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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2015 13:37:41 GMT
Mikes highlights from PSV, check out the drive and shot on goal 1:28 mark. When you isolate his performance, you see that he is winning the aerial duels and heading to a team mate. He positioning has gone through the roof, and overall fantastic to witness the progress that Chris has made....well done. Who? |
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Post by Stew on Sept 20, 2015 9:10:45 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 20, 2015 13:03:40 GMT
To be fair, he has 100% improved him. Still not convinced he'd be playing if Jones didn't Jones himself though. |
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Post by Stew on Sept 24, 2015 13:05:21 GMT
Daily Mirror:
Manchester United defender Smalling, 25, appears to be finally realising his full potential and relishing the opportunity under Louis Van Gaal this season
Chris Smalling
The difference appears to be that Van Gaal has made it very clear that he is in his first choice line-up, will be given an extended run and wants him to be his defensive kingpin.
Smalling has always had pace, power and strength in the air but perhaps a lack of self belief has held him back in the past.
In fact, Smalling has also perhaps been held back by often being employed as a right back but his switch to centre half has really helped him blossom.
His pace gives him a power of recovery to give him an edge and his physical strength means he is the centre half attacking the ball while partner Daley Blind often picks up the runner or tucks in behind.
They are building a good understanding which is a key part of United’s impressive start to the season as they go into this weekend in second place behind Manchester rivals City.
Smalling has also taken his club form onto the international stage and it is noticeable that England boss Roy Hodgson has always given him a chance.
Hodgson signed Smalling from Maidstone United when he was in charge at Fulham in 2010 and then later sold him to United for £11m just two years later.
Former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson joked this week that he signed Smalling from under Arsenal’s noses as “revenge” for being beaten to Aaron Ramsey.
But Hodgson also recalled how he signed Smalling and says how his tough start in his career has made him the player he is today.
Hodgson said: “We signed him for nothing, didn’t we? Just a bag of balls, I think. I’m delighted for him because he’s a player who has really had to fight to get to the position that he’s achieved at Manchester United today.”
Smalling also gave an insight into his improvement this season. “Daley is not that sort of centre-back who is going to dominate, so it's a case of I take that mantle on and I am enjoying it,” said Smalling.
"I feel like I bullied quite a few players in matches in the past but hopefully I can get the consistency where it can be on show every week now.”
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Post by NR7 on Sept 25, 2015 6:54:51 GMT
Anyone else notice Smalling's form has coincided with LVG calling him Mike in the presser?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2015 11:11:18 GMT
Anyone else notice Smalling's form has coincided with LVG calling him Mike in the presser? Did he call him that around last Christmas time? |
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Post by NR7 on Sept 25, 2015 13:57:21 GMT
Anyone else notice Smalling's form has coincided with LVG calling him Mike in the presser? Did he call him that around last Christmas time? Nope. That's when Smalling started proving he is a United quality defender. The transformation to a colossus happened with name change. There is a strong case of Mike being best defender in the league and will naturally walk into any PL team. |
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Post by CaajScot on Sept 25, 2015 17:57:21 GMT
25/09/2015 09:00, Report by Mark Froggatt
SMALLING: THERE'S DEFINITELY MORE TO COME
Chris Smalling has arguably been Manchester United’s best and most consistent performer this season, although the flourishing centre-back is continually self-effacing and gives his performances a mere seven out of 10 rating when quizzed in Saturday's United Review.
But despite his modesty in the matchday programme, there is no doubting Smalling’s development and emergence as one of Louis van Gaal’s most trusted allies at Old Trafford, particularly after wearing the captain’s armband in the absence of Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick. With the Reds placed second in the Barclays Premier League ahead of Saturday's match with Sunderland, Smalling is confident of achieving both personal and collective success going forward. Asked to assess his fine start to the season, the defender says: “Yeah I am happy that I have been able to play in every game so far and that is what my aim was at the beginning, especially after the disappointment of last season and the injuries that I had to start with. “It has been nice to get a consistent run and I am enjoying my football at the minute. I would go with a seven out of 10 so far. There is definitely more to come. I am hoping that I can keep kicking on and improving each day, keep clocking up the games and contributing to the team.” Smalling’s development has aligned with van Gaal’s reign at Old Trafford and the Dutchman’s approach to man-management has clearly benefited the England international. “He has helped me a lot,” Chris says. “He is very honest about what your good points are and what you can improve on. “That is very refreshing to hear. When he first joined the club he said that after six to eight months of working, when we know what he wants, then we will improve as a team. "We have obviously improved on the start of last season and, as a player, I definitely feel that I have improved as well. I think he is a manager that improves a lot of players.” In his wide-ranging interview with United Review, Smalling discusses a variety of subjects that include Anthony Martial’s excellent form, Matteo Darmian’s Player of the Month award and the Reds’ potential title charge this season. He also explains what it means to wear the captain’s armband. “It’s pretty surreal but it’s nice that the manager has shown faith in me, and he has so much trust in me. It’s nice to be rewarded and I hope to reward him back with good performances on the pitch.” www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2015/Sep/Chris-Smalling-interview-with-United-Review-versus-Sunderland.aspx |
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Post by Stew on Sept 29, 2015 11:42:52 GMT
Viv Anderson has lavished praise on the young England star who he believes has been United’s best player so far this season.
And he sees no reason why in-form Smalling can’t continue to blossom into a player as good as some of the Old Trafford greats of the past.
Anderson, the first black man ever to play for England, was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson when he joined from Arsenal for a fee of £250,000 in 1987.
And the two-time European Cup winner with Nottingham Forest became a permanent fixture in the United team of the late 1980s, known for his reliable displays at right back.
However he thinks 25 year-old Smalling, who joined from Fulham for £12m in 2010, can go one better and maybe even emulate the likes of Nemanja Vidic and Gary Pallister.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, the 59 year-old said: "He has been one of the stand-out performers so far this season. And along with Luke Shaw, he’s definitely been the most improved.
"I always thought he had a mistake in him, but he seems to have eradicated that now. It’s been difficult for him as he’s not always had a sustained run in the team. But he has earned his place and he should be playing every week in my view.
"He’s been so reliable and even played well for England as well. He’s confident and is good on the ball. He’s been made one of the vice-captains as well and I think giving him that extra responsibility has helped him come out of his shell.
"He’s more vocal now which is a big plus. There’s no reason why he can’t go on to become a real leader for the team. If he can go on to emulate the likes of Vidic, Carrick, Bruce and Pallister in that regard then he will have done unbelievably well."
Anderson has also been impressed with the unlikely partnership Smalling has formed with Dutch international Daley Blind.
Blind has been shifted from his regular position in midfeild to being a central defender alongside Smalling and the United legend says they should now be left together as a pairing.
"It’s a great partnership and Blind has done really well as well. It’s one of those - you thought there may have been more problems than there have been. You thought people might have played on his height and been a bit more physical. But he has adapted fantastically.
"To be in the position they are in is a great achievement. And I think they should both get a long run in the team together to help them build that understanding."
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Post by karthy on Sept 29, 2015 11:46:56 GMT
Daily Mirror: Smalling also gave an insight into his improvement this season. “Daley is not that sort of centre-back who is going to dominate, so it's a case of I take that mantle on and I am enjoying it,” said Smalling.
"I feel like I bullied quite a few players in matches in the past but hopefully I can get the consistency where it can be on show every week now.” TO me this is what has been the key to his rise . He has taken the ownership responsibility and not cowed under pressure. his Strength in air and on ground to Bully people is key . Keep Going 'Mike' you have made a lot of peeps eat huge slices of humble pie  |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2015 11:48:24 GMT
Quickly becoming one of my fave players. He's been exceptional.
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Post by Stew on Sept 30, 2015 20:44:51 GMT
I don't want to be an I told you so...fuck it. I told you so.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2015 20:50:33 GMT
He was insanely good today
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Post by Stew on Sept 30, 2015 20:53:45 GMT
He was insanely good today This season. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2015 21:07:58 GMT
He was insanely good today This season. he'd defo 10x the defender he was 4/5 seasons ago. The best in the PL, probably |
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