The Manchester City fans in the Transfer Tavern have been reacting to comments made by former Chelsea striker and pundit, Tony Cascarino. Cascarino claimed that John Stones “worries him” with his insistence on playing out from the back after he almost gave a goal away early against Italy. Cascarino made the comments whilst speaking on Jim White’s breakfast show on TalkSPORT.
Is Stones too much of a liability for England? https://t.co/jv9dGnX9ln
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) 29 March 2018
England’s backline has been a cause for debate for a number of months now. It’s a rare find to see two Three Lions fans who agree on who should be starting in Russia. The debate of whether to go with a back three or a back four rages on and then there’s the more personal matter of who should be deployed in defence. Most fans though agree that John Stones is the only defender who should be a nailed on starter in Russia. The City man has looked far from convincing at times but given the awful form from the likes of Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Gary Cahill, Stones looks to have been gifted a starting place by his international rivals.
The 23-year-old started the season at the heart of Pep Guardiola’s City defence, next to Nicolas Otamendi. Although throughout the season Stones has struggled to shake off both knee and hamstring problems and has subsequently lost his place to Vincent Kompany. The club also splashed out to bring Aymeric Laporte to the Etihad in January, further putting Stones’ first-team status under pressure. The ex-Everton man no doubt has a big future but will need to kick the mistakes from his game if he wants to go down as a true great for both England and Manchester City.
Taking that into account, here’s our local Citizens’ reaction to Cascarino’s comments:
Every player on the pitch has the potential to be a liability. Some more than others as they choose not to hide.
— Stuart Polak (@stu_polak82) March 29, 2018
Just like joe hart hes hot potential to be great but is always making mistakes
— Alan Middleton (@alanm8412) March 29, 2018
No. Give him time
— Angad (@Angad_Red) March 29, 2018
He doesn’t look convincing, but who else is there to pick?
— rob davies (@genericsok) March 29, 2018
He could be a terrific player, if he knew when to play out & when not to. His decision making is the problem.
Maybe he thinks he's better than he is, & that's what keeps catching him out! You can't take forwards on, in front of your own 18yd box!— Trickytreechris (@SmoozerChris) March 29, 2018
https://twitter.com/RhyFrench/status/979248164426444800
You just know he will cost England in one or two of the games in the WC. You can’t go into knowing that
— Dan (@Altgthr) March 29, 2018
