5 | John Stones - 2022/23

[ninjamonkey]

Comfortable in midfield spraying it about, doesn't have the recovery pace to do that regularly though, it leaves gaps. Want to see him back in the centre but just great to see him back in the lineup and fit.

Just in time for him to get called up to the national team...

 

[Deleted member 77198]

Prefer him in the middle, but had a good game today and didn't let anyone down.

That just shows how good Stones is though.

Stones is obviously better in the middle but did very well today, and Akanji has shown a few times how hard it is for a centre back to play right back. I don’t think Dias or someone like van Dijk could do it all that well neither.

 

[Lauz9888]

Cracking player. Would love to see him in his main position, but this is correct -

That just shows how good Stones is though.

Stones is obviously better in the middle but did very well today, and Akanji has shown a few times how hard it is for a centre back to play right back. I don’t think Dias or someone like van Dijk could do it all that well neither.

I'm never as comfortable with him at RB as with an actual RB. But for a CB out of position he's doing a very good job.

 

[mcfc96]

He can slot in anywhere on the field

 

[Irishblue93]

Can't belive this thread is so quiet. Taught he's been excellent out of position the last few games

 

[mccity]

Seemed more defensively tenacious today, which is usually indicative of him hitting his higher levels.

 

[clarion]

John was great today!

 

[ninjamonkey]

The entire back 3 were faultless today once we went down to 10. Impeccable 1v1 defending sometimes even 1v2 and the way they each worked extra hard to cover the ground left by being a man down was superb. Have to copy and paste this in all 3 threads as I can't single one of them out, all 3 were fantastic as a collective.

 

[SkyBlueFlux]

Can't belive this thread is so quiet. Taught he's been excellent out of position the last few games

I think he's one of those players who is just less noticeable when he's having a good game. His job is to do the simple things well and today he did that fantastically. Solid at the back. Love how good his feet are when he brings the ball up the pitch by stepping inside, he glides like Beckenbauer.

 

[skillman]

Love me some Johnny Stones.

 

[AirbagsOptionalTheReturn]

He was good again but he needs to put more zip on his passes, not asking him to play Hollywood balls but put some pace on the 10 yard passes so we don’t lose momentum. Too many times his passes just make it and we slow right down. Other than that as a defender I am really glad we have him and have been impressed with him at rb

 

[eastmanc]

That just shows how good Stones is though.

Stones is obviously better in the middle but did very well today, and Akanji has shown a few times how hard it is for a centre back to play right back. I don’t think Dias or someone like van Dijk could do it all that well neither.

He was excellent today.

 

[oldius]

The best defender at the club, IMO.

 

[Deleted member 77198]

Wow!

For a central defender to be playing as an old fashioned inside and outside right half and wing back rolled into one is incredible to see.

What a player!

 

[domalino]

The best defender at the club, IMO.

If he can stay fit he'd start every game.

 

[Shaffer92]

Funny how you never even hear the possibility that its Stones who makes Maguire look good and competent for England...

 

[mccity]

Funny how you never even hear the possibility that its Stones who makes Maguire look good and competent for England...

Yeah that's always grated me too.

 

[Tugay One Cup]

I fucking love this guy.

 

[Tugay One Cup]

That little croquetta in the second half had me thinking it was Alvarez on the ball.

 

[ADegenerate]

He’s an anomaly in the true since of the word. Always pops up playing great when you aren’t expecting it and plays even better when you watch him back on replays.

Is it injuries, situational, form, or randomness? I have no clue how to rank any of our defenders.