John Stones

[Baines' left foot]

I really think we have a special player on our hands here.

 

[formerly manx toffee]

You'll win nothing with kids...

 

[Baines' left foot]

http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/2014/01/06/stones-savours-fan-rapport

Defender wants to become a favourite with the Goodison fan base.

John Stones wants to become a Goodison Park favourite for many years to come after scooping his first Everton man of the match accolade against Queens Park Rangers.

The teenager marked his FA Cup debut for the Club with a near-perfect display in Saturday’s 4-0 rout of the Championship outfit.

It was an unruffled, classy performance, typified by one first-half instance when a calculated slide tackle on Armand Traore earned a standing ovation from the home faithful.

The Blues fans enjoying hospitality were once again on their feet after the final whistle when Stones strode into the 1878 lounge at Goodison to collect his accolade.

“Hopefully I can become a big fans’ favourite here. I love the club to bits,” said the former Barnsley man when prompted on the rapport he has already formed with supporters.

“Hopefully I can get a few more games and play like that a bit more.”

Former Blue Andy Johnson also received a warm reception from the Goodison crowd when he was introduced by Harry Redknapp as a second-half substitute in Saturday’s tie.

But Johnson – along with fellow forwards Charlie Austin and Yossi Benayoun - had very little joy against Stones and centre-half partner Antolin Alcaraz.

The pair have conceded just one goal in their two outings together in defence, and Stones says he feels at home playing beside the Paraguay international.

“Antolin is a great footballer,” he said. “Everyone has seen that he is so calm on the ball and I think we have gelled quite well in both games we have played alongside each other.”

One of the main reasons for Stones’ popularity was his pre-season penalty against Juventus on the Club’s tour of America.

Nikica Jelavic attempted a similar effort at the weekend but struck the bar instead of the back of the net.

Stones joked that the Croatian would have completed his hat-trick if he had asked for a bit of advice.

“I didn’t teach him – if I had then it would have gone in,” he smiled. “I wanted it but I didn’t dare go over because I knew I would have been turned down!”

I love him already.

This is what it's all about for me. Players who want to play for this club and who really want to relate to the fans.

 

[grandjoeblue]

Nice to see his quotes on the club site, good when players feel at home after such a small time here.

I think he will be a big player for us over his time at the club, he looks a class act already and is still a young lad. Him and Alcarez have really done the business so far.

 

[bobafro]

Just watched his interview on the efc website, seems a smashing kid

Anyone who hasn't watched this interview....go watch it now.

Seem's like an ultra confident lad. Love the bit of banter he has with the crowd. He is exactly the type of player I want at this club and I hope he's our centre back for the next decade.

 

[ncblue]

Please, someone make a gif of his slide tackle. Twas brilliant.

Adding my request!

 

[Baines' left foot]

Also, I didn't watch the whole game but if you're a defender in a team that wins a game comfortably 4-0 and still get man of the match you must have played bloody well.

 

[bobafro]

Also, I didn't watch the whole game but if you're a defender in a team that wins a game comfortably 4-0 and still get man of the match you must have played bloody well.

Especially when,

The left back gets two assists and wins a penalty
The right back scores a belter
The other centre back was being constantly described by the commentators as looking like beckenbauer on the ball...

 

[FTY]

Him and Ross>Carragher and Gerrard

 

[Toffeelover]

So where are all those b*****s on the other sites saying we have a team of old men, they want to wake up. Well done John.

 

[bobafro]

So where are all those b*****s on the other sites saying we have a team of old men, they want to wake up. Well done John.

Team of old men? Madness!

11th youngest Everton - 26 years and 354 days

Younger than City, Chelsea and United and our kids are actually capable of playing 1st team football in the premiership.

 

[Azzurri]

Him and Ross>Carragher and Gerrard

John Stones is better for our style of play now than Carragher would have been in his prime, NEA.

Carragher only looked good because of his last ditch tackles which were due to poor positioning and running like a slug.

 

[Eggs]

John Stones is better for our style of play now than Carragher would have been in his prime, NEA.

Carragher only looked good because of his last ditch tackles which were due to poor positioning and running like a slug.

....Carragher was the subject a real criticism from his own supporters for many seasons, he was really detested when playing full-back. Turning point was the broken leg with Lucas Neil (I think) from which he came back and established himself as a top central defender. Carragher shouldn't be compared to Stones, he's much more Jagielka like.

 

[West]

Really impressed with the lad. Has it all pace, height, awareness and ball playing skills could be our best defender since ratcliffe

 

[Baines' left foot]

Especially when,

The left back gets two assists and wins a penalty
The right back scores a belter
The other centre back was being constantly described by the commentators as looking like beckenbauer on the ball...

Yeah, very impressive especially with those points you've mentioned.

The bit I bolded, I laughed when I first heard this suggestion but when I saw him play I thought "That's a bloody centre back?", his touch and passing were excellent. I'm very impressed with the both of them.