Glen Johnson

[Liverpool]

Im not sure how i'll feel when we replace Johnson with Micah Richards.

[Gazzla]

Wisdom had a very successful loan period at Derby, could he be ready to step up?

[vlahka]

Wisdom isnt what we need.

[Kenneth]

It is so he isn't.

[Exiled_red]

It is so he isn't.

[baitman]

there has been much chit chat about poor old glen scattered around other threads, so i thought i would make a vain attempt to bring it all back home...

from elsewhere;

Flanagan at 90% is better than Johnson at 50% though. Flanagan seems to be able to put in a shift whereas Johnson is struggling to even perform at 30%

apart from the odd game, or for a portion of a game, overall i think that his contribution is erratic at best. he likes to get forward, but often with little purpose, stops and plays it back. defensively he doesnt get back or follow his man, often meaning a centre back has to come over to make the tackle and is then seen as culpable for being out of position in the next phase of play.

its early days for the spanish replacements, but imho we would be better being more solid defensively so i would look to use flanagan at RB and the spanish lad is coming in at LB.

[dww]

I think people over estimate their ability to tell if a player is trying or not.

My feeling is that Glen has played his best football when the rest of the defence + deepest midfielder have been stable and the DM focussed on covering and moving the ball on quickly. Last season all of those factors were against him + he had a period of injury.

I think the best solution is to keep for the start of this season and re-evaluate our position come December/January. I suspect if we are using Gerrard less and have a settled CB pairing he'll be looking good and if not he'll be another slightly awkward player we have to accommodate.

[danperkins]

I'd have Flanagan over Johnson at RB, Johnson has been poor for at least 2 seasons. But IMO we need better than both.

[The_weatherman]

I think people over estimate their ability to tell if a player is trying or not.

My feeling is that Glen has played his best football when the rest of the defence + deepest midfielder have been stable and the DM focussed on covering and moving the ball on quickly. Last season all of those factors were against him + he had a period of injury.

I think the best solution is to keep for the start of this season and re-evaluate our position come December/January. I suspect if we are using Gerrard less and have a settled CB pairing he'll be looking good and if not he'll be another slightly awkward player we have to accommodate.

Do you remember how he performed last december when Gerrard was out? Dont recall myself.

I think we should keep him, this is his last year of his contract, he can find another club next summer if that's what he and the club wants. Should enable him to keep his pay packet high as well. Flanagan should push him a bit now and maybe Manquillo.

[danperkins]

I can't see us selling Johnson, but at the same time short of him improving dramatically... i can't see us offering him a new contract either.

[RedReet]

I thought we did offer a contract on reduced terms?

[CAD]

I'd have Flanagan over Johnson at RB, Johnson has been poor for at least 2 seasons. But IMO we need better than both.

For 104.000 a week we should do better. Waste of money.

[danperkins]

No idea Red, but for the past few seasons his performances aren't reflecting his wages. It's a big season for him in terms of his career.

When he first signed he looked brilliant! I've always thought he wasn't a great defender but there has to be some give and take with attacking full backs.. i get that. Thing is with Johnson, his attacking side of the game seems to have deteriorated with the rest of his general play.... so it gets to the stage where he isn't offering much defensively or offensively.

We definitely won't sell him this window but IMO i would prefer if we had a stronger option at RB. Problem is who?

[danperkins]

For 104.000 a week we should do better. Waste of money.

Is he seriously on that much money? Surely not.

[RedReet]

No idea Red, but for the past few seasons his performances aren't reflecting his wages. It's a big season for him in terms of his career.

When he first signed he looked brilliant! I've always thought he wasn't a great defender but there has to be some give and take with attacking full backs.. i get that. Thing is with Johnson, his attacking side of the game seems to have deteriorated with the rest of his general play.... so it gets to the stage where he isn't offering much defensively or offensively.

We definitely won't sell him this window but IMO i would prefer if we had a stronger option at RB. Problem is who?

Was just thinking out loud. A quick Google search suggests he was and he wasn't, depending on date.

All articles agree that we'll definitely be keeping him this year though.