Acole9
Outstanding
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2013
- Messages
- 12,507
Appears to be flourishing under van Gaal. I've been impressed with him the most out of all three of our centre backs so far.
He's powerful and a stong tackler. But he needs to sort out the speed at which his limbs move. He actually moved like a mountain today.Thought he played well against the man mountain that is Bony.
But yes he is like Bambi on ice at times with the ball.
Given that he spent at least half the game covering for Lingard and Januzaj he was never going to be sound in his positioning. Other than the moment he let Routledge in early on, Jones was very very solid. His last ditch tackles were the result of covering for the mistakes of others, not because he'd let someone in and had to atone. He then went out to right back and did very well dealing with the pace Swansea offered.Jones was positionally inept all game. How exactly did he have a better game - through his last ditch heroic tackles? There's already a thread for Smalling btw.
They also need to be played in their correct positions from now on. Smalling and Jones as center halves are 100% better than at full back or in Jones case, midfield. That hasn't helped them at all.Smalling and Jones are still learning their roles, none are the finished article, both are of a similar level talent and experience wise and both can improve. BUT they need lots and lots of games together, which so far in their short careers has not happened due to injuries and having Rio/Vida in the team ahead of them.
The second goal was Jones out of position, Smalling had to close Montero - the right winger on the right wing - down. I don't see how is culpable for blame.Given that he spent at least half the game covering for Lingard and Januzaj he was never going to be sound in his positioning. Other than the moment he let Routledge in early on, Jones was very very solid. His last ditch tackles were the result of covering for the mistakes of others, not because he'd let someone in and had to atone. He then went out to right back and did very well dealing with the pace Swansea offered.
Smalling was okay but his distribution was horrendous. Won his challenges for the most part. Questionable on the second goal.
Jones was positionally inept all game. How exactly did he have a better game - through his last ditch heroic tackles? There's already a thread for Smalling btw.
He's powerful and a stong tackler. But he needs to sort out the speed at which his limbs move. He actually moved like a mountain today.
Smalling must be our most criticised player for nothing, the midfielders werent making themselve available, so only thing he could do is pass it to Jones, Blackett, or to Lingard, but he saw those passes ended up in nothing, and tried to be more risky, ofcourse when you decide to do that you will lose the ball more often..See, this I just don't get. People like to criticize Smalling for so many reasons, and this may just be the most idiotic of them all - claiming he is slow when he's outpaced Sturridge, Agbonlahor, Ribery and whoever you wish to put on that list. He was dribbled past once by quick feet and a nice dribble - that could have happened to Kyle Walker as well, yet would you call him slow?
Criticize him for his shortcomings, which is his distribution. That being said, it was fine most of the match, but the midfield is hardly doing him any favors, are they?
Smalling must be our most criticised player for nothing, the midfielders werent making themselve available, so only thing he could do is pass it to Jones, Blackett, or to Lingard, but he saw those passes ended up in nothing, and tried to be more risky, ofcourse when you decide to do that you will lose the ball more often..
Centre backs often have to cover for a full back who is on his way back from a failed attack. I think Smalling could have done better closing the ball down and stopping the incoming ball given that he and jones had obviously communicated to each other as to who was going where. Would hardly regard that as out of position myself. Out of position would be the way he let routledge in the first half.The second goal was Jones out of position, Smalling had to close Montero - the right winger on the right wing - down. I don't see how is culpable for blame.
Are people here really saying Smalling's defending is just "alright"?
Ok then.
In comparison to a lot of our past defenders, yeah....
Yeah, compare to the past primes of Rio and Vidic alone and you'll find pretty much all of the current premier league CBs are "alright". Pretty weird thing to say.
Well alright....If we consider ourselves a "top team" and we compare him to other "top defenders" he's still alright.
In terms of his actual defending ie his positioning, his 1 on 1s, his standing tackles etc., you really think he is just alright? You should leave me to debate this for another day, because frankly I don't agree with that statement whatsoever. I can't argue against his distribution, but I would not say he is an "alright defender".
I was talking about him on the ball. He takes ages to do anything. He's great on one v ones and generally very good defensively. But on the ball and in terms of distribution he can be very poor.See, this I just don't get. People like to criticize Smalling for so many reasons, and this may just be the most idiotic of them all - claiming he is slow when he's outpaced Sturridge, Agbonlahor, Ribery and whoever you wish to put on that list. He was dribbled past once by quick feet and a nice dribble - that could have happened to Kyle Walker as well, yet would you call him slow?
Criticize him for his shortcomings, which is his distribution. That being said, it was fine most of the match, but the midfield is hardly doing him any favors, are they?
Phil Jones is the Scot Parker of defenders.
Positionaly inept but, gets away with it because he makes some "heroic" and "brave" last ditch tackles...There, I said it
Smalling is alright defensively but, Christ he is shocking in possession. Bit like John O Shea
I was talking about him on the ball. He takes ages to do anything. He's great on one v ones and generally very good defensively. But on the ball and in terms of distribution he can be very poor.
Also, extra sensitive on the topic of Chis Smalling?
Why does he slip so often while attempting a pass?
He started running off when his number came up, despite there being a Swansea played stood there. He's an idiot. Far too slow at distributing the ball as well.