|
Post by toppercorner on Jun 7, 2023 10:17:55 GMT
he made it clear before the end of the season that we weren't for him.
He only had a handful of good games, and missed a million sitters.
I appreciate what he did for us last season, but on the above, it's a no from me.
|
|
|
Post by GreaterGlasgowstokie on Jun 7, 2023 10:18:30 GMT
There's a chance that he could improve his finishing and add more goals.
He's excellent defending from the front in away games. I'd take him for a million or so and see what can be done with him.
|
|
|
Post by ChesterStokie on Jun 7, 2023 10:22:35 GMT
I assume Southampton have just watched him prove that he can't play to the required standard in the championship over 46 games. Very sensible decision for them to offload him before other people notice he couldn't do it regularly in the championship and lose value. Strange one really because he was sublime for a month. If we could get him cut price I'd actually still sign him because I think there's potential for him to develop and think there could be resale value in him. Southampton are in a very different position to us, they will have parachute payments etc and literally the pick of the best players available at this level. Smallbone to them is a player who isn't developing as quick as they would like who is not going to perform consistently enough to mount a promotion push. If we sign him and he's settled here mentally, with the right players around him he could have 2 or 3 of those purple patches throughout the season instead of one which would be plenty good enough to contribute to a top 6 challenge if other players are chipping in as well. Can I mentally cope with watching him miss that many chances again and again though that's the question. Yes, as was the whole team for 5 and a half consecutive games. IF Neil can put together a team that reproduces that form more consistently over a whole season then we are looking at the play-offs minimum, aren't we? And Smallbone was very much an integral part of the team for those 5 and a half games. So on that basis he IS up to the required standard. The $6m question is CAN Neil put that team together?
|
|
|
Post by Gary Hackett on Jun 7, 2023 10:33:14 GMT
There's a chance that he could improve his finishing and add more goals. He's excellent defending from the front in away games. I'd take him for a million or so and see what can be done with him. For a million or so he'd be worth the risk but why would Southampton let him go for that sort of money. Surely they'd want around 5m or it wouldn't he worth it to them. They've got parachute payments and he'll be on a low wage so may as well keep him.
|
|
|
Post by iglugluk on Jun 7, 2023 10:58:39 GMT
He'd be an ok squad player as far as I'm concerned but the BIG trouble is that Neil would see him in the 'first name on the teamsheet' type area.. and that I believe is a problem.
|
|
|
Post by iamstokie on Jun 7, 2023 11:09:42 GMT
But we’re not making these comments based on not knowing him. People are thinking that because quite frankly he was shit. So it’s not a bad assumption to make. I don’t think he was shit, I think he was inconsistent in a below average team. he had more bad games than good , that’s not inconsistent it just that he’s not that good of a player
|
|
|
Post by boskampsflaps on Jun 7, 2023 11:50:26 GMT
Torn on this. I think I’d have him back because there’s a player in there on the ascendency and at the right age. Neil loves him too. The flip side is that in a 4231 with the kind of Maddison/Pritchard 10 that Neil is typically after, he’s basically vying with Laurent for the starting berth. Otherwise you’re in a 433 with two box to box mids basically, which comes with its own issues. We do need bodies in midfield all the same. It’s a quandary. This is where I’m at with him, for the right price he’d be ok. But he’s back up to Laurent with a proper 10 infront of him. I think people are being abit harsh on him. Yes whilst his output wasn’t good enough. He could easily have had 5-7 extra goals from sitters he missed. Yeah I know that’s abit counter intuitive but a different season he scores them. Does he or is he just not good enough, there's no proof he'd have scored them in any other season.
|
|
|
Post by lordb on Jun 7, 2023 12:36:39 GMT
He was excellent for us against teams that played out from the back, but against teams that sat back he was awful. If we do sign him, then he needs to be used properly and effectively. Hopefully we try to sign a creative AM to use in the other games. think that comment goes for the entire side AN has made it clear he wants genuine wingers to attack sides that sit back + of course a scoring target man 2 hard running 'number 8's' to join the attacks quickly with at lest one of the full backs joining the attacks too that's how I think AN is intending his side to look 5, 6 (maybe 7 if both full backs attacking at same time) players 'attacking' in a 433 but probably without that creative inside forward/'number 10' type that you would expect in a 4231 that purple patch we had that's pretty much what we had & it was great to watch Of course that purple patch was overshadowed by long months of abject misery particularly at home lots of signings to make & needs to show a difference in home games pretty darn quickly silly season in the transfer window atm, no need for any signings at all this week/next week, 'some' signings by pre season & then more & more as we go along the window with no doubt loans on the last fay to fill the gaps budget appears to be there up to AN to deliver
|
|
|
Post by bayernoatcake on Jun 7, 2023 12:45:55 GMT
But we’re not making these comments based on not knowing him. People are thinking that because quite frankly he was shit. So it’s not a bad assumption to make. I don’t think he was shit, I think he was inconsistent in a below average team. He had about 6 good games from 40 odd. Whatever it is, it ain’t very good.
|
|
|
Post by FullerMagic on Jun 8, 2023 12:30:52 GMT
Doesn't sound like he's had any discussions with Southampton yet, which don't suppose is surprising with the manage not even officially appointed yet. But he does stress he needs to play regardless of where he is www.hampshirelive.news/sport/football/football-news/will-smallbone-explains-southampton-future-8504948“I don’t think anything has been announced yet so I’m not sure what’s going on down there” “I’m not thinking too much about my future while I’m out here with Ireland. I’ll wait for Southampton to appoint a manager and like everyone else have a conversation with him to see where he sees me. What’s important for me next season is to carry on playing football."
|
|
|
Post by The Toxic Avenger on Jun 8, 2023 12:53:51 GMT
Doesn't sound like he's had any discussions with Southampton yet, which don't suppose is surprising with the manage not even officially appointed yet. But he does stress he needs to play regardless of where he is www.hampshirelive.news/sport/football/football-news/will-smallbone-explains-southampton-future-8504948“I don’t think anything has been announced yet so I’m not sure what’s going on down there” “I’m not thinking too much about my future while I’m out here with Ireland. I’ll wait for Southampton to appoint a manager and like everyone else have a conversation with him to see where he sees me. What’s important for me next season is to carry on playing football." He's going to end up here isn't he. Always thought it depended on who they appointed and they've appointed a possession merchant, which on the surface wouldn't appear to suit him particularly well.
|
|
|
Post by LGH87 on Jun 8, 2023 13:11:59 GMT
Doesn't sound like he's had any discussions with Southampton yet, which don't suppose is surprising with the manage not even officially appointed yet. But he does stress he needs to play regardless of where he is www.hampshirelive.news/sport/football/football-news/will-smallbone-explains-southampton-future-8504948“I don’t think anything has been announced yet so I’m not sure what’s going on down there” “I’m not thinking too much about my future while I’m out here with Ireland. I’ll wait for Southampton to appoint a manager and like everyone else have a conversation with him to see where he sees me. What’s important for me next season is to carry on playing football." He's going to end up here isn't he. Always thought it depended on who they appointed and they've appointed a possession merchant, which on the surface wouldn't appear to suit him particularly well. If he learns how to finish he could be the Lampard of the Championship, if he doesn't I really can't be arsed to watch him and his pass backs to the oppositions keeper all season.
|
|
|
Post by leicspotter on Jun 8, 2023 18:00:24 GMT
I think much will depend on who else Neil is able to get in. Smallbone would do ok for us with the right players around him...as ever, it's all about the balance of the side.
Don't sign him and then expect him to be something he isn't
|
|
|
Post by bayernoatcake on Jun 9, 2023 10:47:00 GMT
I think much will depend on who else Neil is able to get in. Smallbone would do ok for us with the right players around him...as ever, it's all about the balance of the side. Don't sign him and then expect him to be something he isn't He was the attacking midfielder and he didn't attack very well. What are we expecting?
|
|
|
Post by lordb on Jun 9, 2023 11:01:48 GMT
I think much will depend on who else Neil is able to get in. Smallbone would do ok for us with the right players around him...as ever, it's all about the balance of the side. Don't sign him and then expect him to be something he isn't He was the attacking midfielder and he didn't attack very well. What are we expecting? no he was a joint 'number 8' with Laurent in a 433 not a creative 'number 10' in a 4231 It's a different role than 'attacking midfielder' he missed too many chances, if that changes & he converts a good number he does exactly what the manger wants him in the team for if you want a creative inside forward than we are not getting one but don't blame Smallbone for that creativity is to come from the wingers (who we haven't signed yet) & also from the fullbacks
|
|
|
Post by bayernoatcake on Jun 9, 2023 11:17:41 GMT
He was the attacking midfielder and he didn't attack very well. What are we expecting? no he was a joint 'number 8' with Laurent in a 433 not a creative 'number 10' in a 4231 It's a different role than 'attacking midfielder' he missed too many chances, if that changes & he converts a good number he does exactly what the manger wants him in the team for if you want a creative inside forward than we are not getting one but don't blame Smallbone for that creativity is to come from the wingers (who we haven't signed yet) & also from the fullbacks He was an attacking midfielder
|
|
|
Post by terryconroysmagic on Jun 9, 2023 12:56:51 GMT
no he was a joint 'number 8' with Laurent in a 433 not a creative 'number 10' in a 4231 It's a different role than 'attacking midfielder' he missed too many chances, if that changes & he converts a good number he does exactly what the manger wants him in the team for if you want a creative inside forward than we are not getting one but don't blame Smallbone for that creativity is to come from the wingers (who we haven't signed yet) & also from the fullbacks He was an attacking midfielder That’s Lordb told so…😆
|
|
|
Post by cobhamstokey on Jun 9, 2023 13:17:09 GMT
I’d love him back. In that set of wins we had there was a real player in there.
|
|
|
Post by greenhoff on Jun 9, 2023 13:58:50 GMT
I’d love him back. In that set of wins we had there was a real player in there. He played well for five games. What about the rest? Surely that doesn't justify his signing?
|
|
|
Post by cobhamstokey on Jun 9, 2023 15:19:32 GMT
I’d love him back. In that set of wins we had there was a real player in there. He played well for five games. What about the rest? Surely that doesn't justify his signing? It’s a personal opinion. I appreciate that there was inconsistency however that goes for the whole team. When he was playing in a 3 with Laurent and Pearson they looked excellent then after the Bristol loss the whole team put their feet up. I think if he found a permanent home we’d see the best of him. Let’s not forget either he didn’t have much of a pre season and had been quite ill.
|
|
|
Post by lordb on Jun 9, 2023 16:32:44 GMT
I’d love him back. In that set of wins we had there was a real player in there. He played well for five games. What about the rest? Surely that doesn't justify his signing? He played really really well for that spell that was on the back of a steady improvement from January Marked contrast to first half of the season where he had a few OK games and plenty of anonymous ones with a couple of stinkers as such by Xmas bay... Some fans had made their mind up
|
|
|
Post by bayernoatcake on Jun 9, 2023 17:27:24 GMT
He’s a shit Darel Russell
|
|
|
Post by lordb on Jun 9, 2023 18:52:57 GMT
He’s a shit Darel Russell Who also didn't play attacking midfield He's nothing like him either
|
|
|
Post by bayernoatcake on Jun 9, 2023 18:55:03 GMT
He’s a shit Darel Russell Who also didn't play attacking midfield He's nothing like him either Lots of energy, your attacking midfielder (he was) and didn't score enough for the role he was playing.
|
|
|
Post by georgeberrysafro on Jun 9, 2023 19:10:41 GMT
He’s a shit Darel Russell Harsh
|
|
|
Post by stokefanone on Jun 9, 2023 19:29:51 GMT
I like him. He is not the best finisher, but confidence will help there. If Pearson comes I would like to see Smallbone here as well. I don’t see why we can’t recreate the form we showed, when we looked like the best team in this division. If we could do that 50% of the season promotion is a possibility. We have to hope that Neil can inspire and motivate his squad to replicate that kind of application desire for the whole season.
|
|
|
Post by owdestokie2 on Jun 9, 2023 20:05:44 GMT
I think some don’t recognise or don’t want to recognise that before he joined us (1) he’d made only about 15 league appearances, (2) he just returned from a serious injury, (3) he was playing in a side that for the majority of the season were struggling and (4) by the end of a long season in which he/nor the club expected him to make so many appearances he simply ran out of steam.
But hey he’s a shit Darel Russell 😂
|
|
|
Post by worcsstokie15 on Jun 10, 2023 6:55:06 GMT
23yo international, had a solid if unspectacular first proper season at Champ level. Upward trajectory. Potential re-sale value.
We could do a lot worse!
|
|
|
Post by iamstokie on Jun 10, 2023 7:13:25 GMT
23yo international, had a solid if unspectacular first proper season at Champ level. Upward trajectory. Potential re-sale value. We could do a lot worse! upward trajectory, he had 5 decent games
|
|
|
Post by Pirate on Jun 10, 2023 7:22:02 GMT
Doesnt score, ok over 5yds with a pass but nothing outside of that, not particularly quick or strong, not big in the tackle, nice touch & good engine but where does he excel in terms of creativity & threat? Struggling to see it myself & at 23 would expect to see a much more useful player. Never a number 10 to my eyes
|
|