John Stones

[The Esk]

As was done with Michael Atherton many years ago, they should put "John Stones, FEC" on his kit bag and locker.

FEC standing for Future England Captain.

 

[when i score we riot]

The What The Papers Say section also reports we're planning a new deal for McCarthy then! How's that for additions. Chuffed about this one too now. Still curious about Shane Duffy's situation.

 

[davek]

Not a CB for me. Not part of a two or three at the back. This isn't going to work out, not in the short term anyway. I dont think he's anywhere near positionally aware or dominant enough to play in such a sensitive position. Mistakes made there are disastrous and this lad is costing us.

I've believed for a while that he's better further up the pitch. He shows for the ball very well and has excellent distribution. Unfortunately we have a number of players in the middle of the park who are ahead of him in the pecking order. For me he should be sitting out games now that Coleman is back. We go to a four at the back and Stones should be used as an emergency CB.

 

[Deloodid]

Not a CB for me. Not part of a two or three at the back. This isn't going to work out, not in the short term anyway. I dont think he's anywhere near positionally aware or dominant enough to play in such a sensitive position. Mistakes made there are disastrous and this lad is costing us.

I've believed for a while that he's better further up the pitch. He shows for the ball very well and has excellent distribution. Unfortunately we have a number of players in the middle of the park who are ahead of him in the pecking order. For me he should be sitting out games now that Coleman is back. We go to a four at the back and Stones should be used as an emergency CB.

we cant defend with 3 at the back, thats always been the case even when Moyes was here.
players seem to forget who to mark.

 

[when i score we riot]

Well, how's that for throwing a spanner in the Stones-loving works? Top wind-up, davek.

 

[davek]

we cant defend with 3 at the back, thats always been the case even when Moyes was here.
players seem to forget who to mark.

3 or 4 at the back: personally I dont think he's one for that position.

 

[daz4matty]

Not a CB for me. Not part of a two or three at the back. This isn't going to work out, not in the short term anyway. I dont think he's anywhere near positionally aware or dominant enough to play in such a sensitive position. Mistakes made there are disastrous and this lad is costing us.

I've believed for a while that he's better further up the pitch. He shows for the ball very well and has excellent distribution. Unfortunately we have a number of players in the middle of the park who are ahead of him in the pecking order. For me he should be sitting out games now that Coleman is back. We go to a four at the back and Stones should be used as an emergency CB.

I think he is going to be an England regular at centre back
He needs a run of games alongside distin an not alcarez to learn.

 

[Deloodid]

3 or 4 at the back: personally I dont think he's one for that position.

i thought Stones came here as a right back?? hes never looked ok at right back.
when Coleman came on, we went to 3 at the back, we have never seem to see out a game with 3 at the back,

 

[davek]

Well, how's that for throwing a spanner in the Stones-loving works? Top wind-up, davek.

It's not a wind up mate. TBH, I dont think I'm alone in thinking he should be benched a lot more than he has been. It's actually unfair on him to keep him in there. He's not got the physique or the mental strength required yet to be a dominant personality at CB. The way he gets drawn to the ball and forgets the space he's meant to be covering underlines that lack of confidence.

I'm not knocking him as a footballer. I think he's a very good player with lots going for him. He can be a CB at some stage, but I dont think learning on the job is doing us any good. I expect Martinez to act and sideline him now we have personnel back.

 

[davek]

i thought Stones came here as a right back?? hes never looked ok at right back.
when Coleman came on, we went to 3 at the back, we have never seem to see out a game with 3 at the back,

He did. And I dont think we should be too fixed in our idea about where he plays for us. It seems to be the case now that he's played well in a few games at CB and that now makes him a CB and that's the only route for him.

To me he looks like a very good CM...someone in the Barry mould who can slot in when need be between CBs but his main job is to break up play ahead of them and carry the ball forward when they can.

He's got a huge career ahead of him. My concern is using his talent in the right position at this moment in time.

 

[toffee matt]

I think he would be a very good sweeper if you still played with them.

He always gives the opposition a chance playing in defence atm

 

[Titus Bramble]

So based on less than 20(?) games for us, you're dismissing him as a defender because at the age of 19 his positional sense and physique isn't up to scratch?

 

[nil satis]

Love the lad, proper Rolls Royce of a defender.

Totally agree , but for the two goals on Saturday he looked like a little boy lost.

 

[Kev The Rat]

the boy simply cannot be playing week in week out, he is costing us goals. I remember him being at fault vs Stoke away last year as well. We actually need to buy another experienced CB as cover/rotation for Jags/Distin and forget about Alcaraz.

Jags can cover for Coleman if need be.

Stones is clearly better than Duffy but at this stage a regular on the bench is all he should be.

 

[davek]

So based on less than 20(?) games for us, you're dismissing him as a defender because at the age of 19 his positional sense and physique isn't up to scratch?

No. I dont think you read my posts if you drew that conclusion.