Hear, hear.
Would you call me crazy if I suggested he's better than either of Real Madrid's starting CBs?
Though to be fair, he did have a terrible game against West Ham that one time in the LC.
How good is Chris Smalling?
- Thread starter Plechazunga
- Start date
Hear, hear.
Would you call me crazy if I suggested he's better than either of Real Madrid's starting CBs?
Though to be fair, he did have a terrible game against West Ham that one time in the LC.
Yeah I'd say you're crazy. And I'm one of Evans's biggest fans.
He's about the level of Ramos but not as good as Pepe.
That would be because Vidic was world class and one of the best defenders in the world at his very best during that time. Evans was solid then, but he was undoubtedly helped by having a rock such as Vidic beside him. Just being a part of a world class defence doesn't warrant ridiculous praise.
The Championship bit is weak evidence too. That's a league completely below remember; nowhere near the Premier League. Plenty of Championship defenders who are rock solid at that level have been distinctly average in the Premier League.
I like him and he's undoubtedly a very good defender, but he gets the praise he deserves most of the time. Not as good as Real Madrid's centre backs too, if it was a serious comment. Mind you, it's not even that surprising when some have said he's better than Pique.
I think Ramos is a bit of a clown, he's made a lot of mistakes when I've seen him. He and Pepe are, of course, well protected by their quality midfield. I think Pepe is pretty good, perhaps his personality, and quest to be a bigger diver/faker-of-injuries than Busquets, has blinded me a bit.
I have to agree I wouldn't have Ramos anywhere near our club, never known a defender get so many daft red cards.
Is this a real question?
On the ball he's comparible, perhaps theres an argument for being better. But thats it
That would be because Vidic was world class and one of the best defenders in the world at his very best during that time. Evans was solid then, but he was undoubtedly helped by having a rock such as Vidic beside him. Just being a part of a world class defence doesn't warrant ridiculous praise.
The Championship bit is weak evidence too. That's a league completely below remember; nowhere near the Premier League. Plenty of Championship defenders who are rock solid at that level have been distinctly average in the Premier League.
I like him and he's undoubtedly a very good defender, but he gets the praise he deserves most of the time. Not as good as Real Madrid's centre backs too, if it was a serious comment. Mind you, it's not even that surprising when some have said he's better than Pique.
Vidic was great, but if Evans wasn't also class we wouldn't have made it to 14 games without conceding..
My point was that at 19 Evans dominated as a centreback at championship level. He then did very well on loan at Sunderland in the PL. Then he went on to have this cleansheet record with us. He's a very good defender that has shown continued progression, not an average PL defender at all.
He clearly doesn't get the credit he deserves. He is not so far off Pique's level that you can find it laughable..
Strikers like Aguero wouldn't leave Evans. Over a longer run perhaps, but Evans isn't slow and he'd hold his own in a race. I didn't see Carroll bully him when we played West Ham either.
That would be because Vidic was world class and one of the best defenders in the world at his very best during that time. Evans was solid then, but he was undoubtedly helped by having a rock such as Vidic beside him. Just being a part of a world class defence doesn't warrant ridiculous praise.
The Championship bit is weak evidence too. That's a league completely below remember; nowhere near the Premier League. Plenty of Championship defenders who are rock solid at that level have been distinctly average in the Premier League.
I like him and he's undoubtedly a very good defender, but he gets the praise he deserves most of the time. Not as good as Real Madrid's centre backs too, if it was a serious comment. Mind you, it's not even that surprising when some have said he's better than Pique.
Yeah that was me. Evans is a better defender (i.e not attacking) than Pique.
Is this a real question?
On the ball he's comparible, perhaps theres an argument for being better. But thats it
I'm curious how many people find the suggestion ridiculous, as a way to gauge how people see his quality. Surely a few people prefer Evans for our system, no need to ridicule them though.
I'm curious how many people find the suggestion ridiculous, as a way to gauge how people see his quality. Surely a few people prefer Evans for our system, no need to ridicule them though.
I would prefer Evans
Defenders are shit nowadays. Only a handful (hint: none from Spain) measure up to the greats from yesteryears.
I'm curious how many people find the suggestion ridiculous, as a way to gauge how people see his quality. Surely a few people prefer Evans for our system, no need to ridicule them though.
When you remove the overwhelming United bias and anti Madrid bias, it isnt a good question in my opinion. Lets see if I'm wrong and Madrid and Barcelona look to raid us for J. Evans in the next few transfer windows
Amazes me that this is even a controversial opinion.
I'm curious how many people find the suggestion ridiculous, as a way to gauge how people see his quality. Surely a few people prefer Evans for our system, no need to ridicule them though.
I'm with you, I would have him anytime before Ramos. Pepe is twice the defender Ramos is though, he is better then Evans also.
I'm curious how many people find the suggestion ridiculous, as a way to gauge how people see his quality. Surely a few people prefer Evans for our system, no need to ridicule them though.
What system do we use that requires a different job spec for CBs than any other team? I see that kind of thing written a lot, but of a cop out I reckon. Just compare the darn players!
That would be because Vidic was world class and one of the best defenders in the world at his very best during that time. Evans was solid then, but he was undoubtedly helped by having a rock such as Vidic beside him. Just being a part of a world class defence doesn't warrant ridiculous praise.
The Championship bit is weak evidence too. That's a league completely below remember; nowhere near the Premier League. Plenty of Championship defenders who are rock solid at that level have been distinctly average in the Premier League.
I like him and he's undoubtedly a very good defender, but he gets the praise he deserves most of the time. Not as good as Real Madrid's centre backs too, if it was a serious comment. Mind you, it's not even that surprising when some have said he's better than Pique.
Depends which Pique we're talking about. Pique last year was nowhere near as good as Evans was. Pretty poor, to be honest.
We play a different style to Madrid, in a league with different refereeing styles, with different sorts of teams. We also recruit players for attitude as well as skill, I'm not sure Ramos would qualify. Pepe's extensive cheating and diving might not be tolerated either.
You won't find any teams trying to raid Barca for Iniesta either.
Conclusion: shit argument.
Usually like Smalling, but Ferguson should take out the hair dryer. He was awful defending and gave absolute no support for Valencia.
easily beaten on number of occasions, poor going forward as well (not his strongest point though). not a good day for smalling.
If Rafael is still injured I would think that Phil Jones would come in for him in the next match. Although with this been the busy Xmas period and Fergie been Fergie that may of happened even if he had the game of his life.
Didn't think he played badly. Though didn't really have much of an influence on the game either. Bit of a quite one for him really. Can't remember to much coming down his flank though, so he did his job. With him at RB you do lose that attacking threat that Rafael and to a lesser extent Jones provide.
RB is clearly not his best position but it's still good that he can offer this possibility when Rafael and Jones aren't there.He did his best but obviously he wasn't comfortable at all
Exactly. And when Fabio returns he'll probably never have to play there again.
Aye
Fabio played right back yesterday and made the joint highest amount of tackles and interceptions for QPR.
Smalling gets turned too easily at right back. I want to see Smalling get a proper run at centre back, it would take a madman to claim that the Evans - Ferdinand partnership is worth pursuing.
He should have played CB. Rio struggled with Ba's pace/physical strength a bit, I felt. It's very obvious though, when Rafael doesn't play, our right side (especially Valencia!) suffers quite a bit - even more so with Valencia horribly out of form.
So which player do you think would've played RB considering Jones and Rafael were injured?
I was wondering that but even Evans would do a better job there, he has some amount of actual attacking qualities. I love Smalling at centre back but he can't cross or shoot and his passing in attacking positions is poor at best. He is not made for the position. He would have been better utilised to deal with Newcastle's forwards.
RIP Chris Smalling
November 22, 1989 - 30 December, 2012
Struck by ball.
Definitely not a RB but, still good enough player to give us that option.
Anyone else think that should have been a pen in the first few minutes?
I think it should have tbh.A tackle on the player with the ball nowhere near to be found.He managed to out psych the ref with pointing the ball.Can't wait for the real RBs to come back so that Smalling only has to play as a CB.He's so much more comfortable there
Definite penalty for not being Jonny Evans
No. Long made no attempt whatsoever to play the ball, he just backed into Smalling until he could fall over. The ball has to be the point of reference for who pushes who, and if you watch them you'll see that they move further and further from the ball as Long pushes back away from it into Chris.
No, he stuck his leg out and (forgot who it was) saw it and decided to jump over it. Would have been a ridiculous penalty to concede.
He didn't tackle him at all. Long ran into him. Was probably going for a good 'ol shoulder barge but there was no shoulder to receive his own so he fell over. Didn't think a penalty was an issue at all. Thought he wanted a corner.
Long left the ball and shoulder charged Smalling.
Long gave up control of the ball and went for the man, sure Smalling made contact with him, but I am not sure how you could give a penalty for that.
Long gave up control of the ball and went for the man, sure Smalling made contact with him, but I am not sure how you could give a penalty for that.
Smalling looks off balance everytime he gets his hands behind his back, he hesitates everytime and Odemwingie just walks pass him...
He made Odemwingie look like a world class player today, he was skinned so easily he didn't look like he was even there.
Okay, we got him for height advantage but apart from a few headers, he was below average today.
He made Odemwingie look like a world class player today, he was skinned so easily he didn't look like he was even there.
Okay, we got him for height advantage but apart from a few headers, he was below average today.
Bang on. If anything, Long fouled Smalling.