John Stones

[AndyC]

If he ever got to one of those clubs they'd need to have some very good defenders around him to make up for the glut of errors he'd make. I could only see him being given the odd game and then taken out for the first couple of seasons if he did go abroad. Spanish and Italian forwards would take that lad to the cleaners every game. He is just not at the races. I'm convinced he'll leave for big money to a top end CL club, but they'll adapt him to play in front of the defence. Those leagues are very unforgiving of defenders in any way dozy...and he is.

Actually, my older brother has been convinced for months that Stones will eventually find his best position is in midfield where he'll be able to play football without being the potential last line. He'd need to bulk up a bit to play effectively in front of the back four, but it certainly would be interesting to see him in that role ahead of Jags and RFM.

 

[Darth Vader]

Would make a great Inside right overlapping wing back

 

[davek]

Actually, my older brother has been convinced for months that Stones will eventually find his best position is in midfield where he'll be able to play football without being the potential last line. He'd need to bulk up a bit to play effectively in front of the back four, but it certainly would be interesting to see him in that role ahead of Jags and RFM.

I think he's competitive enough for it, and if he wins the ball higher up the pitch he could do a hell of a lot of damage to the opposition with his passing. I do think he's a hell of a talent. But (and I've said it till I'm blue in the face) he is not a CB. Anyone with an ounce of football intelligence can see it. He's good enough to give the impression he is, but he's just that good an athlete he could play in most positons in defence and midfield to a good standard.

CM all day long this lad. Mark my words. He'll be top class there too one day.

Would make a great Inside right overlapping wing back

Not as ridiculous a proposition as playing him at CB at the moment, tbf.

 

[Pabbers]

We could have done with him against WBA, funny, as most of us wanted the same team.

 

[blueblue]

We could have done with him against WBA, funny, as most of us wanted the same team.

Unless you were going to play him at centre forward, it wouldn't make much difference.

 

[Pabbers]

Unless you were going to play him at centre forward, it wouldn't make much difference.

well, he carries the ball forward, maybe that could have helped to create that 1 chance that could have scored that goal.

 

[McBain]

@davek

 

[BlueToff]

Unless you were going to play him at centre forward, it wouldn't make much difference.

If he'd been fit to play it would be the perfect game for him. Plenty of time and space on the ball and, like @Pabbers said, he carries the ball forward so well.

Instead we had Jags doing that job, who just isn't that player.

 

[USABlue]

Whens he coming back?

 

[sageyefc]

Whens he coming back?

He's back, was on the bench today

 

[USABlue]

He's back, was on the bench today

We dont play for 10 days either, wonder if he'll be back in

 

[Goat]

We dont play for 10 days either, wonder if he'll be back in

Unlikely, think the current 11 will retain their places unless they play rubbish or get injured.

So baring that in mind, I fully expect The Clev to lose his place, SHUT UP @orly

 

[MartSlinger]

Unlikely, think the current 11 will retain their places unless they play rubbish or get injured.

So baring that in mind, I fully expect The Clev to lose his place, SHUT UP @orly

Think when Niasse is 100% match fit he'll be our starter on the left.

 

[BlueToff]

Think when Niasse is 100% match fit he'll be our starter on the left.

In home games against teams we 'should' beat I reckon this will be the case.

Cleverley for the away games more than likely, maybe Mirallas (probably not).

 

[Polish_Blue_Army]

He shouldn't be included too soon. Based on the results and performances Joel Coleman Mori Jags Oviedo is our strongest defensive block at the moment we should stick to that