Stones came under question once again after being shoved off the ball in the build-up to Gladbach’s opener.
Roy Keane has slammed John Stones’ defending in the build up to Borussia Monchengladbach’s opener in Wedensday’s Champions League clash with Manchester City, as seen on ITV.
Stones has endured his fair share of criticism this season following a number of high profile mistakes, most notably a weak backpass which gifted Southampton a goal at the Etihad and his shaky display in the 4-0 mauling by Barcelona.
And the world’s most expensive defender put himself firmly in the spotlight once more as he tumbled under pressure from Gladbach captain Lars Stindl in the build up to Raffael’s first half opener at Borussia Park.
Stones initially claimed a foul, believing he had been tugged back by the German forward, but Keane says the England international centre-half can have no excuses.
“It’s just too easy, he’s like a child getting knocked off the ball,” Keane said on ITV’s UEFA Champions League Highlights show, broadcast at 10.45 on 23rd November.
“He’s hoping one of his team-mates can help him out here but they punished and rightly so. Really poor defending, he’s got to be stronger.
“He’s a good player but he’s just got to be tougher and stronger.”
Stones is yet to justify the hype that surrounded his huge transfer fee but, as England interim manager Gareth Southgate stated recently, incessant criticism of his performances and questions about his typically bold playing style will only serve to inhibit one of the British game’s greatest talents of recent years.
Consequently, every misplaced pass has come under increasingly scrutiny as the season has gone on, something that is surely having a negative effect on the young defender’s confidence.
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