Thierry Small for me will always be a “ shrug shoulders/ what if/ we’ll never know” player with regards to us. Very few people on here actually saw him live or in training, yet many were either outraged at him because he left or outraged at us as we couldn’t keep him. What I saw in the extracts of him was a strong , speedy , well built full back with great stamina - not quite the 16 year old man-child that was Rooney but great physicality. I saw little that said he had great defensive qualities or that he was an exceptional crosser of the ball. Where he was outstanding was his ability to go from his own area to the opposing area , get on the end of an attack and score, something that marked him out at 16. And he did it consistently.
I did wonder though how he was going to maintain this. At u18/23 it is easier to catch defences by surprise by suddenly appearing from nowhere as a full back when you’ve started in your own area. As a wing-back higher up the pitch you’re more likely to be tracked if you go forward by an opposing midfielder, meaning chances/ goals are fewer . He seems to be playing wing back for Southampton u23 , scored a few but not outstanding. I’m sure he’ll get token bench spots at Southampton , but for me there’s no more than a passing interest in how he does. Gone now , won’t be back.
