John Stones

[Pabbers]

But 9/10 times he wins the ball. He's had a poor few games but let's not jump on his back. He's class. Bojan, Arnautovic and Shaqiri would rip any defence apart with the form they were in yesterday.

It doesnt matter if he wins the ball, he is playing on impulse chraging down a player out of position like that, and a good defence needa to be disciplined with its position, 3 of the goals come from that very thing.

He can be ace, but he is costing us goals, and points.

 

[BlueToff]

It doesnt matter if he wins the ball, he is playing on impulse chraging down a player out of position like that, and a good defence needa to be disciplined with its position, 3 of the goals come from that very thing.

He can be ace, but he is costing us goals, and points.

Howard is costing us a hell of a lot more. Stones and Mori are both guilty of diving in too quickly at times. Jags is more experienced and doesn't do it all that often. Stones is better than Mori - ergo, Stones should stay in and Jags should replace Mori.

 

[BlueToff]

Should be who's performing better and hes not at the moment.

He might not be at his best, but he's still better than Mori. I like Mori, and he's done well, but Stones and Jagielka is our first choice pairing and it should stay that way when Jags is back.

If the same problems re-occur, then you look at dropping him - as Martinez should have done with Howard about two months back.

 

[Pabbers]

Howard is costing us a hell of a lot more. Stones and Mori are both guilty of diving in too quickly at times. Jags is more experienced and doesn't do it all that often. Stones is better than Mori - ergo, Stones should stay in and Jags should replace Mori.

But mori is playing better than stones, imo 3 goals come from stones yesterday, yes he is young, yes he is learning, but why do we have to be the practis club!?!

Jags will improve us, and Howard is pants, but he didn't lose the ball and bring on all those chances!?!

 

[BlueRoadmaster]

Yeah you cant drop him now it would wreck the lads confidence, he was brilliant at the start of the season just going through a rough patch like all young players do especially at CB,

 

[BlueToff]

But mori is playing better than stones, imo 3 goals come from stones yesterday, yes he is young, yes he is learning, but why do we have to be the practis club!?!

Jags will improve us, and Howard is pants, but he didn't lose the ball and bring on all those chances!?!

Stones dived in early for the first goal, but then Mori was done easily by Arnautovic and Galloway didn't track Shaqiri. So really all three could take the blame there.

For the second, Stones had nothing to do with it. It was a quick pass by Bojan and then a great goal/fluke by Shaqiri - who again had beaten Galloway.

Third is all down to Howard, who actually takes Mori out as he flaps at the cross.

The penalty came from a slack touch from Barry. Stones got the ball, it shouldn't have been a pen, though I'll admit Stones probably went in rashly.

For the record, I don't think Stones played well yesterday, or against Newcastle (I actually gave him a 5 for that game and got slated for it). However, do I think he should be dropped? No way, and there's no chance he will be, rightly so.

The best way for a young player to develop and iron out mistakes is by playing, not by being dropped. Stones has been tasked with being our defensive leader in the last few weeks and unfortunately the last two or three games against in-form attacks have done for him slightly. It would also help our case if we had a semi-decent goalkeeper behind him.

 

[sageyefc]

He might not be at his best, but he's still better than Mori. I like Mori, and he's done well, but Stones and Jagielka is our first choice pairing and it should stay that way when Jags is back.

If the same problems re-occur, then you look at dropping him - as Martinez should have done with Howard about two months back.

Funes has been the better performer over the run of games hes more deserving of keeping his place

 

[BlueToff]

Funes has been the better performer over the run of games hes more deserving of keeping his place

Has he though? He's made far more noteable mistakes and he also conceded the penalty against Leicester - just as Stones did yesterday.

I'm telling you right now, Stones will not be dropped unless he's injured.

 

[sageyefc]

Has he though? He's made far more noteable mistakes and he also conceded the penalty against Leicester - just as Stones did yesterday.

I'm telling you right now, Stones will not be dropped unless he's injured.

Yes he has, his defensive stats are much greater than johns. And stones has made just as many mistakes as funes just doesn't get pulled up on them because he can do no wrong in some people's eyes.

Johns class and will probably be the best of his generation but at the minute he's found wanting defensively at times, he's been the weakest link out the back 4 over the past few weeks needs a few games out to ground him again

 

[hullefc]

Yeah you cant drop him now it would wreck the lads confidence, he was brilliant at the start of the season just going through a rough patch like all young players do especially at CB,

That's the rub mate and we have to stick with him through this patch as he is still learning his trade. But we have to accept that this may lead to goals being conceded. I think Jags will steady the ship and bring back the best out of Stones. I think Stones is trying too hard to do too many jobs when he sees the danger. Stones still needs to work on some aspects that he needs developing e.g attacking the ball generally and at corners.

Martinez has a hard choice to make - whether to give Stones a break and continue with Mori - who, at the moment, in my opinion is playing better than Stones. I think he should have Jags on the bench and start with Stones and Mori and bring Jags on for which ever of the two is not playing well.

Edit. That is why I'd go for 3 in the middle of the park. Besic Barry McCarthy as we did against Chelsea.

 

[BlueToff]

Yes he has, his defensive stats are much greater than johns. And stones has made just as many mistakes as funes just doesn't get pulled up on them because he can do no wrong in some people's eyes.

Johns class and will probably be the best of his generation but at the minute he's found wanting defensively at times, he's been the weakest link out the back 4 over the past few weeks needs a few games out to ground him again

I'll admit Stones has made mistakes mate, but he also makes a lot less when Jags is next to him.

Mori has done well, and I've been impressed, but he was brought in as a third-choice CB, at least for this season. He's proved he's capable of stepping up though, which is a good sign.

For me, it's just interesting how fans/pundits react when a young player goes through a tricky spell of form - which Stones is now doing for probably the first time. There always seems to be two camps (usually with the same people in each of them).

A - Calls for them to be dropped (a kick up the arse etc/needs a rest). This happened a lot with Lukaku last season, and even more with Barkley (this season, even though he's been one of the best midfielders in the league).

B - Leave them in, let them grow and develop and overcome this bad spell - as it will make them a better player overall. If the mistakes continue for a sustained spell (e.g. five, six games) then maybe look to switch it up. (Basically what Rio Ferdinand said on 5Live last night).

IMO, Option B is preferable, but then again everyone thinks differently.

 

[sageyefc]

I'll admit Stones has made mistakes mate, but he also makes a lot less when Jags is next to him.

Mori has done well, and I've been impressed, but he was brought in as a third-choice CB, at least for this season. He's proved he's capable of stepping up though, which is a good sign.

For me, it's just interesting how fans/pundits react when a young player goes through a tricky spell of form - which Stones is now doing for probably the first time. There always seems to be two camps (usually with the same people in each of them).

A - Calls for them to be dropped (a kick up the arse etc/needs a rest). This happened a lot with Lukaku last season, and even more with Barkley (this season, even though he's been one of the best midfielders in the league).

B - Leave them in, let them grow and develop and overcome this bad spell - as it will make them a better player overall. If the mistakes continue for a sustained spell (e.g. five, six games) then maybe look to switch it up. (Basically what Rio Ferdinand said on 5Live last night).

IMO, Option B is preferable, but then again everyone thinks differently.

IMO we've been forced to do Plan B already because of injuries an he's gotten more shaky

 

[BlueToff]

IMO we've been forced to do Plan B already because of injuries an he's gotten more shaky

He wasn't shaky at the start of the season, though. He had a rough game or two against United/Arsenal after his knock, then he was class up until the Leicester game, where he started to make mistakes and was run ragged. Last few games he hasn't really recovered, but you stick by him, and he'll come good. Should only be rested for the game in the FA Cup, I'd say.

 

[sageyefc]

He wasn't shaky at the start of the season, though. He had a rough game or two against United/Arsenal after his knock, then he was class up until the Leicester game, where he started to make mistakes and was run ragged. Last few games he hasn't really recovered, but you stick by him, and he'll come good. Should only be rested for the game in the FA Cup, I'd say.

Thought he was ropey earlier on in the season before a decent spell and now a poor spell again.

Not saying stick him on the bench for the rest of the season just 2 or 3 games and see if it clears his head and gives him a little kick up the bottom

 

[BlueToff]

Thought he was ropey earlier on in the season before a decent spell and now a poor spell again.

Not saying stick him on the bench for the rest of the season just 2 or 3 games and see if it clears his head and gives him a little kick up the bottom

Fair enough. I'm in the other camp though - I'd rather see our best players play, and for me that's the best way for him to play his way out of a poor spell. If it continues when Jags is back, then maybe look to shake things up a bit.