Will Smallbone M Southampton b.2000

[nigel-harps1954]

Some of the nonsense here...

We would have won the world cup if Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney declared for us.

[Stuttgart88]

What in particular do you think is nonsense?

[geysir]

But wouldn't they be English born? Certainly a flight risk!:eek:

Seeing they are McClean's kids, the risk could be more them forced to seek asylum somewhere else.

[nigel-harps1954]

What in particular do you think is nonsense?

Repeated conversations about Declan Rice and Jack Grealish and 'what could have been'.

[livehead1]

Repeated conversations about Declan Rice and Jack Grealish and 'what could have been'.

I'd say dinner in Nigel-Harps house can be a nervous affair when you're in a bad mood.

[Stuttgart88]

Yep, was going to asy something similar. It's only conversation Nigel! Recording mustn't have gone well today :)

[samhaydenjr]

Some of the nonsense here...

We would have won the world cup if Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney declared for us.


Repeated conversations about Declan Rice and Jack Grealish and 'what could have been'.

Mea Culpa there Nigel - I was recently considering the decisions of Rice, Grealish and Keane from the angle of whether it had been a good move purely from the point of view of advancing their respective international careers - for Rice, fine, clearly it worked out on that level but for Grealish it hasn't to date and may never do, with some of the talent England have coming through, while Keane has had very limited opportunities. And then I started thinking what would happen if they realized at the time that playing for Ireland would be better for their international careers and decided to throw those thoughts on here (I know, there's no indication of Smallbone moving, but I thought it might be interesting for the likes of him and Coventry to bear this in mind if they ever have the FA show up on their doorsteps with promises of glory). You're right, though, we have plenty to look forward to and should move past Grealish, Rice and Keane...


I think with Grealish we would have qualified for World Cup 2018 and with him and Rice we would have qualified for Euro 2020. To be honest, Grealish is a player that would probably totally change the way we could play. You only had to look at Declan’s 3 caps to also see the difference he made to us.

Michael Keane would have been a regular I imagine. He’s definitely ahead of Keogh and Long in the reckoning, both of whom have played some important games. Up until this season, he probably would have been ahead of John Egan as well. But I don’t think the difference between Keane and say Clark is anything like the difference between what Grealish would give you and Jeff Hendrick or between Declan and Hourihane or Browne

... although FWIW, I think this is a very good analysis of that hypothetical situation - thanks ES

[samhaydenjr]

Credited with an assist for Southampton's first goal today, nicking the ball into Che Adams' path

[tommy_c12000]

Yes, watched the second half, after watching our strikers perform. Looks much better in the centre, has been out right mostly. Still a bit lightweight for me, but such a delightful passer. If he works on his strength and defensive side, he could be a very good player. He’s got an excellent coach who believes in him. Now, just need to give him a cheap cap to secure him....

[irishfan86]

Smallbone in the starting lineup for Southampton on opening day. A really positive sign.

[Bielsa´s irish]

he cant get the ball so far as a right mid

[irishfan86]

Subbed off around 75th minute. Largely anonymous showing. Been a poor showing for Southampton though, against a well organized Palace team that’s sitting quite deep.

[Olé Olé]

https://www.the42.ie/smallbone-plays-down-prospect-of-england-switch-ahead-of-ireland-u21-debut-5231582-Oct2020/

Seems a happy man with Ireland and is keen on the senior squad.

It makes a huge difference that it is one of his parents as opposed to two of his grandparents. Grealish and Rice obviously felt a connection with Ireland but they were reaching back to grandparents and it makes it a little bit more difficult. Even though Rice's father was probably a proud Irishman, it would be difficult for him to pass the same connection to Ireland onto his son because Declan's grandparents didn't live her. The Smallbone situation is much easier given that he has spent summers here and visited grandparents here. I saw a picture recently with Anselmo Garcia McNulty and his Irish mammy and a couple of his aunts and uncles at an Irish game- that has to make a big difference in these cases.

[irishfan86]

Wanted to post about his performance yesterday. Smallbone got a rare start, playing well for an hour before being involved in two heavy collisions within a few minutes of each other and leaving the field hurt (looks like he’s waiting to see extent of what appears to be a knee injury).

Hopefully it’s one of those ones that looks/feels worse than initially feared. He looked more assertive both on and off the ball than I’d seen in previous matches at senior level, and also nearly scored with a close range shot.

[Trequartista20]

Has done his ACL. What a sickener; especially after starting and playing well at the weekend. We just can't seem to catch a break at the moment.

https://www.the42.ie/southamptons-promising-irish-midfielder-set-for-long-spell-on-the-sidelines-5328348-Jan2021/

[Eirambler]

Disaster for him. Will be doing well to get back for the start of next season. Hopefully he can still play some part in the Under 21 campaign.

[irishfan86]

Brutal. He honestly looked like he was having a breakthrough game when it happened.

[livehead1]

Brutal. He honestly looked like he was having a breakthrough game when it happened.

Used to be a career ending injury, he'll be out or 6 months or so, not the end of the world.

[irishfan86]

It’s a crucial stage in his development. He’s not established. I’m not saying it’s the end of the world but it’s a major setback and could realistically have career implications. He’s done for the season.

[kennedmc]

Has done his ACL. What a sickener; especially after starting and playing well at the weekend. We just can't seem to catch a break at the moment.

https://www.the42.ie/southamptons-promising-irish-midfielder-set-for-long-spell-on-the-sidelines-5328348-Jan2021/

Really bad luck for him as he he'd only just comeback from a injury hadn't he?

[Bielsa´s irish]

this is when irish supporters must send him ....letters and messages to cheer him up,

Bright side is this happened when young, he is a bit skinny so that will help him, needs to workout a bit, not much, because he is a midfielder, a 10

[CraftyToePoke]

this is when irish supporters must send him ....letters and messages to cheer him up

Will you be writing to him yourself bielsa ?
To cheer him up.

[Bielsa´s irish]

Will you be writing to him yourself bielsa ?
To cheer him up.


if there is a time and place for a twit is now, dual players doubts no more pal! (traitors scenario no more.... Jacky and Declan had hurt the national team in a savage way, they wouldnt imagine but they did it, they cheapen up the green jersey to the footie world) ,

weve got to do what weve got to do, buddy!! Im gonna give it my slice of chance to it!

[CraftyToePoke]

if there is a time and place for a twit is now, dual players doubts no more pal! (traitors scenario no more.... Jacky and Declan had hurt the national team in a savage way, they wouldnt imagine but they did it, they cheapen up the green jersey to the footie world) ,

weve got to do what weve got to do, buddy!! Im gonna give it my slice of chance to it!

Oh very good.
You do what has to be done man, let us know if you need any pens or paper or stamps.
Maybe write to Declan & Jacky while you're at it

[Bielsa´s irish]

Oh very good.
You do what has to be done man, let us know if you need any pens or paper or stamps.
Maybe write to Declan & Jacky while you're at it

I sent him a twit. Ive got my sarcasm machine for your remarks, I get your streetwise culture. How do you feel about what Jacky and Declan did as an irish supporter? Dont tell me.... it was their agents....etc

[Eminence Grise]

And I think I know the very twit.:rolleyes:

[CraftyToePoke]

I sent him a twit. Ive got my sarcasm machine for your remarks, I get your streetwise culture. How do you feel about what Jacky and Declan did as an irish supporter? Dont tell me.... it was their agents....etc

Don't be wasting another minute now arguing with the likes of me here and get your big biro out to Willy Smallbone, its in your hands to stop him crying Bielsa and tell Declan & Jacky hello from us all here as you're at it.

[samhaydenjr]

Smallbone returned to action today in the EFL Trophy: https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2021-10-05/b-team-report-charlton-athletic-vs-southampton-fc-papa-johns-trophy-2021-22

Great to see as he is our only young midfielder coming through with significant Premier League experience

[third policeman]

Excellent news. Desperately need quality and options in midfield.

[elatedscum]

Excellent news. Desperately need quality and options in midfield.

That 21s midfield is pretty stacked:

1. Knight
2. Smallbone
3. Kilkenny
4. Coventry
5. Connell
6. Johansson
7. Noss
8. Tierney
9. Finn
10. Devoy
11. Watson
12. Hodge
13. Lawal
14. Grant
15. Kavanagh

Should be a few players finally emerging from there...

[third policeman]

On the bench for Saints tonight. Good to see him on his way back.

[SkStu]

he came on as a sub on 77'. Fantastic to see him back on the pitch.

[SkStu]

BBC text updates sticking the boot in a bit LOL :D


90'+6'
Post update
Penalty missed! Bad penalty by William Smallbone (Southampton) right footed shot is just a bit too high. William Smallbone should be disappointed.

[Diggs246]

I see Shane long is back in Southampton, surprised by that

[seanfhear]

I see Shane long is back in Southampton, surprised by that
Is there demand / requests for him anywhere else ?

Do clubs very often look to loan fairly aged Strikers ? Genuine question.

[zero]

Is there demand / requests for him anywhere else ?

Do clubs very often look to loan fairly aged Strikers ? Genuine question.

He had a spell at Bournemouth in the second half of last season and didn't pull up many trees... I think his contract with Southampton ends this season.

[Kingdom]

Question that is sensitive, but I don't mean it to be so: Has Smallbone got Alopecia? It's not something I noticed before on the few occasions I saw him. I didn't think it was something that developed in someone as they got older.

[Diggs246]

a bald willie smallbone

[Eminence Grise]

Question that is sensitive, but I don't mean it to be so: Has Smallbone got Alopecia? It's not something I noticed before on the few occasions I saw him. I didn't think it was something that developed in someone as they got older.


Mostly, but not always. It depends on the type of alopecia. Some are caused by a virus, inflammation, staph infection, genes... I know someone who got folliculitis decalvans in their late 30s. (Mrs Grise is a derm nurse - always a leaflet about something or other lying round the house!)

[JR89]

Yeah he's got alopecia and never noticed myself, but there's one picture before he did his ACL and you can see a bald patch on the back of his head.

[gastric]

How is his alopecia related to football Kingdom? Maybe you should set up a medical condition section where this can be discussed and just discuss football on here!

[Eminence Grise]

Flare-ups could cause lesions which would make the scalp painful so heading the ball may not be an option... If it's a staph infection there's possibly a risk of contagion with skin to (broken) skin contact. Slight possiilities, but with multi-million pound assets clubs would be protective.

[third policeman]

Starts tonight, and just missed a decent chance.

[JR89]

Back on the bench after missing the last seven league games with a calf injury. Lad has had some serious bad luck the last two and a half years with injuries.

[Exgrad]

Quite a good sign he is straight back into managers plans when he's fit. They obviously rate him.

[JR89]

Quite a good sign he is straight back into managers plans when he's fit. They obviously rate him.

They do rate him but he'll surely need to be getting regular game time next season if he wants to push on. They'll hopefully try sort out a loan move for him but no one else in England plays the system they use. So hard to tell what they'll do.

Especially if he wants to remain in focus for us and try force his way into the picture for a call up. He's 22 in 11 days and overage for the U21s after the games in June.

This is his third season with the seniors and injuries have played a massive part in him having played less football than what Gavin Kilkenny has played so far this season. Kilkenny has 1369 mins over 17 games this season while Smallbone has 715 mins over 15 game.

[Charlie Darwin]

Especially if he wants to remain in focus for us and try force his way into the picture for a call up. He's 22 in 11 days and overage for the U21s after the games in June.
He's eligible until the end of the 2023 Euros

[ColourfulPeanut]

He's eligible until the end of the 2023 Euros
Which is basically up until the games in June 2022, unless we qualify. The next fixtures for the 21s will probably be spring 2023 which would be qualifiers for the next campaign featuring lads born in 2002 and younger.

[third policeman]

Starts today for Southampton

[JR89]

Starts today for Southampton

Interesting line up from Southampton. At times looks like he's supporting Adams in their usual 4-2-2-2 set up but you see him dropping deeper at times to make it a 4-4-1-1.