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Post by Trouserdog on Dec 11, 2022 10:05:42 GMT
Every week, his name appears among the starters, and yet I've only seen him play well twice (at most).
The bloke's a complete fairy- lightweight, timid in the tackle- and completely unsuited to the battleground that is a Championship midfield. It's not even like he's particularly good on the ball. His passing I'd say is no better than average, and he doesn't seem the type to go past people either. I don't know what he's supposed to offer- he's a complete nothing player, yet the manager seems to have an inexplicable hard-on for him.
His constant inclusion is a massive reason why we are where we are.
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Post by iamstokie on Dec 11, 2022 10:07:56 GMT
Every week, his name appears among the starters, and yet I've only seen him play well twice (at most). The bloke's a complete fairy- lightweight, timid in the tackle- and completely unsuited to the battleground that is a Championship midfield. It's not even like he's particularly good on the ball. His passing I'd say is no better than average, and he doesn't seem the type to go past people either. I don't know what he's supposed to offer- he's a complete nothing player, yet the manager seems to have an inexplicable hard-on for him. His constant inclusion is a massive reason why we are where we are. Sky were saying before kick off that Powell was coming back from a rib injury so I presume that’s why he started |
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Post by Trouserdog on Dec 11, 2022 10:10:02 GMT
We also had Kilkenny on the bench though. He seems to find a way of including him no matter who else is available.
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Post by FullerMagic on Dec 11, 2022 10:15:19 GMT
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Post by theonlooker on Dec 11, 2022 10:19:12 GMT
Absolutely this is the reason. The current manager is very much a high press merchant but whilst Smallbone may have excellent running stats, pressing without the ability to consistently get your foot in is pretty pointless isn't it? Thompson aside, and even he has his deficiencies, our entire midfield needs a complete overhaul to get it anywhere near what our manager needs. |
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Post by Gods on Dec 11, 2022 11:10:36 GMT
The boss says he "churns out 12.5km each game" 'Churn' somehow feels like the right word! Looks more like someone swimming lengths when there is a water polo match going on around him to me  |
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Post by crouchpotato1 on Dec 11, 2022 11:13:06 GMT
Every week, his name appears among the starters, and yet I've only seen him play well twice (at most). The bloke's a complete fairy- lightweight, timid in the tackle- and completely unsuited to the battleground that is a Championship midfield. It's not even like he's particularly good on the ball. His passing I'd say is no better than average, and he doesn't seem the type to go past people either. I don't know what he's supposed to offer- he's a complete nothing player, yet the manager seems to have an inexplicable hard-on for him. His constant inclusion is a massive reason why we are where we are. Smallbone is not the biggest problem in our midfield for me,look no further than the captain(that bloke that’s supposed to lead by example) who’s performances have been generally dreadful this season |
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Post by cvillestokie on Dec 11, 2022 11:25:27 GMT
Absolutely this is the reason. The current manager is very much a high press merchant but whilst Smallbone may have excellent running stats, pressing without the ability to consistently get your foot in is pretty pointless isn't it? Thompson aside, and even he has his deficiencies, our entire midfield needs a complete overhaul to get it anywhere near what our manager needs. If he is a high press merchant, then Powell and Brown should be playing over Smallbone and Campbell. Both press a lot more, and a lot more effectively. |
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Post by prestwichpotter on Dec 11, 2022 11:31:52 GMT
Smallbone had a really good first half yesterday, he was absolutely woeful second half. We had a 10 minute spell where Baker and Delap were trying to press their defence and Baker was visibly telling Smallbone to get up the pitch to support, it looked like his legs had gone. Yet he was the one that stayed on, totally bizarre for me…….
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2022 11:33:00 GMT
Every week, his name appears among the starters, and yet I've only seen him play well twice (at most). The bloke's a complete fairy- lightweight, timid in the tackle- and completely unsuited to the battleground that is a Championship midfield. It's not even like he's particularly good on the ball. His passing I'd say is no better than average, and he doesn't seem the type to go past people either. I don't know what he's supposed to offer- he's a complete nothing player, yet the manager seems to have an inexplicable hard-on for him. His constant inclusion is a massive reason why we are where we are. Smallbone is not the biggest problem in our midfield for me,look no further than the captain(that bloke that’s supposed to lead by example) who’s performances have been generally dreadful this season Totally agree. Smallbone does shy out of 50/50s but his general play and pressing is ok. I think he's only playing because Powell has generally been injured or just coming back from injury all season so not really fit to start very often. I've said all along, even last season that Baker offers nothing apart from his long range shooting. His goals last season hid a lot of mediocre performances. I think he's just positionally very poor and the game just passes him by. When a journeyman like Thompson is your best midfielder you know you've got massive problems. |
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Post by xchpotter on Dec 11, 2022 11:41:33 GMT
The boss says he "churns out 12.5km each game" 'Churn' somehow feels like the right word! Looks more like someone swimming lengths when there is a water polo match going on around him to me If they wanted someone to run a distance they should’ve signed Mo Farah. |
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Post by bayernoatcake on Dec 11, 2022 11:51:09 GMT
A gutless coward.
I’ve never seen anything like him tbh.
At least Imbula had a few good games and Jese scored against Arsenal.
This lad is next level.
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Post by prestwichpotter on Dec 11, 2022 11:52:04 GMT
Where was DWP yesterday injured?
Criminal he’s not had more minutes…….
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Post by theonlooker on Dec 11, 2022 11:52:44 GMT
Where was DWP yesterday injured? Criminal he’s not had more minutes……. We don't have any wingers in the squad mate... |
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Post by crouchpotato1 on Dec 11, 2022 11:54:38 GMT
Where was DWP yesterday injured? Criminal he’s not had more minutes……. I don’t think he even arrived yesterday unless it was late on? Fox,Flint and Clucas all turned up to watch. Something odd going off with DWP unless he’s injured |
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Post by prestwichpotter on Dec 11, 2022 11:55:55 GMT
Where was DWP yesterday injured? Criminal he’s not had more minutes……. I don’t think he even arrived yesterday unless it was late on? Fox,Flint and Clucas all turned up to watch. Something odd going off with DWP unless he’s injured He bought him on for 1 minute in the Forest friendly game which to be fair is more insulting than keeping him back to play with the under 23’s. Can’t imagine he’ll be here beyond January…… |
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Post by iglugluk on Dec 11, 2022 11:57:13 GMT
A gutless coward. I’ve never seen anything like him tbh. At least Imbula had a few good games and Jese scored against Arsenal. This lad is next level. At least we don't own him, God only knows why he keeps getting a start though. All managers have blindspots, it seems to me, and Neil needs to open his eyes quicky to this particular one as our midfield are hopeless.. much like our forward line.. our defence can be a bit dodgy too. Good times at The Brit.. no wonder no one is going to the matches. |
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Post by xchpotter on Dec 11, 2022 12:25:24 GMT
There has to be some contract clause with Southampton that he plays. If not, then for the first time I’m getting pings of doubt in AN.
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Post by lordb on Dec 11, 2022 12:40:23 GMT
Smallbone had a really good first half yesterday, he was absolutely woeful second half. We had a 10 minute spell where Baker and Delap were trying to press their defence and Baker was visibly telling Smallbone to get up the pitch to support, it looked like his legs had gone. Yet he was the one that stayed on, totally bizarre for me……. Yes we had some good bits of attacking play first half which he was part of Second half Powell for Smallbone was the obvious change I didn't think either Smallbone or Powell were anywhere near as bad as I've seen opined on here The only player who had a stinker was Fosu Baker was below par mind |
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Post by boskampsflaps on Dec 11, 2022 18:25:44 GMT
As it stands there's no one fit enough to drop him for, he's awful but like the rest of the midfield he's in by default.
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Post by metalhead on Dec 11, 2022 19:19:22 GMT
I think he's been average at best, but their second goal was absolutely on him. He shit out of the tackle in their box and then they broke and scored. It was shite.
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Post by march4 on Dec 11, 2022 19:25:54 GMT
It only took one appearance to see Smallbone as too slow and weak for this division.
He needs a new loan to a lower league club to further his progression.
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Post by prestwichpotter on Dec 11, 2022 19:33:46 GMT
I think he's been average at best, but their second goal was absolutely on him. He shit out of the tackle in their box and then they broke and scored. It was shite. Delap was woeful for the second goal, their defender slipped and he should have got a shot off but he messed his control and pass up instead…… |
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Post by milky on Dec 11, 2022 19:34:33 GMT
Don't think he was too bad in the first half tbh.
Second half he was dire and maybe not as culpable as Delap for the farcical events that led up to their 2nd goal he didn't exactly cover himself in glory either, standing static and easily allowing the defender to get in front of him and bring the ball out.
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Post by malisastokie on Dec 11, 2022 20:16:25 GMT
I don’t think AN had a lot to chose from yesterday.
Kilkenny must be bang average sitting on the bench behind Smallbone and Baker in his current form.
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Post by stokeuk474 on Dec 11, 2022 20:18:17 GMT
Fucking abysmal performance that was yesterday, and he's been shit pretty much all season.
Weak as piss, won't put his foot in, never seen him win a header. This stuff about pressing is bollocks, he just ambles about like he owns the gaff. Never seen him break into a sprint once this season.
Bone idle twat, fuck him off back down south. 😂😂
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Post by shrewspotter on Dec 11, 2022 20:26:02 GMT
The number 10 position is becoming a bit of a problem for us, the best in that position is a fit and motivated Nick Powell, but I fear he's neither
The next best is Lewis Baker who is better higher up the field.
For me I'd be tempted to either go for a version of 4-4-2 with 2 wingers or play Baker higher up with Thompson and Kilkenny sitting
Either way Smallbone is a problem and wants dropping
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MooG
Youth Player
Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change.
Posts: 492
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Post by MooG on Dec 11, 2022 22:23:15 GMT
I don't know - the more I see of him the less I like it.
At first I thought neat and tidy but one of those players that need the rest of the team to get on top of the opponents.
Then I downgraded that to Meh midfielder - not exactly bad but doesn't do anything well
Now he just seems to be a liability. I'd love to have a gander at these movement stats to see how often he actually breaks into a run; I bet his passing stats look OK as well even though the vast majority of his passes are just back to the player who gave him the ball; and, as others have said, he appears unwilling or unable to do the dirty work of tackling and tracking opponents.
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Post by Rick Grimes on Dec 12, 2022 9:56:55 GMT
You could maybe forgive the fact that he doesn’t get stuck in and shirks challenges all the time if he was a maestro when he’s on the ball. He isn’t though, just a bang average recycle possession type player with no real penetration.
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Post by LGH87 on Dec 12, 2022 10:01:05 GMT
I've said it before, his 2 best games for us have been Burnley away & a home game recently, possibly Luton? Where he played as a number 8 in both.
Which on the face of it makes no sense as he looks so lightweight and cowardly at times, yet when he played there he looked to get stuck in more and was much more of a presence and looked much better with the game in front of him.
In the number 10 role he just looks like a lost child, should never start there again. It has to be Powell or DWP for me.
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