If it’s not an under-16 coach telling you to lump the ball up the field, it’s your own fans.
John Stones wasn’t in doubt. So why put it out?
One of the most sought-after centre backs in the game got into it on Sunday afternoon with the Everton supporters whose hearts had obviously taken more than they could handle during the 1-1 draw with Spurs.
Instead of clearing a ball away, Stones committed one of the worst crimes known to English football and tried to keep possession.
So he was hit with direct punishment.
Only english fans would boo John Stones for being technically composed and not hoofing it up the pitch #Everton #EVETOT
— COVID-and-chill (@7even11s) January 3, 2016
His twisting and turning in the box and reaction to the fans’ panic earned him jeers at Goodison Park, for doing what would actually be expected at a bigger club.
And, this, at a time Everton are fighting to hold on to him.
How did that finish at 1-1? On another note.. John stones, fantastic player, plays the ball out, so confident, so lets boo him. Madness
— cape coral owl (@morton940) January 3, 2016
https://twitter.com/PHT_10/status/683707172191137792
So what happened?
The ball comes in, he’s under pressure from Son Heung-min.
He lets it come across his body to get a look at the pitch. What is this?
He doesn’t want to lump it clear. WHY?
“Not there!”
There’s a good lad. Put your f**king foot through it.
Skill? In the box? From a defender?
Now Tim Howard is starting to panic. John Stones is panicking because Tim Howard is there.
He turns again. Howard isn’t sure what to do.
Son eventually gets pissed off and pulls his shirt.
Stones wins his free and has a go at the crowd.
He gestures for them to calm down.
And struts away like a king.
The irony of it all is, of course, is that Tim Howard ended up lumping the ball down the field anyway.
