Controversial view

Same fella told me I was being daft when I said we don’t pay big money for defenders without us being sure about them and intending them to be first team regulars. I’m too lazy to find the thread though.

 

In defence of Stones he was a having a very good season up to the injury lay-off. Shouldn’t have got knocked off the ball so easy by Firmino, but I think it was a case of him being off balance rather than beaten by brut strength, but deffo his mistake and as far as I can remember his only one.

 

Was that pic taken in your back garden.

 

Nah! The robins and blackbirds ensure we're not pestered by bears, especially ones looking for picnic baskets!

 

Hahaha, stay safe biglil.

 

Brut strength?

Maybe he should have given him a High Karate or simply just Denim in.

 

Sure thing

 

Their new clubs - barring Bree - also hold them in high regard as well. Many of my Everton supporting friends can see a lot of potential in Holgate, Premiership clubs are preparing bids for Mawson and Stones was bought by one of the best coaches in the world - not bad endorsements.

 

On Stones, he’s been outstanding from August to October then got injured. He’s been rushed back because Kompany got injured & Mangala doesn’t suit Guardiola’s style. Made a mistake against Burnley & had to try & make a tackle out of desperation covering for Mangala on Tuesday. Today he was clearly fouled by Firminho. You aren’t allowed to push out with your elbow like that. It should’ve been a free kick. It’s laughable for anyone to say ‘outmuscled’ when he’s been pushed in the back. Outmuscled is when a defender is side by side & gets shoulder barged out of the way legally.

City’s centre backs also have to take more risks than any other teams defenders because of the way the manager instructs them to play. It’s a lot easier to be a centre back at Man Utd, Chelsea etc. Stones could comfortably fit in at either of them teams. Imagine asking Smalling, Jones or Cahill to slot into that City back 4 & play out from the back like Stones & Otamendi do? They’d be hopeless at it.

What’s Holgate done wrong? Having his first season playing centre back for Everton & outperforming Jagielka, Keane & Williams according to most Everton fans. I’d say if anything he gets under rated.

Mawson, probably a bit over rated, never a £50m player if them reports are true. Goals from a centre back are always likely to inflate his price.

Bree. Hard to say. Bruce gone for experience in Elmohamady who he’s worked with before. Hopefully he’ll fulfil his potential but who knows. Still a bairn

 

Jury is still out on Brie, but Camembert is doing well in the u23s.

 

It was a fair challenge. Stones should have been expecting it and not dallying on the ball. He had time to play it back to the keeper or clear and he just took too much time. If he does that for England in the summer he'll be getting some right stick.

 

Solid as a Roquefort.

 

Stones is world class but that's just my opinion.

Mawson is overhyped. Everytime I see him play, he looks bang average at Prem level.

I think Holgate is better than Mawson. Definitely got summet about him and feel he'll make the England squad and play next to Stones on a regular basis once Gary Cahill retracts.

James Bree is a top six Championship full back with the potential of being a top six Prem full back. Whether he reaches those heights under a manager who'd prefer experience for his own gain will be seen in the near future.

 

It wasn’t, not according to the rules. Blatant foul pushing out with the elbow in the back.

He’d probably get stick off of drunk morons in the pub but at the same time referees in Europe & international tournaments apply the rules more strictly & would more than likely have blown up anyway