That first yellow was just baffling and the second was a massive brain-fart. Disappointed as I think we might have been able to come away with something from the match with 11 men. Still think he is a good defender and has a future at the club but really needs to buckle down and start showing it.
12
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 29
- Clean sheets
- 8
- Goals
- 4
- Assists
- 0
- Yellow cards
- 3
- Red cards
- 1
So every player that got silly red card should never play for United again. Hmm..
There's silly and down right stupid, not even the red but the first yellow.
It's a stupid risk to take. Well, Balotelli isn't the brightest around but he is a forward so at the very least I can see him trying it. But defenders tend to run a higher chance of getting yellows as it is, so to put yourself at risk of a yellow for such a stupid offense is simply unnecessary. Fine if RVP/Di Maria/Januzaj etc do it, they can refrain from tackles rest of the game. But Smalling's a defender, what gave him the wildest thought that it was a good idea? I just can't understand.
Rooney was even sillier with a straight red.
An example of how not to defend? Smalling gets criticised for his passing and injury record but his actual defending is excellent. Losing the head once today doesn't change that.
Rinse, repeat...
This will be forgotten for a long time now. Hopefully he gets back into the team though because he is our best CB.
I think Van Gaal is telling our defenders to block the keeper if they get the ball from corners. They were doing it against Chelsea and a few others this season. If I'm right, then he can't really be blamed for the first yellow.
Im basically withholding judgement on Smalling, Jones and Evans till christmas minimum.
I was hoping for the first 2 to kick on, form a good partnership and put a run of games together. I was hoping evans would stay fit and continue showing good composure on the ball.
Atm my biggest issue is how often they're available but they haven't been covering themselves in glory when they have been available.
I'd buy a right sided cb in january anyway. I hope one of them sorts out their fitness issues but we cant really rely on the fitness of any of them so
... one kind of needs to go for someone who'll be available week in, week out.
Smalling has been quite good defensively when available though.
Today was stupid, which is a pity, as its not something i'd normally associate with him.
I was hoping for the first 2 to kick on, form a good partnership and put a run of games together. I was hoping evans would stay fit and continue showing good composure on the ball.
Atm my biggest issue is how often they're available but they haven't been covering themselves in glory when they have been available.
I'd buy a right sided cb in january anyway. I hope one of them sorts out their fitness issues but we cant really rely on the fitness of any of them so
... one kind of needs to go for someone who'll be available week in, week out.
Smalling has been quite good defensively when available though.
Today was stupid, which is a pity, as its not something i'd normally associate with him.
Apparently so. Saw an interview where he said he did well enough for his A levels to get into University.
That's hardly an achievement nowadays, I imagine Tevez might have got a place on clearing.
I wonder if Jones, Evans or Rafael made the same mistake how many would react the same.
It's disappointing for Smalling and I am sure he is gutted. Quite uncharacteristic for him, after a couple of good showings recently.
Fortunately LVG probably isn't quite as knee-jerk as most fans and will have a chat with him I am sure. Still our best CB for me.
Fortunately LVG probably isn't quite as knee-jerk as most fans and will have a chat with him I am sure. Still our best CB for me.
It would be the same. Looking like more and more have little faith in any of them, whether it's injuries or ability, unless you are Irish and Evans will get some leeway.
Looks like today it was time for him to do something stupid. The amount of mistakes in this formation begs for clear out and serious investment.
Apparently so. Saw an interview where he said he did well enough for his A levels to get into University.
Football smart ≠ Academically smart. Hell, put Neil DeGrasse Tyson on the pitch and he'd look pretty thick.
A defender should never be doing it. He should be busting his ass to get back in position.
If Van Persie or a winger picked up a cheap yellow for doing it I wouldn't be too bothered.
I'm not quite as sure
Evans made a crucial error that was directly responsible for a goal by MK Dons and while a lot of people reacted badly (myself included) the reaction to Smalling's red card seems worse? Plus he's just looked terrible in recent games.
I mean some people are genuinely saying Smalling shouldn't wear the shirt again? It's baffling.
Jones has made quite a few mistakes in his time for us but he's generally seen as the better defender.
And of course Rafa is loved (quite rightly) so I cant see it for him either.
I get the impression that patience is running thin with all of the defenders who have been in the first team squad for several seasons, whether it be due to injuries, stupid errors or a combination of the two.
He was a huge laugh but this knee jerk is just ridiculous, never that Evans/Jones get so much criticism after a huge brainfart or two.
Oh definitely, this is a crucial season for all of them, LVG isn't the type to stand for complacency.
I just get the feeling that the other 3 have more margin for error than Smalling - I could be wrong.
Never heard Evans or Jones get as much criticism? They've had worse, especially Evans.
Naah 99% here wants him gone by January.
If it's not Jones fecking up it's this clown. Both not good enough and sincerely hope they are shown the door at the end of the season.
Louis van Gaal said he did not see the first yellow card but thinks the second yellow card was stupid on Smalling's part.
Wait until he sees the first yellow card.
Wait until he sees the first yellow card.
That's so worrying and disturbing at the same time because you are probably right.
What's more annoying about the 1st yellow, is that Joe Hart is shit at kicking. It had more chance of being booted out of play than reaching a City player.
I think both him and Jones are running out of time. Can't keep using the excuse that they're young and developing. He'll stay until we can buy someone better, but for me there's no chance he'll cement a place as a first choice centre half for us.
He saw it, he just used that as a reason not to answer it I'd imagine.
And in the 5 or 6 seconds he waited for Hart to kick it he could have been back 50 yards down the field and in position.
You'd have thought so but then, why is it particularly the Centre Backs that are doing it? Surely that's an instruction.
Perhaps the thinking is that there are others closer to our box that can fill in whilst the defender, who was up for the corner, can slow down the play.
There's no denying defenders will make mistakes Vidic and Ferdinand made their fair share, but the key to being a good defender is consistency, top defenders play well game after game. Smalling and Jones will have 1 or 2 good games then be absolute shite, we been putting that down to inexperience but enough is enough they have been around the first team for several years now and should be playing to a high level. Imo they are mid table PL league defenders not CL quality, they have to be replaced.
Jones it would be perfectly in line with his stupidity. Rafa loses the rag now and again I suppose, so not out of the question.
I'd be surprised with Evans to be fair. Usually gets sent off for a last-man challenge.
Smalling cost us the game today, in my opinion, and I'm furious with him. But I'm apprehensive to overly criticise him, simply because I believe we can't rely on any of our senior centre-backs, they're all liabilities.
I'd love to know Fergie's thoughts at the moment.
Considering he spoke about Smalling - Evans being the next successful CB pair for the club for years to come following the CL Final in 2011.
And then calling Phil Jones as potentially the "best player this club has ever had".
All three are playing their way towards the exit door if they don't step up.
Considering he spoke about Smalling - Evans being the next successful CB pair for the club for years to come following the CL Final in 2011.
And then calling Phil Jones as potentially the "best player this club has ever had".
All three are playing their way towards the exit door if they don't step up.
Rio and Vidic were special players but if we're to have Smalling and defenders like Jones and Evans making as many dumb mistakes in a month as they did in 2 or 3 seasons, that won't cut it if we're going to be contenders again.
Today was just completely idiotic from him. This wasn't a young back like McNair or Blackett who did this, this is a 24 year old who has started in CL knockout matches and for England. He was finally getting his chance to secure a place in the lineup after the Chelsea match (in which I think he was excellent) and pulls stupid shit like this...
There's always some kind of nonsense going on amongst the backs, injuries, stupid fouls, freezing up when under attack etc. and I'm damn sick of it.
Today was just completely idiotic from him. This wasn't a young back like McNair or Blackett who did this, this is a 24 year old who has started in CL knockout matches and for England. He was finally getting his chance to secure a place in the lineup after the Chelsea match (in which I think he was excellent) and pulls stupid shit like this...
There's always some kind of nonsense going on amongst the backs, injuries, stupid fouls, freezing up when under attack etc. and I'm damn sick of it.
I donno how Jones has, whenever hes played i've thought we've looked solid because of it
With Jones it's more his style. He's too reckless, bordering on foolish as he goes for tackles and challenges.
As I said a about a few weeks ago, I'd ship Smalling at the end of next season, and give a season to Evans and Jones.
Their injury record and under par performances shouldn't get them a place in this team.
Too many stupid mistakes, can't pass. A real limited defender.
Their injury record and under par performances shouldn't get them a place in this team.
Too many stupid mistakes, can't pass. A real limited defender.
Smalling and Jones have had plenty of chances. I like them and it's tough, but I'm afraid we can't put up with their inconsistencies. They start one game and they play ok, then they get injured. Or they have a good game one week and the next a complete brain fart. We obviously cannot trust them so I would get rid of at least one in January and get an experienced CB in. It's too much now with them, we simply cannot afford this and their performance just negates any good work the rest of the team does. It's depressing.