John Stones

[Sideliner]

he would do Everton and his own image a world of good if he starts doing the basic things right consistantly instead of taking 4 - 5 touches and showboating his holding skills when it is not required

 

[BlueToff]

Er, thanks for that. Random reference to glass houses and all. My point is that the BBC are just stirring. Expect that from Talksport, personally.

As in we can't expect our criticism of a player to go unnoticed, and complain when the media pick up on it...

 

[BlueToff]

he would do Everton and his own image a world of good if he starts doing the basic things right consistantly instead of taking 4 - 5 touches and showboating his holding skills when it is not required

He wasn't showboating yesterday. For their first goal, yes, he should have got rid, but he hesitated. Howard should still have been able to easily get to that pass, even though it was under-hit.

The rest of the game, not once did he showboat. He simply had no good movement in front of him. In the second half the movement was there and Stones looked a lot better.

 

[BlueToff]

Stones will probably be the best centre half this country sees for over a decade. Unfortunately though, if someone offered us silly money like £50m, he isn't really worth that to us. When you consider the likes of Williams making 15 clearances a game, not awful with his feet either, and other similar players who we could get for about a fifth of the price, it sounds like he could be easily replaced.

You'll miss him when he's gone,mate.

 

[BlueToff]

No wonder his head looks kettled now the media are all over him an the fans have built him up to were he's nigh on impossible to critisize.

No they haven't built him up (the fans). He deserves criticism for his error yesterday, but only the same amount as Howard has got. They were both at fault.

And now people want to drop him. It will do no good at this point in time

 

[Sideliner]

if you spend too much time on the ball and hesitate to get rid of it i call it showboating

 

[sageyefc]

No they haven't built him up (the fans). He deserves criticism for his error yesterday, but only the same amount as Howard has got. They were both at fault.

And now people want to drop him. It will do no good at this point in time

Think everyone blames Howard as equally.


Sometimes young lads need to be took out the limelight for a game or two, he must be under unreal pressure and its showing in his game on a more consistent basis.

 

[PhilEFC]

Great player as he is, I think he thinks he's too concerned about his image as a footballing centre half and he's salways got to try and play his way out.

Great if you are playing well as a team, but not when everyone (including the crowd) is anxious, and you are playing in front of a keeper who looks like a rabbit in the headlights.

 

[bring the ghost on]

if you spend too much time on the ball and hesitate to get rid of it i call it showboating

Clearly Martinez has drilled it into the players that smashing the ball up field is a last resort and trying to pass our way out of trouble is the best option. That is obvious from watching us play. It's not showboating, Stones plays a certain brand of football and instead of curbing its excesses, Martinez encourages it.

 

[sageyefc]

Clearly Martinez has drilled it into the players that smashing the ball up field is a last resort and trying to pass our way out of trouble is the best option. That is obvious from watching us play. It's not showboating, Stones plays a certain brand of football and instead of curbing its excesses, Martinez encourages it.

Yet jags and especially Mori are more than willing to smash it away

 

[bring the ghost on]

Yet jags and especially Mori are more than willing to smash it away

Are you kidding me? How often do we hoof the ball upfield? Jags probably more so than others (old habits), but anyone watching our team can see that the players are instructed to retain the ball and pass out of defence. It's obvious.

My point is, this suits Stones' game, but he needs to learn when it is inappropriate. Martinez isn't teaching him that.

 

[edge]

Wouldn't mind putting him in front of jags and Mori if we are short in the middle to pick up silva

 

[sageyefc]

Are you kidding me? How often do we hoof the ball upfield? Jags probably more so than others (old habits), but anyone watching our team can see that the players are instructed to retain the ball and pass out of defence. It's obvious.

My point is, this suits Stones' game, but he needs to learn when it is inappropriate. Martinez isn't teaching him that.

They hoof it clear quite often

 

[Whistlin' Dixie]

Yet jags and especially Mori are more than willing to smash it away

It's not just smashing it away - it's putting it out. As the wise old adage goes: "If in doubt...."

Mori will put it out if he's not sure. Nobody slates him for it (And nor should they)

With Stones it's ALL about retaining possession & coming away with the ball. Looks good when it comes off, but in fairness, fortunately (for him) he's got away with it on several occasions.

Stones has become about making Stones look good, for me.

 

[ToffeeDoug]

Are you kidding me? How often do we hoof the ball upfield? Jags probably more so than others (old habits), but anyone watching our team can see that the players are instructed to retain the ball and pass out of defence. It's obvious.

My point is, this suits Stones' game, but he needs to learn when it is inappropriate. Martinez isn't teaching him that.

Nothing like to the same extent though from other players. Last season, particularly in the first few months, we had the boring side to side stuff from Jags and Distin but that was largely unpressed by the oppo forwards and when it was it went back to Howard who then hoofed it anyway.

RM might have set the template and the culture regarding passing out from the back, but Stones is the one calling the tune here, deciding the extent that he goes to when applying the style and opting for the self-promotion stuff.