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Post by Bestie on Sept 30, 2015 21:35:31 GMT
He was insanely good today This season. This year (since the Preston game). |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2015 21:37:25 GMT
he'd defo 10x the defender he was 4/5 seasons ago. The best in the PL, probably I think so. Who's performed better than him? |
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Post by Coogie on Sept 30, 2015 22:16:56 GMT
he'd defo 10x the defender he was 4/5 seasons ago. The best in the PL, probably I think so. Who's performed better than him? At the minute! Europe? |
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Post by troubleontheway on Sept 30, 2015 22:34:06 GMT
Brilliant again today. Long may it continue.
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Post by Bestie on Sept 30, 2015 22:57:22 GMT
I don't want to be an I told you so...fuck it. I told you so. My entire feeling on Smalling. |
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RA138
United Bench Warmer
I must not fear. Fear is the mind killer.
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Post by RA138 on Oct 1, 2015 2:04:06 GMT
He's 25 too, could be a mainstay of our back four for the next decade. I'd love to see an accurate counting of people who really believed he would get to this level. I wouldn't have been among them to be honest
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Post by troubleontheway on Oct 1, 2015 9:30:10 GMT
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Post by dsilvaxx2 on Oct 1, 2015 12:15:13 GMT
I gotta say when that back healed flick from Mata went in, and we scored, at first for just a moment I thought it was Martial. When Smalling got up I was stunned that he put away that chance with the cool of a top-top striker...Amazing Goal....
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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2015 11:32:43 GMT
From F365's England ratings :
Chris Smalling: A performance to encapsulate just how far Smalling has come. The sixth minute saw the 25-year-old fire a cross-hit 40-yard ball straight to the feet of Walcott, while the Manchester United man displayed his awareness and defensive improvement by cleverly turning away a dangerous first-half cross with the outside of his foot. His main weakness remains in possession, but he’s quickly rectifying that, too.
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Post by Kojak on Oct 10, 2015 13:13:33 GMT
I think the thing I'm most pleased about is how he's clearly made a big effort to improve on the ball. He used to be a complete horror show in possession. Gary Neville talks in his book about a stage in his career where he didn't want the ball. He'd lost his confidence. I think Smalling had reached that point. Clearing the ball, fine. Putting a tackle in, fine. Winning a header, sound. But being in possession and having to take responsibility was something he wasn't comfortable with.
As much as we all (or most of us) criticise LVG's monotonous "philosophy", I think it's actually helped Smalling a lot. It's helped the whole squad in terms of them being more comfortable on the ball. If you don't want the ball then you probably won't fit in at United these days.
I once said Mike was arguably the worst player I'd ever seen at United with the ball at his feet. That was always my criticism of him. I'm pleased he's made the effort to improve the weakest side of his game and I'm chuffed that by doing so he's clearly displayed some of the hunger that's needed to be a really top level player.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 18, 2015 14:24:21 GMT
hence forth, he will forever be known as - Mike Smalldini
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Post by Sméagol on Oct 18, 2015 14:51:15 GMT
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Post by Stew on Oct 18, 2015 16:22:25 GMT
Kompany is the only CB even close to him in England now and Mike is 5 years younger. If Stones is worth 35 million what price Smalling? If it wasn't Utd selling him obviously.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 18, 2015 16:54:23 GMT
Kompany is the only CB even close to him in England now and Mike is 5 years younger. If Stones is worth 35 million what price Smalling? If it wasn't Utd selling him obviously.  |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 19, 2015 12:16:05 GMT
OsakaHeath this you on F365? Praise for United Hi Ed, I’d like to focus on the non-regulars of United’s side vs the toffees on Saturday. Ander Herrera…finally put in the starting line-up in a fixture where United have really struggled over the past few seasons. His clean shaven grace was bountiful, and LvG’s faith paid dividends. Many a United fan are shouting for welly head to play Andy Herrera weekly (and wouldn’t mind seeing the seemingly undroppable Rooney on the bench every now and then with Martial at 9). 10 shots, 8 goals! Incredible stats! After Luke Shaw’s horrific injury, Ashley Young coming in at left back was a bit of a worry (although I do like him further up; he was a huge impact against the Pool). There were question marks over Marcos Rojo’s fitness, as well as LvG’s faith in him, but he was quality at full back. Great to have a natural left footer there again, and what a cross to assist Ander’s header. Smalling and Jones started together for the first time this season, and after Blind-Smalling forming quite a formidable partnership (bar the Arsenal game), Jones coming in and doing well was also a nice surprise, although his nose bleed wasn’t. Is there a centre-back in the PL as good as ‘Mike’ Smalling at present? Would love to see a Smalling-Stones partnership in the upcoming internationals.. Lingard also did well, and was brought in at h/t to keep Galloway at bay. Tracked back well and was sharp going forward. I’m not the only one hoping to see Wilson, Pereira and Lingard get minutes. Thanks 365 for keeping me in touch with the football world as I am squashed onto Tokyo’s transit every morning. OsakaHeath
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