yes thanks.. and seen Smalling taken to the cleaners time after time = and lots here must agree given the years of calling for new CBs
Chris Smalling to Newcastle?
- Thread starter davidmichael
- Start date
Taken to the cleaners = one of the best defensive records in the league and player of the season under LvG? Every time Mourinho tried to replace him he ended up back in the XI because he was actually better than the players being bought in.
He's atrocious on the ball and Ole wants to build a younger side but let's not make up nonsense that Smalling is rubbish. He's been our best and most consistent defender post SAF during which time we've tended to have a decent defensive record last season aside.
He went back into Jose's team because Woodward wouldn't cough up the money for another CB. Strange that both Jose and Ole (so, so different to each other) didn't think he was our "best CB". And, if I remember rightly, DDG won player of the season year after year...
I don't think people were calling to replace Smalling because of his actual defending skills as he is quite good at it. The issue is that he cannot play with the ball at his feet and people simply got tired seeing him and Young constantly hoofing the ball anywhere.
Jose spent £30m each on Lindelof and Bailly (which is probably more like £50m in today's money) and Smalling was still playing ahead of them.
Smalling was player's player of the season in 2015/16. Played a high line with him being aggressive and Blind sweeping. He was very good at basically getting tight and stopping any form of counter attack and dominating the opponents striker. He was still terrible on the ball but at least had Blind next to him.
The best part about this is that we are not desperate to sell & there are more than one club who wants to buy him. If no one pay the money then we keep him & use him, if there is a club wants to pay then we will sell to the one who can meet our price or higher.
After watching last night I’d rather we didn’t play with two slow ball playing centre backs and just played with Maguire in that role with Smalling alongside him as a pure defender, let Maguire and Matic bring the ball out as much as they like whilst Smalling simply defends as his pace and aerial ability is very needed.
Of course we can upgrade on Smalling but we’ve got a greater need in Sancho and an alternative to Matic both being brought in first off, Lindelof and Maguire simply is NOT a viable long term option and Lindelof should be back up to Maguire rather than his first choice partner.
Hopefully Tuanzebe is over his injury problems for next season as at his best and fully fit he seems the perfect partner for Maguire as he has all the attributes to cover Maguire’s weaknesses and vice versa, then have Smalling and Lindelof as back with Mengi coming through too.
Of course we can upgrade on Smalling but we’ve got a greater need in Sancho and an alternative to Matic both being brought in first off, Lindelof and Maguire simply is NOT a viable long term option and Lindelof should be back up to Maguire rather than his first choice partner.
Hopefully Tuanzebe is over his injury problems for next season as at his best and fully fit he seems the perfect partner for Maguire as he has all the attributes to cover Maguire’s weaknesses and vice versa, then have Smalling and Lindelof as back with Mengi coming through too.
This guy should not be sold. We dont play with ball playing CB'S enough to sell every CB that doesnt pass if they can defend well.
We are selling one of our better defenders because he doesnt pass a bit better than Lindelof. Utter rubbish.
We are selling one of our better defenders because he doesnt pass a bit better than Lindelof. Utter rubbish.
Ole simply don’t prefer and rate Smalling. And it’s just personal. Like taste and cup of tea.
It’s not a CB job to be a top deep laying playmaker. Theirs main job is to be a beast in defending and protect their goal and keeper. Really good ball ability is just a bonus. There are main reasons why they are defend. And why CF main job is to scoring goals.
Im so frustrating all the talking about a playmaker CB. So tired of it.
Literally our best centre back
For all purpose - make an upgrade on Smalling when the opportunity arises; but picking a weaker defender simple due to their fluidity on the ball is just naff when it costs us goals in return.
I had the same issue with Southgate for England but atleast he can argue that he has a constant selection of English CB'S to choose from to justify his motive (which is still lopsided & poor).
It makes these managers look like they are copying other teams tactics & trying to emulate this 'ball playing CB's' without having good enough ones to behind with. If it's not good enough- it's not a good enough tactic.
I said recall him back as one of the intern solution.
- Start Smalling in next match instead of Lindelof.
- Mengi on the bench. Mengi is stronger than Lindelof, even only 18
- Save the money to buy De Ligt from Juventus next summer or after.
Mengi/Bailly - Smalling
1-2 years from now:
De Ligt - Smalling/Mengi
Build the team around Smalling and Mengi. Until you buy a CB a la quality De Ligt or better. If i am United DOF or Manager.
Best in defend first. Then ball ability second. This pecking order.
I do feel Smalling fits the "becomes a better player when he's not playing" narrative.
However, he is clearly a better defender than Lindelof and possibly even Maguire IMO.
I'm not convinced the two (CS and HM) can play together. It would also take time to build a partnership.
It looks like he'll be off to either Roma or Inter anyway...so this is all rather hypothetical.
However, he is clearly a better defender than Lindelof and possibly even Maguire IMO.
I'm not convinced the two (CS and HM) can play together. It would also take time to build a partnership.
It looks like he'll be off to either Roma or Inter anyway...so this is all rather hypothetical.
The thing is he was playing - for another club in a league where the CBs usually get hyped up as the best in the world. And other than Godin and possibly De Vrij he outperformed them all.
This isnt the case of a player being sat in the stands doing absolutely nothing and his reputation getting a boost. He did everything he could personally do to improve his reputation himself. English players dont typically settle in other countries, Smalling went to Italy adapted straight away and was one of the very best CBs in the league.
So Newcastle will have a better CB than us 
If he was injured, then he would be elevated to the modern-day Rio.
Folks here have the memory of a sieve. Wasn't long ago they were head shaking at all the mistakes Smalling was making and yelling ''not good enough.''
Main difference is that he's easily a better defender than Lindelof which isn't that hard of a bar to clear.
They are both crap in their own ways.
Lindelof is a huge disappointment to me -- its not like it's his 1st season. Go to the feckin gym instead of trying to catch some purse snatcher.
At what stage do we seriously need to be worried that his crime fighting is affecting his concentration on the pitch?