Stones starts for England

, 2 September, 54comments  |  Jump to most recent
John Stones has been named in Roy Hodgson's starting XI for England's friendly against Norway at Wembley tomorrow evening.

The young defender will make his first international start — albeit likely as a fullback given the presence of Gary Cahill and Phil Jones in the starting XI — and will be joined by his Everton team-mate, Leighton Baines.

Phil Jagielka will be on the bench.  



Reader Comments (54)

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Mark Andersson
1 Posted 02/09/2014 at 23:36:38
Well I hope he has a good game. It will also be good for Jags to get use to bench time.
Jamie Crowley
3 Posted 02/09/2014 at 23:55:24
Let's hope Roberto takes England's lead and starts Stones from here on out.
Paul Ferry
4 Posted 02/09/2014 at 23:54:46
Nice one! Enjoy the day JS. So, Hodgson has the nous to pick Stones ahead of Jags-Hoofer-Howler so let’s hope that Bobby does the same thing at Alan Irvine’s new home.
James Thornhill
5 Posted 03/09/2014 at 00:09:43
I really hope Stones does not start at full back. I don't rate him in that position at all!
John Daley
6 Posted 03/09/2014 at 00:19:11
"...likely as a fullback given the presence of Gary Cahill and Phil Jones"

It could be Phil Jones doing his impression of a right back? He's played in that position a number of times before. Better that than Stones being asked to fill in there on his full debut.

Ant Dwyer
7 Posted 03/09/2014 at 01:18:45
Before speaking about the fantastic achievement of our young defender, John Stones, I’d like to take this chance to remind one or two of you about who Phil Jagielka is!

Some of you are happy tearing strips off Jagielka as though he is some nobody or a kopite. Jags is our Club Captain and a loyal servant who didn’t murmour one single word a few seasons back when Arsenal tried to rattle his cage and steal him from us.

Jags has been brilliant for us for years now and is far from washed up, although I will admit he is struggling massively at the moment for some recent form. I feel this has clearly been brought on by his duty at the World Cup; none of our national players came out of this competition with any credit. Loss of form after a major tournament is something that in the past has affected many players from all around the globe at every different level, not just Phil Jagielka. I’d like our fans to bear this in mind when talking down about our captain!

I’d also like people to note that our poor defending is not all down to one man; we have conceded 10 goals from only 14 shots on target, which is not a flattering stat for Tim Howard, who in turn had a great World Cup. Also, Distin (who did not even go to teh World Cup) is out of form, along with Baines and Coleman not fully firing either.

Also, Barry is starting to look 33 at this time too... which is worrying since he has been handed a 3-year deal and is barely a month into it.

Again, please consider the above next time one of you choose to disparage our players; please be little a more loyal Blues.

After all that is said, I also feel now is most definitely the right time to put Stones into our team at centre-half, probably it’s right that he plays with Distin for now also. That said, I still feel that in time Jagielka will come around and return to some decent form; considering we have up-and-coming Europa and Carling Cup games, he will get plenty of chances.

Right I’ve had my rant. Onto Stones’s England selection: I too hope he is played in his better position of centre-back as he does look slightly lost at right-back, in my opinion. Jones is a big yard dog and couldn’t lace Stones’s boots so surely it is he who should be shifted over to right-back and not Stones... but, with Woy at the helm, who knows! No matter where he’s put, though, I wish him all the best.

Mark Andersson
8 Posted 03/09/2014 at 02:51:08
Good shout Ant, no player deserves a drubbing if their trying. But most fans believe that it's their right toshout and scream when things are not going well.
Mark Andersson
9 Posted 03/09/2014 at 03:06:18
Also can I just remind a few people that not that long ago many where shouting their mouths off about Naismith. Do you think he read into all that or did The Martinez positive influence turn him round to now been unplayable. Jags will come good the team will get better and all will be fine.
Harold Matthews
10 Posted 03/09/2014 at 02:56:56
Cahill is the right sided CB, so his partner is likely to be Jones.

Stones lost his England U21 RB position to Jenkinson but he should be ok with Cahill and Henderson providing cover. He just has to remember to keep things simple and not be caught too far out of position. Injuries to Johnson and the Spurs guy have pushed him up the order and I hope he manages to impress. These chances don't arrive too often.

Derek Thomas
11 Posted 03/09/2014 at 03:39:48

I remember Labone went through a similar crisis of confidence around 1967ish and was stinking the place out; we knew it and he knew it. But then, as now, there was no real alternative, with the only viable challengers, Kenyon, Hurst, Darcy, not ready or suited or good enough to step up to the main role.

(Again as I remember,) He took the step of thinking out loud in the press about retirement at the end of the season. The effect was almost Instantaneous, it was like signing a new player. Maybe Jagielka should start with the International scene and take some of the mental load off

Ryan Snyder
12 Posted 03/09/2014 at 05:12:48
Well said, Ant. It's been tough for all of us to watch these past few weeks. Things clearly need to change, but some of the things that have been written about Jags lately are a bit over the top. At the end of the day, he's been beyond loyal to the club and our fan base.

Good times are coming, guys. It's been a tough start, but if there was ever a manager that I'd want in charge of this group, it'd be Roberto. I have faith we'll still be smiling when we look back on this season come May, just like I have faith that Stones is gonna make us proud on the international level down the road.

Good Luck, Stonesy, but most importantly, stay healthy buddy. We need ya.

Chris Wilson
13 Posted 03/09/2014 at 05:28:03
I think we can all see the importance Ross Barkley has to the side. His offensive abilities, energy, strength, control, and mobility not only puts pressure on opposing defenses, but he also keeps their midfield in check which allows Barry and McCarthy to focus more on their task of protecting the back four. Folks have been saying we need to replace our central defense, but I suspect things will improve defensively when our Ross returns.

However (LOL) this is a John Stones thread and I wish him luck and...frankly he should've been in Brazil anyway. Good luck Mr. Stones, and come back to us healthy and hungry.

Christopher Wallace
14 Posted 03/09/2014 at 07:53:57
Well said Ant, but you have to take into account how fickle some of our fans are...

e.g. Lukaku is now shite and Naismith is brilliant.

Always been a fan of both, by the way. I was confident Naisy would come good, and even more so with Lukaku.

Tony Abrahams
15 Posted 03/09/2014 at 08:04:13
Well said, Ant, because I think Jagielka might have got slaughtered on here by the people who post before they think. He’s never been the best footballer, but as an out-and-out defender, we haven’t had many better down the years, so I’ve got to agree with Derek, and think he should now concentrate solely on Everton.

I don’t think he has ever been suited to international football anyway... well, not in the way that Stones should be, but he’s a proven top Premier League defender, who is going through a bad time at the minute, and I don’t know how going away with England is going to help his game.

James Morgan
16 Posted 03/09/2014 at 08:22:04
He will start at right back. Is it any wonder England have been shite so long? Players playing out of position all the time, Welbeck, Rooney and even Scholes have been shoved on the left, Wilshere sat deep, Stones at right back now.

Put the lad at centre half and give Clyne a shot at right back.

John Malone
17 Posted 03/09/2014 at 08:32:48
Coudn’t agree more with James Modgan – my sentiments exactly. The lad should be played in the position he earned the call-up in, he’s nowhere near as good when he plays right back, he hasn’t got the pace required. Nathaniel Clyne deserves a chance, the lad’s been impressing for a couple of years and scored a beauty against the RS.
Drew Shortis
18 Posted 03/09/2014 at 08:35:57
I agree with giving Nathaniel Clyne a go at right back and playing Stones in the centre. Clyne has been great for Southampton and after his dismal World Cup Hodgson should be looking for a long term replacement for Glen Johnson. Glad to see Stones get his first start, I just hope the boost in confidence will carry across into his Everton performances and help us solve our current defensive crisis.
Colin Glassar
19 Posted 03/09/2014 at 08:42:58
Good post Ant. I've been asking for Jags to be dropped recently, in favour of Stonesy, and I don't mind admitting it. I know Jags has been a great servant for us over he years and I know he will come good again, but he needs to be taken out of the spotlight so he can get his head together.

We all know that Hodgson is going to play Stonesy at RB tonight and if he has a stinker the media will be all over him. I used to hate it when our lads were overlooked for the England team, now I cringe when I see them chosen for the squad.

Tony J Williams
20 Posted 03/09/2014 at 09:25:17
If he plays right back, he is going to be in for a bad time.

He may have started as a right back but he is certainly a centre half now and the games he has played at right back are his worst for us.

Usual rubbish from an England Manager, popular choices thrown into the wrong positions just so he looks like he is one with the people...

Gavin Ramejkis
21 Posted 03/09/2014 at 09:39:03
Tony (#20) — what else would you expect from the ONLY manager who fucked up at the World Cup and kept their job? Engerland are a laughing stock: same old same old. Stones should be playing centre-half; playing Jones is a characteristic fuck-up on Woy's watch.
Tony Draper
22 Posted 03/09/2014 at 09:31:25
I'm VERY VERY unhappy about this.

Typical England team, picked like a "Fantasy Football XI", no regard to where players' true strengths and potential lies, just sling eleven names on a sheet and let's see what happens.

John Stones is not even Everton's first choice at CH let alone RB! Yet there he is making a start for the normally shambolic national XI.

Case in point is the new Captain, Wayne Rooney, continually slated for his England performances, yet where is he played? Bloody anywhere. Rooney's biggest fault by far is his eagerness to just play, consequently he has never forged a definitive role for Man Utd nor England.

Now Stones will be the next sacrificial blood on the altar of national football... Great potential, but FFS that won't be advanced one iota by playing out of position for the terminally & perpetually dysfunctional world ranked 20th England side.

No Thanks!

Andrew Ellams
25 Posted 03/09/2014 at 09:52:33
Norway are a poor side so Stones shouldn’t have too bad a time defensively. Still not ideal though.

As for the game, well 35,000 expected crowd says it all.

For me, the game of the weekend is Gibraltar vs Poland.

Steve Graves
27 Posted 03/09/2014 at 10:24:28
Agree with previous comment. Centre Back is his best postion. Is Stones being used as an emergency Right Back as none of the top Premier League sides currently have an English Right Back playing.
Dave Pritchard
28 Posted 03/09/2014 at 10:41:14
I also think that being picked for England is often a poisoned chalice. It is odd how you can be on the bench at your club and then get in the England team. Stones being one example. Welbeck would probably have started if fit as well.

I’ve not seen Stones have a good game for us at full back. I can only recall Leicester this year where he was suspect at times and the nightmare derby last season. At least it provides some interest in an otherwise meaningless game.

With regard to Jags, I would be happy to see him left out of England squads in the future so he can concentrate on getting back to his best for us.

Raymond Fox
29 Posted 03/09/2014 at 11:10:29
The lad's hardly ready to start for us, never mind for England.
Has Hodgson not been watching Stones's recent games, he's made some bad mistakes.

The bottom line is he's not yet ready to play in the Prem. or Internationals, in my opinion. He's being pushed to hard, John needs more games, yes but in less important matches.
If we're not careful, the lad's confidence will be badly affected, as is Jags.

Sue Brown
30 Posted 03/09/2014 at 11:24:57
Ant (#7) well said, fully agree. Jags hasn't been the same since his injury last season, and bad press following the World Cup hasn't done his confidence any good: I'm sure he doesn't need anyone to point out the obvious.

I'm pleased for Stones though, as long as he plays in position and doesn't become the fall guy for a crap England performance.

Liam Reilly
31 Posted 03/09/2014 at 12:21:59
Could be really damaging to Stones's confidence this if it all goes wrong at right back, like it did at Anfield last year.

Ridiculous decision by Hodgson.

Frank Duffy
32 Posted 03/09/2014 at 12:36:50
No wonder England have never won anything since 1966. You play your best 11 players in their correct positions. And then maybe you get a good team. Stones should play centre-back. It’s his best position.

Let’s hope our manager is listening.

Chris Matheson
33 Posted 03/09/2014 at 12:39:07
I agree with all above about being played out of position. Daft and I recall Keith Curle of Man City suffering the same fate: never recovered.

My main worry however, this being Everton and things being as they are, is that young Stonesey gets an injury then we really are in the soup. Just come back in one piece, lad!

Robbie Muldoon
34 Posted 03/09/2014 at 13:03:55
Right back? It will be a car crash. Don’t expect a confidence booster for the lad here.
Jon Withey
35 Posted 03/09/2014 at 13:09:21
Wasn't Stones at RB for England during the last game of the World Cup? He did look very comfortable there.
Matt Traynor
36 Posted 03/09/2014 at 13:13:37
Doubt it Jon #35 - he was on standby and didn't make the final squad.
Colin Williams
37 Posted 03/09/2014 at 13:34:19
Stonsey can play in a number of positions to a high standard. Some people are talking on here like he’s never played right back. The lad is top quality! (Couple of basic mistakes in pre- season) – get over it.

Just go through the constant cock-ups of our senior players. Now that is some think to worry about!

Harold Matthews
38 Posted 03/09/2014 at 13:38:58
With Johnson injured and Kyle Walker in hospital, it looks to be a battle of the young ones, Flanagan, Stones, Eric Dier, Calum Chambers, Jenkinson, Smalling and Jones. The media are already pushing for Dier and Chambers so our lad will need a good game.

Nice to know we also have Tylas Browning, Galloway and Luke Garbutt.

Ron Sear
39 Posted 03/09/2014 at 14:10:03
Dear Mr Hodgson

Please don't break him.

Yours Sincerely
Everton FC

Paul Ferry
40 Posted 03/09/2014 at 14:49:49
Ant Dwyer (#7),

This strikes me as being a fairly weak ’defence’ of Jags and, bear with me, somewhat inconsistent:

(1) This is the ’defence’. Do we know who he is: our club captain and "loyal servant"? I’m sorry, that’s not good enough. He is not untouchable and he is not beyond criticism. Captain? Sure.

(2) The World Cup! What this "he lost his confidence in Brazil" line conveniently forgets is that he was not very good before the World Cup and was clearly lacking in confidence or whatever before he got on that plane. Yes, June made things worse... but it was not the starting point.

(3) "Jags has been brilliant for us for years now." That’s an opinion and everyone is entitled to their opinion but I happen to think that ’brilliant’ is somewhat over the top and that he has not been ’brilliant’ for quite a while now – the one exception being Old Trafford last December.

(4) This I am afraid is a real unfortunate turn of argument: "Again, please consider the above next time one of you choose to disparage our players; please be little a more loyal Blues." This drives me nuts! ’loyal Blues’ cannot criticize or slam (which in these words is translated into ’disparage’. Along the same lines, we have the same old same old chestnut trotted out by Christopher Wallace – 14: "You have to take into account how fickle some of our fans are..." Forgive me, what rubbish! The old deadly twins, lack of loyalty and fickle, because? Because a quite significant quota of ToffeeWebbers rightly and nearly always respectfully point out PJ’s evident frailties – I watched the match again yesterday, he was simply awful, and that slip-up for Costa’s legitimate disallowed goal was pub footie – and ask for him to be dropped.

(5) And then oddly named Mr Dwyer does the same thing; asks for PJ to be dropped and brought back through the Europa League – banished to the Europa League?!?!, not even some of his most fierce detractors have said this!

(6) And if not Jags, let’s aim our fire elsewhere! Hang on, folks, it’s not all Jags, let’s have a pop at Howard, Distin – "who did not even go to the World Cup" – Coleman, Baines. Barry... Is he being ’fickle’, Mr Wallace?

(7) It’s the tone – ironic in a post knocking others about tone. PJ is criticized and I suppose ’lampooned’ "as though he is some nobody or kopite". Jaysus! Highly questionable broad descriptions again! And show me anyone anywhere who calls PJ one of those things or give examples that merit these descriptions? Hoofer/howler?

(8) Mr. Dwyer comes to the same conclusion as just about everyone else, the difference in this ’defence’ is his sense of respect. The difference in this post he thinks is a ’humanity’ defence of ’loyal’ PJ – our skipper: "I’d like our fans to bear this in mind when talking down about our captain!" PJ is a fairly verteran (by now) professional football and grown up on sky-high wages, well rewarded for his ’loyalty’. He derserves criticism as much as the next player. Damn, I’m so ’fickle’!

Mike Gaynes
41 Posted 03/09/2014 at 15:39:34
Ant (#7), I admire the passion of your Jags defense, but I think your feelings have been hurt more than his... doubt he reads TW.

Beyond doubt, Jags is out of form. Whether it's a World Cup hangover, a physical issue, a loss of confidence or the damn-fool way Roberto was using him on Saturday (let's offside trap one of the best and most experienced forwards in the world, what could go wrong?) is pointless speculation -- for whatever reason, he's lost the aggression that has been his signature for seven years. He'll get it back -- certainly not over the hill at 32.

I'm just not sure Stones is the immediate answer to the problem. His gifts are obvious, but he has previously shown a predilection for galloping out of position, and his idea of marking a man is... uh... let's just say loose and leave it at that.

The four-games-in-11-days stretch that follows the international break should be instructive, because we'll no doubt see plenty of both Stones and Alcaraz during that period. If Jags can't get his feet back under him, Roberto will have some tough decisions to make for the Derby.

Harold Matthews
42 Posted 03/09/2014 at 17:00:02
Mike. I see my boy, Brett Shea, is training with the USA squad.
Paul Ferry
43 Posted 03/09/2014 at 17:11:34
Excellent last paragraph from Mike (Gaynes) there - 45.

Yep, Bobby has to earn his nice fat pay check over the next few weeks with some bold and tough decision-making and yep hopefully we’ll see, as MG says, some switching around in central defence to see where we stand after the next four games.

Confession: I’m a little nervous about it all!

Tony Dove
44 Posted 03/09/2014 at 17:17:48
Whatever anyone says about Jags the player and he[and others] are not looking too hot at the moment, he is one class act as a person and a great ambassador for the club.
Did anyone ever hear or read one word during the World Cup that he was playing out of position or did he ever mention it in his defence? He played really well for England when on the right side along John Terry.
Raymond Fox
45 Posted 03/09/2014 at 16:59:41
I've posted concerns about Jags before, but it was not about his defending it has been his suitability to distribute the ball the way Martinez (have you noticed how we address the manager changes, depending if we are doing well or not so well) wants us to play.

What I will say in support of our defence is that they now have a more difficult task than when managed by Moyes.
Roberto wants them to be proactive, which leaves them exposed much more than playing a more defensive game.

As far as not bringing in a defender or a goalkeeper, maybe he's tried and couldn't find anyone available or affordable that are better than we have.
Its not like he's managing City, Chelsea, Utd or our neighbours where they can afford anyone in the world.

Roberto obviously believes that the best form of defence is attack which I also believe is the best way to go in general, now you could argue that we don't have enough quality personnel when we come up against the 'money clubs' but we did better than ok last season playing in a proactive way.
We almost pulled it off against Arsenal but it backfired against Chelsea on Saturday, I have a feeling though that Chelsea will dish the same medicine to a few more clubs this season.

The bottom line is do we believe that man for man we match the usual top 4 finishers, and being honest I have to say not quite.

Harold Matthews
46 Posted 03/09/2014 at 17:49:12
Brek...of course.

Yes Raymond, despite two DMs, the new system is causing defenders more trouble than anticipated and I should imagine they will be working to put things right at Finch Farm. Mr Jones and the coaches have made it their main priority but because of the break, they are only able to instruct the non-internationals.

Derek Knox
47 Posted 03/09/2014 at 19:16:59
Glad to see young John Stones get a game for the national side, even though it's only a friendly.

I would definitely like to see him played more regularly for us, maybe if he proves his worth tonight, that may happen. Although, barring injury, I can't see Roberto dropping Jags for Stones, but we will see.

Paul Ferry
48 Posted 03/09/2014 at 19:23:01
It's interesting - to me at any rate - that Jags's name never ever came up when thoughts turned to who should replace DJ-basher as England's next skipper. It was always one from three: Hart, Cahill, or Rooney.

Yet PJ was club captain, in one of the preferred areas on the pitch for a captain - centre-mid - and one of the more experienced players in the squad. But his name did not feature in the discussion. I'm listening to 5-Live rightnow discussing the pick of skipper and PJ is nowhere.

Strange?

Perhaps. Not really though. He is, quite simply, not skipper material: not vocal enough, not assertive enough, not loud enough, not in-yer-face enough.

Yep, as club captain, as Ant Dwyer writes, he deserves a measure of respect, but in my humble opinion - often wrong - he would not be the skipper on the pitch in an ideal blue world.

Chris Leyland
49 Posted 03/09/2014 at 19:33:08
Who will the shite fans be supporting tonight? sturridge, and sterling or their home country?
Peter Murray
50 Posted 03/09/2014 at 21:04:44
Ant Dwyer 7

Well said.Spot on.

Jags is one of the best centre backs in the Premier League, a captain by example and a model professional. He will come good again – and very soon.

Ian McDowell
51 Posted 03/09/2014 at 21:20:39
Looks injured. God I despise England and that fucking twat Hodgson!
Harold Matthews
52 Posted 03/09/2014 at 21:25:46
wow Great penalty.
Andy Crooks
53 Posted 03/09/2014 at 21:30:26
I admire Phil Jagielka. A good and well paid player. He has been poor this season but somehow his great service should entitle him to avoid criticism. Strange.
Jim Bennings
54 Posted 03/09/2014 at 21:40:30
Why is it always Everton players who pull up with injuries?
First Baines looking groggy and now Stones, let's just hope that's not a tweaked hamstring.

Anyone else thinks Welbeck has looked ok here?

Certainly seems to be able to run more with the ball than Lukaku?

Kevin Tully
55 Posted 03/09/2014 at 21:50:33
In the 5 minutes he's been on the pitch, it's clear Jagielka's confidence is rock bottom. Four passes to the 'keeper, a couple of hoofs, and he nearly got caught on the ball. Looks more and more like he needs a rest.
Brent Stephens
56 Posted 03/09/2014 at 22:11:05
Aye, Jim, Welbeck looked very decent. Tempo seemed to rise when he came on.
Kunal Desai
57 Posted 03/09/2014 at 22:16:08
It's a far cry and real shame how far the England side has fallen in the last 25 odd years. Average mediocre players at best!
Ant Dwyer
58 Posted 04/09/2014 at 02:14:35
Paul (#44),

I do not want to argue this point until blue in the face. I do agree with you that Jags, like anyone else, is allowed his share of criticism. I just feel like all I had read or heard of late is solely aimed at Jags or Lukaku. After reading over your points, I feel I maybe should answer you.

1: Club Captain and ’loyal servant’ does not completely rule him out of criticism but, come on, mate – some of the talk is saying he is completely washed up!

2: "Lost his form in the World Cup."Yes, I think he did. You claim he lost it before but can I remind you he played most of last season and we got a record points tally without hardly spending a penny on improving the side! Must have been doing something right.

3: "Jags has been brilliant for years now."
This is my opinion but if it’s wrong can you please tell me how we built such a solid platform ? We certainly have not banged in 100’s of goals to gain our points tally I’d say it’s been built on a solid base with jags at the core.

4: "Agian this is just simply down to respect." Granted he is out of form but I think there are more fair and decent ways to put points across addressing this point.

5: "Oddly named." I liked this the best! Have you not heard this name before? Ant is short for Anthony, Dwyer is a surname!! I have said Jags is not in form. I feel he should take a back seat for a couple of Premier League games where the pace seems to currently be a bit to much and I feel that Jags can get his sharpness back in Europa League games. Not sure what’s hard to get your head around there!

6: I do not feel I’m being fickle on this point, I feel I’m showing facts to prove that our poor defending is a group matter as much as a Jags matter. (10 goals in 14 shots on target proves my point.)

7: ????? What ???????

8: I agree with this point largely, believe it or not. I am on the same page as most fans in thinking Jags should be dropped. I do agree that he won’t be on ToffeeWeb anytime soon. I do agree he’s big ugly and rich enough to have these things written about him. But I do not feel it is correct to give him the abuse he is receiving. He’s had a terrible press of late all over: pundits, newspapers and kopites. I feel we should be bigger and better than them and show loyalty to our long-standing loyal players, especially the ones who have played to the level of jags.

Nothing personal, Paul , but you wrote a big chapter in response to my post, so I felt you deserved some sort of response from me in return.


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