Probably our best player today.
12
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 29
- Clean sheets
- 8
- Goals
- 4
- Assists
- 0
- Yellow cards
- 3
- Red cards
- 1
So can we all agree that we probably need to play more than one man in defence? Shaw has been decent.
Getting him a right back is a bigger priority than a CB partner. His workload down the right is ridiculous.
Was just coming in to say the same thing. He's been deserted by the entire defence and midfield today.
Wouldn't be hard really. But yeah, agreed. He has really improved lately and is getting back to some of the brilliant early form he showed when he first signed.
He's Captain now btw! 
Was our best player IMO.
Yep, aside from some dodgy passes he played an excellent match.
By far our best player today. Shaw good as well, but Smalling is standing our as one of the more consitently good players this 2nd half of the season.
Most weeks he has to do Valencia's job all game. Today he also had to do McNair's and half of Shaw's as well
Was our best player and the only one interested in defending.
Get this man a partner.
Get this man a partner.
He was running around trying to put out fires every time they broke as he had liabilities either side of him.
Apart from when Lukaku sold him a stepover, he had him sussed pretty well for the whole game. He just doesn't seem to get beaten.
Did well on two corners as well, the knock down for Rooney and the header on target, just a shame it wasn't to the side of Howard. He's so dominant in the air.
Did well on two corners as well, the knock down for Rooney and the header on target, just a shame it wasn't to the side of Howard. He's so dominant in the air.
Was our best player today. I'd seriously consider making him captain next season. Not that it'll happen mind.
Strongly agree with this. It's unreal how much he has to cover for Valencia.
Can only trust him and Shaw at the back
Agreed.
Did the job of three men today. Very good again.
Does he still have any doubters?
Stepping up big time, looking like a leader and he's thriving with van Gaal's coaching. Needs some help.
Can we put the questioning of him being our best defender well and truly to bed now? He saved our arses countless times in a heavy defeat today, if the two standing next to him were playing to half of what Smalling was then we may have had a less embarrassing scoreline.
#SmallingPlusOne more than ever.
#SmallingPlusOne more than ever.
Was just about to post the same comment, nice to see him taking the lead and marshalling around our other young defenders, with Vidic and Ferdinand going in the one window we needed somebody to step up and lead the defence, I thought it was going to be Ronnie Evans but I can see Smalling keeping his place no matter who we bring in now
I love his speed, strength and sheer size. Great in the air.
Sign a quality CB to play beside this guy and we're laughing. Pity there's not many around at the moment..
I liked one of his last ditch tackles today, it was on a counter and he literally got the goal from Lukaku waiting for a low driven cross. I thought to myself that would never happen with Hummels as he would never get there as quickly.. It's really strong asset to have such stature like Smalling - athletic and strong at once... great to see him showing some leader ship recently..
btw that was really funny to see how some people last time said how McNair is better player or some other weird calls how he's becoming soon ahead of him. First he needs to learn how to defend. Smalling's excellent defender and if he ads anything else to it I am okay to start him. McNair looked better agains Cheslea side waiting for us at their half..
btw that was really funny to see how some people last time said how McNair is better player or some other weird calls how he's becoming soon ahead of him. First he needs to learn how to defend. Smalling's excellent defender and if he ads anything else to it I am okay to start him. McNair looked better agains Cheslea side waiting for us at their half..
What a player.
I've always liked him, put a calm head like Hummels next to him and we'll be mint.
btw how would you guys compare him to Boateng?
He's a better defender than Boateng, but Boateng is better on the ball.
He was the only player on the pitch who actually showed up today.
Couldn't agree more. Valencia can be a head case too often, while Paddy is still a kid and will be prone to having off games.
Only just realised that he got the armband after Rooney went off
This. There's that article about him when he was signed. A proper mama's boy who rise from poverty by sheer hardwork.
Jones and Smalling is our best pairing right now. Been saying it from start of the season and actually from England U21 days they've had a decent understanding.
They need a good run of games together but Injuries constantly disrupts that or Van Gaal starts messing up formations or going with his left footed right footed lark.
They need a good run of games together but Injuries constantly disrupts that or Van Gaal starts messing up formations or going with his left footed right footed lark.
He is growing and improving. I can see him being vice-captain soon, he's becoming a leader for us
You wouldn't happen to have a link for that article would you?
I enjoyed him losing his shit with those around him on a few occasions.
He's really turned it around after the City game, I remember in my complete rage at his red card I wanted him sold (I don't think I was ever as angry at a player 
)
De Gea, Shaw and Smalling are quality if we add Hummels and a proper RB to that back 5 we'll have the best defense in the league. I would actually love Carvajal!
---------------De Gea
Carvajal-Smalling-Hummels-Shaw
)De Gea, Shaw and Smalling are quality if we add Hummels and a proper RB to that back 5 we'll have the best defense in the league. I would actually love Carvajal!
---------------De Gea
Carvajal-Smalling-Hummels-Shaw
He's really turned it around after the City game, I remember in my complete rage at his red card I wanted him sold (I don't think I was ever as angry at a player
De Gea, Shaw and Smalling are quality if we add Hummels and a proper RB to that back 5 we'll have the best defense in the league. I would actually love Carvajal!
---------------De Gea
Carvajal-Smalling-Hummels-Shaw
Clyne and Stones and have the full England back four!
Smalldini