Chris Smalling represented England U-21 over the summer, alongside United team mates Phil Jones, Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck.
All of these have been called up to the senior team for this weekend’s game against Bulgaria, although Welbeck was forced to pull out after picking up an injury against Arsenal.
Smalling has played at right back for United all season and has been very impressive, even though his natural position is more central.
England manager, Fabio Capello, has today sung the praises of our youngster, suggesting he could be in line for a starting position, ahead of Micah Richards.
“He surprised me when he played at Wembley in the Community Shield against Manchester City,” said Capello. “He played well. In fact, the four games that he’s played at right-back, he’s played really well. I always saw him play in central defence before. He is playing with confidence. He has improved and improved.”
Man Utd News 24/7
He definitely deserves it. Chris can show most of the typical ingurland defence how to actually defend! And attack for that matter! They’ll never admit it, but United players now are the key for England. Not to mention UNITED>england. On other matters, Owen Hargreaves is the laughing stock of the football world right now. People saying he deserved to sign for a CL club and not even making City’s squad. Unbelievably hilarious. And I don’t think I’ve wanted a book more than Nev’s autobiography. Read some excerpts from various papers and it seems like 300 odd pages of pure United bias. Can’t wait to give it a read, although maybe you could do a competition for a copy Scott?
United > England…….always.
Crossing my fingers the lads don’t come back with any knocks as they usually do when playing the National Side. Still the FA will be as ungratefull as always.
Great news for Chris. He’ll relish it. Plus, it’s a good opportunity for him to remember his natural position.
On the negative side, I think it’s really sad that Capello has to make up Ferdinand’s mind for him. He should have retired from the national team a long time ago.
The boy keeps impressing me, he has drive enthusiasm and puts himself about. Only little critism is he looks a little uncomfortable at right back, but i guess through time he will settle into that role!..
Without Doubt Smalling Jones and Evans are quality, i know Evans has his doubters and people rip him to shreads but he is not a bad defender!.. Just lacking a little confidence!
If Evans was at Bolton or Everton he would have been touted round the big teams this summer!
Pleased for the lad.
I am very impressed with his non hassle style of defending. He has great composure and can play the ball out of defense with ease. He is the perfect replacement for Rio. Hope all the Utd lads come back unscathed from the England game.
United >>> England
nuff said…
@Utd4Life “Hope all the Utd lads come back unscathed from the England game.” This is my only fear.
Chris has been a tremendous signing for us and all the plaudits are duly deserved. I wish the lad all the best for tonight’s game.
Terry, watch your back, your days are numbered, Jones is the new Chuck Norris.
Uncomfortable at right back trevor? I don’t think so.
Another player who made me look a fool.
Well done Chris….remember treat Ingurland as a piss about it’s not worth wasting too much energy on
Rai – Morning my friend, how are things? Must be pretty close now right? My prayers are with you buddy….
Too right about Smalling, I hope all our other lads make it through with out injuries… Bloody hate international breaks
Don’t get injured lad.Remember United>England
Rai – Hello my friend. Hope you are well.
Yeah Ingerlund games are not worth over exerting himself for. I hope he plays some hospital balls to that fucking cunt Terry and he ends up on a stretcher.
don’t care about Englum ,
hope none of ours get injured ,
can’t stop thinking about the Smalling Jones Young additions to the team, outstanding
I think Smalling has been better at RB than CB. I hope he gets a start, and has a good game. Give him more confidence for season coming up.
Hope Cleverley has a good ‘un aswell. Gutted about Wellbeck. Poor lad, he’l get another chance, im sure
Kings – Hospital balls? Love it my friend, an ‘accidental’ elbow from Jones in training would be nice as well
Well done to Chris and all our young lads. Hope Capello shows some unexpected class and doesn’t destroy another promising set of United kids by playing them out of position.
I actually don’t mind the internationals for the young players. I personally think this is the age range where it is a benefit, adding composure and training in the national spotlight. However, I think every one of us would be much more supportive of the national teams if they there was an age limit, say like the Olympics, where the teams can only have a couple of truly senior players. This would keep the internationals relevant (as a proper development vehicle for younger players) and not overtax senior players. It would also eliminate opinionated blowhards like St John of Terry virtually overnight. Phil Jones to Captain England says I! One day he might be ready to captain United and the international experience would do him good service.
anyone read nevs book yet? some good extracts out! loved the bit when Fergies retirement was called off and Keano says ” thats you fucked anyway yorkie” as he was hoping of getting back in the team when Fergie left!
It would be nice to Smalling at Right-Back for England, especially when Micah Richards has been bitching about a lack of opportunities under Don Fabio Acapella.
Clevs will not start, Parker,Barry, Lumps,Milner will have already “shotgun” the 3 positions in midfield.
——————————–
Cedars! – You should have muted then used my script on the other thread as dialogue between the player.
Actually looking forward to an Ingerlund game for first time since 98. Give fucking Tom a run as well and Jonesy. It will be the same old fat fucking frank and Barry.
Oh Costas leave it man!!!! Thats what Fergie does as we both know. He likes players to play a multitude of different positions. He aint gonna “forget” how to play centre half!! Only messing mate.
Good Luck Chris. Come back healthy,we got a tough season ahead.
Afternoon fellas,
Good Luck Chris, who’d have thought he’d be making his England Debut at RIGHT BACK!! Ahead of Richards no less, the steroided freak! I’m sure a lot of you will remember the Arsenal fans who infiltrated our blog after we signed Smalling, much to their annoyance as they thought he was going to Arsenal (Great decision by the way Chris!) who were slating him saying they were glad they didn’t sign him…unproven….over rated…. had some stinkers for Fulham etc etc etc! Oh how it makes me chuckle.
@Costas
hey mate, made the point about the “new city” player some threads back just when the news filtered in. ah well thats that. You’d rather watch paint dry eh ? lol . Its not so bad,
@King Eric
The space is there. not advocating we change the set up the way it is now, the form they’re showing is incredible. Just a tad bit worried because we’re playing with 2 CM. To successfully play that way those two really have to top of their game.
Good luck chris, make sure you keep your misses away form captain cunt. He ha no qualms about fucking you over
@King Eric
Hi mate. Yeah, I realized it! I know SAF sees him as a versatile defender, but it’s interesting that Fergie has chosen him as a RB even with Fabio fit. I don’t mind if he gets a run out in the centre on every occasion. Like I’ve said before, no disrespect to Evans or Jones, but Smalling is Rio’s long term replacement in my eyes.
Smalling > Richards
Jones > Terry
Cleverley > Lampard
Traffic Cone > Barry
Hmmmm, How much does Capello make again? I should just alert the FA to my availability.
@ididnotzeeit: I may regret asking this but ‘traffic cone’ as in just a cone or ru refering to someone?
if hargo is not in city’s list for cl, then …………………..
Costas,
Cheers mate. I agree about Smalling in the middle. But with Fabio so brittle at the moment, it is a good opportunity to get games out of Smalling. Can’t believe how effective he is going forward on the right. Really mobil for such a large lad. Keep wondering if he will get some confidence to shoot one of these days! In the end, I think he will eventually be in the center, but for now, let all the youngsters as many games as possible.
Am feeling better now, the finance results, still yet to complete digest it all but am happy.
Looks like by this financial year the debts cud be cleared.
Ok dudes, going to hunt for dinner now.
@slim
Hi mate. I haven’t watched many England qualifiers, but I’ve watced their games in every major tournament since 96. The England team we saw last year must have been the worst I’ve seen in that time frame. Including Euro 2000. I know that as a Greek I shouldn’t be the one to critisize. At least the Greek team sets out to play defensively. Capello’s England supposedly goes out there to attack and puts me to sleep within seconds.
And you have the press wonder why Rooney (and after tonight, Ashley Young) doesn’t replicate their form for England like Xavi, Iniesta and co do for Spain. At least the Spanish side doesn’t deviate from Barca’s brand of football. Capello’s style reminds me more of Stoke than United. So yeah, dry paint all the way.
@FletchTHEMAN
Likewise. His drive going forward is what shocked me most about him. Before he came, I expected that he may surprise me with how good he was at the back, but I couldn’t imagine he was so willing to run forward. Reminds me of O’Shea’s hunger and enthusiasm when he was breaking into the side.
Hello everyone!!!
I am back now that the transfer window has closed. Way too much disharmony over who we ought to sign/who we shouldn’t and then by the time the “clique” would take over I’d get completely lost in all your craziness hahaha. Hope all of you are doing stellar btw- Cedars, Costas, MG, King Eric, Giles, Slim, FletchTheMan, and of course Willie…he’s gotten a new moniker has he not?
Really hope all our boys come back safe and sound, internationals seem to bring us bad luck. Absolutely LOVED the way our lads twatted the North Londoners completely. Had a massive fall out with the bf when he claimed that United are still weak. After the 8-2 drubbing, got a meek text from him saying he’s eating his words LOL. Don’t know whom to rave about more – Jonesy’s an ABSOLUTE BEAST. Iniesta is the Spanish Cleverley. de Gea is going to make everyone eat their words soon. Young has been FANTASTIC! and I feel awful for being rather “meh” about signing him. Like the bf said, he’s the black Ronaldo LOL. Welbeck has shown great promise – skill, strength, great understanding with the man with the new hair!!!! Can’t wait to have the twins back soon. And Smalling….damn when him and Jones take off galloping, they’re a sight to bloody behold!!!
In other news, I finally saw our beloved Reds play in DC when we beat Barcelona. The entire stadium seemed to be full of United fans…on the trains and subways too. Met a whole bunch from Ireland, North Wales and AHEM Mexico of course
all loving the Lil Pea. Argentina’s playing Nigeria in Bangladesh on the 6th and I have free tickets for that. Hoping Messi (whose captaining the squad) gets a minor, non serious injury (I don’t wish injury on other players….cept maybe CLL Tiny Tears, he’s a cunt), just so the bf throws a tantrum. Should be fun.
Missed you guys
only wish there was a game this week!
jellybean is back!
We have missed you, really nice to see you posting again. Not forgetting you are my fellow partner in the card game king or is it kings? hahahaha
Keep posting my friend, we have a lot to look forward to this season…..
just hope Cedars, or for that matter anyone else, dont change their monikers.. willie/wolfie is bad enough!
*confusion! confusion*
Ok I have some issues with smalling at Right back.
Dont get me wrong. I think he is really good at RB, especially since he has hardly played there. But that doesnt mean he doesnt have some problems, which he should rectify. Otherwise we will get found out.
1) He is caught out of position quite a few times. He leaves gaps at RB. which the opposition can exploit quickly with a counter attack. This might be a big problem because we are not playing with any sort defensive midifielder. There is no carrick to watch out and plug holes in counter attacks.
You can see Jones screaming at Smalling quite often asking him to cover his position.
A good example, was Arshavin’s run and shot that Jones deflected for a corner.
I think is Fabio’s real strenght ., I have rarely seen him being out of position at all. He seems to know exaclty when to go fwd and and when not to. Smalling has to pick this up.
2) My other problem is actually going forward. Smalling is very good offensively on the counter. He uses explosive pace to leave his marker behind. I dont think that will work when teams sit back and defend. He doesnt have the skills to cut through a defence that has set their stall out. He works well wtih Nani because NAni supplies the trickery for 2 people. But I think Rafael/Fabio will be a better full back when Valencia is playing the wing.
OVerall, he let me reiterate that he has done really well.( before people out here chew me out for saying negative things), but he has to improve. Also I would rather see the twins at RB, Smalling in the middle and Evans as cover for LB.
Looks like Darren Fletcher football genius will be starting against the Czech Republik tonight. Be interesting to see how he gets on. Good luck Fletch!
I fully agree about missing a game this week. Guess we will have check in on Engurlund who might play 5 of our own (Rooney, Ashley Young, Jones, Smalling, Cleverley) Shocking, but I might have to cheer them on. Too bad Danny boy pulled out as he really deserved his call up. Could be 7 if Carrick and Rio were fit, but I would just as well have Jones replace Rio as the youngster will get valuable experience and well deserves a call up.
De Gea captaines Spain U-21s to a 7-2 victory last night! so thats 15-4 for the lad in terms of experience in the last 2 games.. must be fun watching the other gk being whalloped left right center.
@ Dave
Just a cone mate, plain and simple. Barry’s shit, utter shit. Unlike a lot of you (not saying it’s good or bad,) I’m an EMNT supporter, have been since my footy watching days began a long, long time ago. How Capello’s continually snubbed Michael Carrick to give that useless plank playing time is beyond me. He’s fucking garbage of the highest order and any time I can take a shot, clear the bows. I suppose at this point I shouldn’t be surprised. The way Paul Scholes was treated, in his f’in prime no less, is just another example of how poorly the side’s been managed.
Oh well. Really excited with United’s youngins getting a crack at the international level. Goes to show what a brilliant club we have here when the 3 Lions could legitimately run out with 8 United players in their starting XI and be a formidable side in world football.
Hart
Smalling Jones Rio Cole (uggh)
Walcott Cleverley Carrick Young
Rooney
Welbeck
Lord knows Capello wouldn’t do it but a man can dream
@ AnomanderRake Fully agree. Smalling is playing RB because of the injuries to Rafael. Think everyone is just pleased that the lad has done so well. Couple of us were saying we should sign another fullback or 2 because of how thing we are, but Chris has been a surprise. Costas hit it about right brining up how similar he was to O’Shea filling in at RB. This is no disrespect as O’Shea was one of the most gifted and versitile big men we are likely to see in a long time.
Let’s all just hope Chris keeps his confidence high while being stuck in all these new challenges. Good luck to him if he gets in the game.
Anomander & Fletch
Agree, he’s doing well but far from a finished product at full back, understandable given he’s a centre back and filling in. We also have Valencia who is more than capable at filling in at right back if needs must. However, lets wish Rafael a speedy recovery.
What Smalling gives us at RB is height. You’ll recall SAF would sometimes bring in O’Shea against taller teams who used the high ball. The twins are about half his size but I’m wondering now if Smalling isn’t Fergie’s first choice RB?
@jellybean
been a while eh? And what are you still doing with that loser? Claiming United is weak?. Good thing we gave arsenal a drubbing. i’d 8-2 be him him eating humble pie. please don’t tell he he’s a liverpool supporter. Goat will go mental with that one. Nice to have you back
@jellybean
forgot to add a few “lols” in there.i’m sure he’s alright.just barely and thats because his gf is a Red
mikekelly12
looking forward to fletcherino’s return to football. i hoping for big things from the lad
@FletchTHEMAN
Agreed. However, I do not want us to buy a right back. I think the twins are a real good prospect. I’d like to see us develop them. Also we have plenty of cover at that position. We also have De Laet (@Norwich) who can play there.
@Dave Mack
Agree on the height point. He was really effective against Spurs. isolating Bale. There were a no. of aerial interceptions where VDV tried to find Bale with a long ball, only to be shut out by SMalling.
However, I dont think (hope) he is first choice. I do really like Rafael at RB. Smalling does make a better CB than Evans or Jones right now.
In the future I see Rafae/Fabio, Smalling, Jones, Evans lining up as our back 4. – 4-5 years down the line.
CedarsDevil – Hello my friend. Yeah that fucking scum bastard deserves the 5 star treatment. Really looking forward to the game tonight as our young lads will be involved.
AnomanderRake – one slight tweak, but I think Rafael/smalling/jones/fabio is the future, with evans as excellent cover for at least 3 of those slots. No disrespect to evans, but I think both twins will write themselves into the first 11 team sheet as they develop (assuming they can find a way to stay healthy more often).
Hello jellybean . Welcome back sweetheart. Its like a breath of fresh air having you around girl!
Amonder – Chris has fantastic ball skills to be fair. He is often doing Cruyf turns. As for Jonny, no he is a centre half for me not a left back although he does play there for his country.
Ididnotzeeit – Forgive my ignorance but what does EMNT stand for please? England summat national team??
The only advantage the lads will get playing for England is some more experience under their shiny new belts. Once they have 20 caps or two years more experience the boys should resign from England duty as the law of diminishing returns will have overpowered any benefits they may continue to receive from St. George. As Gary Neville says: “If a man takes a woman out 85 times and she’s not his girlfriend at the end of it, he’s wasted a lot of time.” LOL!
Gary Neville’s RED is certainly going to ruffle more than a few feathers in England football. Also await Paul Scholes autobiography! cant wait to lay my hands on both of them. Just finished up with Giggsy’s and SAF’s books.
Nice one G.Nev: http://a-kick-in-the-grass.blogspot.com/2011/09/neville-right-england-have-been-st.html
Can Jones, Welbeck, and Smalling retire from International football already?
Welcome back Jellybean!
Chris does indeed start for England. Well played lad!
first of many chrissy boy well done mate