Positive comments from Neil on the talent that is Smallbone
https://www.irishpost.com/sport/stok...ievable-247999
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Positive comments from Neil on the talent that is Smallbone
https://www.irishpost.com/sport/stok...ievable-247999
A hat trick of assists today in a 5-1 away win over Sunderland.
Didn't see the game obviously but would be great if he had a bit of creativity about him at senior level. We could do with that
If Smallbone has got the combination of being an all round midfielder who contributes off the ball and also has the creative game to make chances as well then I'm all in on him. That's pretty much exactly what we need to add to the senior team.
If we discount L1 (and lower) how far back do you go?
In good form in 2023 which is good to see, seems to have added some consistency which his game lacked. I look forward to seeing how far he has progressed shortly against Latvia
Not a number 10 but as we play with two 8s off the left and off the right with a 6 sitting he would be the most creative 8 we have and has shown he has the running power to back it up unlike maybe mcgrath he got found out athletically in the champioship. Against weaker opposition perhaps he plays with Knight and Cullen to try and open teams up. Molumby likely holds that other 8 position against the top teams
Grabbed his third goal of the season. Has been in good form for Stoke lately.
Be interesting to see where he ends up at the end of the season. If Southampton are relegated and Ward-Prowse is sold he may get an opportunity there.
I think he'll be back at Southampton whether they stay up or go down.
Don't know how reliable Jacque Talbot is but he's reporting that Bournemouth, Hull, Sunderland, and two unnamed PL clubs have interest in Smallbone. Has a year left on his Southampton contract unless there's a clause to extend it.
He might be better staying with Southampton and seeing if they can bounce backQuote:
Originally Posted by JR89
He will surely find his groove this season more consistently at Championship level. Is that preferable to battling to get into a Premiership side? It might well be just for this season.Quote:
Originally Posted by Razors left peg
Smallbone has many admirers in the Premier League and Championship and Southampton may be tempted to sell him, according to David Kent in the Daily Mail. Perhaps a season playing regularly in the second tier would be best for him at this stage of his career.
Luton, Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth show interest in Southampton academy star Will Smallbone as the Championship side brace for offers | Daily Mail Online
If if he was going to get regular football the Premiership move would be great, hes already got a season of Championship behind him last seasonQuote:
Originally Posted by Demesne Lad
That's the thing. If he got 20 plus Premiership games this season would it be better than regular Championship football? And if he's not getting his games by January I'm sure a loan could be arranged.Quote:
Originally Posted by Razors left peg
"Sources told CaughtOffside exclusively that Southampton, however, have turned down a £7m bid from Sheffield United for Smallbone’s services. They’ve also revealed that the Blades will pay the salary that the player is demanding, something that his current club are unwilling or unable to do."
https://www.caughtoffside.com/2023/0...erate-to-move/
Today's Caughtoffside.com story already being denied by comments on their website. (Ward-Prowse has left since the story was published this morning....)
Berge has left Sheffield Utd, who have signed Brazilian Vinicius Souza from Belgian side Lommel SK on a four-year deal. So Smallbone may be staying at St Mary's after all.
https://www.teamtalk.com/sheffield-u...der-berge-void
Looking at how Southampton tried to pass the ball around in their 1st game with Smallbone central to everything I think Id much rather him stay where he is than go to Sheffield United who look like they will most likely be relegated. If a better team came in for him it would be different, but right now I think Southampton look a better long term bet than Sheffield Utd
Interesting that Smallbone is now pretty much in the exact same situation that Ryan Manning found himself in a few weeks ago - potentially choosing between Southampton and Sheffield United (Manning also had another EPL option in Luton). Manning chose the Championship option, but the suggestion seems to be that if a bid is accepted Smallbone will take the quick route back to the Premier League.