John Stones

[domalino]

The game against Arsenal didn't say we needed Stones. It said we need a central defence. If we buy a central defender it should be because they have a long term future in the team, not as short term cover for injured defenders. I assume that Kompany, Otamendi and Mangala are just short term absentees?

Otamendi no one knows. He's been injured since the Dortmund game.

Kompany could be injured 8 minutes into his return again, unfortunately we just can't rely on him.

Mangala was fit but not taken to Sweden which is not a good sign.

Denayer didn't get brought on even in a friendly when we so clearly experimenting at CB and that doesn't bode well either.

Tosin showed his inexperience - he's usually comfortable on the ball but has given the ball away in every preseason friendly - he's clearly not ready yet and will take a while to make the jump up to the senior level.

We are in a bit of trouble.

 

[RandomJ]

It's a shame Laporte bottled it. If we got both him and Stones we'd be set at CB for years.

 

[Big Dave Watson]

It's not just getting Stones over the line is it though? Two months ago we were targeting Stones and Laporte as out central defensive pairing. We kick off the new season next week and we had a midfielder and a left back as that pairing tonight. Dear me.

 

[waspish]

He wont solve all out problems if we get him his still young and bit raw but better than what have now

 

[Marvin]

It's not just getting Stones over the line is it though? Two months ago we were targeting Stones and Laporte as out central defensive pairing. We kick off the new season next week and we had a midfielder and a left back as that pairing tonight. Dear me.

That is what pre-season is for. To see what works, and to give players experience.

It will be an unusual event to have three central defenders out at the same time. What surprised me is that we didn't play Fernandinho there because I think there's a good chance he'll play there vs Sunderland

On Stones, I think it is significant that Mangala did not travel.. Suggests to me he is not in Peps plans at all. Likewise Denayer. Therefore seems likely we will be bringing a central defender in.

 

[Tricky_Trev]

It's not just getting Stones over the line is it though? Two months ago we were targeting Stones and Laporte as out central defensive pairing. We kick off the new season next week and we had a midfielder and a left back as that pairing tonight. Dear me.

And not just a midfielder and a defender, but incredibly shit ones too!

 

[Rammy Blue]

S.O.S. John Stones

 

[Big Dave Watson]

That is what pre-season is for. To see what works, and to give players experience.

It will be an unusual event to have three central defenders out at the same time. What surprised me is that we didn't play Fernandinho there because I think there's a good chance he'll play there vs Sunderland

On Stones, I think it is significant that Mangala did not travel.. Suggests to me he is not in Peps plans at all. Likewise Denayer. Therefore seems likely we will be bringing a central defender in.

Agree that preseason is about experimenting but you would have thought that being one week a way meant that the experiments were over and the team would be close to the starting XI. We have spent 100M and really have only added a steady winger, a potential talent and an injured albeit class midfielder to the first team when we were being linked to top top players. Another fuck up I would say.

 

[Marvin]

Agree that preseason is about experimenting but you would have thought that being one week a way meant that the experiments were over and the team would be close to the starting XI. We have spent 100M and really have only added a steady winger, a potential talent and an injured albeit class midfielder to the first team when we were being linked to top top players. Another fuck up I would say.

Excellent trolling.

 

[BlueCityfan]

I thought our CB options with Mangala probably leaving would be: Denayer, Otamendi, Kompany, Tosin and Stones when he signs. But i'm not sure Tosin is ready and Pep doesn't seem to rate Denayer. And Kompany and Otamendi are injured atm.
Laporte rejecting us seem to have fucked us pretty bad. :(