[Mr Smith]

Thought he performed well. This was the right game to bring him back for; despite pulling Mitrovic down in the box early on he won the physical battle over 90 minutes.

I am pretty concerned about what happens to Smalling next season when there in all likelihood will be VAR in the premier league.

 

[sam147]

I ask again, did you watch the match today at all? If so, can you reference such padding technique? Or do you have to go back to the same clip that was I dunno, 4 years and 5,000 passes ago?

Did you watch the match? In the first ten minutes how many mistakes did Smalling make? Yet he is our most experienced defender. What a farce. He is useless on the ball and he is good at defending at times. Next season with VAR being introduced he shouldn't play a game for us. He is an absolute liability in shirt pulling. Are you going to deny this as well just like you deny the fact he is one of the worst in the league on the ball. Would he play the pass that Jones did to start the Martial counter? Its a shame fans think having a defender who can win headers and be half decent at defending is enough in modern football. He wouldn't start for any other top 4 team.

 

[deafepl]

Yeah for all talks about Smalling being not involved in the build-up but it doesn't help that he didn't slow tempo and his positioning to receive a pass is awful, someone nicked balls off him when trying to play ball defender which possibly could cost a clean sheet. There is an amount of time he cleared just conceded possession to Fulham is unnecessary, we lost control of possession every time he cleared balls as if balls were a grenade when he could have passed to a midfielder or his teammate who could launch counter against Fulham playing with a high line

For his defending, he's good in defending but in possession, he's one of the worst players alongside with Lukaku.

 

[Isotope]

Just being there, he somehow gives assurance and calm in the back line, that we wouldn't crumble every time there are set pieces, crossings, and corners. He came back from weeks of injury, and only took 20 minutes to get back to his groove. He's just dependable.

With him on the side, just this game alone shows how "easy" we were dealing with them on the closing minutes.

 

[Rozay]

Maybe. My opinion has changed in that, in the past, I wouldn't have posted anything positive about him. It might keep going that way.
But I still don't think he's good enough for Utd as anything other than a 3rd choice CB at best. As others have pointed out, he doesn't have to be Beckenbauer on the ball, but I don't think it's asking too much for a bit more from our CBs than what Smalling has in that regard. I also hate how much he has to use his hands on opposition players. I know he's not the only player that does that and in the modern game it seems to be acceptable. But I don't like it and I think it makes up for a lack of actual ability. Being our best defender is no longer the accolade it used to be. It just means he's been the best of a sorry lot.

If you think he should be third choice at best, yet you acknowledge that he’s been the best we have in recent years - why do you have a problem with him most of all? Surely those he has been better than are even further from the standard?

You say he’s been our best but say you would have never said a good word about him in the past. I appreciate your honesty, but that just sounds like irrational dislike.

 

[Rozay]

Did you watch the match? In the first ten minutes how many mistakes did Smalling make? Yet he is our most experienced defender. What a farce. He is useless on the ball and he is good at defending at times. Next season with VAR being introduced he shouldn't play a game for us. He is an absolute liability in shirt pulling. Are you going to deny this as well just like you deny the fact he is one of the worst in the league on the ball. Would he play the pass that Jones did to start the Martial counter? Its a shame fans think having a defender who can win headers and be half decent at defending is enough in modern football. He wouldn't start for any other top 4 team.

You have no clue at all. Even if he did have a poor first 10 minutes, what about the other 80? And of course he can play the pass Jones played. He did more than once today alone! Martial ran the length of the pitch, Jones hardly created a goal.

And yes, I’m going to deny that he’s one of the worst in the league on the ball.

 

[sam147]

You have no clue at all. Even if he did have a poor first 10 minutes, what about the other 80? And of course he can play the pass Jones played. He did more than once today alone! Martial ran the length of the pitch, Jones hardly created a goal.

And yes, I’m going to deny that he’s one of the worst in the league on the ball.

But you wont deny he wont start for any other top 4 team will you? Exactly. Not good enough. And okay pal whatever you say. Well see how often Ole plays him. That will say everything you need to know.

 

[Reiver]

If you think he should be third choice at best, yet you acknowledge that he’s been the best we have in recent years - why do you have a problem with him most of all? Surely those he has been better than are even further from the standard?

You say he’s been our best but say you would have never said a good word about him in the past. I appreciate your honesty, but that just sounds like irrational dislike.

It's taken me some time to come round to the idea that he's our best defender. Up until early last season, I would have argued it was Jones. I don't like him, is some of my dislike irrational? Almost certainly.

 

[Litch]

Best header of the ball of all the defenders. Again another player to see how they play under Ole and generally aside from form, I think it's hard to separate the defenders at the club.

 

[Bwuk]

He was lucky the ref didn’t give a pen for him pulling mitrovic down.

There was a moment where he had the ball and had time but passed it straight to a Fulham player. Summed him up.

He’ll always do well in the physical elements of the game because he’s big, strong and fast. But he’s brainless, and lacks the football intelligence of a top CB.

The moment where Dave went for a ball that Smalling headered, I refuse to believe Dave didn’t shout for it as it’s not a issue we’ve been having.

I’m fine with him being 3/4th choice, but he shouldn’t be a starter for a club trying to get to the level we want too.

 

[MikeKing]

He was lucky the ref didn’t give a pen for him pulling mitrovic down.

There was a moment where he had the ball and had time but passed it straight to a Fulham player. Summed him up.

He’ll always do well in the physical elements of the game because he’s big, strong and fast. But he’s brainless, and lacks the football intelligence of a top CB.

The moment where Dave went for a ball that Smalling headered, I refuse to believe Dave didn’t shout for it as it’s not a issue we’ve been having.

I’m fine with him being 3/4th choice, but he shouldn’t be a starter for a club trying to get to the level we want too.

1. Not really luck though is it, he didn't get a freekick himself on 2 similar occasions because they don't give fouls on those when there is give and take. You disagree?
2. That happens with Lindelof too and anyone who tries to play out. There was a moment where he moved past pressure, and another moment where he had a tidy pass to Mata to start of an attack. Why isn't it those moments that summed him up for you in a game we got a clean sheet and won 3-0?
3. How is he brainless? You mean because of his rashness, bad marking, anticipation and positioning? Yeah, no. In defensive aspects he is one of the more clever defenders around. You know how almost everything he does defensively just looks easy and unremarkable? Reason for that isn't luck.
4. Smalling did clear the ball so there is that. Even if he didn't trust De Gea in that moment you could blame him for that, but not really a weird or dangerous decision as he was 100% sure of winning the ball and did. Not even a mistake, just a moment of miscommunication.
5. That is fair enough.

 

[Adam-Utd]

Really good game back today after a long injury.

Absolutely bossed mitrovic which isn’t easy at all.

His passing and carrying the ball was surprisingly good also. He looked fresh which is good.

 

[Kag]

What are you talking about? It is a matrix based of possession and passing between players. In terms of heading yes Smalling was involved. But in terms of attacking play like I said, he was not involved. It is like playing with 10men. Or are you now going to argue Smalling is good on the ball? Again in the way Ole has United set up every single player needs to be good on the ball. Against better opposition Smalling would be exposed. Not a United standard player. And are you going to ignore Smalling making stupid errors at the beginning of the game? Winning headers against a relegation fodder striker is not what makes a United standard player.

It’s a matrix of steaming shite. Put your laptop down and start watching football with your eyes. Smalling was good today. He was involved in our box and defended very well. That’s the most important Smalling-related thing to take away from today’s game.

 

[POF]

He played well and did a really good job on Mitrovic, especially considering how long he's been out and how much football he has missed.

I think the PSG game is too early for him and Lindelof/Jones should play that one but it won't be long before Lindelof and Smalling is the first choice pairing.

 

[Minimalist]

Good to see Mike again, daft hair and all.

 

[MadDogg]

Better opposition teams press collectively. Smalling has zero composure, this in turn results in pointless punts up the pitch and a loss of possession. Not to mention his nervousness on the ball is not what we need at CB. We set up two ways. A medium/low block against better opposition in which when the opportunity for a counter arises the CB needs to be able to pick the right pass to the midfielder. Or against lower teams we press higher. Smalling is great in the air and has good recovery pace but on the ball if a team sits back against us we need to be able to utilise every man on the pitch. Again I am not questioning his defensive abilities. Just saying more should be expected of our CBs.

The bold just isn't true. Statistics a few months ago (or maybe it was last season?) showed that he gives away the ball less than any of our other defenders. Now the reason for that is that he knows his limitations and generally goes for fairly safe passes, which can be cause for some criticism in the current style (although he should be given the opportunity to show what he can do in it). But in terms of 'pointless punts up the pitch and a loss of possession', he does it less than Rojo, Bailly and perhaps Jones.

 

[Loublaze]

But you wont deny he wont start for any other top 4 team will you? Exactly. Not good enough. And okay pal whatever you say. Well see how often Ole plays him. That will say everything you need to know.

So you think Matip, Lovren and the weak ass CBs at City like Otamendi and Stones who receive constant protection from their DMs and midfielders are any better? Smalling will get plenty of game time under Ole.

 

[zenith]

He and Lindelof will be our best center back partnership

Absolutely

It'll be great to see them develop an understanding as in theory they compliment each other perfectly.

Smalling is quite good in the air and presents an threat to the opposition as well and lindelof is an exceptional passer of the ball.

 

[Loublaze]

Absolutely

It'll be great to see them develop an understanding as in theory they compliment each other perfectly.

Smalling is quite good in the air and presents an threat to the opposition as well and lindelof is an exceptional passer of the ball.

Lindelof /Smalling has the potential of the Blind/Smalling partnership

 

[OldPop]

Feel good to have him back, a little rusty at first but quickly entered the match. Fulham's center forward fought hard so it was no easy task but he did really well. Nice to have four healthy CBs now, maybe not top class but incredibly important that they can replace each other without losing too much defense force.

 

[el3mel]

Good performance but that haircut is so shite. His taste in haircuts isn't good at all. Probably should take an advice from Pogba ?

 

[RedSky]

I think the PSG game is too early for him and Lindelof/Jones should play that one but it won't be long before Lindelof and Smalling is the first choice pairing.

Agreed, stick with Jones and hope he doesnt bottle it (though I fear he will).

As for the stats discussion, Sams talking out of his arse, granted Smalling passing stats were a little behind in numbers yesterday to Jones (not by much mind) but he was still passing the ball forward and he was returning from injury. Naturally for someone who is biased and not objective you can use that against Smalling pointing to the first 10mins and saying "he's shit", willfully ignoring the rest of the game naturally.

 

[Amar__]

I reckon he'll become a starter until our 2nd leg against PSG.

 

[Bobski]

The people calling that Mitrovic incident a pen. Do they just ignore the striker with 2 arms wrapped around Smalling as well or have they just never played the game?

Defender does not have to give the Striker the space they are occupying.

Going to be funny how this thread explodes when he finally gives away a pen for holding, as if no other defenders use the same approach.

 

[Kag]

He was lucky the ref didn’t give a pen for him pulling mitrovic down.

There was a moment where he had the ball and had time but passed it straight to a Fulham player. Summed him up.

He’ll always do well in the physical elements of the game because he’s big, strong and fast. But he’s brainless, and lacks the football intelligence of a top CB.

The moment where Dave went for a ball that Smalling headered, I refuse to believe Dave didn’t shout for it as it’s not a issue we’ve been having.

I’m fine with him being 3/4th choice, but he shouldn’t be a starter for a club trying to get to the level we want too.

Tiddlywinks is a fun game. Give that a go.

 

[Bobski]

Tiddlywinks is a fun game. Give that a go.

Smalling probably couldn't believe that De Gea was coming off his line.

 

[Bwuk]

Tiddlywinks is a fun game. Give that a go.

It’s not been an issue the whole time Smallings out but the first game back it is.

Right.

 

[Jacob]

He just became my favourite player when I realized he's vegan. Good choice, bro.

 

[Kag]

It’s not been an issue the whole time Smallings out but the first game back it is.

Right.

Crosses into the box have been a giant issue. A dangerous one was whipped into the box and Smalling cleared the box because it was the right thing to do. If you can’t see that then I don’t really one what to say aside from my suggestion of taking up tiddlywinks.

I mean, De Gea has been doing his best 2011 impression in the box for a little while now. Which is separate issue entirely. But it’s not Smalling’s.

First rule of defending: if in doubt, get it out.

 

[ash_86]

Fantastic performance. He has to be one of the two in our defense. He's our best defender we have at our club.

 

[pocco]

Fantastic performance. He has to be one of the two in our defense. He's our best defender we have at our club.

He really is, though Lindelof is pushing now. Between them they'd make a half decent pairing but in the long run we might still just need somebody a level above to lead our defence. I'd never have an issue with Smalling stepping in for any game if he did find himself down the pecking order slightly.

 

[Stobzilla]

Chris Smalling.
Chris Smalling.
When he's playing theres
Nothing too be scared of.

(this isn't true, but its a quality song I made up so there.)

 

[ash_86]

He really is, though Lindelof is pushing now. Between them they'd make a half decent pairing but in the long run we might still just need somebody a level above to lead our defence. I'd never have an issue with Smalling stepping in for any game if he did find himself down the pecking order slightly.

Agree. I think people criticize his ball playing abilities. Even under Ole, we don't bring the ball all the way from the back, i don't think we ever used to do that under any manager. He's a good player who will give a good 7/10 every match and chip in with a odd header goal when needed.

 

[Negan]

If he plays against PSG, we’re not winning. This is a fact.

Looking good against Fulham is one thing. For me the two have to be Bailly and Lindelöf.

 

[MikeKing]

If he plays against PSG, we’re not winning. This is a fact.

Looking good against Fulham is one thing. For me the two have to be Bailly and Lindelöf.

Yeah, because playing out from that back is so important for our defenders when facing the likes of Mbappe, sure.

 

[Negan]

Yeah, because playing out from that back is so important for our defenders when facing the likes of Mbappe, sure.

As if that’s Smalling’s only weakness. The man is a penalty waiting to happen. And you know how much PSG like their dives.

 

[VP89]

Smalling claims to have better recovery thanks to veganism https://www.skysports.com/football/...efender-chris-smalling-on-why-he-turned-vegan

 

[roseguy64]

As if that’s Smalling’s only weakness. The man is a penalty waiting to happen. And you know how much PSG like their dives.

How many penalties has he given away in his career?

 

[Amar__]

Watching this Guardiola's team, they have scored 4 goals and their defenders are aimlessly hoofing the ball whenever they got the ball in this half. Our defenders are doing it too quite often, especially the likes of Rojo, Bailly likes to pass thr ball to opposition player quite often, and Jones is the master of backpasses to de Gea. And yet Smalling is always somehow the one who is criticised all the time. There's not much agenda driven posts lately on pur forum, but there's definitely a strong agenda against Smalling, it's easy to separate terrible posters from reasonable in this thread.

 

[Negan]

How many penalties has he given away in his career?

Doesn’t matter. With his shirt pulling antics, it’s risky to play him against a team of divers.

We can comfortably win this one with Neymar, Cavani and Verratti out. Let’s not make it hard for ourselves by starting the Chuckle Brothers in defence.