a bit disappointed with Stones tonight. Felt proud for the lad, and I'm sure he'll get better, but were it not for the fact that he's one of our own I think people would have said it was a bit of a nothing debut. He wont get many games where he has less to do defensively, but IMO offered very little going forward, despite lots of possesion. Always seemed to want to turn back and give it to someone behind him. When he did cross it they were good quality, but too rare. Would have like to see him try and get into the box or the by line. sorry, (but to coin a phrase) hth That said I have no doubt that the future is very bright for him, especially if played in central defense.
Didn't overlap once but did put in the most dangerous cross England had. Crowd reaction positive, good reaction when he was substituted. First hand observation btw, not from tv.
Thought he did ok. First half was better than the second, he didn't see as much of the ball after half time. Couple of good crosses, decent passing and retaining of possession. He'll get better with experience and I get the feeling that like most of the team tonight he didn't want to over-exert himself with the qualifiers starting on Monday.
He's not a right back though. He's played 3 games (I think) at right back in the past year & about 25 at centre back. After that long away from playing there he's bound to lose the confidence of playing the role. I find it bizarre that we'd rather stick centre backs at right back (Stones, Smalling, Jones etc) than give a natural right back like Clyne who's been deserving of a chance for a year now a go there
I thought he had a steady game. Not outstanding but worthy of the shirt. Like you said he retained possession well and put in a couple of dangerous crosses which would've been nodded home had we played a good target man up front. Offered more than some players did (captain included). Had he kept his first half performance up I'd have given him a 7, but he was less effective in the 2nd half, but that consistency will come with more experience in the side. Which I'm sure he'll get.
There were several occasions when Oxlade-Chamberlain was in possession with space opening up on the right hand side. Crying out for an overlap by Stones, but he stayed back. A safe, unadventurous debut. Hope he's more attack-minded in future.
This could be mistaken for a Reece Brown thread, a centre back being played at right back. And like Brown, Stones probably did a lot of good work that went unnoticed. If they can put in good crosses there isn't a necessity for them to go on the overlap.
Could not agree more - went back everytime And like you say he is one of our own - otherwise everyone would be saying the same But hes only 20 year old so time to improve
Refreshingly surprised by the reaction Thought I would get slaughtered for even suggesting he wasn't great :biggrin: As people are saying, he din't do anything wrong, just could have been a bit more adventurous. To be fair I don't think he's played for Everton yet this season, so might just be a bit rusty.
Re: Refreshingly surprised by the reaction Yes he has, he played right back v Leicester and had a shocker. Was at fault for Leicesters equaliser at 2-2. But when I mentione he shouldn't be playing full back for Everton or England I got pelters. He's a centre half
Solid defensively. And I did see a couple of occasions where he offered the overlap, or an angle for one, but the player holding the ball either didn't spot him or decided against it. He did knock in the best cross of the night too. 6/10 which isn't too bad for a full debut with all the nerves that go with it. Did enough to keep his place IMO, although it'd be nice to see him picked as a CB, which is what he is now.
