John Stones

[Baines' left foot]

Being in for Rodwell (January just) could bode well as well.
As for Stones, he looks a real find, all of 19 years old. It was a poor Fulham today but the confidence and the vision to be spraying passes around like he did. 19 years old.
If I could have my way I'd force Hodgson to take him as understudy to the WC, its early for him and he'd unlikely play but Walcott went when he was younger and no doubt it did him the world of good being involved and around the other players so early.

I'm not sure I could see us going for both Rodwell and Cleverley. I think it'd be one or the other. We'll have Gibson back next season, but then 4 CMs for a team in Europe may not be enough.

If I was Hodgson I'd definitely be taking Stones. He could and should at least take Smalling's or Jones' place on the plane.

 

[fozzy]

I don't rate him that much tbh, he's alright and will go on to be a decent, Ryan Shawcross level centre half, which isn't something to scoff at.

yep i see shawcross do things like this all the time.

 

[deipnosophist]

I don't rate him that much tbh, he's alright and will go on to be a decent, Ryan Shawcross level centre half, which isn't something to scoff at.

Fair enough mate, you are of course entitled to an opinion. But (and no offence like), I am glad you are not an Everton scout.

 

[L4Everton]

I'm not sure I could see us going for both Rodwell and Cleverley. I think it'd be one or the other. We'll have Gibson back next season, but then 4 CMs for a team in Europe may not be enough.

If I was Hodgson I'd definitely be taking Stones. He could and should at least take Smalling's or Jones' place on the plane.

I hope the Cleverly rumours are being dreamed up by Jackanory himself.

 

[Aidey9]

2nd half especially today he was class. I'd like to see him step out of the back with the ball more often like he did today cos for a big lad he's got good feet, and not only that he can pick a pass.

He's doing well and growing in confidence and in the future he's gonna be special. At times today he looked like the Rio Ferdinand of old coming through at West Ham and then at Leeds. Just needs to bulk out a bit for me and he'll have all the attributes to be a top center half IMO

 

[toffeejack]

I'm not sure I could see us going for both Rodwell and Cleverley. I think it'd be one or the other. We'll have Gibson back next season, but then 4 CMs for a team in Europe may not be enough.

If I was Hodgson I'd definitely be taking Stones. He could and should at least take Smalling's or Jones' place on the plane.

think we should add pienaar and barkley to CM options next season as well

 

[toffeejack]

Being in for Rodwell (January just) could bode well as well.
As for Stones, he looks a real find, all of 19 years old. It was a poor Fulham today but the confidence and the vision to be spraying passes around like he did. 19 years old.
If I could have my way I'd force Hodgson to take him as understudy to the WC, its early for him and he'd unlikely play but Walcott went when he was younger and no doubt it did him the world of good being involved and around the other players so early.

not sure they can take him AND caulker as understudy centre backs.

 

[blue4eva77]

Honestly.....

I mean hahaha chomp chomp chomp

 

[Baines' left foot]

think we should add pienaar and barkley to CM options next season as well

Barkley perhaps but I could never see Pienaar as part of a midfield 2. He could play centrally behind the striker though, as I think he has before.

 

[LinekersLegs]

I'm not sure I could see us going for both Rodwell and Cleverley. I think it'd be one or the other. We'll have Gibson back next season, but then 4 CMs for a team in Europe may not be enough.
If I was Hodgson I'd definitely be taking Stones. He could and should at least take Smalling's or Jones' place on the plane.

I quite like Jones apart from his ability in every other game to injure either himself, a teamate or an opponent. He's aslo decent in midfield so I'd have Stones replace smalling who tends to sub as RB same as Stones.
But think Hodgson will go with what he knows.

 

[FTY]

yep i see shawcross do things like this all the time.

Different type of player. You wouldn't say Pique isn't as good as Luiz because he doesn't do all these eccentric things would you?

 

[Baines' left foot]

I quite like Jones apart from his ability in every other game to injure either himself, a teamate or an opponent. He's aslo decent in midfield so I'd have Stones replace smalling who tends to sub as RB same as Stones.
But think Hodgson will go with what he knows.

I think Jones is a good player too and he'll be a very good player in time. I'm not sure about Smalling though, he hasn't really progressed that much in the last season or two.

 

[toffeejack]

Barkley perhaps but I could never see Pienaar as part of a midfield 2. He could play centrally behind the striker though, as I think he has before.

i'd like to see it tried, would probably only suit the more attacking role though. he's not really a winger for me.

 

[nsno-chris]

Theres no chance stones will go, as good as he played today smalling (even though I dont rate him) as quite a bit more experience.

Stones will be a regular England international soon, a very technically gifted centre back, still needs to polish his game up but that will come with experience. A perfect replacement for jags in the future years

 

[LinekersLegs]

I think Jones is a good player too and he'll be a very good player in time. I'm not sure about Smalling though, he hasn't really progressed that much in the last season or two.

Don't think it has helped either of them to be constantly shuttled between positions