Man City news: Pundit issues emphatic John Stones verdict after what he’s just seen
Frank McAvennie has claimed the trip to Newcastle United was “not a good time” to bring John Stones back in the Man City starting XI.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-West Ham striker said it was a “bad day at the office” for Pep Guardiola’s side defensively as they usually do not to concede three goals in a single match.
The Sky Blues drew 3-3 with the Magpies on Sunday.
Stones, 28, returned to the starting lineup for the first time this season.
He was named on the bench for the Cityzens’ game against Bournemouth last weekend (13 August).
As quoted by the Manchester Evening News (21 August), Pep Guardiola said his side needed to make more passes in the final third to stop defenders being out of position.
When asked if he was surprised to see John Stones back in the starting lineup, McAvennie told Football Insider‘s Charlotte Cohen: “Nothing Pep does is surprising anymore.
“Three goals, not a good time to bring him back. Man City normally don’t let three goals in against anyone. It just shows you the resurgence of Newcastle.
“They came up against Saint-Maximin, he was one of the only players that I thought Newcastle needed to keep. Now that he’s got good players around him, he’s shown how good he is.
“I think it was just a bad day at the office with the defence because they don’t normally concede three goals.“
In other news, a pundit has shared ‘malicious’ Kieran Trippier claim as Newcastle United controversy analysed.