Keep the guy. He's waaaay above average as a squad player.
James Ducker: United prepared to listen to offers for Smalling
- Thread starter Paxi
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More things come into it though. As a squad player he occupies a slot that might go to a better player or a more promising player. He's at a stage in his career where we can still get a decent price for him and we all know this summer will be a significant rebuild.
Where us this supposed better or promising player? It's wishful thinking on your part I reckon. There are very few squad defenders (CB) in Europe better than Chris. We don't need the money. He just needs to stay fit and we'll be fine.
Was it me or did he turn into a beast under LVG after the red card against citeh?
Bailly-New guy
Jones-Rojo
Tuanzebe
Sorry Chris, it might be time up. I wouldn't be too annoyed if we kept him around, especially considering our annual tradition, but if there's a candidate for the chop I think it's him.
Jones-Rojo
Tuanzebe
Sorry Chris, it might be time up. I wouldn't be too annoyed if we kept him around, especially considering our annual tradition, but if there's a candidate for the chop I think it's him.
Oh, I have given our attackers a VERY hard time. Our 6 league goal per season attackers (we have plenty of these) would probably be benched in a mid-table team, for not being good enough.
I was reading how J.Defoe (that guy who plays for the worst team in the league) scored 15 league goals. Apparently the guy is old and isn't good enough to play for a mid table club, let alone for a club like MUFC. Meanwhile we have 5-6 league goal per season attackers who are in our first team, being paid a fortune and here's the kicker: our fans seem to hail these players, as World beaters! The craziest thing was when fans were saying Martial will win the Ball on Dor. I mean, WTF!!!
Anyway, rant over.
Smalling did play well for a short period of time, under LVG.
I don't think anybody could argue about this (even though there were mitigating factors, ie. we used an ultra defensive tactic).
The problem is that he hasn't been any good for a long time, now.
He was culpable for conceding 4 goals against CFC. He was played against AFC, where we conceded 2 goals. Generally speaking, when we have conceded more than 1 goal in a game, Smalling has played that game.
One quality which Smalling does possess is that he is great in the air.
Would I sell him? Yes, but only if we can get a replacement.
Jones - if we could get money for him, I'd sell, even without a replacement because the guy is a sicknote. The problem is that no club would be foolish enough to pay a penny for Jones.
Was playing injured that match.
He's had an interrupted season. I think we'll keep.
He's been class today
He's been very good today, probably my MOTM but we should still sell. We could as easily seen him have a shocker. Thats the crux with Smalling, his consistency.
Tough one to call..... sometime he looks great and he has all the raw ingredients you'd want in a CB but prone to brain farts. I think he needs to work on his upper body strength and he seems to have poor posture. Would love him to come back next season physically stronger and dominate strikers like he should do.
Best game of the season from him. I'd hate to see him leave but unfortunately I do he think he is far too inconsistent.
Need something better than headed clearances and hoofing the ball back to the opposition even when not under pressure.
Probably picked the best time possible to have his best game of the season, although Jose will of already made his mind up.
Unsurprisingly looked back to his best next to Blind.
Unsurprisingly looked back to his best next to Blind.
I think our problems lie in attack and defensive injuries. Our defenders are fine if the attackers did their job a bit better.
Thought he did alright but Sanchez was the only centre back on the pitch worthy of getting MOTM.
Glad he had a good performance today in both boxes after the stick he's been taking
Plays great in a European final and all people on here can muster is backhanded compliments. Typical.
Well played Mike!!
Well played Mike!!
Our entire defence has been phenomenal all season. Only Spurs conceded less in the league.
Darmian too has improved incredibly the last two months. Keep them all I say.
Darmian too has improved incredibly the last two months. Keep them all I say.
We should give Ajax a blank cheque.
Surprised so many think Sanchez was so good. His distribution wasn't great tonight. We were happy enough to let him have the ball, especially in the first half.
The two questions I will always have about Smalling is:
Distribution and leadership.
Hes good, sometimes really good as a box defender.
But when the ball is at his feet, you dont expect much progress.
Distribution and leadership.
Hes good, sometimes really good as a box defender.
But when the ball is at his feet, you dont expect much progress.
He was very good tonight.
Really? Gave away the ball on so many occasions and could of cost them 2 goalscoring opportunities when he gave the ball to Fellaini and was jammy not to get robbed by Rashford in the first half.
Why would it be bad for Smalling and not Jones?
If we're keeping 1 of Smalling and Jones, it must be Smalling.
Bye bye Smalling
Ability wise I couldn't have any complaints; Smalling is a terrible defender. However Jones is made of glass which makes him next to useless.
I would keep Smalling before Jones because Jones keeps getting injured.
Why Smalling and not Jones?
Because we could sell Smalling pretty easily, whereas no club would risk buying Jones.
Selling either doesn't sound particularly sensible with Rojo out and Blind clearly last resort at centre back.
Because we could sell Smalling pretty easily, whereas no club would risk buying Jones.
Selling either doesn't sound particularly sensible with Rojo out and Blind clearly last resort at centre back.
Terrible defender? Absolute nonsense.
Smalling is far from a terrible defender, he was one of the reasons we have had the best defensive records in the league for two seasons now. You can count the number of errors he's had for the club on two hands. Unlike other defenders like lovren where there's too much to even bother to count.
Smelling and Jones are duds in this squad IMO. Get rid of them both.
I like how people always make same silly predictions about new CBs coming in the league/team. 
Sorry but he's a big lumbering oaf of a defender with the technical ability of an ape. If what you say was anywhere close to being true Jose would never put him up for sale.
That's a laughably stupid claim really......