Surely that goal is down to Kyle Walker’s error. Perhaps Stones could’ve tracked back a little earlier but probably wasn’t expecting Walker to do that.
Grigg didn’t call the dummy, he was just opportunistic and took his chance. Very much right place at the right time. Great finish mind.
He anticipated Kyle Walker cocking up which given it was Kyle Walker had a fair chance of happening. Finished it well as you say.
I dont think he anticipated it but he didnt half take full advantage when the opportunity presented itself. To try and rope Stones in in laughable though and initially a dig at the keeper as well - only one player to blame for the goal though - to try and share it round is just dumb - then again it is Shearer so ...
I wonder if he has an agenda against Stones, perhaps, even trying to influence against his likely World Cup place.
To be fair to Shearer although he started the season well Stones has struggled lately, and remains vulnerable on one-on-ones. Still in the balance I think as to whether he will be starting next season or whether they'
He’s a world class defender, that’s not very good at defending, so is he really a world class player ?, I think he’s a very good player, with the potential to be even better. But a lot of our fans carry on as though he’s the best that’s every played the game.
Lets be honest here, we all love Stones, I certainly do....but he's not living up to the hype. He can keep possession in general and pick a (short) pass, but as a defender he is at the moment he really needs to up his game. He would at the moment on defending ability struggle to get into most premier league teams and even some championship. I really worry for him, he needs to step it up and sharply.
When you're a centre half and your team mates are as good on the ball, you're not going to drift into the space behind them in anticipation that they will make a mistake. If a wide man is having a go at your full back, yeah, you're going to have an eye on the space behind but not when your full back looks to comfortably be first to the ball. It was just one of those things. City are absolutely walking the premier league by playing that way they do.
Stones gets a lot of unwarranted stick for mistakes that aren’t his own, it happened last season against Barca with 2 goals that weren’t his **** ups. It comes with the price tag. He’s been outstanding for most of this season defensively & on the ball. Shaky games against a Liverpool side who can rip anybody apart on their day & against Burnley in his first game back from injury don’t change that. If any of you watched his performances in Europe & against the best sides in the league before his injury in November & can tell me of more than a couple of defenders better in the league I’d be surprised. Alderweireld & possibly his team mate Otamendi & that’s your lot.
The short BBC highlights showed Stones twice - once after the goal and at the end of the match walking off disconsolately. No other defender was pictured individually. Seems it may be BBC MOTD and not just Shearer who may have a downer on Stones.
I've never really got the John Stone thing. A very lucky boy to be playing at this level. He just doesn't defend and looks nervous on the ball. Decent lad and looks the part physically, but it takes a lot more than that to make a world class footballer.
‘Nervous on the ball’ is just about the last thing I could ever describe Stones as, if anything he’s too relaxed & confident with the ball