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Post by OsakaHeath on Oct 19, 2015 13:50:49 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 It is indeed! I like to think a lot of it echoes RoM contributors' thoughts |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 19, 2015 13:54:50 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 It is indeed! I like to think a lot of it echoes RoM contributors' thoughts Good stuff mate, you went a little bit too easy on Rooney though, should of put the 'career ending injury' stuff if there, even though (for some reason) it's not representative of the whole forum  |
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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 20, 2015 2:05:22 GMT
Mike also got a mention in F365's winners and losers, winner's section obviously
"Just another excellent performance. Those still keeping tally have made more notches than on Russell Brand’s bedpost."
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Post by alt on Oct 22, 2015 12:47:29 GMT
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Post by Stew on Oct 22, 2015 13:12:46 GMT
Good point. Smalling isn't in a vein of form anymore. This is what he is now.
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Post by NR7 on Oct 22, 2015 13:15:07 GMT
Chris is still shite though  |
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Post by Stew on Oct 22, 2015 13:16:17 GMT
Chris is still shite though We sold him back to Fulham! |
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Post by Stew on Oct 22, 2015 22:46:54 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2015 10:48:26 GMT
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Post by Stew on Oct 23, 2015 13:29:58 GMT
Football 365:
Chris Smalling has gone from zero to hero in less than a year at Manchester United having been the Premier League’s best defender this season, writes Ian Watson.
Louis van Gaal’s ruthless streak abruptly ended the Old Trafford careers of a number of United stars, like Robin van Persie, Rafael and Javier Hernandez to name just three. Others, though, who bought into the Dutchman’s precious philosophy have seen their prospects greatly enhanced. Marouane Fellaini and Ashley Young both looked finished with the Red Devils, but the rejuvenation of Chris Smalling betters both.
The centre-half lines up against Manchester City on Sunday less than a year after a couple of brain farts and a red card against United’s derby rivals appeared to put his Old Trafford future in jeopardy. Twelve months on, Smalling has gone from ‘stupid’, in Van Gaal’s view, to future skipper.
Many United fans wanted Smalling gone last November after the 1-0 defeat at the Etihad. Fewer than eight first-half minutes separated two of the most brainless bookings you could wish to see – especially after Van Gaal spent the previous week warning his players to retain their discipline. After trying to block Joe Hart’s drop kick, Smalling then needlessly thundered into James Milner to leave United flailing with 10 men before half-time.
Van Gaal wasn’t impressed: “The second yellow card was stupid. You cannot do what he has done with the second yellow card. That is not very smart. What can I say?”
It seemed that may have been the final straw for Smalling. Four and a half years after joining from Fulham for £12million, the former Maidstone man’s progress appeared minimal. He lacked consistency in form and fitness, and despite having spent four years around Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, little of their magic appeared to be rubbing off on the young defender.
Instead, the Etihad errors proved to be the catalyst for for a quite stunning revival.
Smalling insisted the dismissal was “very out of character for me”, which it was. The versatile defender had collected only four bookings in 64 appearances up to that point. “I just have to move on,” he said, and he did immediately.
An injury crisis denied Van Gaal the opportunity to teach Smalling a lesson upon his return from a one-match ban and the centre-half began to make amends by playing a leading role in a back three alongside Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett at Arsenal. The 2-1 win over the Gunners was followed by five consecutive wins and an 10-match undefeated run.
In stark contrast to the stupidity he showed at the Etihad, Smalling displayed at the Emirates a maturity most doubted he had. It was perhaps apt that it came in front of Arsene Wenger, who has always remained a fan of the centre-back. The Arsenal manager lost out when Smalling opted to join United in 2010 and the Frenchman also wanted him in exchange for Thomas Vermaelen in 2014. Van Gaal said no, which turned out to be a masterstroke.
The United boss has made a leader out of the previously-passive Smalling, who has clearly embraced Van Gaal’s methods. The defender remarked last season: “The manager said at the start of the season that once you’ve been with him for six months and got used to the repetition of drills, the tactics and you know your role that we will get better.”
Practice has made Smalling almost-perfect this season. The 25-year-old formed a formidable partnership with Daley Blind until the Dutchman was made one of the scapegoats for the recent shambles at Arsenal, but the two dovetailed each other splendidly. Blind floated off the ball and sprang attacks on it, allowing Smalling to focus on what he enjoys.
Smalling’s appeitite to be a stopper is quite refereshing in today’s game where defending is seen by some as a dirty word. On his primary focus, he told manutd.com last year: “It’s just a case, first and foremost, to not let the attacker get a sniff. You must be tight and aggressive and give them the odd kick if you have to, and it is what I enjoy. The other side is getting to play out nice passes from the back and watch the team do well. But, ultimately, I must make sure we’re preventing goals and stopping strikers.”
Early in his United career, it was hard to tell exactly what Smalling’s main strengths were. He has always been a great athlete, with the requisite physical attributes for a top-class centre-back, but he appeared reluctant to impose himself upon forwards and his use of the ball still retains room for improvement. Even last season, United’s opponents used to stand off Smalling and encourage him to bring the ball out, knowing he could be dragged out of his comfort zone. While his passing is improving, the England defender still keeps it simple, prefering a 10-yard roll into the midfield, rather than break the lines with a Ferdinand-esque pass or dribble.
But as a stopper, there have been none better in the Premier League this season. He finally appears to have learned how to use his six-foot-four frame up against the top forwards and, crucially, where to position it when United’s goal is in peril. The fact he is the only United player to have played every minute in the Premier League this season highlights his new status at Old Trafford.
Understandably as he approaches his 26th birthday, Smalling is displaying a maturity on and off the pitch that he lacked prior to his derby aberration of a year ago. Fast forward another 12 months, and the 20-cap defender could be wearing the United armband on a more regular basis with a European Championships as a starting centre-back behind him.
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Post by CaajScot on Oct 26, 2015 15:48:34 GMT
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Post by Stew on Oct 27, 2015 13:01:23 GMT
Four four two. Good to see the media in general is waking up to what most of us (though not all) on here have known for some time:
Chris Smalling is relishing the task of replacing Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand at Manchester United.
Chris Smalling believes the departures of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand from Manchester United have forced him to "step up" his standards.
Former United captain Vidic and fellow centre-back Ferdinand left Old Trafford in 2014, bringing to an end a remarkably successful defensive partnership that helped to bring five Premier League titles, the Champions League and the Club World Cup to Old Trafford over seven years.
United boss Louis van Gaal has been criticised for failing to spend big on defensive reinforcements in the past but the form of Smalling this season has been a real positive in an otherwise inconsistent campaign so far for the club.
And the England international admits he is relishing the challenge of attempting to fill the void left by Vidic and Ferdinand.
"I think with two of the older players going in Vida and Rio there was a case where you need someone to step up," he said. "I saw that as my opportunity to step up and touch wood it will keep going.
"Being around players like that and training with them and knowing how they go about their business on a day-to-day basis, as soon as those two left there was a big void that someone had to step up and I have tried to do my best to try and make an impact as much as they have.
"I knew when I did get a consistent run that I could go from height to height.
"At the moment I am getting confident and I am just looking forward to the next game, to putting down a marker and keep building."
Smalling has been praised for his form by both Van Gaal and captain Wayne Rooney, who has compared his international team-mate to the very best defenders in the world based on his performances this season.
"When you hear such good praise, especially from Wazza and the manager, you just want to show them that it's not just words that are meaningless," said the 25-year-old.
"He says a lot of things that I try to take on board and I think he wants you to express yourself, and when he shows a trust in you I just want to repay it and do as well as I can."
Smalling scored the winner in the Champions League victory over Wolfsburg last month and was denied a goal by a fine Joe Hart save in the dying minutes of the 0-0 draw with Manchester City on Sunday.
The former Fulham man admits he wants to improve his record in the opposition penalty area, adding: "I think every manager wants a player to chip in and, as a centre-half, you should chip in with four or five goals a season because of the amount of set plays we get. That is a target of mine.
"I am getting a few chances now and hopefully I can keep popping up and help with the burden on the strikers."
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Post by dsilvaxx2 on Oct 27, 2015 20:02:12 GMT
Four four two. Good to see the media in general is waking up to what most of us (though not all) on here have known for some time: Chris Smalling is relishing the task of replacing Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand at Manchester United. Chris Smalling believes the departures of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand from Manchester United have forced him to "step up" his standards. Former United captain Vidic and fellow centre-back Ferdinand left Old Trafford in 2014, bringing to an end a remarkably successful defensive partnership that helped to bring five Premier League titles, the Champions League and the Club World Cup to Old Trafford over seven years. United boss Louis van Gaal has been criticised for failing to spend big on defensive reinforcements in the past but the form of Smalling this season has been a real positive in an otherwise inconsistent campaign so far for the club. And the England international admits he is relishing the challenge of attempting to fill the void left by Vidic and Ferdinand. "I think with two of the older players going in Vida and Rio there was a case where you need someone to step up," he said. "I saw that as my opportunity to step up and touch wood it will keep going. "Being around players like that and training with them and knowing how they go about their business on a day-to-day basis, as soon as those two left there was a big void that someone had to step up and I have tried to do my best to try and make an impact as much as they have. "I knew when I did get a consistent run that I could go from height to height. "At the moment I am getting confident and I am just looking forward to the next game, to putting down a marker and keep building." Smalling has been praised for his form by both Van Gaal and captain Wayne Rooney, who has compared his international team-mate to the very best defenders in the world based on his performances this season. "When you hear such good praise, especially from Wazza and the manager, you just want to show them that it's not just words that are meaningless," said the 25-year-old. "He says a lot of things that I try to take on board and I think he wants you to express yourself, and when he shows a trust in you I just want to repay it and do as well as I can." Smalling scored the winner in the Champions League victory over Wolfsburg last month and was denied a goal by a fine Joe Hart save in the dying minutes of the 0-0 draw with Manchester City on Sunday. The former Fulham man admits he wants to improve his record in the opposition penalty area, adding: "I think every manager wants a player to chip in and, as a centre-half, you should chip in with four or five goals a season because of the amount of set plays we get. That is a target of mine.
"I am getting a few chances now and hopefully I can keep popping up and help with the burden on the strikers."It's refreshing to see that he is taking the accolades well and is showing the hunger to contribute in other areas of his game. A player with less of a hide might have shrunk right out of the club, especially after that derby double yellow. He also has shown a sense of humor clearly enjoying his new name status from the Gaffer. Hopefully 'Mike' will be able to add more dimensions to his game, and we can enjoy a long career with a trophy haul to boot....keep growing. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2015 10:02:03 GMT
I really, really, really hope this quote is true.... really, really, really
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Post by CaajScot on Oct 28, 2015 10:10:29 GMT
I really, really, really hope this quote is true.... really, really, really |
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