This is what I struggle with. He seems to have all the natural attributes required to be one. Fast, tall, strong, comfortable on the ball. He makes defending look easy most of the time then seems to make basic errors from nowhere. Trying to figure out if it's something that will improve with experience or if he's always going to be a bit dodgy.
John Stones
- Thread starter ottosec
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This is what I struggle with. He seems to have all the natural attributes required to be one. Fast, tall, strong, comfortable on the ball. He makes defending look easy most of the time then seems to make basic errors from nowhere. Trying to figure out if it's something that will improve with experience or if he's always going to be a bit dodgy.
Did he mess up for Ayew's goal? Wasn't watching but I heard he was involved.
Not sure I agree with that either. He's a better CB than Blind. That's not saying a huge amount though.
Nah he was unlucky. Tried to block the shot and it deflected in off him.
That has nothing to do with defensive ability, and that's where all the hype comes from. There's nothing particularly exceptional about him if you just look at his defensive attributes.
We need someone who is used to playing on the left side, doesn't necessarily have to be left-footed
I don't know if he has all the natural attributes. If anything, he has the attributes that aren't natural for a CB - for a British CB at least; his confidence and ability on the ball are what he stands out in, but defensively, aerially etc. he doesn't stand out in comparison to other defenders his age. Pretty much what Skills said.
He clearly does stand out and he does have useful attributes.
Being 6'5 helps in the air. Having the pace to beat most strikers on the ground is also a big attribute. He seems to have good coordination also which is a help in timing tackles and clearing the ball well. His comfort on the ball is an advantage at high level football where defenders are expected to be involved in the play. These are all useful attributes for a defender.
Decision making and positioning seem to be areas to improve. However as SilentWitness said it wasn't as big a problem last season when he had an experience partner to guide him a bit. Perhaps he just needs a better partner and the guidance of a manager who knows something about defending.
Tries too hard to find a way out from the back. Carragher is right, he needs to remember the basics.
6'5?? I think he's 6'2. He's alright in the air, but he's nothing special. That's fine I guess, because in this hypothetical scenario Smalling would be the more aerially dominant. Pace is fine too, but most modern CB's who aren't Blind are fast. Rojo and Jones for instance, whilst not as fast as Smalling, are still two of the quicker in the league.
Like I say though, he doesn't stand out because of defensive abilities, as someone like Marquinhos was doing at Roma. That doesn't mean he's bad defensively, but if you were to compare him in a solely defensive context against Funes Mori and Jagielka, for instance, I'm not sure if he'd win such a debate.
Like I say though, he doesn't stand out because of defensive abilities, as someone like Marquinhos was doing at Roma. That doesn't mean he's bad defensively, but if you were to compare him in a solely defensive context against Funes Mori and Jagielka, for instance, I'm not sure if he'd win such a debate.
He's like a cross between Rio Ferdinand and Silvestre.
Tellingly Souness also said he doesn't spot danger quickly enough. That's a concern. Is it something that can be learned at that level or is it something a player has to naturally possess?
It really was accurate by Souness. He should have seen that was the danger and stopped it before having to try and do last second heroics (which didnt quite work).
As I said before, hes overrated and if United were to sign him you would see a lot of "FFS Stones" in similar vein to the "FFS Jones" posts we get. His mistakes arent highlighted as much as if he were to play for one of the big boys. Thats no disrespect to Everton, but just the way it is. He has a helluva lot of learning to do.
As I said before, hes overrated and if United were to sign him you would see a lot of "FFS Stones" in similar vein to the "FFS Jones" posts we get. His mistakes arent highlighted as much as if he were to play for one of the big boys. Thats no disrespect to Everton, but just the way it is. He has a helluva lot of learning to do.
Feck you're right. He looks much taller.
For all the talk of his brilliant ability on the ball he never seems to actually affect the game with it. Rather than playing a simple pass he'll decide to run with the ball and beat a man but then ends up playing the simple pass anyway. Seems to be starting to believe the hype about him recently and trying to prove how talented and composed he is every time he gets the ball and taking exrra time or extra touches rather than playing naturally
£50m for him is madness when you can get Laporte for 15m less.
Not really, that works under the assumption that Laporte is going to settle at the club equally as well as someone born an hour down the A628 and is likely to stay at the club as long.
All this rubbish about signing British players. All our players were British when we got relegated also when we were rubbish after that and were grateful for a cup win. You should sign the best, nationality shouldn't come into it.
Plus homegrown quota requirements... Good English players are in a lot of demand in that respect
Bale stayed around for a long time.
You can't compare Spurs with United. They're a stepping stone, we're an end station. Rooney and Ferdinand would be the appropriate comparisons.
Jones is a better defender and Stones' ability on the ball has to be the most overblown attribute of any player in the league. Just ahead of Ashley Young being a good crosser
In fairness, he played an absolute cracking through ball to Coleman towards the end today, the kind of ball Messi would be proud of. He's definitely excellent on the ball but all that praise seems to have gotten to his head a bit. Takes far too long on the ball and is overly cocky.
So can Laporte. He is also a real danger in the air.
Certainly at one point - but you don't have that status anymore I'm afraid.
Unfortunately I agree with you. It hasn't taken us long to fall to that level either.
His arrogance is making me really dislike him of late. His ball playing ability was always used in moderation, now it's like he is trying to show off and the way he is reacting to his mistakes of late is infuriating. Needs benching til he earns his place back. He has regressed this season.
It's not gone that far yet, but we're heading in the Liverpool direction indeed.
Yes we do, it's not gone yet. A few more years of mediocrity and you'll have a point.
I think his defensive qualities are not warranting of a big move. Maybe he can become a defensive midfielder.
Well spotted
Yeah, that's a bit of a stretch if that's the best you can do.
And if that is a consideration who is more likely to want to move to Spain or Barcelona?
It is. True. However if someone rises to the level Bale did then there is no saying they wouldn't move. Also just because he is English doesn't mean he will be great. Don't think Everton fans are enamoured with his attitude at the moment. Big headedness isn't just confined to foreigners.
Every time I watch him I don't see what the hype is. A lot of pundits have said he's already the best centre back in England. He really isn't. He might eventually be but its clear that his arrogance is really hurting Everton. He makes big mistakes every game, costing them points even.
Yeah we do. It's one of the best things about all the ugly, rampant capitalism.
United were already dominant and strong when we signed a young Rio and Rooney. They walked into established teams and SAF still relatively young.
Right now, we are in no mans land. If I were a young talented player, I'd hesitate before joining right now, especially given the uncertainty regarding manager and style of football.
Everytime I watch him he does something to cost his team.
