He's made plenty of individual errors.
It's also worth pointing out that he was pants at Everton and most people were laughing at the transfer when it happened.
John Stones | Performances
- Thread starter Samid
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It's also worth pointing out that he was pants at Everton and most people were laughing at the transfer when it happened.
Who'd have thought Phil Jones would be playing like a £50m centreback while Stones performs in every game like a fan who's getting a player for the day experience.
His ability on the ball is shocking.
my word, did you have to choose this time to write this?
Me. I always rated Jones as the most talented English CB, much more talented then Smalling, never mind Stones. Only question mark with Jones I had were injuries...
Jones could always defend. Just couldn't keep fit. Stones has never been as good a defender Jones was even as a 19 year old - even with his rash tendencies.
Had Mourinho signed him, I don't think he would be telling him to always try and football, you have a point, but it was ironic that the 4th goal came today when he was actually just trying to belt the ball clear rather than attempting a pass that wasn't on. Earlier on, in the same area of the pitch, when he flicked the ball up for himself and sliced it way up in the air, that pretty much summed him up. Far too casual and over-confident, to put it mildly.
This is a defense that is poor individually and tactically. Stones gets most of the grief here but, he is far from the only problem.
Jones always defended well when he was fit. People forgot that since he was injured for such a long time.
For a ball-playing CB he's pretty fecking atrocious on the ball.
Can't defend either, and is constantly physically bullied by opposition players.
Honestly, is he good at anything?
Can't defend either, and is constantly physically bullied by opposition players.
Honestly, is he good at anything?
I never said he's the only problem. But he is still one of the problems.
Otamendi and Stones could have been our centre halfs if some fans would have had their way.
well, at least its not his fault someone paid 50 million for him. that might be something to cheer him up
I think he is the only one that might be salvageable so I agree with what Carragher said.
He should be kept as an example for a future City defenders of how not to play?
Taking Carrick off will cost us
Both can be a good combination under Mourinho, I'd think. They're not poor defenders per se, just extremely unsuited to the kind of play that Pep asks of them.
Stones should have spent time under Koeman learning how to defend, he's a lot of potential being wasted now, being asked to focus on build-up play while he is still suspect defensively. He is paying a price for being a young defender who can pass.
Can't understand why the Everton fans were booing Stones, for me you only do that when you're hurt that a good player has left you. Their fans should be happy they sold him because it's fantastic piece of business for Everton because he is garbage, Ashley Williams is a far better defender than him.
He played Lukaku onside and gave the ball to Mirallas after a bad tackle. Anything else. That is enough to laugh at him granted. 
I'm actually starting to feel a bit sorry for him.
Terrible performance from him today but he is getting badly exposed by what is happening in front of him.
Seems like every 2 games he has a terrible performance and the other ones are shit too, but not absolutely shit. He is a running joke currently.
There is still a small bit of me that thinks he will come good but doesn't look promising
Shearer was rinsing him and Phil was trying to absolve him of everything. Made for and amusing spot on MOTD.
He's dreadful. Will they admit their mistake though?
I said it since the beginning of last year, John Stones is now and always will be a terrible centre half. The lad cannot defend. I don't care how many keepy-ups he can do his positioning is poor and is easily bullied. If this lad were not English he would have been getting absolutely crucified for his performances even last year at Everton and would have most likely be hounded out of the division by the media
At 22, he would need to be well in advance of where he is in terms of basic defensive ability to still be considered a "prospect". The only way I see City salvaging anything from this transfer is if they try and convert him to a holding midfielder.
At 22, he would need to be well in advance of where he is in terms of basic defensive ability to still be considered a "prospect". The only way I see City salvaging anything from this transfer is if they try and convert him to a holding midfielder.
Same arguement could be made for why Bebe and Ali Dia were shit. It was their first seasons too. He is not new to this league, he is just Shite.
The other two are desperate to absolve him.
I can't see Pep standing for this much longer.
Pep will try and save his own skin and that will include binning Stones.
I expect City to Spend heavily to replace both Stones and Otamendi in defense. Neither is fit for purpose.
Pep will try and save his own skin and that will include binning Stones.
I expect City to Spend heavily to replace both Stones and Otamendi in defense. Neither is fit for purpose.
He was full of mistakes at Everton too but nobody cared then.
Who does though, it could just be rinse and repeat all over again. Maybe some defenders just can't cope with PL football. Stones just isn't as good as he thinks he is.
Problem is how can they replace both. There ain't no potential or veteran CBs available. And the competition for the signings of those would be stiff given Barcelona, Chelsea,... even us would compete for these CBs.
They said it was Roberto Martinez' s fault.
Remember city had the young lad Nastatsic who had a great 1st season at the club then had a bad couple months and the media ripped him to shreads, yet he was not nearly half as bad as what any of the current CB at city have been. Stones, Otamendi, Kompany are all pretty poor as defenders. There CM leaves them way to exposed as well in fairness
They will have to keep spending until they get it right.
They seem to buy the latest flavour of the month without much planning. Long may their struggle continue though
That's their problem though.
I don't want them to fix it, but I'm simply pointing it out.
And every one in the market knows that they are desperate so they will pay quite a premium.
If Stones had a good, experienced partner alongside him it would be better for him.
And a coach who set up defending unit properly. Having Martinez and Pep is a disaster for his career. He needs to learn how to defend first.