John Stones

[oldblue]

Stick to two for now, mate.

Three at the back could be an option, but it just never seems to work in this league (bar when Wigan had some success at it).

On paper, our squad could be suited to it.

Takes a while to bed in and definitely don't think we should be experimenting with it for now. But do think we have the wide players to make it work.

 

[blueblue]

I think, if fit, he will be back in the team this weekend and the break will have done him no harm at all.

Unfortunately, I think it is more obvious every day that he is gone this summer , probably to either Utd or City.

 

[mlyons]

Stick to two for now, mate.

Three at the back could be an option, but it just never seems to work in this league (bar when Wigan had some success at it).

On paper, our squad could be suited to it.

I don't really see a way for Deulofeu to play in a three at the back system, unfortunately. That would be my biggest issue with it.

 

[billytoffee]

All fair enough but we're in big danger of equating ambition with guaranteed success and financial reward. Someone determined to improve and learn can also be happy enough playing somewhere that doesn't maximise either.
Personally think ambition can be an excuse not to work and not to care.

I think in football unfortunately they now appear to be inextricably linked. Players mincing around and not giving their all at a club or even being effectively on strike will more often than not find it being reported as they are unhappy because they have some sort of inflated ambition compared to where they are at - a lot of other walks of life would conclude you are a bit of a belter, being difficult or a lazy git.

Bottom line is we will never really know what motivates a particular individual and who is pulling what strings - but its fair to say unless we are up there challenging as a club then we are increasingly unlikely to hold onto our best and brightest.

 

[BlueToff]

I don't really see a way for Deulofeu to play in a three at the back system, unfortunately. That would be my biggest issue with it.

suppose it depends. You could play him wide, with Lukaku central and Barkley behind. But it could leave Baines exposed on the left.

 

[oldblue]

I think in football unfortunately they now appear to be inextricably linked. Players mincing around and not giving their all at a club or even being effectively on strike will more often than not find it being reported as they are unhappy because they have some sort of inflated ambition compared to where they are at - a lot of other walks of life would conclude you are a bit of a belter, being difficult or a lazy git.

Bottom line is we will never really know what motivates a particular individual and who is pulling what strings - but its fair to say unless we are up there challenging as a club then we are increasingly unlikely to hold onto our best and brightest.

Yeah we do have to become a club they want to be part of. Suppose I'm just concerned it's just as easy for a player to get to their mid twenties, settled for life, couple of medals in their pocket and they've barely put in a season of drive or passion. Peter Reid will be a Goodison legend for decades, Rodwell and Fellaini won't be able to look back with any of that. Maybe it doesn't matter to them but I find that sad.

 

[oldblue]

I don't really see a way for Deulofeu to play in a three at the back system, unfortunately. That would be my biggest issue with it.

suppose it depends. You could play him wide, with Lukaku central and Barkley behind. But it could leave Baines exposed on the left.

To be honest I have been picturing Del and Ross as inside forwards. So effectively we are looking at a three, four, three. Or maybe five four one.

 

[billytoffee]

Yeah we do have to become a club they want to be part of. Suppose I'm just concerned it's just as easy for a player to get to their mid twenties, settled for life, couple of medals in their pocket and they've barely put in a season of drive or passion. Peter Reid will be a Goodison legend for decades, Rodwell and Fellaini won't be able to look back with any of that. Maybe it doesn't matter to them but I find that sad.

Sad indeed mate!

But its also sad to compare the club that Reidy was at to what we are now - I suppose we all live in hope that we can be there once again.

 

[Zatara]

To be honest I have been picturing Del and Ross as inside forwards. So effectively we are looking at a three, four, three. Or maybe five four one.

Id like to see:

Stones - Mori
Barkley - McCarthy
Deulofeu
Lukaku

As fhe central spine just to see if Deulofeu can do some damage there and how Stones and Barkley can link up from the back...could be an option for us so we get our best players on the pitch even if Lennon has taken Deulofeus position for now.

That to me looks an incredible long term spine with besic also to add....as well as Tarashaj.

Regarding Stones ive said a few times, he and Barkley need to be offered massive contracts and also we need to make a statement signing to show them our ambition.

Perhaps with new owners we may have £50mil additional TV money but also ideally another £50mil on top. Then with 3 astute signings these boys will want to stay.

 

[Goat]

Id like to see:

Stones - Mori
Barkley - McCarthy
Deulofeu
Lukaku

.

If we ever played that formation I would walk out of Goodison and never return.

 

[davek]

Anything approaching £50M this summer - take it and run. Let someone else prove he's Beckenbauer and Bobby Moore rolled into one.

 

[oldblue]

Id like to see:

Stones - Mori
Barkley - McCarthy
Deulofeu
Lukaku

As fhe central spine just to see if Deulofeu can do some damage there and how Stones and Barkley can link up from the back...could be an option for us so we get our best players on the pitch even if Lennon has taken Deulofeus position for now.

That to me looks an incredible long term spine with besic also to add....as well as Tarashaj.

Regarding Stones ive said a few times, he and Barkley need to be offered massive contracts and also we need to make a statement signing to show them our ambition.

Perhaps with new owners we may have £50mil additional TV money but also ideally another £50mil on top. Then with 3 astute signings these boys will want to stay.

Definitely think trying to get Del and Lennon on the pitch together is worth trying

 

[Goat]

Anything approaching £50M this summer - take it and run. Let someone else prove he's Beckenbauer and Bobby Moore rolled into one.

Why 50m David, you have spent all Season slating the lad, stating how rubbish he is, surely hes not worth 50m?

Why dont we just try and get the 1.25m we spent on the lad?

 

[davek]

Why 50m David, you have spent all Season slating the lad, stating how rubbish he is, surely hes not worth 50m?

Why dont we just try and get the 1.25m we spent on the lad?

He's not worth that. Nowhere near it. But if some moneybags mugs want to throw it our way we should take it, no questions asked. He's a never in a million years a CB or defender of note. He's a CM - and they're falling out of the cupboards at Finch Farm.

Get shut and reinvest in a top GK plus a strong CB who can play a bit.

 

[daz4matty]

He's not worth that. Nowhere near it. But if some moneybags mugs want to throw it our way we should take it, no questions asked. He's a never in a million years a CB or defender of note. He's a CM - and they're falling out of the cupboards at Finch Farm.

Get shut and reinvest in a top GK plus a strong CB who can play a bit.

Thought for a moment you said stones was a centre midfielder.