5 | John Stones - 2024/25

[pbueno16]

I could see him playing in the center of the field as a cdm until this summer when we purchase a new midfielder.

Seems like that'll be Pep's plan if we can get fit center backs.

 

[Macca77macca]

Bollocks. Stones has made defensive partners look better for years. He carried Otamendi, who turned to shit as soon as Stones was injured. In fact the only defensive partnership where stones hasn't been the leader is probably next to Kompany. The very peak partnership with Dias was definitely 50/50

Couldn’t put it better myself

 

[alexmcity]

Bollocks. Stones has made defensive partners look better for years. He carried Otamendi, who turned to shit as soon as Stones was injured. In fact the only defensive partnership where stones hasn't been the leader is probably next to Kompany. The very peak partnership with Dias was definitely 50/50

When did Stones carry Otamendi? Otamendi made the PFA team of the season together with Walker in 2018. Stones and Kompany, later Laporte, were his partners. Stones had only 18 apps in 17/18.

In 18/19 Kompany and Laporte were the main CB pair in the 2nd half of the season, Stones and Ota were 2nd choice.

In 19/20 Stones had injuries and personal problems. Even when he was fit Pep played Ferna and Garcia (a teenager back then) over Stones.

In 20/21 Dias was the best defender in the league. Stones had a great 2nd half of the season next to Dias. Still, he had only 22 league apps. In 21/22 Stones had only 14 apps in the league.

It's understandable why Stones is liked a lot: he's a lovely lad and relatively local (in comparison to foreigners like Dias, Laporte, Akanji, etc.). But he has never been a leader in this team. Only biased fans think otherwise.

 

[Trevor Morley's Tache]

Bollocks. Stones has made defensive partners look better for years. He carried Otamendi, who turned to shit as soon as Stones was injured. In fact the only defensive partnership where stones hasn't been the leader is probably next to Kompany. The very peak partnership with Dias was definitely 50/50

Absolutely gutted when he got injured during that run.

 

[N1985]

I could see him playing in the center of the field as a cdm until this summer when we purchase a new midfielder.

That was exactly the plan and in the very next game without Rodri he was injured.

 

[sir baconface]

Hold your horses!!

We may be FOC but I still want to see us lift a few more pots until I exit stage left!!

Medical science is very good these days.

 

[Macca77macca]

But he has never been a leader in this team.

Thats utter crap

After KDB he has been in there the longest, won the most and SIGNIFICANTLY influences the games on the pitch and how the team play, far far more than any defender.

He doesn’t want the Captaincy. Doesn’t seek it as it doesn’t define the leadership he brings. Not all leaders puff their chest out and speak crap in the locker room.

 

[dave_blue12]

Talk of Stones undoubted ability is pointless, he can’t stay fit.

Unless his fitness issues can be addressed he should be replaced with someone who will be available for selection.

 

[alexmcity]

Thats utter crap

After KDB he has been in there the longest, won the most and SIGNIFICANTLY influences the games on the pitch and how the team play, far far more than any defender.

He doesn’t want the Captaincy. Doesn’t seek it as it doesn’t define the leadership he brings. Not all leaders puff their chest out and speak crap in the locker room.

You sound like you are his agent. No need to be hysterical. The players decide who makes the captains group: Kevin, Dias, Rodri, Bernardo, Gundo... Those are the leaders. There are excellent players like Haaland and Foden who aren't in that group. Anyone who thinks Stones is anywhere near being as influential in the team as Dias and Rodri is blinkered.

 

[Eccles Blue]

You sound like you are his agent. No need to be hysterical. The players decide who makes the captains group: Kevin, Dias, Rodri, Bernardo, Gundo... Those are the leaders. There are excellent players like Haaland and Foden who aren't in that group. Anyone who thinks Stones is anywhere near being as influential in the team as Dias and Rodri is blinkered.

Ha ha ha. I am literally laughing my head off. You are talking total and utter rubbish.
I’m sorry because everyone is entitled to their opinion but, in my humble opinion, you are wrong. :-)

 

[Keeper!]

Medical science is very good these days.

It not worked for Johnny in the last 8 seasons!

 

[alexmcity]

Ha ha ha. I am literally laughing my head off. You are talking total and utter rubbish.
I’m sorry because everyone is entitled to their opinion but, in my humble opinion, you are wrong. :-)

I might be wrong, but where's the evidence that Stones is one of the leaders? Anyone knows that Dias and Rodri are leaders, show me the evidence that Stones is comparable to them in that department.

 

[Eccles Blue]

I might be wrong, but where's the evidence that Stones is one of the leaders? Anyone knows that Dias and Rodri are leaders, show me the evidence that Stones is comparable to them in that department.

a) Pep has said many times that JS is a calming influence and a leader especially for the younger players
b) Being noisy and bossy does not make a leader or Captain (it can help sometimes)
c) Empty vessels make the most noise. (Not you but it can be a fact and JD is not an empty vessel).

I guess we just have to agree to disagree. As I said everyone is entitled to their opinion. :-)

Have a good day Come on City.

 

[alexmcity]

a) Pep has said many times that JS is a calming influence and a leader especially for the younger players
b) Being noisy and bossy does not make a leader or Captain (it can help sometimes)
c) Empty vessels make the most noise. (Not you but it can be a fact and JD is not an empty vessel).

I guess we just have to agree to disagree. As I said everyone is entitled to their opinion. :-)

Have a good day Come on City.

Stones is a lovely lad, Pep loves him and Ake. They are both very nice and very talented. Both played a significant role in our success. Fans showed their appreciation for Ake by voting for him for player of the Treble season ahead of huge players like Rodri, Gundogan, Bernardo...

That Stones and Ake are nice, talented and important doesn't make them leaders. There's enough footage from the dressing room and enough interviews with players about the leaders in the team. Those who are often mentioned are Gundogan (the actual captain in the Treble season), Dias, Rodri, Kevin, Walker and Bernardo. Anyone on this forum knows this pretty well, 2-3 fan 'boys' or 'girls' aside.

If I had to determine the captaincy, I'd have preferred Stones over Walker for many reasons. But the truth, for the players, is that Walker was more important in the dressing room.

 

[Lauz9888]

I think there are different kinds of leadership and it's good to have the range in the team.

Stones isn't a big voice in the dressing room and that's fine.

He has the seniority of many years at the club and a lot of experience of overcoming challenges and setbacks. He's also probably the defender I most like to be in the back line if we're having to play someone young and inexperienced there too. That's when he looks most like a leader to me, because you can see him talking them through the game and supporting them.

I don't really see him as being significantly different in terms of leadership skills to Bernardo, who's in the captain group but low down in its hierarchy. There are probably one or two other players I'd put in the same sort of group too.

Leadership isn't the be all and end all of a player. Stones has a quiet influence but isn't the man you'll see giving speeches to the team. And that's fine.

 

[Macca77macca]

He's also probably the defender I most like to be in the back line if we're having to play someone young and inexperienced there too. That's when he looks most like a leader to me, because you can see him talking them through the game and supporting them.

Yes I think this too. He has played a lot of CL games when the kids have been in the side and has been great with them.

 

[eastmanc]

Stones is a lovely lad, Pep loves him and Ake. They are both very nice and very talented. Both played a significant role in our success. Fans showed their appreciation for Ake by voting for him for player of the Treble season ahead of huge players like Rodri, Gundogan, Bernardo...

That Stones and Ake are nice, talented and important doesn't make them leaders. There's enough footage from the dressing room and enough interviews with players about the leaders in the team. Those who are often mentioned are Gundogan (the actual captain in the Treble season), Dias, Rodri, Kevin, Walker and Bernardo. Anyone on this forum knows this pretty well, 2-3 fan 'boys' or 'girls' aside.

If I had to determine the captaincy, I'd have preferred Stones over Walker for many reasons. But the truth, for the players, is that Walker was more important in the dressing room.

I wish they were both in our back four at the moment.

 

[alexmcity]

I wish they were both in our back four at the moment.

I wish they could stay fit.

Many of our problems come from their injuries and overplaying other defenders. Instead of being happy about the availability of Akanji and Gvardiol , some posters are too critical of their performances.

 

[Macca77macca]

Instead of being happy about the availability of Akanji and Gvardiol , some posters are too critical of their performances

Not me. Think they are both tremendous and I think Akanji has been playing whilst unfit.

But I like all our players and root for them. There isn’t one I slag off.

 

[samuelyeboah]

Excellent, stabilized the defense and the entire team second half massively. world of difference with him in