John Stones - 2017/18 performances

[Cityfan]

The error was due to lack of composure, as many of his errors are. Surely that's the point, and what's so worrying. Tonight's error very reminiscent of the wild swipe v Burnley.

We all see things differently I guess, in general lack of composure is not something I would level at Stones and I didn't think todays kick indicated a lack of composure it was a mishit clearing volley, as happens to all defenders occasionally I remember Kompany slicing into the back of the net on a couple of occasions, we will see how he goes personally I am optimistic.

 

[Ballymagash Blue]

We all see things differently I guess, in general lack of composure is not something I would level at Stones and I didn't think todays kick indicated a lack of composure it was a mishit clearing volley, as happens to all defenders occasionally I remember Kompany slicing into the back of the net on a couple of occasions, we will see how he goes personally I am optimistic.

That's fair enough. I'm optimistic too. He clearly has a lot of talent, and some weaknesses. In time he may very well be great, but just at the moment.......

 

[Cityfan]

That's fair enough. I'm optimistic too. He clearly has a lot of talent, and some weaknesses. In time he may very well be great, but just at the moment.......

I'm sure we're both hoping for the same outcome anyway.

 

[Millwallawayveteran1988]

We all see things differently I guess, in general lack of composure is not something I would level at Stones and I didn't think todays kick indicated a lack of composure it was a mishit clearing volley, as happens to all defenders occasionally I remember Kompany slicing into the back of the net on a couple of occasions, we will see how he goes personally I am optimistic.

Unfortunately for Stones, everything he gets wrong is leading to a goal. He is pretty unfortunate in that respect. Same was happening last season too.

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

I’m still not convinced centre back is his best position.

I think he’d be better deployed as a defensive midfielder.

He’s too lightweight and soft against physically strong forwards.

He's shown throughout the season he can defend and isn't lightweight. I don't get the obsession either with turning centre backs into midfielders. How is that going to help him ?

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

I actually thought he played quite well tonight other then a sliced clearance. Passed the ball well. It's funny reading some of the reactions on here. A player goes from being world class to now he can't defend and isn't good enough as a defender. Complete overeactions. Most players we have go through spells where they aren't playing as well- sane, sterling, aguero.

He has shown the potential he has this season. He could end up being a world class player for us, but it's going to take time and with the system we have he will make mistakes from time to time. Like all of our defenders will.

 

[BigOscar]

I actually thought he played quite well tonight other then a sliced clearance. Passed the ball well. It's funny reading some of the reactions on here. A player goes from being world class to now he can't defend and isn't good enough as a defender. Complete overeactions. Most players we have go through spells where they aren't playing as well- sane, sterling, aguero.

He has shown the potential he has this season. He could end up being a world class player for us, but it's going to take time and with the system we have he will make mistakes from time to time. Like all of our defenders will.

The problem is with Stones that his confidence seems to lay far too large a role in how he plays, he does go from world class to pretty bad. He showed that when in form and confident, he is decisive, aggressive and commits 100% to whatever he does. But without that confidence he starts being tentative, indecisive and frankly, far too soft.

All game he was letting long balls bounce or go uncontested, that's rank bad defending and he wouldn't have done that earlier in the year, same for his wild shanked clearances that have led to goals. He needs to get his confidence back, but more importantly he needs to toughen up as you cannot allow so much distance between your best and worst form at this level.

 

[Don Karleone]

I actually thought he played quite well tonight other then a sliced clearance. Passed the ball well. It's funny reading some of the reactions on here. A player goes from being world class to now he can't defend and isn't good enough as a defender. Complete overeactions. Most players we have go through spells where they aren't playing as well- sane, sterling, aguero.

He has shown the potential he has this season. He could end up being a world class player for us, but it's going to take time and with the system we have he will make mistakes from time to time. Like all of our defenders will.

Spot on.

 

[Dax777]

I don't think he played particularly well tonight but neither would I say he made any egregious errors that cost us. The attempted clearance was under pressure to clear it from an attacker and he slightly mishit it , it was an error but a small one although in hte end a goal was scored and I didn't observe anything particularly culpable for the second goal.
He's young and coming back from injury playing in a system where defenders have less protection when they are exposed. He's not been at his best the last few matches but we've seen earlier this season how good he is when he is at his best.

This is the correct view. Neither blue-tinted nor blinkered. He wasn't great, but wasn't horrible. And his miskick error led to their 1st. Those are just the facts.

 

[Billy Bowlegs]

This centre half is going to be the best M.C or England has had this century.
Just give him the chance.

 

[cleavers]

I don't get the obsession either with turning centre backs into midfielders. How is that going to help him ?

Nor do I.

 

[Hungarian blue]

What, deluded??!

Savic and Nastasic were exiled for far fewer shady performances and goal-costing errors than Stones has made in the past 4 games, let alone the last 18 months.

So what your point is? I liked Nastasic but your post suggests that we'd be at our same level playing wise with him in the side, yet you think I'm the deluded. Stones is in a bad moment and hopefully he cuts out occasional blunders, but surely we won't compare his contribution to Nastasic...

 

[Saddleworth2]

Not much going right for the lad at the moment. It’s clear his confidence is low and he is a little tentative as a result. He doesn’t look as strong physically as he was before his injury. Think it would be a mistake to drop him frankly, best to play through it. Form is temporary, class is permanent.

 

[IAA]

So what your point is? I liked Nastasic but your post suggests that we'd be at our same level playing wise with him in the side, yet you think I'm the deluded. Stones is in a bad moment and hopefully he cuts out occasional blunders, but surely we won't compare his contribution to Nastasic...

Nastasic would struggle to give away goals in 4 consecutive games, that’s for sure.

Since 2015, Stones has had a period of about 3 months where he’s looked like an elite talent, and that came against parked buses where all he had to do was retrieve long balls and pass it.

 

[Manchester1894]

Quick question... in the Premier League, how many errors have led to a goal? Liverpool is questionable.. (foul by Firminho)...

 

[domalino]

Nastasic would struggle to give away goals in 4 consecutive games, that’s for sure.

Since 2015, Stones has had a period of about 3 months where he’s looked like an elite talent, and that came against parked buses where all he had to do was retrieve long balls and pass it.

Did you stop to think how stupid this comment was before posting?

3 months of being elite against "parked buses" included a clean sheets vs. Liverpool & Chelsea, great performances against Napoli (twice) and Arsenal. Such easy teams to play well against those lot, no defeding needed there.

The games since he's been bad in since injury - Bristol City, Newcastle and Burnley.

 

[domalino]

Unfortunately for Stones, everything he gets wrong is leading to a goal. He is pretty unfortunate in that respect. Same was happening last season too.

This is especially true of the Burnley goal. Otamendi did almost exactly the same thing earlier in that match, taking a swipe and missing, but on that occasion it didn't go to an attacker and got mopped up.

 

[KCblue]

Poor form but I believe he can bounce back. With Kompany's injuries to this point he hasn't had any pressure to lose a starting place when fit this season. Adding Laporte means Stones will need to up his game, which I fully expect him to do.

 

[Thomas Hearns]

Hands up, I wasn't keen on Stones when we signed him and despite a decent run of form earlier this season I'm still not keen on him now.

Aside from his mistakes,which can happen to anyone although Stonesy makes more than his fair share, I just think he isn't a defender. He doesn't think like one, he doesn't sense danger, doesn't see the bigger picture. He's no dog in him either, doesn't seem to take pride in dominating the opposing attacker, he has no real pace and no strength. If Pep wants a ball playing centre half he may as well sign a midfielder to play there

I also think he's a selfish player, he'll play awkward passes to teammates who aren't as good on the ball as him which results in them slightly miscontrolling it and playing a wayward pass so it looks like it's their fault we've lost possession. He did it a few times last night with Walker.

If this Laporte signs and he's as good as he's supposed to be then I foresee a summer exit for Stones and I won't shed any tears over it.

 

[Neville Kneville]

Hands up, I wasn't keen on Stones when we signed him and despite a decent run of form earlier this season I'm still not keen on him now.

Aside from his mistakes,which can happen to anyone although Stonesy makes more than his fair share, I just think he isn't a defender. He doesn't think like one, he doesn't sense danger, doesn't see the bigger picture. He's no dog in him either, doesn't seem to take pride in dominating the opposing attacker, he has no real pace and no strength. If Pep wants a ball playing centre half he may as well sign a midfielder to play there

I also think he's a selfish player, he'll play awkward passes to teammates who aren't as good on the ball as him which results in them slightly miscontrolling it and playing a wayward pass so it looks like it's their fault we've lost possession. He did it a few times last night with Walker.

If this Laporte signs and he's as good as he's supposed to be then I foresee a summer exit for Stones and I won't shed any tears over it.

I thought he was struggling to reach average in a fair few games last season (along with Otamendi) but both have proved this season, that they can be amongst the best around.

Recently he's made some really lousy choices & bottled it at times but Vinny will sort him out imo.