It's quiet... summer 2018.

[jamiecav]

Possibly, but you only have to see his one mistake in WC semi-final to show how tight the margins are - he was the best player on the pitch.

Central defenders are the last line of defence along with the goalkeeper, so it is always more difficult to build up that confidence.

The no.6 role would perhaps help his confidence a bit more as he has another line behind him to rectify any glaring mistakes.

It would also take a lot of understanding from the crowd, it never ceases to amaze me how many still start panicking and shouting for it to go long when we are trying to beat the press out from the back.

I am agreeing that the no 6 role suits him btw. I just think we have to stick with his inevitable early mistakes.

It also gives even more in match flexibility. Ie sudden switch to a 3

 

[domalino]

It's a total waste not playing Stones at all, and he needs to play every week - he took responsibility at the World Cup and that is the last thing his game needed to take him to world class level.

I'd be amazed if Stones is short of game time at CB this season, I expect him to start there every week if his form holds.

I also think Guardiola has never moved a CB to midfield despite having coached plenty of CB's who make most midfielders look poor on the ball, and there must be a reason for it. He's very particular about the qualities his midfielders have and while I'll happily be proven wrong, I think if Stones had those qualities, he'd already have been played there at least once in the previous 2 seasons.

 

[teddykgb]

Stones has seemed at times uncomfortable with bouncing balls and pressure from behind. I think he’s a fantastic player but I don’t know if he’s adaptable enough to play that position. I’d be more than willing to see him try but it is easy to underestimate the polish required to play that position. There’s a big difference between having the match in front of you with the ball at your feet and needing to sense space and turn under pressure. It’s got to be one of the hardest positions to play at a high level

 

[GaudinoMotors]

Stones has seemed at times uncomfortable with bouncing balls and pressure from behind. I think he’s a fantastic player but I don’t know if he’s adaptable enough to play that position. I’d be more than willing to see him try but it is easy to underestimate the polish required to play that position. There’s a big difference between having the match in front of you with the ball at your feet and needing to sense space and turn under pressure. It’s got to be one of the hardest positions to play at a high level

Who isn't?

 

[Neville Kneville]

Stones has seemed at times uncomfortable with bouncing balls and pressure from behind. I think he’s a fantastic player but I don’t know if he’s adaptable enough to play that position. I’d be more than willing to see him try but it is easy to underestimate the polish required to play that position. There’s a big difference between having the match in front of you with the ball at your feet and needing to sense space and turn under pressure. It’s got to be one of the hardest positions to play at a high level

A lot of folks feel uncomfortable with bouncing balls & pressure from behind tbf.

 

[teddykgb]

I think you guys are laughing at my unfortunate phrasing which is fully deserved

 

[The Black Shed]

I think you guys are laughing at my unfortunate phrasing which is fully deserved

Indeed, there haven't been any gifs yet!

 

[domalino]

Just noticed Douglas Luiz is on the preseason tour, I thought he'd been loaned back to Girona.

He's not really a holding midfielder as such, but in our formation he'd probably suit that position more than KDB or Silva's, and he was a super highly rated prospect when we got him, even though his season in Spain was awful (not a million miles away from Zinchenko's PSV spell).

Maybe if he impresses in the USA he could be this years Zinchenko or Delph.

 

[richards30]

The dippers are getting Allison as well and still going for fekir! Think they maybe selling someone? Mane?

 

[LIBlue]

Where are the dippers getting this money from lol