QuoteGot a run out for 25 mins tonight along with 90 mins for Manning
Got a run out for 25 mins tonight along with 90 mins for Manning
And then gave away a penalty.
I was at the game today was very impressed with smallbone, excellent on the ball and worked hard, closed pff passing lanes really well. I'd like him in a box 4 in midfield with Collins, molumby and Knight with a back four of obrien, o shea Scales and Manning with ferguson and parott up topOriginally Posted by Eirambler
Missed today's match with Wolves with a groin injury, leaving his manager to bemoan his lack of physical robustness:
https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/new...to-miss-wolves'His manager added: "I think he did really well against Chelsea and against Liverpool. Technically he’s really good. His weakness is his physically and we’re starting to work on that in the gym. But the technique he has."'
Must be a doubt for the upcoming international window.
Manning started and by all accounts did well again today. Strange that he's continually overlooked. O'Shea's influence, you suspect.
One of the skinniest players I've seen in an Ireland shirt and given he's 25 it is something that should have been addressed earlier. Whatever about injury prevention, I would have thought working on your weaknesses is the simplest way to improve season on season as a footballer and his apparent weakness would have appeared to be a weakness...
He has been a steady developer year on year in other areas for the last few years, after getting a few EPL games when he was younger his loan at Stoke brought him on a lot. Then he was an important player for Southampton in their promotion run last season. He's still not really Premier League quality as shown this season though, but if he can now improve the physical side of his game that might help him bridge the gap.
There are some side effects to Alopecia (which he's spoken about before) that can include fatigue and muscle weakness/injuries. He might just struggle to build himself up physically in general regardless of how hard he works on it, on balance he could be considered to be doing incredibly well to be where he is already given his health/injury history.
"Southampton are intent on offloading Will Smallbone before the conclusion of this summer's transfer window and are demanding £8 million for the midfielder's services, sources have exclusively revealed to Football League World on Wednesday morning."
https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/so...ill-smallbone/
His Southampton contract is apparently up next summer. A very good Championship midfielder but maybe not quite Premier League standard.
He should try abroad, see if foreign football suits his style.
Of course that depends on, if he gets the right offer with the right money.
Perhaps, he lacks that physicality needed for English football ? !
He is quite athletic though. Probably his best spell was his loan at Stoke, when he was seen as more of less the best player in a mid-table Championship team and was running their midfield. He also had a good season with Southampton two seasons ago when they were promoted. But he's still just a little bit short of the standard needed to fully establish himself in the Premier League.
If Southampton are keen to sell they'll probably take less than the rumoured £8m for him. He might go for £5m. At those kind of prices he would likely be a good option for a low to mid table Serie A team or similar. It's more likely a Championship side with some money to spend will take him though - Wrexham, Birmingham, Stoke etc.
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