How good is Chris Smalling?

[Ekeke]

He's clearly, by miles, our best CB

When you talk about "extras" like passing the ball out of the back then maybe its closer. But in terms of a defender defending, he's very good at it and the others are still learning or will never get there

 

[Rossa]

He's clearly, by miles, our best CB

When you talk about "extras" like passing the ball out of the back then maybe its closer. But in terms of a defender defending, he's very good at it and the others are still learning or will never get there

Exactly, in terms of actual defending, he's like Vidic with Rio's pace - terrific and almost impossible to get past. He has outpaced and outwitted Ribery, Agbonlahor, Sturridge, Sterling, and bloody who knows. Just don't expect him to be flashy whilst doing it.

 

[Red Shorts]

I have always said all along that he is our most reliable and our best CB now, and some shot me down saying Jones is far better. As much as I think Jones has crazy potential, he is still 2 years younger than Smalling and shows it reguarly in his decision making. Smalling's tackling and positioning is insane, and if one top CB does come in, then partnering him and Smalling together along with Evans could be very successful. Barring any injuries I reckon he will be an absolute rock this season.

 

[Amar__]

Yep, been very good, especially considering his partners had an awful half. His passing has also improved a lot this season which is good to see(that pass was Evans' fault).

Btw those tackles showed the difference between him and Jones, he knew he will win the ball so he made a tackle and won it, and Jones went in like a maniac without even thinking he can win it and made a mess out of it.

 

[JSMHE]

I though his passing are good so far. And the one with Evans, that was clearly Evans fault. There was clearly someone behind Smalling.

 

[#07]

I though his passing are good so far. And the one with Evans, that was clearly Evans fault. There was clearly someone behind Smalling.

Evans just panicked, it was shocking.

I think Smalling's long passing has left something to be desired tonight but he's been a rock defensively.

 

[JSMHE]

Evans just panicked, it was shocking.

I think Smalling's long passing has left something to be desired tonight but he's been a rock defensively.

Yeah I know it was panicked (Isn't like him being panicked) I just don't like how people blame Smalling as well for that.
I've been crazy argue with someone in Twitter about Smalling.

 

[Ballache]

I still maintain that he's our best CB.

 

[JSMHE]

Jesus Christ. Look at the Twitter. They just have no idea at all.

 

[Aporkalypse]

Jesus Christ. Look at the Twitter. They just have no idea at all.

The replies to the Man of the Match Retweet thing are just insane.

 

[Godfather]

Best defender we have. Shame he looks a bit shaky on the ball. But I really like him.

 

[JSMHE]

The replies to the Man of the Match Retweet thing are just insane.

Haha, This is even worse.

I shouldn't argue with the kids.

Edit: Just make sure don't bullying the kids. I wish I can edit the picture by blur their face and the name but I can't. I don't mean to show their name and face.

 

[Sam]

Is there anyone out there that still doesn't think he's our best cb? Yes, he can be a bit of a donkey on the ball, but defensively he's so much better then either Jones or Evans, I genuinely don't understand how any United fan can rate those two ahead of him. Defensively he has it all really. Fast, strong, good in the air, good in one on ones, good positioning.

 

[JSMHE]

Is there anyone out there that still doesn't think he's our best cb? Yes, he can be a bit of a donkey on the ball, but defensively he's so much better then either Jones or Evans, I genuinely don't understand how any United fan can rate those two ahead of him. Defensively he has it all really. Fast, strong, good in the air, good in one on ones, good positioning.

Only in Twitter.

 

[JSMHE]

Just make sure don't bullying the kids. I wish I can edit the picture by blur their face and the name but I can't. I don't mean to show their name and face.

 

[Devil may care]

Great athlete with recovery pace and decent composure, the best of our supposed main 3 tonight.

 

[KiD MoYeS]

Smalling is our best defensive player, if we play Evans and another composed ball-playing defender either side of him we'll be laughing.

 

[Kag]

Is there anyone out there that still doesn't think he's our best cb? Yes, he can be a bit of a donkey on the ball, but defensively he's so much better then either Jones or Evans, I genuinely don't understand how any United fan can rate those two ahead of him. Defensively he has it all really. Fast, strong, good in the air, good in one on ones, good positioning.

Anyone who considers themselves to know anything about actual defending should be well aware that Smalling is the best defender in our squad. It's too obvious.

 

[Sam]

Anyone who considers themselves to know anything about actual defending should be well aware that Smalling is the best defender in our squad. It's too obvious.

Yep. I understand the reservations about his ability on the ball, but defensively he's miles better then the other two.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

Solid again today. Distribution from the back was good, and was always in the right place.

Loved when Smalling was defending one vs one against Sterling. I can't imagine it's easy marking such a nifty guy in Sterling, but he made it look easy. Would love a gif of that @GifLord if you can. Thanks

 

[FromTheBench]

Solid defensively again.

His distribution from the back and ability to be available to play from the back is the weakest amongst our defenders though.

 

[beergod]

I would like to see him played with Evans to his right and a left footed ball playing centerback to his left. Jones wants to carry the ball and I don't think that Smalling and Jones can both play when we are heavily pressed.

 

[ZDwyr]

Is easily our best CB in terms of pure defensive ability. He's strong, fast, good acceleration off the mark, and good in the air. Needs to continue working on the ball-playing stuff but he is our best CB IMO. Compared to Jones (who is rash and a liability at times) Smalling is clearly ahead.

 

[Stanzin Lama]

Yep, made 2 dodgy passes but that aside he's been one of our better players, although that's not saying much.

Should be first choice in the middle of the defence if we stick to this 3, with two who're better on the ball at either side.

Maybe I am a bit ignorant on the arts of three defenders but a ball playing defender generally plays in the middle no?

 

[Eriksen]

79 according to my fifa save.

Potential of 83.

 

[Kag]

Maybe I am a bit ignorant on the arts of three defenders but a ball playing defender generally plays in the middle no?

Not when they get beaten in the air too often. Both Jones and Evans have form for getting bullied in the penalty box. Smalling can clear balls all day. You'd sooner see the guys closer to the touchline be better on the ball as it's them that have fewer options to pass to, plus they're more likely to find themselves in a tight spot closer to the touchline. I agree with the Smalling at centre sentiment.

 

[Stanzin Lama]

Not when they get beaten in the air too often. Both Jones and Evans have form for getting bullied in the penalty box. Smalling can clear balls all day. You'd sooner see the guys closer to the touchline be better on the ball as it's them that have fewer options to pass to, plus they're more likely to find themselves in a tight spot closer to the touchline. I agree with the Smalling at centre sentiment.

Cheers Kag.

 

[Kag]

Cheers Kag.

That's just my opinion, anyway. I think there is definitely a good argument for playing the best ball player in the centre so that he can start attacks, but in this case I think Smalling needs all the help he can get with distribution and his height in there could be such a big bonus.

 

[Djemba-Djemba]

It's odd with Smalling in that I think he's our best out and out defender, he's had a very solid pre-season and even last season when he was actually played in his proper position he was consistently very good.

And yet the media always seem to slag him off for some reason. The Guardian say he was terrorised by Sterling last night and that his form is a real cause for concern. Are they watching the same matches? I don't get it.

 

[Bojan11]

It's odd with Smalling in that I think he's our best out and out defender, he's had a very solid pre-season and even last season when he was actually played in his proper position he was consistently very good.

And yet the media always seem to slag him off for some reason. The Guardian say he was terrorised by Sterling last night and that his form is a real cause for concern. Are they watching the same matches? I don't get it.

Media always seem to have a hard on for players who make last ditch tackles after being in a bad position originally.

 

[Rossa]

It's odd with Smalling in that I think he's our best out and out defender, he's had a very solid pre-season and even last season when he was actually played in his proper position he was consistently very good.

And yet the media always seem to slag him off for some reason. The Guardian say he was terrorised by Sterling last night and that his form is a real cause for concern. Are they watching the same matches? I don't get it.

How was he terrorized by Sterling? He stuck with him, arguably even outpaced him, tackled him and I can't remember Sterling getting past him once - Jones on the other hand... He also saved one or two certain goals, outpaced Henderson on a through ball, won every header and tackle... I really don't get it.

 

[krazyrobus]

Smalling is out best defender, however I am not comfortable with him in the middle, i'd push him out to the right where he can track the tricksters and speedsters, and put Jones in the middle to do the covering and stepping into the middle to pass out.

 

[Kag]

Media always seem to have a hard on for players who make last ditch tackles after being in a bad position originally.

It's more to do with the narrative at the moment. Since the World Cup squad was announced it's been a steady flow of bile projected at Smalling for little reason.

Jamie Jackson, our worst broadsheet hack by a considerable distance, has done this on multiple occasions during pre season, so it doesn't surprise me to read that he's done it again, essentially creating fiction for the sake of carrying on some shoddy narrative.

It's my biggest annoyance with British football journalism.

 

[Kag]

I jumped the gun. Turns out it was his wanky pal, Brenner.

 

[Borys]

What a beast he is. Absolutely fantastic CB.
It annoys me when people say Jones is the better Center Back because “have you seen his last ditch tackle??? He’s insane, almost killed him!”. Bollocks, Jones is miles behind Smalling at the moment.

I thought he should be playing in the middle of back 3, but now I like the idea of Smalling and Blackett on the sides as they are both very good in one-on-one situations and pretty fast, so they can cover wingbacks. I would play Evans in the middle because of his distribution, or Jones so that he can make driving runs into midfield.

 

[Dr Baltar]

Not when they get beaten in the air too often. Both Jones and Evans have form for getting bullied in the penalty box. Smalling can clear balls all day. You'd sooner see the guys closer to the touchline be better on the ball as it's them that have fewer options to pass to, plus they're more likely to find themselves in a tight spot closer to the touchline. I agree with the Smalling at centre sentiment.

If we had a proper ball playing centre half then they should play in the middle. We need to get out of the defensive mindset & focus on playing the system properly. If we were doing that then we'd have more of the ball & our defensive frailties would be less pronounced.
Having said that, you may be right that at the moment Smalling is the best option because I don't think any of the three centre backs look good/comfortable enough doing it.
It's a problem with British players that nobody wants to pass a ball to someone if they have an opposing player within 10 yards of them. Herrera & Mata don't care because they trust each other & they're used to doing it. As long as the pass is put in the right place & the player's touch is good it's not a risk & all of our players are capable of this. It's just a mental thing that hopefully LVG will change.

 

[krazyrobus]

It's more to do with the narrative at the moment. Since the World Cup squad was announced it's been a steady flow of bile projected at Smalling for little reason.

Jamie Jackson, our worst broadsheet hack by a considerable distance, has done this on multiple occasions during pre season, so it doesn't surprise me to read that he's done it again, essentially creating fiction for the sake of carrying on some shoddy narrative.

It's my biggest annoyance with British football journalism.

What a beast he is. Absolutely fantastic CB.
It annoys me when people say Jones is the better Center Back because “have you seen his last ditch tackle??? He’s insane, almost killed him!”. Bollocks, Jones is miles behind Smalling at the moment.

I thought he should be playing in the middle of back 3, but now I like the idea of Smalling and Blackett on the sides as they are both very good in one-on-one situations and pretty fast, so they can cover wingbacks. I would play Evans in the middle because of his distribution, or Jones so that he can make driving runs into midfield.

The last ditch tackles are going to be a career problem for Jones, reminiscent of Wes Brown. Rafael is another one who needs to dial back the aggression a bit. This is how they are consistently injured.

 

[Bloxy]

last night was proof that Smalling is our best CB and has the attributes to be especially good in the premiership. Good in the air and makes good and calculated clearance tackles in the box, and has the pace to deal with people going in behind him. He still has to and will improve but what impressed me most was that whenever he had to defend, he pretty much dominated the situation.

compared to Evans who although has more experience didn't like the ball being played to him so man times and then just panicked, and Jones who overcommits.

 

[Brightonian]

He's mentally the soundest of our CBs. Jones was alright last night - some really good stuff but some slightly rash decision-making. Evans, having been probably our best CB all pre-season, went inexplicably to pieces and didn't seem capable of passing to anyone other than Coutinho all night, or making a proper tackle.

But meanwhile Smalling managed to stay calm, and it's probably because of him that we didn't get overrun more in that shambolic first half. Kept reading the game, kept tabs on Sterling in particular, and basically kept his head when others weren't.

 

[ZDwyr]

The way he kept up with Sterling was really impressive. Sterling's acceleration is very good and Smalling had no issue keeping up with him. Physically he's brilliant as a CB (except for the injuries he can pick up).