I've said it before a fullback he is not but a centre half he certainly can be, and a beast of one at that. Shame he gets picked over Fabio at RB so much as the former could do with the game time but I would be thinking it's what he's showing at centre half that makes Moyes think he is the soundest option of the two.
How good is Chris Smalling?
- Thread starter Plechazunga
- Start date
I partly agree. I don't think I've seen anyone really shrug him off, except for Benteke when Smalling had just returned from injury (also, Smalling later outpaced Benteke and outmuscled him - far too much was made of it). It is more a case of him not imposing himself as much, as you say. He almost looks a bit apprehensive and timid at times, yet when the challenge arises he tends to beat his opponent. I agree that he lacks that fear into the opposition that Vidic has/had.
Smalling and Evans haven't the fear/leadership like Ferdinand and Vidic.
Jones has both.
Jones has both.
They'll grow into it, from what I see Jonny is pretty vocal in organising the backline, Smalling will get better with more gametime.
Jones is a bit of a nutter naturally though, maybe it's a case of smalling needing the confidence before he actually does impose himself in such a way. I'd love to see him bully people on a regular basis irrespective of how his general form is. I suppose that might end up being a catch 22 situation though.
Confidence can do wonders.
And Jones has the worst reading of the game, anticipation, maturity and general defensive subtlety and class out of the three. "Fear" and "leadership" seem so clichéd when you actually get into the nitty gritty of the pure defensive skills and reliability.
Don't agree. Jones anticipates everything, one of his best qualities IMO
I wouldn't say Jones anticipates everything but when he does, it really stands out, like a last ditch interception or a foot in here or there that changes the play. Overall though, it's still an area that he needs to work on. There are a heap of times where he has to chase, if he was in a better starting position, he wouldn't have to.
Still having a great season though and in my opinion, is better than Smalling. That's nothing against Smalling by the way.
Still having a great season though and in my opinion, is better than Smalling. That's nothing against Smalling by the way.
Damn that guy can defend! He even had a fine cross today and his distribution wasn't awful. MotM for me!
How can you win a race, but Dowd considers it a foul AND a yellow card? Clueless ref.
How can you win a race, but Dowd considers it a foul AND a yellow card? Clueless ref.
That 'foul' and yellow card at the end 
The yellow card was ridiculous
Every time I see this thread I get compelled to type "very fecking good." He's an outstanding defender.
Saved Evra and Vidic's bacon today with a couple of vital contributions.
A born defender. Not that bad going forward today, even hit a nice cross at one point, but still we're pretty much useless attacking wise from the right whenever he plays.
Got a bit of character at least. Vidic/Evra could learn something.
A born defender. Not that bad going forward today, even hit a nice cross at one point, but still we're pretty much useless attacking wise from the right whenever he plays.
Got a bit of character at least. Vidic/Evra could learn something.
Easily our best defender today.
Love him.
Love him.
That yellow was a joke. Dowd clearly wanted to let the game end with some final chance. Impressive from Smalling, not many defenders would have won the race against steamy Olsson from a losing position.
He is bloody fast. Olsson, or whoever it was, had quite a headstart on him as well.
His defending inside and outside the box is close to world class. He is dominant in the air and is nigh impossible to beat in a one on one.
Terrible decision for the yellow. Smalling did a good job on at right back but we really need to stop using him in a position that's not his best. He is a brilliant centreback and needs to play more often at that spot.
Jones reading of the game and anticipation are fine. He's shown it numerous times this season in midfield and centre back.
His anticipation has improved but his reading of the game and positioning still needs a lot of work. His last-ditch tackles are sometimes a result of poor positioning.
Smalling and Evans, I find, have found that balance a lot easier. Even when Evans struggled a few years back, his reading of the game was usually spot on. It was his lack of physicality and potential for a brainfart that was his undoing. Smalling has just never had any teething problems at all. It all comes so naturally, as evidenced today and practically 95% of games he's played at centre half for United.
To be honest he was amazing today.
Best defender at the club.
(I feel like I type this sentence out every time I enter this thread.)
(I feel like I type this sentence out every time I enter this thread.)
He has been playing as a CB, with injuries to Jones and Rafael and suspension to Valencia he was the best option with Vidic fit to return to CB. He's best getting games at RB then sitting on the bench.
Not specifically, because it has improved, like I said. All three of Jones, Smalling and Evans have been good at centre half this season. Generally, I've always found, and still do feel, that Jones' positioning doesn't come as naturally as it does Smalling and Evans. To be honest, I just don't see the hype in the comparison with the other guys - what I mean by this is that I don't Jones has any more potential. I think he can be one of the best, but I think Smalling in particular, is better at possibly every aspect of the defensive side of the game.
He is starting to look a certain starter next to Vidic. Great player.
defensively he is always going to be solid. the only problem is that when he is on the right then he is a massive downgrade from rafael, in terms of his attacking link up play. but he has done his job well today, loads of blocking and clearances. expect nothing much from him going forward but like i said he is superb defensively.
So much so that people are taking it for granted? (bold part) It is a good thing, for sure, but it also means that he has great abilities that aren't always recognized. Look at how inactive this thread has been compared to say Ando's, and one may start to wonder what we really are discussing.
He is our best defender one on one. He is very Rio-esque in that he is so hard to fool or to make him make that unnecessary sliding tackle. The way he was able to stick with Redmond when he was twisting and turning only to find that Smalling's leg blocked the cross was class. Furthermore, he is world class in the air, and that is no exaggeration. He isn't far from Vidic's level, imo. If he can keep up his form and stay injury free, I think we can open up the discussion of Smalling vs Varane once more.
He really can't use his left foot or really doesn't like to use it. There were two occasions in second half he had chance to make a relatively simple pass with his left foot, but chose his right, one putting out for throw-in, and other just inviting on pressure
Hadn't noticed it as much as today previously, that being sad, thought he performed well, and has done through this period
Hadn't noticed it as much as today previously, that being sad, thought he performed well, and has done through this period
He is rock solid defensively. More so than Evans.
That this guy was playing non league football a few years ago is baffling. Then again, I'm a bit drunk so maybe I'm imagining things.
He's like a boss level for speedy wingers/strikers... very good game from him, and he even threw in a peach of a cross in second half.
I like him, but not at fullback. He's a centre back, and a very good one, but I wish we'd stop this nonsense of playing him at right back. Our attacking down that flank is grim when he's out there. Fabio should be our first pick back-up in both fullback positions.
Not sure I agree with that, maybe after a run if games but for today no chance I would have put fabio in ahead of Smalling at RB
Maybe not straight in as a one off, but as a general theme I'd have Fabio first backup in both positions. Our attacking play stagnates completely on the right when Smalling is out there, he isn't good enough on the ball or linking up with our wide players. Rafael is a loss on the right hand side every game he misses, so stick his clone in when he's out.
Erm...
That is so random.
Idiotic. Though if the then third in line for the throne can dress like a Nazi and get away with it...
feck me, surely he can't be that thick.
What the hell !!! 