How good is Chris Smalling?

Best I have seen him play in a long time. I think consistency / fitness are his issues. He has all the attributes in his locker to become a very good player for us, for many years.
 
Whilst Valencia/Welbeck could put up a compelling argument, I think he has been the best player on the night. Pleased with his development. I hope people see him as our best CB now, who needs to be playing consistently.
 
DWelbz19 said:
Whilst Valencia/Welbeck could put up a compelling argument, I think he has been the best player on the night. Pleased with his development. I hope people see him as our best CB now, who needs to be playing consistently.
Click to expand...

Valencia was great today; especially in the dying minutes when everyone seemed to lose hope, Valencia just kept on running and beat Alaba for pace quite a few times. However, for me it was Smalling who once again was motm. He is a terrific defender. Keep Rio for one more season as cover and play Jones and Smalling as first choice centre backs. Smalling has it all. His passing was even decent today.
 
Will continue to say what I've said for ages.

#SmallingPlusOne

Our very best.
 
Still have my doubts about him but he was fantastic tonight.
 
Simply awesome. Chuffed for him. Quality defender.

Been saying it to all and sundry with ages: he's the most natural defender at the club. A travesty he's not the first centre-back on the teamsheet (although, that's about to change, I think).
 
Carl said:
Still have my doubts about him but he was fantastic tonight.
Click to expand...

Why? I hear people saying this, but I've yet to hear a solid argument why, except his passing, which is decent at centre back. I've even read he's slow and poor at dealing with crosses :rolleyes::wenger:(not from you though)
 
I think his shakiness on the ball creates an impression he's not always in control defensively, in terms of pure defending he's very good.
 
Did his job tonight. Took a couple of bangs but stuck to the task.

He definitely gave us some hope to life after Vidic.
 
Red Shorts said:
Showed me why he's my favourite defender. He's a titan and deserves to be first choice for the future. feck it, for now.
Click to expand...
Now that you say Titan...

Attack+on+Titan+Titans.jpg


Yes, I see it.
 
Rossa said:
Why? I hear people saying this, but I've yet to hear a solid argument why, except his passing, which is decent at centre back. I've even read he's slow and poor at dealing with crosses :rolleyes::wenger:(not from you though)
Click to expand...

It's not talent related. He's got the lot. I just have reservations about his ability to deal mentally with the pressures at the top.

Disproved that tonight though.
 
I fecking love the man. Pure defender. Never play him at right back again and he could be an absolutely brilliant player for us.
 
If he's fit and not starting at centre back for us then his manager needs shooting.
 
Carl said:
It's not talent related. He's got the lot. I just have reservations about his ability to deal mentally with the pressures at the top.

Disproved that tonight though.
Click to expand...

I've heard the mentality argument as well. I kind of understand it as he looks a little timid on the pitch at times, as if he is apprehensive about something. However, I think that's just looks being deceiving. He's hard as nails, and I don't think I've seen him bottle it against the big teams either. He lost a header to Kompany once where Kompany sprinted top speed and leapt like a frog into the air, whereas Smalling had no such speed to take with him to the jump, and it was Kompany.

Therefore, I don't buy the mentality argument. He hardly makes silly mistakes a la Evans and he doesn't seem to make the big unnecessary ones like Vidic/Jones either.
 
It was a great performance from him tonight. He's had some bad games this season but this proves he can mix it amongst the best.
 
I'm not surprised at his performance in the slightest as he is an excellent natural defender. He has to be first choice in preparation from now until next season.
 
Rossa said:
Great to read!
I've said this for quite some time. When talking about defending, Smalling is our best centre back. He is lightning quick: not even Agbonlahor could get past him on pace, and Smalling even outpaced Sturridge (Welbeck did that too). He looks very secure in one on ones vs any attacker, be they quick or strong. I fail to see how some dispute his talent and ability.
Click to expand...
He was absolutely battered by Benteke last season.

He is still very good, mind. And still learning.
 
When we bought Smalling the intention was clearly to let him and Jonny Evans form the next great United centre-back pairing. So could we please give them some fecking games together?
 
If he and Jones stay fit and that's a massive if then we're fine in defence next season

Neither can stay fit though :(
 
I'm struggling to see the positives right now as I'm a bit sickened, but I thought he was great tonight.
 
Awesome performance from him. Even his passing was great - made a glorious pass to Valencia late one.

A beast to get past.
 
I've always said it, if played consistently in the right position, he can become a world class defender, in my opinion. Super performance tonight.

Him and Jones should be our centre back partnership next season.
 
He played really well tonight, and shows why he should always be played at CB, along with probably Jones.

He really needs to work on his ball distribution though; get that right, and there's no doubt he has all the tools to be a top class centre back.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.