Shows how much Moyes has understood about our players when he still doesnt understand which of them is better at RB if we have to play 1. One game its Jones, the other its Smalling. Clueless.
How good is Chris Smalling?
- Thread starter Plechazunga
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Shows how much Moyes has understood about our players when he still doesnt understand which of them is better at RB if we have to play 1. One game its Jones, the other its Smalling. Clueless.
Ehm, he hasn't been outpaced once in his career here except against Benteke when Smalling returned from injury (he outpaced him later in the game also).
Smalling plays at RB solely because he has pace and is difficult to get past; Welbeck said as much, that he was near impossible to get past because of his speed and his ability one on one.
The annoying part is that Jones played well at rb twice against Ribery. Smalling played brilliantly at CB; what does MOyes do - he switches them. It's his rotation system that makes no sense. When Smalling was playing CB yesterday, he outmuscled and won headers against Lukaku, something both Jones and Evans failed at. It's not rocket science, is it? He's a future world class center back and an average at best fullback.
It's very annoying when we know we have a top class CB on our hands and he's not playing in the correct position. As everyone knows, playing him RB just draws ridicule and makes him look a poor defender when in fact at CB he's very good, hardly ever gets beaten, reads the game well and win 99% of the aerial battles. Sometimes he can get caught ball watching but this is only going to stop by playing him there in his natural position.
Why did he start RB yesterday with Jones CB is a massive mystery and one only Moyes can answer. How many times has Smalling played CB this season for us compared to RB? I hope his talent doesn't go to waste, he needs to be our first choice CB next season, bring someone into partner him and we will be sorted CB wise.
Why did he start RB yesterday with Jones CB is a massive mystery and one only Moyes can answer. How many times has Smalling played CB this season for us compared to RB? I hope his talent doesn't go to waste, he needs to be our first choice CB next season, bring someone into partner him and we will be sorted CB wise.
If he handed in a transfer request I wouldn't be remotely surprised. Even he knows he's shit at right back, yet Coco plays him there. Feel for Chris, as this moronity does nothing for his reputation and confidence.
Nor would I, really. These rumours of players leaving/getting booted seem to be a lot favourites- Rafael, Smalling, Welbeck, Kagawa etc... He wants us to suffer even more. The animal!
He's not had to do much, but this guy is ridiculously good. I cannot for the life of me understand how some people don't rate him... He's pretty good going forwards carrying the ball from the center back position as well, and his distribution from that position isn't too bad either.
His distribution is definitely his must be worked on part of his game. As a defender, I think he's already there. Almost scored an own goal though
Another very solid performance. He needs to be the starter now.
Do. Not. Move. Him.
Have him standing in the stadium at CB position until next season arrives.
Have him standing in the stadium at CB position until next season arrives.
I think he needs to work on his heading a bit too. Sometimes when he clears the ball with a header it goes into a dangerous position. And despite his size he's never a threat from set pieces with his head, although I remember one or two lovely goals with his feet in the cup or something during his first or second season with us. A volley and a backheel or flick
He was great tonight, no much he could have done with the near own goal, I think it had to be done. Luckily De Gea was there.
Those RB performances stick in the minds of casual United watchers. Everyone assumes he's terrible. If it was a choice between the two, most non-United fans are wanting Jones to go to the World Cup ahead of Smalling, which is bonkers. I'm a big fan of Jones, but Smalling is a cut above right now.
I genuinely can't remember Smalling ever having a bad game when playing at centre back for United. Based on his form there, I can't understand why he didn't get more game time there this season.
Yeah, he's fantastic.
The only one I remember at was the one nil at city two years ago.
Lapse of concentration in the CoC against Sunderland this year. Besides that, nothing of note.
Yep, definitely one of rare flaws in his game. Not just that he doesn't hit it cleanly, he sometimes can miss it completely too which is weird. Still excellent player though.
He almost never makes mistakes and he's so physically complete that it would be absolutely bonkers if we don't have him as our first name for one of the two CB positions; he's very fast, so strong, great in the air and reads the game brilliantly. There are better on the ground tacklers, concerning sliding tackles that is, but he rarely has to make them.
I'm a fan of Jones too, but like you, I think Smalling is the better CB.
Now that Vida is gone, he's probably the best centre half at the club.
There was a league cup game a couple of years back at WHU when we got thrashed 4-0 and he was poor that game. But I agree. When he plays his only position (CB) he shows how talented he is. Plus he doesn't throw himself into unnecessary tackles or situations like Jones. Will be a key player for us in the years to come
Because both Ferguson and Moyes have done their very best to ruin him. He's been dicked around for two full seasons now.
At centre back, again, he was very, very good at defending. It's a wonderful coincidence.
He had been this whole season, with or without Vidic.
He lost Kompany once at a corner kick, but was otherwise faultless. If that's the one you are talking about.
True that. Sometimes being versatile can be a negative thing. Smalling is a great defender at CB and he can do a decent job at RB because he is fast and good one on one, but our attacking play is too impaired. Play him at CB only from here on out.
Yeah that was the game I was on about.
It says a lot that people can remember that ONE incident. He lost a header to feckin Kompany ffs, where Kompany was running at full pelt into the duel at that.
Finally starting to demonstrate his passing ability again. I think many people forget in his first solid season he played much of it at RB and was very decent to. OK, he lacks Rafael's attacking instinct but he was no way as bad as some made him out to be in the RB position.
I've said all along that it will be Smalling +1 and not Jones +1. Just needs to work on his composure outside the box now because I still feel uneasy when he receives the ball, but he's definitely improving in that aspect once again.
I've said all along that it will be Smalling +1 and not Jones +1. Just needs to work on his composure outside the box now because I still feel uneasy when he receives the ball, but he's definitely improving in that aspect once again.
Smalling and Evans probably the one should be our paired if we don't sign any CB. Jones isn't good enough yet and I won't mind to sell him for a new CB. All he knows is tackle and winning header and go to hospital. But to be a great CB for Manchester United. There are some other stuff like positioning, passing and etc which are very important in CB
Excellent again tonight. He's the best we have ans will be recognised as one of the best in the world if he was a regular.
My views on him are well known anyway. Plus One and all that.
My views on him are well known anyway. Plus One and all that.
Playing him constantly as RB, and even more importantly not playing him at CB instead of Rio or Vidic is a bad thing. Versatility is good if you manage those players properly, we didn’t IMO.
Smalling is much better CB at the moment in my opinion, but I do rate Jones. One thing that annoys me is that he throws himself into silly tackles all the time, and gets injured often.
People can search through my posts here, and will see how I adore this stoned face wonderful CB. Hopefully LvG will give him chance and guide him into one of the finest. It's been a while England don't have a 'proper' CB, which in the past even Pallister (or was it Bruce?) couldn't get a nod.
Very calm at the back tonight, looked at ease with everything defensively.
I'm not remotely surprised when he excels at centre back, as pure defending goes he is excellent, but he's not a right back. Has to be first choice centre back next season though, I'm so excited to see how he can develop under van Gaal's stewardship.
Should be Smalling as first choice next season, he's very underrated by pundits too. I keep hearing on TV about how none of our centre backs can step into the role left by Vidic and Ferdinand, but I think Smalling, Evans, Jones and one signing along with youth players should be fine next year.
It was Brucey who never got his England cap. It still baffles me to this day...
Anyways, Smalling's shown himself to be a solid, all-rounded defender. He's shown me that he's decent on the ball as a central defender where he won't always be under pressure from the opposition. Also, his passing and distribution has improved, and I hope that side of his game continues to get better. He did very well to fill in for Vidic and regain possession from Hull. He's definitely a central defender and not a full back.
As long as he keeps himself fit, we certainly won't be missing Vidic, at least.
Smalling will be a beast if he plays regularly at CB. RB does nothing but harm to him. When he is a little older and playing regularly he will be the first CB on the england team sheet every time. In fact for me he is the best out of him, Jones and Evans especially considering Jones is always a second away from another 2 months out.
Does anyone else think that Jones might miss out on a future CB role with England due to Smalling/Stones? Everytime i watch Smalling at CB he looks better than Jones does when played there and is the best England have apart from Cahill when he's on form. Stones still has a lot to learn but he's been excellent this season when called upon for a 19 year old. Next season will be a better time to judge though.
Was listening to 5Live earlier and a couple of callers were saying that Smalling should be sold. Do people even watch him play? 
Smalling and Evans should be the partnership for me. Just because Evans plays the position more as a sweeper and that goes well with Smallings no nonsense style. Jones can play the CB position, RB and midfield.
All 3 are strong solid players to have.