United Sign new striker.

Shamikebab · 20 Apr 2010 at 18:44

Yeah we were far too quick to sell Forlan. I wonder how much money we've wasted signing players that have recently moved to the UK, even Smalling hasn't been at Fulham long has he?

Tom84 · 20 Apr 2010 at 18:46

FrankJH said:
If only Forlan had gone out on loan........at least he would be worth a huge amount now (or in the last year or so at any rate)

Forlan was a freak, you'll never see another player so rubbish in one league be so amazing in another

Tom84 · 20 Apr 2010 at 18:48

Shamikebab said:
even Smalling hasn't been at Fulham long has he?

This is his first season in their first team

Having said that I dont care, we've lost enough bright British talent by not moving quickly enough already in recent years (Bale, Ramsey)

Rotty · 20 Apr 2010 at 19:03

Gilly said:
Seems like that isn't the first time you've said that...

I am not under any illusions that anyone listens to me

Rotty · 20 Apr 2010 at 19:05

Shamikebab said:
I just don't see why we can't have club threads with strict rules, just seems like it's a discussion forum and it's something that people want to discuss? Was there a specific reason they were banned in the first place? If it's just baiting and the like then can't the offenders be warned then suspended?

They stifled discussion and things improved dramitacally when we stopped them

also topics were getting lost in one big thread when they deserved a decent level of discussion

the threads also got very fragmented with many discussions all being made over the top of each other

syke · 20 Apr 2010 at 19:08

Shamikebab said:
Yeah we were far too quick to sell Forlan. I wonder how much money we've wasted signing players that have recently moved to the UK, even Smalling hasn't been at Fulham long has he?

Joined us in June 2008 from Maidstone. Since then he became Reserve Captain, England U21 captain, and a constant backup/sub for Fulham first team, and has probably had one 'bad' game.

Tom84 · 20 Apr 2010 at 19:37

syke said:
Joined us in June 2008 from Maidstone. Since then he became Reserve Captain, England U21 captain, and a constant backup/sub for Fulham first team, and has probably had one 'bad' game.

Encouraging stuff then

Would you say he's ready for first team football in the Premiership?

How does he rank when compared to Pique or Evans?

FrankJH · 20 Apr 2010 at 21:27

Tom84 said:
This is his first season in their first team

Having said that I dont care, we've lost enough bright British talent by not moving quickly enough already in recent years (Bale, Ramsey)

Dont think we "lost" Bale , he didnt want to come to Utd for whatever reason - slightly different to losing out because Utd didnt move fast enough

Ramsey I would agree with

Tom84 said:
How does he rank when compared to Pique or Evans?

Not at either's level yet.....maybe Corry Evans' level though

Tom84 · 20 Apr 2010 at 21:30

FrankJH said:
Dont think we "lost" Bale , he didnt want to come to Utd for whatever reason - slightly different to losing out because Utd didnt move fast enough

Ramsey I would agree with

I cant remember the ins and outs of it but I pretty sure we had a firm interest but Spurs stole a march on us

syke · 20 Apr 2010 at 21:34

Tom84 said:
Encouraging stuff then

Would you say he's ready for first team football in the Premiership?

How does he rank when compared to Pique or Evans?

Not sure really, if currently...well he doesn't compare to Pique

The thing I like about Smalling is, he's not afraid to take a ball down in the air, most defenders seem to just whack it route one/out, he'll comfortably chest it down and play it out. Although he has got a bloody good header on him too. He's pretty calm when he plays, and has done well in Europe in the games he plays. The one rocky game he had was with Hangeland in defence too, but he is very solid with Hughes (helps with positioning etc).

FrankJH said:
Not at either's level yet.....maybe Corry Evans' level though

If you go on current form, i'd rather have Smalling.. Evans has the potential but has had some horrid games.

Risk with Smalling is, he's still young and might not get any better, but he's definitely developed massively since we've had him. I wouldn't have been THAT worried if we sold Hangeland and had to use him, he's covered for him pretty well considering the lack of experience.

FrankJH · 20 Apr 2010 at 22:07

syke said:
If you go on current form, i'd rather have Smalling.. Evans has the potential but has had some horrid games. .

Which Evans are you talking about - Jonny Evans is the player right behind Rio and Vidic who is an astounding player and is comfortable against CL apponants or EPL sides, admittedly he isnt so good with Brown or OShea next to him in the centre though and he is worht 10 Smallings just from experience alone

Corry Evans is his younger brother who I believe hasnt had a start for the senior side but might have had a sub appearance

Shamikebab · 20 Apr 2010 at 22:10

Syke take the goggles off man, nobody would start Smalling over Evans. Evans has proved himself against some very tough opponents all over the world.

syke · 20 Apr 2010 at 22:54

FrankJH said:
Which Evans are you talking about - Jonny Evans is the player right behind Rio and Vidic who is an astounding player and is comfortable against CL apponants or EPL sides, admittedly he isnt so good with Brown or OShea next to him in the centre though and he is worht 10 Smallings just from experience alone

Corry Evans is his younger brother who I believe hasnt had a start for the senior side but might have had a sub appearance

I know who each are. I said current form. I agree, Evans is a good player, but has had a very poor season, and like I said, current form.

Shamikebab said:
Syke take the goggles off man, nobody would start Smalling over Evans. Evans has proved himself against some very tough opponents all over the world.

I never said i'd start him over Evans? He said how does he rank, and I said on current form I'd take Smalling. Would help if both of you actually read what I said, I guess. Is Evans still injured, btw?

Shamikebab · 20 Apr 2010 at 23:03

syke said:
I never said i'd start him over Evans? He said how does he rank, and I said on current form I'd take Smalling. Would help if both of you actually read what I said, I guess. Is Evans still injured, btw?

Played the whole game against City, saying you'd take him on current form is saying you'd start him at the moment over Evans surely?

FrankJH · 21 Apr 2010 at 08:14

syke said:
I know who each are. I said current form. I agree, Evans is a good player, but has had a very poor season, and like I said, current form.

I know you said current form - JEvans is a much better player on current form than Smalling , without any doubt at all. I personally think that if Utd had to put Smalling in the City/Utd derby last weekend it would have been a horror show

syke said:
I never said i'd start him over Evans? He said how does he rank, and I said on current form I'd take Smalling. Would help if both of you actually read what I said, I guess. Is Evans still injured, btw?

Surely saying "current form" is identical to saying you would start him over JE currently.....otherwise its a bit pointless surely?

Smalling isnt ready AT ALL for the CL however good he is for Fulham

Yes JE has been carrying an ankle injury for all of this season