5 | John Stones - 2022/23

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

Very poor yesterday, still the start of the season but he has to hit the ground running or risk being the next "recipient" of Pep's wrath. The man has very little patience for slackers.

It’s one game.. surely pep isn’t judging players on their first game of the season or calling them slackers. I wouldn’t say he was terrible either - as above that’s an overreaction

 

[davyhulme blue]

Stones was Piss poor yesterday , when Ruben came on it looked like he had words with stones And again later when he gave the freekick away .

 

[northmr8]

Not a great game for him, but hardly unexpected when he hasn't started since the England fixtures 2 months ago. Would have made more sense to have him start against Bournemouth tbh.

The only way out is through, so hopefully he can blow the cobwebs away in the next couple of matches and get back to his real standard. Give him 30 mins against Barcelona alongside Mbete.

 

[clarion]

John is playing very weak when player running towards him - leaving all options open.

 

[decmancity]

Made no sense to start him in this game. Should have been given game time last week when were cruising and 90 against Barcelona to get up to speed. He looked like he hadn't kicked a ball in months which is to be expected when he doesn't go on preseason.

 

[Txiki Txiki Bang Bang]

Made no sense to start him in this game. Should have been given game time last week when were cruising and 90 against Barcelona to get up to speed. He looked like he hadn't kicked a ball in months which is to be expected when he doesn't go on preseason.

A sign of a true professional athlete is the ability to stay physically and mentally fit and ready to be called upon. On numerous occasions, Stones has shown that he lacks the professionalism required to get to the very top as a professional. This would be a big season for him, get it together physically and psychologically or move to Chelsea.

 

[domalino]

It’s one game.. surely pep isn’t judging players on their first game of the season or calling them slackers. I wouldn’t say he was terrible either - as above that’s an overreaction

Walker is being asked to play a new role, which fundamentally changes the role of our RCB. Stones and Dias have been defending as essentially the middle guys in a back 3 for the last 5 years because Walker has been helf back in the defensive line next to them. In fact, he usually has a deeper average position than the right centreback.

It will take some time for them to adjust, they'll have to be more aggressive with 1 less covering man, and I think that was Stones' biggest issue yesterday, he was just a bit too passive, conceding a bit too much ground before making a challenge.

 

[domalino]

A sign of a true professional athlete is the ability to stay physically and mentally fit and ready to be called upon. On numerous occasions, Stones has shown that he lacks the professionalism required to get to the very top as a professional. This would be a big season for him, get it together physically and psychologically or move to Chelsea.

Fuck me you don't half write some bollocks.

 

[Txiki Txiki Bang Bang]

Fuck me you don't half write some bollocks.

I am guessing as a fan favourite he gets a pass, let's not forget about 2 or 3 seasons ago Pep was very close to pulling the plug on his stay here. I would repeat, this is going to be a big season for him. He has to get it sorted.

 

[Deleted member 81382]

An absolute shocker with and without the ball
Often seems to lose his head in hostile atmospheres

I've never really noticed that before but I wonder if it's a big reason why his best season was when there was no fans in the stadium. I do think yesterday was mainly due to rustiness though.