John Stones - 2018/19 Performances

[mosssideblue]

Thought he was great last night when he came on. Sadly, Vinnie now needs to be warming the bench a lot more

 

[ADegenerate]

Our best centre half,its frustrating that he keeps being rotated.

He slotted in right at DM when he came on! Just like I’ve been shouting as a way to get him minutes. Also hes not our best CH or he’d play top minutes!

Edit: Gundo came out and he moved back. Had class So first so watching live now for my first through watch.

Edit again: yeah he definitely played the dm in the hybrid cm/dm 2:2 xxx formation. We’ll find minutes and space for him but IMO you can’t drop Nico in big games. Laporte yes. Nico no.

 

[Mr HJ]

It must be hard trying to give all four centre backs minutes - for me Stones is the best at bringing the ball out quickly and also I think his reading of games has improved no end. How many times is he the one who makes the last minute tackle? For those reasons I would play him all day long at the back. Laporte has done equally well but last night showed he's less than comfortable as a left back. Vinny is Vinny but slows us down which impacts us especially not having Kev to play those quick, unbelievable through balls. Good problem to have but I hope that we don't try and turn John into something just to get him on the pitch, he should be our starting centre back.

 

[without a dream]

We move the ball so much better when Stones is playing, he has to be starting the majority of games alongside Laporte.

 

[ADegenerate]

We move the ball so much better when Stones is playing, he has to be starting the majority of games alongside Laporte.

So why doesn’t he start over Nico? Brewing on year three now.

 

[without a dream]

So why doesn’t he start over Nico? Brewing on year three now.

Nico is a better front foot defender and copes with physicality better, whenever we come up against a team who cross a lot or play a lot of long balls Pep always goes to Nico, Kompany or both.

Stones has looked better defensively this year though and the only way he'll get even better is through game time.

 

[ADegenerate]

Nico is a better front foot defender and copes with physicality better, whenever we come up against a team who cross a lot or play a lot of long balls Pep always goes to Nico, Kompany or both.

Stones has looked better defensively this year though and the only way he'll get even better is through game time.

Good post.

What’s your back line vs LFC?

 

[without a dream]

Good post.

What’s your back line vs LFC?

Walker Stones Laporte and whoever is fit enough to play left back. I would prefer Delph or Mendy but Zinchenko's diagonal balls could be pretty useful if he's the only option.

 

[supercity88]

Otamendi has to be right on it to play well against quick opposition and wasn't last night. He is excellent in passing forwards though. Kompany is a bit lethargic with the ball at times and plays the obvious pass. Laporte and Otamendi or Stones is our best defensive partnership but Pep wanted to rest Zinchenko in case he is needed at Anfield.

Stones played the DM role when he came on. Moving the ball quickly. Playing that position will help him read the game even better as a centre half. At Anfield we could do with him AND Ferny playing in there for a bit more control with Ferny allowed to play on the front foot a bit more.

Bernardo was also class when he came on, we really missed him last night. He drove forwards with the ball and allowed others to find space. Their first goal is exactly what Liverpool will try to do to us. Worryingly easy.

 

[sir baconface]

Stones and Laporte are our best pairing. They should be selected against Liverpool.

This is unusual but I really like all four of our CBs and don’t mind whichever pairing is chosen.