What's this obsession with Carvajal all of a sudden?
12
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 29
- Clean sheets
- 8
- Goals
- 4
- Assists
- 0
- Yellow cards
- 3
- Red cards
- 1
Danilo signing for R. Madrid
I think it's this one. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...is-Smalling-promises-repay-mum-faith-him.html
Carvajal had a stellar 1st part of the season, but his performance levels have dropped (noticeably) since the turn of the year.
Anyway - back on topic - Smalling is an excellent CB, and I've been saying this for ages. He should be the mainstay of our defence for the foreseeable future.
Anyway - back on topic - Smalling is an excellent CB, and I've been saying this for ages. He should be the mainstay of our defence for the foreseeable future.
Smalling has huge potential as a centre back. For one thing, it is the position where, more than any other, physical abilities are important relative to technical ability. Ideally, a centre back is big, tall, strong, fast and a commanding header of the ball. Smalling is easily the best in the league in these aspects. He is also a natural defender and rock solid in one on ones, intervening in dangerous situations, and in making clearances. Where he falls down sometimes is concentration, positioning and distribution. As he learns the technical aspects he is going to get better and better. He is also becoming more confident and assertive on the pitch, a sign that he is developing the mentality to be a big player for a big club. He is set fair to be one of the big winners under van Gaal.
Thanks!
He has all the attributes to become a brilliant centre back but I feel the only thing that will hold him back is his distribution - it gets better when he is confident but at times it can be very erratic
Lots of man love for Chris
armband for Chris on Saturday? would love that
I was thinking about this. If Carrick plays then he would get it I suppose. Not sure how van Gaal rates RvP in terms of leadership for us either, but he would probably get the nod if he starts too. Personally I will be thrilled if Smalling leads us out
I think it was him who took the band after Rooney was subbed off against Toffies, RVP going on the pitch and giving the band to Chris so that makes RVP out of contention and only one who could were it ahead of him could be Carrick but as you said would be fantastic to see our team coming out of tunnel with Smalling wearing it ..I was thinking about this. If Carrick plays then he would get it I suppose. Not sure how van Gaal rates RvP in terms of leadership for us either, but he would probably get the nod if he starts too. Personally I will be thrilled if Smalling leads us out
Carrick, probably.
Brilliant highlight video of Smalling's season. Needs to be updated at the end of the season
Completely forgot about that! You're right. Hopefully it is Smalling then.
Man Utd 0:1 West Brom
Did his job, today's shittery wasn't on the defense.
The only player who looked remotely like he wanted to win.
i.e. Most attractive patient in the serious burns unit.
i.e. Most attractive patient in the serious burns unit.
His usual self today. His consistency since the Etihad brainfart has really been special. Just a shame he's plumped next to our globally renowned left-side-of-defence revolving door.
Typical Chris Smalling performance, played well. Too bad his teammates are utter shite.
defending 10/10 today, passing though? sideways, sideways, sideways,
Steps into the space in midfield annnnnd...... passes it backwards to a teenage McNair to take responsibility.
Steps into the space in midfield annnnnd...... passes it backwards to a teenage McNair to take responsibility.
Did his job impeccably - which is pretty much normal for him now. We had them locked in their own half and it was a lot because of him, repeatedly winning everything that went anywhere near our backline and regaining possession.
I'm liking the consistency, he's an absolute beast in the air too.
He's been dealing with two idiots to his left and right for three weeks now and conducted himself impeccably. A one man back line.
Pretty much. Our best player alongside RvP. McNair, Jones, Rojo all are miles behind him at the moment.
It would be dumb to make him step up and run into midfield and desert the defense because he's basically the only competent defender on the pitch for our team. Do you really want the likes of McNair and Valencia back defending a break? If so, see Everton's first goal last week.
Yup. It did basically become a one man line when Young went LB and Falcao came on for McNair.
Played well today, I was impressed with his concentration level. He could easily have switched off today given that he was playing as the last man.
God I can't wait until he gets someone actually good next to him.
The problem was I think perpetuated, we had no Carrick to dump our balls from the back to bring out into midfield.
Smalling continually passed possession to a young McNair to bring into midfield.
A small mark against him, but cant fault him for his defending at all.
Only player you can't criticise in the last three games.
Agreed.
Even at McNair's age and inexperience, I think his technique at running with the ball is already much better than Smalling's. I think McNair is a much more gifted ball-player, so I don't have a problem with the more competent dribbler taking the ball out. I want to see us take more risks, but if anyone on the pitch is going to play it safe, I'd definitely rather it was Smalling.
Yea, fair point.
Has come a long way, please dont get injured!
One of our best dribblers tbh, takes the ball out well from the back.
The funny part was after we took McNair off and Big Chris was literally defending by himself.
He clearly need to score more goals because who will if not he ?
Stellar lad. Will be even better with more compact team around him.
Stellar lad. Will be even better with more compact team around him.
Another good game from Smalling.