Nice writeup sir, I also hate to see saints fans jumping on players backs and it shouldnt take a player being good to make them immune to abuse of that level.
On the data level - Smallbone is no doubt a better player on the defensive side than Aribo Stuey and Alcaraz but i think the issue most saints fans have with him playing is that from an attacking sense he doesnt seem to give enough. Yes he is controlled in that 8 position but we seem to like a bit more directness (which Russell martin certainly from a possession perspective doesnt want- see sulemana).
Then in the 6 position his numbers are nowhere near where Flynn downes were, the style not easy on the eye like Lavia, not effective as a tackler as Romeu and 6 just has never been his natural position before this season, whereas Shea Charles (who i believe is around the same level right now) came through the city academy as a 6.
I think I can also add - when Flynn plays it is usually with two 8s. When smallbone plays(usually with downes out), we usually have to sacrifice an 8 to add in Charles as well or play a more defensive formation with three centre-backs. Add in the somewhat languid passing style and the odd mistake in a game where we dont have as much attacking presence and fans are jumping on smallbones back.
I think the point about directness is fair, although I think with Stuie to do that stuff it matters less, and Smallbone does alot that Stuie can't too. Also feel that Smallbone's dangerous passing goes under radar - in that way he's direct.
I think he is improving in the no. 6. Struggled against Huddersfield when thrown in at HT, then was immense against West Brom. I think we struggled against Hull because Rothwell is less effective in the no. 8, so having Smallbone in the no. 6 indirectly disadvantaged us. But I don't see it as his primary position anyway, just nice that he can cover it.
Now I'm reading this last point back, it's largely the same as what you're saying about Flynn and the two 8s (and I agree).
Nice writeup sir, I also hate to see saints fans jumping on players backs and it shouldnt take a player being good to make them immune to abuse of that level.
On the data level - Smallbone is no doubt a better player on the defensive side than Aribo Stuey and Alcaraz but i think the issue most saints fans have with him playing is that from an attacking sense he doesnt seem to give enough. Yes he is controlled in that 8 position but we seem to like a bit more directness (which Russell martin certainly from a possession perspective doesnt want- see sulemana).
Then in the 6 position his numbers are nowhere near where Flynn downes were, the style not easy on the eye like Lavia, not effective as a tackler as Romeu and 6 just has never been his natural position before this season, whereas Shea Charles (who i believe is around the same level right now) came through the city academy as a 6.
I think I can also add - when Flynn plays it is usually with two 8s. When smallbone plays(usually with downes out), we usually have to sacrifice an 8 to add in Charles as well or play a more defensive formation with three centre-backs. Add in the somewhat languid passing style and the odd mistake in a game where we dont have as much attacking presence and fans are jumping on smallbones back.
I think the point about directness is fair, although I think with Stuie to do that stuff it matters less, and Smallbone does alot that Stuie can't too. Also feel that Smallbone's dangerous passing goes under radar - in that way he's direct.
I think he is improving in the no. 6. Struggled against Huddersfield when thrown in at HT, then was immense against West Brom. I think we struggled against Hull because Rothwell is less effective in the no. 8, so having Smallbone in the no. 6 indirectly disadvantaged us. But I don't see it as his primary position anyway, just nice that he can cover it.
Now I'm reading this last point back, it's largely the same as what you're saying about Flynn and the two 8s (and I agree).
And thank you, appreciate the support.