Why do pundits and commentators still think Stones is a good passer? He's comfortable on the ball but it's been made very clear this season over and over and over again he's really not a great passer. He's worse than someone like Jones never mind Koscielny.
John Stones | Performances
- Thread starter Samid
- Start date
He played under Martinez and Guardiola bought him. That's about it. He tries to pass a lot, but doesn't really do it successfully.
He's got good technique but lacks a brain
I think even from a technical perspective his passing's really average. He definitely lacks vision but he makes so many sloppy passes which have more to do with sloppy technique more than anything else.
Definitely. Was thinking this the other week watching Jones pass out from the back with nice, clean, intelligent passes (passing to the midfielders that actually themselves had a pass on after receiving the ball).
Stones has become a bit of a parody of himself, I think. He's young and he's doing what he's been told he's good at, and what has got him praise and attention - rather than thinking for himself and playing logically, if that makes sense. So many times, the easy pass is on and instead he feels that he has to be a 'better' player than that. He was doing this at Everton as well.
Pogba was doing this for about 2 months for us this season. I think it's youth and the desire to meet expectations.
Stones could well end up the next Smalling/Jones, in that he's been touted as being the next 'best defender in England', but might well fall short.
Saying that, he's still young, so he might sort it out, but for me, he'd be better under a manager that would actually bring out the defender in him, rather than focus on his already natural inclination to play out from the back! He'd probably improve under José more than he has/will under Guardiola.
Well, I had 50 pence on him scoring a header at 21/1 - good on him! 
Well, I had 50 pence on him scoring a header at 21/1 - good on him!
Hey big spender!!
No need to stroke my ego like that!
After having lost too many bets recently, I thought it was fitting to bet the remaining 50 pence on my betting account on the glorious defender that is Mr. John Stones!Congrats on the win! You can challenge West Ham's bid for Snodgrass with that kind of dosh.No need to stroke my ego like that!
He looks composed on the ball for a defender, I think that's what made him stand out initially. What he actually does with the ball is another matter.
Jones is pretty underrated in that regard to be fair. Due to his aggressive blood and thunder style people forget he's a decent footballer for a centre half. Decent enough that he played a good few games in midfield for both United and England and looked fairly comfortable. Not all CBs would be able to handle playing in midfield at top level football.
Everton 4:0 Man City
At sea for the goal.
His defending has always been underwhelming at best but pep's tactics will ensure he never really improves on that aspect of that game. Mourinho would have built on Stones' strength and turned him to a proper defender. Pep will destroy him.
Just another day at the office.
yeah right....i mean its okay to criticize a player when he is playing badly and Stones was(seems to up his game a bit in last game or two) but lets not push it. The blame for the goal goes to Clichy(passed it straight to Everton player), Yaya(poor reaction) and Otamendi(poor positioning).
Stones did nothing wrong, played a pass to Clichy and switched places with Yaya as he dropped back(something they do all game and something we do with Carrick and our CBs).
Stones made the wrong move. He seems to be going the way of Ireland, Bellamy, Scott Sinclair, Rodwell, Delph and all those talents that got wasted.
Also, only in the Caf can you hear that defenders like Cahill and Azpi are average
Also, only in the Caf can you hear that defenders like Cahill and Azpi are average
What was he doing there? He just completely shat it from Barkley. He's a horrendous defender, one of the worst I've ever seen.
of course he turns to shit after i defend him at HT...
Utter garbage.
fecking Stones, he's the ultimate plonker
he does it again wow
Must think he's playing for Everton still.
There are no words
bloody hell..
This has to be the worst season, by any defender at a Champions League club in England in recent memory?
I can't think of anyone who compares, who remained first choice at his club.
I can't think of anyone who compares, who remained first choice at his club.
Poor fella, having a club pay £50m for him.
In a rare defence, in that particular incident Stones will get stick (he could have put it out) but that's just a fluke bounce back. The keeper was worse in the incident.
£50m
Fifty
Million
What on earth were they thinking? Defenders are supposed to be good at defending.
Fifty
Million
What on earth were they thinking? Defenders are supposed to be good at defending.
I said he's fecking shit
He's making it far too easy to criticise.
You couldn't make this up, seriously.
The only thing that suprises me are that there are still people trying to defend him. Trying harder than he is to defend at least
City have about three other candidates for that honor.
50m and you'd think he can at least clear a ball properly.
You can buy half the people on the Caf for a tenner and any one of us could have cleared that ball out for a throw in.
You can buy half the people on the Caf for a tenner and any one of us could have cleared that ball out for a throw in.
Silvestre?
He's so bad. He can't even pass the ball that well which is supposedly his redeeming quality
good shout