28 Jun 2016 10:40:56
I think we are going to have a real problem in the heart of defence is Smalling is going to start.
I am very comfortable with Darmian and Shaw but recently Smalling has been found out time and time again. All he does is hold people's shirts and doesn't attack the ball. His distribution is woeful to say the least.
I actually think Jones is a far superior talent but can't stay fit.
I'd rather see a fit Jones start with a new experienced centre back with Smalling becoming fourth choice behind Bailly. Mourinho could do wonders with someone like Jones, but his fitness may always hold him back unless he can be more disciplined and not fly into challenges with no care of his physical health.
28 Jun 2016 11:06:09
I agree with you 100% fresh and just to add part of the problem with Jones is the fact that nobody seems to have studied him or sat him down to find his best position. There was a time he played beastly at right back he looked solid and good on the ball then he was put at defensive midfield then cb all that chopping and changing can't have helped him. I say play him at cb, get him to relax and gain some rhythm he's a much more talented cb than smalling and if he can get a seasons worth of game time like smalling did he will improve immensely.
28 Jun 2016 11:36:18
I'd give him games at CB in preseason. He needs to learn the position because he has been Mr utility for years.
If anyone can show him how to defend its Jose. This, in my opinion, is his last chance here. I'd like to see him take it with both hands.
28 Jun 2016 11:55:27
Any rumours of another CB coming in, if so who and how likely do we think.
28 Jun 2016 12:01:52
Have a look at our midfield, rooney, scwi, Carrick, fellanni there's more energy in a 20 watt light bulb, the sooner micky signs the better, and i hope pogba as well.
28 Jun 2016 12:27:13
It's amazing how utd and England players become top quality the less they actually play on the pitch.
28 Jun 2016 13:05:26
Both crap jones and smalling . Need another cb imo.
28 Jun 2016 13:15:53
I hope for another centre back for sure.
I'd love Bonucci on the right sided centre back with Darmian at right back. Superb understanding there and play him with Bailly or Jones. I don't want to see Smalling start.
28 Jun 2016 13:22:01
For me smalling was probably the best England player last night. Won most of his aerial duels and only struggled on a few one on one situations. I think he had a poor end of season probably due to tiredness and doesn't fit into this England team as Roy seemed to prefer Cahill being the one to bring the ball out, which is one of smalling a strengths. His passing may not be the best but when the team play with clear instructions he seems a lot more confident and comfortable.
I do however see another CB signing, but I think they will play alongside smalling to start with rather than replace him, with Bailey being slowly introduced and replacing the CB who is not being consistent.
In regards to Jones, I hope he can have an injury free 6 months. That way another club may want to pay him to sit on their bench.
28 Jun 2016 13:35:57
What's blind done wrong?
28 Jun 2016 13:38:17
El Paso,
If we have paid over £30 million for a centre half to slowly introduce him I will be pretty annoyed!
28 Jun 2016 14:09:21
Gds2 on the flipside if a centre back whos only had 30 odd first team appearances is our main centre back i would be very surprised.
Bailly will need time to settle in his first year and won't start most games in my opinion.
28 Jun 2016 16:04:07
GDS2
As stated he will need time to settle, not because he isn't good enough but because it's a lot of upheaval for a player so inexperienced. I believe he could end up a first 11 regular by the end of the coming season. But to expect so much of him right away would be unfair.
As for blind well he's not a CB, at least not good enough for us to play expansive football whilst still being secure at the back. Will be a decent back up option but not good enough for first choice CB, CM, or LB.
28 Jun 2016 16:50:17
Blind was a better cb than Smalling this season. Says it all really.
29 Jun 2016 09:24:02
Sepp,
Which games? For a good proportion of the season Smalling was our best outfield player.
29 Jun 2016 13:35:33
Come on mate, no way. Smalling is a liability. He gets caught out positionally so many times when he darts forwards, gets away with murder when he's holding shirts and wrapping his arms around players, getting too tight, ie aguero and Wickham (there are more) .
Blind reads the game so much more. He's calm and composed and one of the best passers we have in the team (not a quality of a cb, but better than Smalling who looks like he's soiled himself with every touch) . Consistently plays well, but I suppose the fact he doesn't run 30 yards to make a tackle a defensive midfielder should be making, getting caught out and initiating a counter attack, means he won't get as much credit.