5 | John Stones - 2022/23

[Saddleworth2]

Pep made a comment yesterday about Stones not playing because he ‘could not be with us in USA’. What the hell do we make of that? Unlikely Stones will feature for England if he isn’t playing.

 

[northmr8]

Pep made a comment yesterday about Stones not playing because he ‘could not be with us in USA’. What the hell do we make of that? Unlikely Stones will feature for England if he isn’t playing.

Southgate was still calling him up at the beginning of last season when he wasn't playing, so I don't think his England place is at risk just yet. There's hardly alot of challenge for CB spots is there?!

Wasn't Pep's quote talking about why Nathan is playing rather than why John isn't? That's a subtle but important distinction. Nathan has played reasonably well in the opportunities that he has had to play, where John was unavailable, so naturally he is probably front and centre of Pep's mind.

If last season taught us anything it's that they all need consistent playing time, because one or two injuries could be a disaster and we don't want rusty players having to step in with no match practice. John's time will come soon I'm sure.

 

[footballmanager]

Pep made a comment yesterday about Stones not playing because he ‘could not be with us in USA’. What the hell do we make of that? Unlikely Stones will feature for England if he isn’t playing.

it means that he needs some catching up to do physically and tactically before he is ready to play 90 minutes, i guess. Ake playing well doesnt help his cause but he will have plenty of game time if hes healthy

 

[Millwallawayveteran1988]

Stones against players who run at him is not ideal especially when Walker was having such a bad game too and couldn’t cover. Poor game from him today. Newcastle definitely made the most of that side of the pitch.

 

[FantasyIreland]

Strange game to reintroduce him.

One of several strange Pep decisions today.

 

[In The Fade]

Stones against players who run at him is not ideal especially when Walker was having such a bad game too and couldn’t cover. Poor game from him today. Newcastle definitely made the most of that side of the pitch.

He did fine - generally shepherded them into the centre of the pitch where the midfield anchor should have been to engage them. Rodri was more of an issue today.

 

[Strangerepublic]

Stones against players who run at him is not ideal especially when Walker was having such a bad game too and couldn’t cover. Poor game from him today. Newcastle definitely made the most of that side of the pitch.

Stones is a great centre back.
He is a decent right back.
He isn't both at the same time, unfortunately, which is what he was being expected to do today.

 

[tommybooth]

Ok performance today. Couple of bad passes.

 

[Lauz9888]

Given his minimal preseason I probably would have given him the full Barcelona match rather than starting him in this one. But of course with Aké's injury he'd have ended up coming on anyway.

Cracking player, not necessarily at his best today, but part of a defence that wasn't quite at it as a unit.

Absolutely has to stay fit now though, as it looks like we're without both Ake and Laporte in the (hopefully) short term.

 

[freshie]

Looked understandably rusty today although the system with inverted full backs gave him no help whatsoever vs ASM

With Ake and Laporte injured he now has the chance to resume that indomitable partnership of 20/21 with Dias