do what he did on either occasion, he must have billions in that head of his.
Spot on!
Smalling is a panicker on the ball & he makes easy passes look hard work most of the time.
He was a bit further away from the keeper though, wasn't he?
Exactly, how can he get back in form if he doesnt play more than 4 consecutive matches? We have the most unreliable defenders in the league, when they are in form they are class, just like Smalling last week, but then he does things like this,there is just no stability. If it isnt a brainfart, someone will get injured.
I think we can write him off. Maybe one of those players that could have developed better if had played the last few years at a lesser club, who knows. I don't think he has a strong enough mentality for this club, and takes the fact he is a Manchester United player for granted.
Looking at it positively, we will certainly strengthen and when we're in a position to put out a solid cb pairing we are going to be a force to be reckoned with.
Our biggest game of the season so far, coming after a poor start but with recent signs of better things to come, and he commits two stupid acts within the first 40 minutes to get himself a needless and completely avoidable red card, subsequently cancelling out a promising start to the game. He let his team down, ultimately cost us the game and ruined what was looking to be a good performance and match. He deserves to be criticised for his stupidity.
If he's the best at defending, how come we if anything looked more secure with Carrick and McNair back there, even with a player less!
Speaks volumes about our options atm but yes, he is. Talking from a purely defensive POV btw, his work with the ball isnt upto scratch but defensively, he's sound. Shocking 2 moments today but doesnt change that fact.
This lad is finished at this club. I fully expect him replaced and gone in January.
1) didn't need to say it, its a yellow card, he's not the only defender or player to get a yellow card for that
2) in that case, defenders shouldnt defender just in case they get sent off
3) instead of knee-jerking spend some time reading the forum.
When he comes back in the team and starts playing well, you'll all be praising him and saying hes the best CB in the world as you do with all utd players when it suits you.
If its wrong to defend a utd player then I'll take it on the chin. Its his second start this season and I'm not surprised that he's not at his very best. As I have said before, I'd like Smalling and Rojo to form a partnership at it will take time for that to happen.
After he took those 2 yellow cards (stark raving bonkers!), Louis would get my vote if he takes Smalling in his office later today and bluntly tells him that it is the very last game he will ever have at United. I'm totally fed up with Smalling; today was the straw that breaks the camel's back. Send him to the dogs already.
Evans is injured for half a season - every season. He's at best a semi-utility player for that reason - we cant count on him being fit. Even when he is fit - he gets injured in no time & is out for weeks or months..
We cant rely on our CB's. We need a complete overhaul of the injury-proners. They're not payin their way..
Ship him to sunderland in january
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Didn't Balotelli get away with it yesterday? Not that important though. I'm actually stunned by Smalling's stupidity, and combined with his constant under-performing, I wouldn't be against LvG getting rid at the end of the season. He is such a clumsy footballer and fills his team mates and especially David de Gea with everything else but confidence.
The sooner we replace the central defence options of Smalling, Jones and Evans the better. They're just not up to scratch.
Blackett, McNair to bring on and a couple of proven CB's. With Rojo as back up/utility.
Blackett, McNair to bring on and a couple of proven CB's. With Rojo as back up/utility.
Please no Blackett.
McNair made a crucial mistake that lead to a City chance which could've been a goal, and his positioning wasn't the best IIRC Zabaleta/Navas took him out of position on a couple of occasions near the 6 yard box.
I think it was Carrick's calming influence and experience that made the difference overall.
He looks like he's on easy street imo..
I've never been a fan and don't get how anyone could see him as our best CB. Today was inexcusable, and I'd sleep better if he never played for us again.
Well unlike you I'm not basing my assessment off of one game. Smalling generally defends better than Jones, Evans and, from what I've seen so far, Rojo. Today aside, certainly more positionally aware and sensible.
Apparently so. Saw an interview where he said he did well enough for his A levels to get into University.
1) The amount of players that get a yellow card for something as idiotic as that per season could probably be counted on one hand so don't brush it off, as if it is nothing.
2) There is a slight difference between a player being on a yellow card and not. It may be a bit too subtle for yourself though.
3) Only certified idiots will claim Smalling is or could be the centre back in the world. If you can provide examples of your ridiculous claims, then I will apologise.
Apparently so. Saw an interview where he said he did well enough for his A levels to get into University.
To be fair, any idiot can get into university these days.
Agree with this.
I hope he never plays a game for United ever again, should be made an example of how not to defend. Major problem is that we can't drop him to the reserves because our defenders are made of fecking glass.
If you think Smalling has ever developed beyond "has potential" than I'd say you're kidding yourself.
Has all the attributes, but has never kicked on.
Same with Jones.
Evans I've never been comfortable with due to his lack of real physicality. Whatever anyone says, you need more strength and heading ability than him, as our most successful combos have shown, Bruce-Pally, Johnsen-Stam, Vidic-Ferdinand. All of them very strong physically.
The idea that Smalling should be sold is moronic. That said he let us down badly today.
Apparently so. Saw an interview where he said he did well enough for his A levels to get into University.
I think common-sense is the main issue here though man..
As i said before - Smalling's behaviour today was consistent with a player on a bookie's payroll. Of course i aint sayin he is, but thats the type of shit players do to get sent off - easy / no-brainer yellows etc..
Not sold, slain, skinned and mounted outside OT as a lesson to others.
Is Chris Smalling trying to sabotage his Man Utd career? He has a very good outing against Chelsea and then loses his head the week later. You simply don't know what to expect from Smalling and that is something managers hate. Coaches like to know they can count on their players, especially in the big games. Smalling put a massive question mark in Van Gaal's mind today, not due to lack of footballing ability, but a brain fart (I refer to the first booking) that was totally inexplicable. As a centre back up against Aguero you don't give away a cheap yellow early in the game, its silly to put yourself in that position.