Smalley out for season

Cruciate ligament and cartilage in his right knee injury- done in training.

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Ouch, hope he gets through it, a lot of players are never the same after.

That's a terrible injury for the player and a huge blow to the team because I saw Smalley as our secret weapon for the second half of the season. Who'd be a footballer, eh?

Best wishes to him for a full recovery, that is not a pleasant injury and a few years ago his career would definitely have been over. Hasn't had much of a chance to impress down here, i certainly don't think he's done that badly on the rare appearances that he has made and he made a good contribution to Chesterfield's success in this division under Sheridan, hopefully his absence will be as trivial and non consequential as some seem to think.

Very bad news . I wish him well .An awful injury .

Herald article-

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Also says we are looking to extend Kellett loan by a third (and final) month.

That leaves us very lightweight up front, particularly if Reuben is sold or injured, best wishes for a full and speedy recovery.

Real real chance for Banton as a striker ??

Shame he is injured but on the other hand he is utter shit.

I predict us doing an Oxford in January then as our Promotion push peeters out and we slowly slump to mid to lower table....

Angry wrote:

Shame he is injured but on the other hand he is utter shit.

He's underrated if anything: strong, good movement, capable in the air and has decent shot power.

Not a patch on Reid but then who is?

They way people speak about Smalley was if he was truly non league, and he is much better than that (when not played out of position).

tigertony wrote:

Real real chance for Banton as a striker ??

Banton looks timid, unconfident, unable to beat a player and scared to shoot.

Where is this clamouring for him to play up front coming from?

If he was as good as when he joined on loan, he wouldn't look as nervous as he does right now. He's done nothing this season to suggest he would be a good bet up front. I'd rather see Nathan Thomas given the chance in all honesty - his pace and raw aggression off Reid's power could cause nightmares.

ejh wrote:

Angry wrote:

Shame he is injured but on the other hand he is utter shit.

He's underrated if anything: strong, good movement, capable in the air and has decent shot power.

Not a patch on Reid but then who is?

They way people speak about Smalley was if he was truly non league, and he is much better than that (when not played out of position).

From the games ive seen him play he was nothing short of woeful with his finishing.

Angry wrote:

ejh wrote:

Angry wrote:

Shame he is injured but on the other hand he is utter shit.

He's underrated if anything: strong, good movement, capable in the air and has decent shot power.

Not a patch on Reid but then who is?

They way people speak about Smalley was if he was truly non league, and he is much better than that (when not played out of position).

From the games ive seen him play he was nothing short of woeful with his finishing.

Ten minutes here, fifteen minutes there, do not a game make.

Angry wrote:

ejh wrote:

Angry wrote:

Shame he is injured but on the other hand he is utter shit.

He's underrated if anything: strong, good movement, capable in the air and has decent shot power.

Not a patch on Reid but then who is?

They way people speak about Smalley was if he was truly non league, and he is much better than that (when not played out of position).

From the games ive seen him play he was nothing short of woeful with his finishing.

Against Pompey he hit the post with a powerful effort from an acute angle, then took a chance right the way into goal and was unlucky not to score - it was certainly on target.

I think it was against Tranmere he came on and replaced the wholly ineffective Alessandra and cause all kinds of new problems with his aggressive movement. He was hungry for another goal despite being a goal up.

As for his finishing, his goal against Orient was a top quality finish, and he dispatched his penalty v Stevenage with more than enough pressure on it - so I think it is fair to say he can strike a ball.

He's a decent all round forward, just unfortunately not as quick and energetic as Alessandra is, and not blessed with the raw pace and power of Reuben Reid - two essential cogs in Sheridan's style of play. That's why he is on the bench.

Given his assets as a player, it is about as unfair to judge him on the right wing as it was to call Morgan shit based on his performances on the left wing. Neither have great pace, yet with ball to feet 30 yards from goal you have a lot to do against a sideback to look good, and that was exactly what they were up against due to Sheridan's baffling policy of not utilising wide players in wide positions.

But Smalley is far from shit, a very handy all round forward and IMO the team is weaker without him.

Lets reserve the term 'woeful' for the likes of Chadwick, Feeney and Griffiths who could play all season in a three up front and be lucky to notch 10 goals between them.

ejh wrote:

Angry wrote:

ejh wrote:

Angry wrote:

Shame he is injured but on the other hand he is utter shit.

He's underrated if anything: strong, good movement, capable in the air and has decent shot power.

Not a patch on Reid but then who is?

They way people speak about Smalley was if he was truly non league, and he is much better than that (when not played out of position).

From the games ive seen him play he was nothing short of woeful with his finishing.

Against Pompey he hit the post with a powerful effort from a ridiculously acute angle, then took a chance right the way into goal and was unlucky not to score - it was certainly on target.

I think it was against Tranmere he came on and replaced the wholly ineffective Alessandra and cause all kinds of new problems with his aggressive movement. He was hungry for another goal despite being a goal up.

As for his finishing, his goal against Orient was a top quality finish, and he dispatched his penalty v Stevenage with more than enough pressure on it - so I think it is fair to say he can strike a ball.

He's a decent all round forward, just unfortunately not as quick and energetic as Alessandra is, and not blessed with the raw pace and power of Reuben Reid - two essential cogs in Sheridan's style of play.

Given his assets as a player, it is about as unfair to judge him on the right wing as it was to call Morgan shit based on his performances on the left wing. Neither have great pace, yet with ball to feet 30 yards from goal you have a lot to do against a sideback to look good, and that was exactly what they were up against due to Sheridan's baffling policy of not utilising wide players in wide positions.

But Smalley is far from shit, a very handy all round forward and the team is weaker without him.

I disagree he isnt/wasnt destined to ever make an impact here

You can still sign players who have no contract, might be a good division 1 player still looking for a club.