I just hope he manages to play himself into some kind of form in the next game (or games) as he's going to have to start against Ajax.
12
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 36
- Clean sheets
- 18
- Goals
- 2
- Assists
- 2
- Yellow cards
- 0
- Status
On point.
Simple test: Would he look out of place in or too good for any of the bottom 5 teams in the EPL?
I don't think so. I think he would look perfect in those teams.
I've been a defender of his, but if he wants to have a future at United, he needs to step up and regain the form he had under LVG. If he cannot do so, he probably needs to move on. He's good in the air, fast and excellent one on one, but he does have other shortcomings. His best attributes are well suited to a mid table club who often park the bus, but to play for United you need consistency and ironing out your mistakes. Jones, Smalling and Blind have all made far too many mistakes this season.
Blaming Smalling for us not being able to retain possession is too simple, however, as our midfield wasn't able to string three passes together without losing it - hardly Smalling's fault.
Blaming Smalling for us not being able to retain possession is too simple, however, as our midfield wasn't able to string three passes together without losing it - hardly Smalling's fault.
Was very disappointing how Kane beat him to score their second goal yesterday. Last season when Spurs came to Old Trafford Smalling completely dominated Kane.
I think he's been nothing short of a spectacular failure this season. I always felt he had potential and under SAF, he looked like he would fulfil it. Unfortunately, I feel he's pretty much done here as he just never turned into the player that he looked like he could be.
The difference in Smalling when he's confident and when he's lacking in confidence is bigger than any other player in the squad. His confidence is at such a low ebb just now.
He and Jones need to build some confidence over the next 2 games. They will be vital for the final.
He and Jones need to build some confidence over the next 2 games. They will be vital for the final.
Worst CB on the ball I've ever seen play for us. 7 years at the club and the improvement is marginal.
I have never seen Herrera play in front of Pogba.
He needs someone with him with authority and the midfield passing the ball back to him all game long sure doesn´t help. He is shocking with the ball at his feet, he has 30 caps for England and can´t kick a ball even if his life depends on it.
This season all his major flaws have been brought to light and with Jose on his back his confidence has hit an all time low, in and out of the team, injured and just being a mess.
Chris Smalling 27..
PROS
Pacey
Normally a strong header
CONS
Positional weaknesses
Got two left feet or right depends on whats what
Awareness
Injuries
Not commanding
Mentally weak
Mike on the other hand....
This season all his major flaws have been brought to light and with Jose on his back his confidence has hit an all time low, in and out of the team, injured and just being a mess.
Chris Smalling 27..
PROS
Pacey
Normally a strong header
CONS
Positional weaknesses
Got two left feet or right depends on whats what
Awareness
Injuries
Not commanding
Mentally weak
Mike on the other hand....
Jose looked furious after the Harry Kane goal.
Seemed to be slagging Smalling off
Seemed to be slagging Smalling off
It's probably been mentioned here countless times, but the thing which irritates me most is how he needs to completely open his body up before passing which just ends up slowing the play up. He even does a little arm movement. It's like a kid in school who's being taught how to pass. Worst part for me is that I cannot unsee this.
It's just a simple and poor error to make. You literally have 1 job in that situation, stay goal side of the attacker and get to the ball first.
Smalling doesn't react and just let's Kane run passed him. Once that's happened you've got very little chance of getting there first.
The ball in was perfectly on the money by Eriksen, but all Kane has to do is touch it and it's a goal. Frustrating how all our defence seemed so slow to react in that game.
I shudder at the thought of him playing in the EL final,he is a liability especially in the box.The sooner this guy is shipped out the better,he can join the "Is Darren Gibson,Tom Cleverly good enough" threads.
Think it comes back to what Fergie used to want: having defenders who could handle defending without requiring midfield support.
Smalling looked okay when he basically barely had to defend.
That said, Jose has a reputation of improving defenders, so it is a little surprising how bad he's looked.
Smalling looked okay when he basically barely had to defend.
That said, Jose has a reputation of improving defenders, so it is a little surprising how bad he's looked.
I'd get rid of him but think he'll end up staying, thinks its far more likely Blind will leave this summer. Smalling is just poor in possession, he panics far too often when under no pressure at all.
Smalling just doesn't strike me as someone who is particularly receptive to orders/instructions - which for Mourinho and his approach, is imperative.
I don't necessarily think he (or Jones) will be sold unless a good offer is made, but you can bet your bottom dollar Mourinho is looking for a new partner for Bailly. Particularly with the injury to Rojo.
When you consider how average he looked before last season, it seems more and more that Smalling simply had a 1-season purple patch. Lots of CB's have this (Lovren springs to mind, before signing for Liverpool).
He's reverted his true form, an average Prem League quality (but not for a big team) CB.
A final thing, it really bugs me how soft and weak he is for a 6ft 5in brick outhouse.
He's reverted his true form, an average Prem League quality (but not for a big team) CB.
A final thing, it really bugs me how soft and weak he is for a 6ft 5in brick outhouse.
Yep, spoke volumes. Smallings technical ability is embarrassing.
He is. Prone to capitulation. See the own goal in the semi of FA cup, the stupid red in the final, the last game at Upton Park.
He stops thinking in big games or games where the opposition turn up the pressure.
I'm the same. It totally colours my opinion on him, I'm ashamed to say.
I'll admit to being harsher on his defensive mistakes based on the fact that he looks like such a clumsy footballer.
What would help is for him to go on that run of form he had last season. It was probably the only time in all his years at United where he's looked good enough.
Disturbing the lack of transfer news stories regarding him. Or Jones. Will we even be able to sell them?
Same here , me and my son just look at each other every time he does it , madness . His passing and kicking of the ball is awful and you would think that would be an essential quality for a footballer . Hard to believe he was our best centre half for a while under LVG while in beast mode .
His great season under LVG is somewhat exaggerated. He was ordinary in the second half of last season. And also produced a joke of a performance in our biggest game. The one away to Wolfsburg.
It's only May. We usually sell players out of the blue as well.
Jose knows who is and who isn't good enough for Utd, make no mistake about it.
Southampton 0:0 Man Utd
So bloody nervous with the ball. Hope Jones stays fit for another 7 days.
He really is trash.
Please don't play in the final.
Please don't play in the final.
Fat Dave who plays CB for my Sunday league team is much better than this clown.
Sell pls
Rarely do you see a player look so uncordinated with the ball at his feet. There is no natural ability or comfort there, it's like he has to run through a process of how to control the ball:
"Watch ball, Open body, open foot, meet ball, cushion".
"Look up".
"Shift body to face my passer, the way my chest is facing is the direction the ball shall go in, face colleague, push ball in direction of my chest".
It's madness he gets starts for us.
"Watch ball, Open body, open foot, meet ball, cushion".
"Look up".
"Shift body to face my passer, the way my chest is facing is the direction the ball shall go in, face colleague, push ball in direction of my chest".
It's madness he gets starts for us.
He also should as the most experienced figure of that defense, lead, organize & calm the back four down. He seems to create unease more than anything.
Maybe he can shine at a club like Everton or at best Arsenal but it's time to go. Just like Evans, he is the liability and needs to find himself again. This is the worst I have seen him ever.
Seriously found out this season when we invite pressure more than we did last season under LvG.
Jones should play ahead of him in the final.
Jones should play ahead of him in the final.
He actually cannot play football.
Thats a good shout. A player thats had good spells for us and been a part of decent performances but has just lost form and confidence and we cannot afford the time for him to find it. A move away to a club with less pressure may see him find form again like Evans has. Wouldnt be surprised if Jose lets both him and Jones go, brings in one CB and trusts Tuanzebe to fill the other spot.
Yes. That penalty. Totally his fault.
- Pass the ball to gk
- Turn your back to the gk
- Run forward
He's been pretty good actually. Could have had an assist. His passing isn't the best, but he wins every header and duel.
Our entire team is like that
- Status