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Post by wakefieldstokie on Nov 9, 2022 13:33:18 GMT
Not convinced by Baker or Smallbone
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Post by shakermaker on Nov 9, 2022 14:20:32 GMT
His two best games for us have been when played deeper as an 8, tonight and Burnley. He looks far better playing deeper when he has the game in front of him, rather than as a 10 when he tends to receive the ball with his back to goal and has the game happening behind him. He was also good against Sheffield United, where he was in the advanced role in the middle of a midfield three. Again his passing is decent, and he had protection from Baker and Laurent to allow him to do that. But there appeared to be more 'range' to his passing in a deeper role yesterday, and he showed great vision in reaching teammates further up the pitch.
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Post by Championship Potter on Nov 9, 2022 15:15:15 GMT
I’m ok with him not throwing himself into 50/50s all over the pitch. Man City have a team of players that rarely lunge in and instead win the ball back intelligently through smart tackles and interceptions, which to be fair to Smallbone he was doing very effectively last night. If he can keep up that level of performance he’ll be a real asset to us.
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Post by owdestokie2 on Nov 9, 2022 15:36:44 GMT
Not convinced by Baker or Smallbone Is Baker missing the influence of Joe Allen? Just going into the air raid shelter with tin hat on firmly in place 😁
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Post by robwahlmann on Nov 9, 2022 15:38:07 GMT
I thought Smallbone played ever so well last night! MOM for me was between Fox and him.
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Post by LphPotter on Nov 9, 2022 16:05:31 GMT
He really didn't duck out of loads. He has in the past, especially headers. But I thought he actually got stuck in way more than usual even challenging for headers. And he tracked back well and made some very timely tackles and interceptions in our area. He was one of our better players on the night despite my reservations when I heard the line up. I thought he ducked out of a fair bit tbh, he had a good game but he's still scared to get stuck in. He made the most tackles in the game
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Post by Veritas on Nov 9, 2022 16:10:45 GMT
He ran around a lot but still ducked out of loads of tackles and headers imo. Better but still not good. Good it wasn't just me who thought he was largely missing in action. I am not even sure he was that much better than previous games.
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Post by foxysgloves on Nov 9, 2022 16:25:42 GMT
He’s been distinctly average.
But he was excellent last night.
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Post by bayernoatcake on Nov 9, 2022 17:12:07 GMT
He ran around a lot but still ducked out of loads of tackles and headers imo. Better but still not good. Good it wasn't just me who thought he was largely missing in action. I am not even sure he was that much better than previous games. Yeah I don’t get it either but each to their own. He put a lot of energy in which was good but I’m not convinced he was that effective.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2022 17:14:24 GMT
He ran around a lot but still ducked out of loads of tackles and headers imo. Better but still not good. Good it wasn't just me who thought he was largely missing in action. I am not even sure he was that much better than previous games. There's none so blind as those who will not see
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Post by boskampsflaps on Nov 9, 2022 18:03:31 GMT
I thought he ducked out of a fair bit tbh, he had a good game but he's still scared to get stuck in. He made the most tackles in the game And yet he still managed to duck out of things.
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Post by leicspotter on Nov 9, 2022 18:13:34 GMT
I think Will Smallbone is a decent player, certainly has skill and can pass, however I wasn't overly impressed with him last night until maybe the last 15 minutes when he did get in some important interceptions and played some good close passes to retail possession. Certainly not a MoM performance, leave those to Powell, Fox and Souttar with Fosu not far behind
All-in-all I feel he is too lightweight for this division and ironically might fare better in the PL
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Post by Gary Hackett on Nov 9, 2022 18:50:42 GMT
He will be a decent player but I don't think he's for us right now.
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Post by lordb on Nov 9, 2022 19:13:31 GMT
He will be a decent player but I don't think he's for us right now. Agree but if plays like last night regularly will change my mind
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Post by DC1863 on Nov 9, 2022 19:25:58 GMT
I like Smallbone he's a neat and tidy player with decent potential, he's good at playing in little triangles and tight spaces. I think there's a solid Championship midfielder in there.
However after 18 games with one goal and no assists I'm just not seeing enough from him personally. Doesn't play many forward killer balls or take a man on, questions remain on his strength and pace.
I would rather see Laurent come back in the middle when fit and let Powell play the advanced role.
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Post by stokeyank on Nov 9, 2022 19:42:44 GMT
I’m ok with him not throwing himself into 50/50s all over the pitch. Man City have a team of players that rarely lunge in and instead win the ball back intelligently through smart tackles and interceptions, which to be fair to Smallbone he was doing very effectively last night. If he can keep up that level of performance he’ll be a real asset to us. Agree with this but I would say to one thing he can do to take another step is to add some of that guile and toughness to his game. He doesn't have to go flying into every challenge and throw his body against every opponent, but finding those times and spots to let the other player know he is there will help him.
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Post by onepara on Nov 9, 2022 20:12:27 GMT
Not convinced by Baker or Smallbone Is Baker missing the influence of Joe Allen? Just going into the air raid shelter with tin hat on firmly in place 😁 Of course he is. No tin hat required, as it is there for all to see. Joe provided for him.
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Post by metalhead on Nov 9, 2022 20:21:49 GMT
He's definitely getting better. His tackle at the end was top draw. Really impressed by his commitment.
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Post by prestwichpotter on Nov 10, 2022 20:21:01 GMT
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Post by leesandfordstoupe on Nov 11, 2022 9:49:53 GMT
I like Smallbone he's a neat and tidy player with decent potential, he's good at playing in little triangles and tight spaces. I think there's a solid Championship midfielder in there. However after 18 games with one goal and no assists I'm just not seeing enough from him personally. Doesn't play many forward killer balls or take a man on, questions remain on his strength and pace. I would rather see Laurent come back in the middle when fit and let Powell play the advanced role. As you say he’s not very effective in terms of output and he’s not great out of possession. I really can’t see what people see in him. Powell does everything better than he does except perhaps retain possession and that’s simply because the things he tries are far more ambitious. I’d far rather see a proper dog of war in the midfield with Powell and Baker.
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Post by chell_rosey on Nov 12, 2022 15:44:40 GMT
Simply not interested and not good enough.
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Post by underdog on Nov 12, 2022 15:48:01 GMT
He's wank. Does fuck all to influence the game and floats around. Tackles rarely, and when he does he's less aggressive than my gran. Don't see what he adds to the squad. To be fair, this applies to most of the team.
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Post by bayernoatcake on Nov 12, 2022 15:49:06 GMT
Would happily never see him play for us again. (Even he scores a hat trick in this game from this point 😂)
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Post by thewonderstuff on Nov 12, 2022 15:52:01 GMT
Pure unadulterated toss.
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Post by chell_rosey on Nov 12, 2022 15:53:39 GMT
Would happily never see him play for us again. (Even he scores a hat trick in this game from this point 😂) It's his half arsed attitude with a massive dollop of not a clue what he's doing that narks me.
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Post by tejstokie on Nov 12, 2022 15:55:22 GMT
Would happily never see him play for us again. (Even he scores a hat trick in this game from this point 😂) Talk about 180 degree change from the last match. I don't think 🤔 I've ever seen a player walk towards a cross attempt in a Stoke shirt. Total mercenary. Needs fucking off for Fosu.
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Post by BuckRogers on Nov 12, 2022 15:57:29 GMT
He's having a stroll in the park. We need someone with a lot more energy & drive
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Post by banksy1art on Nov 12, 2022 15:59:36 GMT
He’s too weak.
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Post by Caerwrangonpotter on Nov 12, 2022 16:05:09 GMT
Send him back to Mad Nath in Jan....and Delap can go back to Citeh too
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Post by theoptimist on Nov 12, 2022 16:13:16 GMT
Looks like the Smallbone love-in was short lived. Can't believe he has a contract with a premier league club (well for the time being anyway). Weakest player I think I've ever seen pull on the red & white stripes.
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