John Stones - 2018/19 Performances

[supercity88]

We already know John is capable of making mistakes and isn't necessarily a 'world class' defender but we can't have the best player in the world in every position. Most City fans appreciate him because he plays the way Pep wants which takes bollocks. In my opinion, he just needs to learn to not let mistakes affect him so badly. He also needs a run in the team to build confidence which I think he'll get next season. At least wait and see how he performs in a full season with a consistent partner.

I think when you see how Van Dijk just dominates and at the other end someone we probably start next season is playing like that, it is a worry. Physicality has always been his weakness and all De Ligt had to do on corners is pretend to run to the front post and Stones was gone! Pretty poor. But a one off game and he has had a long time out.

 

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

Nobody, I take it, can seriously deny that John Stones had a really poor game last night. If he'd delivered that game in a City shirt, he'd be getting hanged, draw, and quartered on here, and everyone knows it.
One thing needs to be added, however: whether it's Vin, Stones, Ota or Laporte, they can all comfortably play the “playing it out from the back game” because Pep's got the whole team perfectly drilled. The players in deep midfield are immediately running into space, losing their markers. Same for the full backs, in fact. Our centre-halfs — whatever the pairing — always have options. Always one, often two, sometimes three. It was striking how often last night neither Maguire nor Stones had anyone to pass out to who didn't have a Dutch player right up his backside. I'm not exculpating John, but again and again, I found myself thinking, “Yep, well, if Southgate wants to play that game, he's got to get England, the entire team, playing and working like City”. Not easy.
On a lighter note: anybody wants a good giggle, look at the photo on the BBC website as Stones comes off and is greeted/consoled by Southgate. Maguire's face is an absolute study! You could draw in all sorts of balloons and add in what Maguire's thinking at that point.

P.S. As for people saying “get rid” on the basis of one performance, when he's hardly been played in the last two months. Are you having a laugh? Vinny picks him next to him in his all-time City team. Over Otamendi. Over MdM. Over Lescott. And yes, even over Laporte. Perhaps Vin might know a thing or two about football?

 

[meeesh]

Must be so disheartening when he looks up in an England side,and there is no Fernandinho or KDB waiting to receive the ball in front of the back line,instead he had Barkley,then either Ali or Henderson,fucking rubbish,however his dilly dallying about was shite as well,and has no hiding place today.

 

[TheBlueDune]

Felt for Stones last night probably trying to play the way the manager asked him to. The midfield was dire last night no movement not making themselves available you could see Stones getting more frustrated the longer the game went on

There lies the problem.
For the third goal, Stone's passed to Berkley. He expects Berkley to take the ball under control and probably set up Pickford to pass or clear the ball.
Done a hundred times in the season without a problem when it's Fernandinho and Ederson.
He doesn't expect Fernandinho to toe poke it to the attacker.
Berkley is no Fernandinho.
Pickford is no Ederson.

Time and again all through the match Stones (and Walker) were playing the ball to a team mate who were nowhere near as good as their normal City team mate.
And in typical fashion, commentary implies it's Stones who is at fault.
No suggestion that Berkley couldn't trap a bag of cement.
Or Maguire can't even do one revolution in a turn without falling over.
Or Pickford can't kick a ball accurately more than 30 yards.

Let's all play hoofball. Under pressure? Launch the ball to the forwards to chase and lose out to decent CB.
Opposition take control and back under pressure within 5 seconds.
The football of Charles Hughes, the long ball guru.

 

[mosssideblue]

Nobody, I take it, can seriously deny that John Stones had a really poor game last night. If he'd delivered that game in a City shirt, he'd be getting hanged, draw, and quartered on here, and everyone knows it.
One thing needs to be added, however: whether it's Vin, Stones, Ota or Laporte, they can all comfortably play the “playing it out from the back game” because Pep's got the whole team perfectly drilled. The players in deep midfield are immediately running into space, losing their markers. Same for the full backs, in fact. Our centre-halfs — whatever the pairing — always have options. Always one, often two, sometimes three. It was striking how often last night neither Maguire nor Stones had anyone to pass out to who didn't have a Dutch player right up his backside. I'm not exculpating John, but again and again, I found myself thinking, “Yep, well, if Southgate wants to play that game, he's got to get England, the entire team, playing and working like City”. Not easy.
On a lighter note: anybody wants a good giggle, look at the photo on the BBC website as Stones comes off and is greeted/consoled by Southgate. Maguire's face is an absolute study! You could draw in all sorts of balloons and add in what Maguire's thinking at that point.

P.S. As for people saying “get rid” on the basis of one performance, when he's hardly been played in the last two months. Are you having a laugh? Vinny picks him next to him in his all-time City team. Over Otamendi. Over MdM. Over Lescott. And yes, even over Laporte. Perhaps Vin might know a thing or two about football?

I think the criticism he received from last night was not attributed to lack of options to play it out from the back, but more towards his positioning (or lack of) at set pieces and taking a stupid risk / poor decision making.

As for people saying get rid after last night, I have read most posts and dont recall seeing any, can you quote them?

 

[doobyedoobye]

Whatever as City player does playing for their national team is close to irrelevant from a club perspective, apart from getting injured.....

 

[Churchlawtonblue]

Nobody, I take it, can seriously deny that John Stones had a really poor game last night. If he'd delivered that game in a City shirt, he'd be getting hanged, draw, and quartered on here, and everyone knows it.
One thing needs to be added, however: whether it's Vin, Stones, Ota or Laporte, they can all comfortably play the “playing it out from the back game” because Pep's got the whole team perfectly drilled. The players in deep midfield are immediately running into space, losing their markers. Same for the full backs, in fact. Our centre-halfs — whatever the pairing — always have options. Always one, often two, sometimes three. It was striking how often last night neither Maguire nor Stones had anyone to pass out to who didn't have a Dutch player right up his backside. I'm not exculpating John, but again and again, I found myself thinking, “Yep, well, if Southgate wants to play that game, he's got to get England, the entire team, playing and working like City”. Not easy.
On a lighter note: anybody wants a good giggle, look at the photo on the BBC website as Stones comes off and is greeted/consoled by Southgate. Maguire's face is an absolute study! You could draw in all sorts of balloons and add in what Maguire's thinking at that point.

P.S. As for people saying “get rid” on the basis of one performance, when he's hardly been played in the last two months. Are you having a laugh? Vinny picks him next to him in his all-time City team. Over Otamendi. Over MdM. Over Lescott. And yes, even over Laporte. Perhaps Vin might know a thing or two about football?

Great post. Sums it up perfectly

 

[B\connellblue]

Need a centre half, that's a gimme. John is to weak to be a truly great player both physically and mentally, theres no need to slate him though nor is there any need to pretend he's a superstar for that matter. De ligt will become one though however the betting suggests we haven't even made an enquiry. Maguire wouldn't be the one we need either.

 

[NorthamptonBlue]

There lies the problem.
For the third goal, Stone's passed to Berkley. He expects Berkley to take the ball under control and probably set up Pickford to pass or clear the ball.
Done a hundred times in the season without a problem when it's Fernandinho and Ederson.
He doesn't expect Fernandinho to toe poke it to the attacker.
Berkley is no Fernandinho.
Pickford is no Ederson.

Time and again all through the match Stones (and Walker) were playing the ball to a team mate who were nowhere near as good as their normal City team mate.
And in typical fashion, commentary implies it's Stones who is at fault.
No suggestion that Berkley couldn't trap a bag of cement.
Or Maguire can't even do one revolution in a turn without falling over.
Or Pickford can't kick a ball accurately more than 30 yards.

Let's all play hoofball. Under pressure? Launch the ball to the forwards to chase and lose out to decent CB.
Opposition take control and back under pressure within 5 seconds.
The football of Charles Hughes, the long ball guru.

To be fair, Gary Neville pointed out that there was no outlet for either centre back and was pretty good at defending Stones. I am not much of a Stones fan but he is certainly a better player than he showed last night.

 

[Dobber55]

Defensively I though he had a great game.

He made one mistake where he should have gone back to the keeper because there was no one offering themselves.

First season under Pep we saw these kind of things happening because the whole team were not fully up to speed, the big difference is we have better players who adapted.

Also good to see Delph going box to box, amazing when he went off all of that stopped. Oh and Maguire...no thanks on that performance, he tried to shield the ball out and nearly ended up in a goal and appear limited, but again you question the midfield in front of him.