Will Smallbone

[Osvaldorama]

Thought he had a very good game today. Seemed to bring the best out of Prowsey as well 

 

 

[Saint86]

https://12ft.io/proxy?ref=&q=https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/23680433.will-smallbone-excited-back-southampton-stoke-loan/

Short interview piece with him here. Think he could be set for a good season with us this year. 

[Fan The Flames]

I loved his sliding block the other night.

[santolijador]

https://x.com/tacticallymatt/status/1691375584230752257?s=46&t=Z0GONXnZ8nMHomPNCKhjiA

[Crouchie's Lawyer]

Yeah not good at all if this is the case. He has been one of the stand out performers of preseason and the games we have played so far. Really fits RM's system perfectly. Only saving grace is that this likely puts an end to any rumours he may be off but he will be missed if he is out for months. Hopefully this will force Sports Republic's hand to bring in Grimes now too so we have decent cover.

[John Boy Saint]

19 minutes ago, santolijador said:

https://x.com/tacticallymatt/status/1691375584230752257?s=46&t=Z0GONXnZ8nMHomPNCKhjiA

Thats a bugger if true, and a real shame for Will - his spell at Stoke last season, where the fans liked his performances after a dodgy start, seemed to have him set up a treat for this season. 

[Whitey Grandad]

Then we need to get in a replacement. And quickly.

[Dman]

33 minutes ago, Crouchie's Lawyer said:

Yeah not good at all if this is the case. He has been one of the stand out performers of preseason and the games we have played so far. Really fits RM's system perfectly. Only saving grace is that this likely puts an end to any rumours he may be off but he will be missed if he is out for months. Hopefully this will force Sports Republic's hand to bring in Grimes now too so we have decent cover.

If true that Downes is incoming, we don't need decent cover. 

Downes / Charles for the more defensive role, Alcaraz / Stu for the more attacking roles. Then you have the likes of Doyle coming through as cover. 

A shame for Smallbone, but i'm not devastated. In fact, i think it might actually help us in a weird sort of way.  

[JRM]

59 minutes ago, santolijador said:

https://x.com/tacticallymatt/status/1691375584230752257?s=46&t=Z0GONXnZ8nMHomPNCKhjiA

Not surprising, they looked concerned when treating him on Saturday. 

[Lighthouse]

Does this guy actually know stuff or is he just another random Twitter account people have decided must be gospel?

[egg]

1 minute ago, Lighthouse said:

Does this guy actually know stuff or is he just another random Twitter account people have decided must be gospel?

He seems to know stuff - unfortunately on this occasion. 

[hypochondriac]

3 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

Does this guy actually know stuff or is he just another random Twitter account people have decided must be gospel?

He has a source in the dressing room. Has called numerous things correctly this summer including Manning. 

[iansums]

9 minutes ago, egg said:

He seems to know stuff - unfortunately on this occasion. 

He's an Everton fan so he'll also know a lot about dugouts.

[Harry_SFC]

Signed a new 3 year deal according to the Athletic 

[Saint Scott]

 

[trousers]

4 minutes ago, Saint Scott said:

 

Good news. Maybe someone like Smallbone signing a new contract could sway Ché to do likewise, if he's still in two minds about what to do? 

Edited 28 August, 2023 by trousers

[Mr Brightside]

That is good news. Been a revelation for me. Hopefully back from injury soon.

[SNSUN]

Pleased with that. I don't think he's going to pull up any trees long term but he's a tidy passer of the ball, works hard and, probably most importantly for the club overall, is now our academy poster boy.

[davefizzy14]

Great news, been very impressive this season so far. Hope he's fit for Saturday

[coalman]

Good to see this. Will be interesting to see where he fits into the midfield. Is he competing with Charles/Downes or Alcaraz/StuArmstrong?

[CampionSaint]

7 minutes ago, coalman said:

Good to see this. Will be interesting to see where he fits into the midfield. Is he competing with Charles/Downes or Alcaraz/StuArmstrong?

I think he would work well with Downes.  After Saturday I would think Charles will continue at CB for the time being.

[chiknsmack]

8 hours ago, coalman said:

Good to see this. Will be interesting to see where he fits into the midfield. Is he competing with Charles/Downes or Alcaraz/StuArmstrong?

The idea in possession is that the fullbacks sit in beside the DM while the other two midfielders push up, making a 2-3-2-3. Downes or Charles is the DM, Alcaraz or Arma is the left attacking midfielder, Smallbone or Stu is the right attacking midfielder. Smallbone would be third choice DM if needed.

You'd expect Smallbone to be favoured when defending a lead; the other three are better at carrying the ball and attacking while Smallbone is better at passing and defending.

[Charlie Wayman]

Seeing as nobody was really interested in him, what other options did he have? He's no JWP and will struggle to get a starting place with Downes, Charles, 2 x Armstrongs and Alacaraz around. Maybe he can play full back?

Edited 29 August, 2023 by Charlie Wayman

[SaintsFan86]

30 minutes ago, Charlie Wayman said:

Seeing as nobody was really interested in him, what other options did he have? He's no JWP and will struggle to get a starting place with Downes, Charles, 2 x Armstrongs and Alacaraz around. Maybe he can play full back?

He'll play every game he is fit.

Our midfield will be downes, smallbone and one of alcaraz or the Armstrongs.

[revolution saint]

1 minute ago, SaintsFan86 said:

He'll play every game he is fit.

Our midfield will be downes, smallbone and one of alcaraz or the Armstrongs.

Agree with that - probably our best passer of the ball.

[goodymatt]

1 minute ago, revolution saint said:

Agree with that - probably our best passer of the ball.

It’s so important having Will and Flynn to make this system work best. The pair of them are passing % machines.

[SaintsFan86]

3 minutes ago, revolution saint said:

Agree with that - probably our best passer of the ball.

Yeah, good at receiving the ball in pressure too. 

Have really been impressed with Will this season so far.

[CamSaint]

1 hour ago, SaintsFan86 said:

He'll play every game he is fit.

Our midfield will be downes, smallbone and one of alcaraz or the Armstrongs.

What about Charles?

 

[SaintsFan86]

Just now, CamSaint said:

What about Charles?

 

Hell be on the bench ahead of the 3 I've just mentioned IMO

Plenty of football ti play tho so I'm sure he'll get plenty of minutes.

[ErwinK1961]

6 minutes ago, SaintsFan86 said:

Hell be on the bench ahead of the 3 I've just mentioned IMO

Plenty of football ti play tho so I'm sure he'll get plenty of minutes.

Not a chance Charles is on the bench behind those, he is top quality.

[LuckyNumber7]

2 hours ago, Charlie Wayman said:

Seeing as nobody was really interested in him, what other options did he have? He's no JWP and will struggle to get a starting place with Downes, Charles, 2 x Armstrongs and Alacaraz around. Maybe he can play full back?

Aside from PL Sheffield United having bids rejected for him you mean? Over a 46 game season with injuries and suspensions, all the above will get plenty of game time.

[derry]

Smallbone is the best  passing player in the club whilst we are playing possession football. His natural ability to pass and pass is the glue that will keep the ball. I can see Martin wanting him running the midfield linking with all the other players and constantly available to receive the ball.

[chiknsmack]

11 hours ago, ErwinK1961 said:

Not a chance Charles is on the bench behind those, he is top quality.

He's also 19 and in his first year of senior football. We saw what putting a heavy workload on teenagers did to Tino (not so much the ACL which I put down to bad luck rather than overload, but the injury beforehand) and Lavia. He'll get used in the same way we should've used Lavia last year; backup to a senior player (in this case Downes, like Lavia should've started as backup to Romeu), getting more playing time as the season goes on, then taking over as #1 next year.

[SaintsFan86]

12 hours ago, ErwinK1961 said:

Not a chance Charles is on the bench behind those, he is top quality.

We will see.

[Saint_clark]

On 28/08/2023 at 16:55, CampionSaint said:

I think he would work well with Downes.  After Saturday I would think Charles will continue at CB for the time being.

I'm actually warming to the idea of Charles as a CB permanently in this system. 

[Gingeletiss]

9 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

I'm actually warming to the idea of Charles as a CB permanently in this system. 

No, just no. We have had three seasons of square pegs in round holes, all this RB playing LB, CB’s at LB/RB, MF at RB, WAMF at LB. None of it worked, play the players in their favourite position, it’s not rocket science.

[VectisSaint]

16 hours ago, Saint_clark said:

I'm actually warming to the idea of Charles as a CB permanently in this system. 

I don't, but think he may play CB while Stephens is out. if nothing else we need some height, and although he is not Tall Paul tall he is at least bigger than Holgate.

[Hatch]

Can one of the Smallbone fans on here please explain to me what he brings to the table ?

I didn’t rate him in his first stint here and now he has come back and is worse 

Edited 15 September, 2023 by Hatch

[beatlesaint]

11 minutes ago, Hatch said:

Can one of the Smallbone fans please n her explain to me what he brings to the table ?

I didn’t rate him in his first stint here and now he has come back and is worse 

He’s a complete non entity.

[Suhari]

I don't see anything in him.

Although, we are actually shit, so it can't be easy to play for us 

[The Kraken]

36 minutes ago, Hatch said:

Can one of the Smallbone fans on here please explain to me what he brings to the table ?

I didn’t rate him in his first stint here and now he has come back and is worse 

Useless. Not a defensive midfielder, not an attacking midfielder. Just a beige non entity who gets bypassed all the time. 

[Dman]

Shite. 

Thought be looked alright pre-season in that deeper role, but it was because he had better players around him. 

Weak as piss, does little other than pass it 5 yards, shouldn't be starting but is a Martin fan boy, like Mannings 

[Lee On Solent Saint]

Nothing player. Five yard passes is all he can manage. Pointless. 

[disconnect]

That was a truly woeful performance, Leicester just ran past him with ease! Really really poor tonight, hope he’s just unfit as had zero pace and can’t tackle…

[harvey]

I didn't understand the clamour on here when he signed a new contract, he should be playing for Yeovil or Kettering.

[Golac's Cunning Stunts]

gruesome performance tonight

[Lee On Solent Saint]

1 minute ago, harvey said:

I didn't understand the clamour on here when he signed a new contract, he should be playing for Yeovil or Kettering.

Should have took the money Sheffield United were offering.

[Whitey Grandad]

A one pace pony. And that pace is ‘funereal’

[S-Clarke]

We're hanging him out to dry really, he has no protection around him. Our midfield scares the living shite out of me, he should be an 8 - not a CM. He gets walked all over in there and it's horrible to see.

Stoke got the best out of him when they played him higher up, with two central players behind him. I think they had Ben Pearson and Josh Laurent who played deeper as the holders. We're not going to get the best from him by expecting him to be a 6 or a 'pivot', it's just not his game. We've fucked up the midfield big style.

[FarehamSaintJames]

What the fuck is an 8?