Glen Johnson

[marcus50bucks]

Well I would argue that he was decent in Rodgers first year and up until November 23rd last year when we played Everton, he’d played 6, won 5, drew 1, and only conceded in one game. Factor in the previous end of season form and he had 10 clean sheets from 13from April ’13-November’13 which isn’t bad for a liability.

So I would say he’d been out of form for approximately 6 months when most of it he has been struggling with injury.

I think you are being very kind to Johnson but we'll leave it there

[RedReet]

I'd have to disagree. Very strongly.

I’m not surprised and I’m sure the majority in the current climate will agree with you.


However, if you go back to September last year in this thread, almost everyone is in agreement as to how good Johnson is and how vital he is to the side (even his biggest fan Dan Perkins is singing his praises), yet after a rough patch from December onwards he’s went from vital to the team to an absolute liability who hasn’t played well for years.

Damn, been interrupted so lost my train of thought.

Anyway, to summarise, despite what people will argue now, the pages of posts between Sep-Dec last year suggest that I’m not the only one who thought Johnson was fine in Rodgers first year and the problems have mostly arisn since he came back from injury last year.

[danperkins]

I think you are being very kind to Johnson but we'll leave it there

I'd have to disagree. Very strongly.

[Kenneth]

He's been a total disaster; an absolute car crash; an accident waiting to happen and ultimately happened; an impostor for a fullback; a blight on our right (and occasionally left) wing; he's finished.

Pretty much nailed it there Nige.

[Alex]

He's been a total disaster; an absolute car crash; an accident waiting to happen and ultimately happened; an impostor for a fullback; a blight on our right (and occasionally left) wing; he's finished.

I know you are 'trying' to WUM, but criticism of him is fairly deserved IMO. Not based off the friendly games, they essentially mean nothing.

But he was pretty poor in a chunk of games last season, and kept his place through lack of a better option.

Now, I quite like him as a player, and on his day he can be a fantastic threat. But last season he had more bad than good games. I think even his most staunch fans would admit that.

I hope he regains the form of 2 years ago. But injuries have clearly taken their toll on him.

[PTP]

I like Johnson and have defended him plenty but he's been that poor at times that half decent right back who stays fit and is consistent would do a better job

For example, I watched him a good few times last season, was always impressed and he looks lik he just offers so much more than Johnson has done the past year or two...

elmohamady from hull....prob get him for about £5m and half Johnson's wages and would do now worse

[kingfunk]

Are you pissed?

[Cormack74]

On the subject of right backs . . . . . . Who knows if this is true but it's quite interesting:

http://www.marca.com/2014/08/05/en/football/barcelona/1407237967.html

On Tuesday, Dani Alves will have a meeting with Luis Enrique to find out first hand what his intentions are. Alves has always said he would like to see out his contract with Barcelona. However, he is prepared to look for a way out if they don't want him.

In fact, Alves does not figure in Luis Enrique's plans. He feels that the 31-year-old Brazilian winger's time at the club has come to an end and he would like to make changes on the right flank. And he will tell him so.

So the door will be open for Alves to leave, who has shown more than once that his non-conformist character will always impede him from going anywhere he isn't wanted. His aim is to be a key player in a team and win trophies.

However, there is one problem in all this which looks insurmountable. Alves is one of the highest-paid players in the squad. He gets €11 million a season and it will be very difficult to find a club prepared to take on such an expensive signing.

PSG have always expressed interest in him, but now they seem to have ruled out the possibility of signing him. The same thing has happened with Liverpool, where Barça tried to include him as part of the Luis Suárez deal to reduce the cost. At present, Inter are the only club interested in Dani Alves.

And if Alves does not find another club, then the doors will slam shut on the signing of Cuadrado, one of the players on Luis Enrique's wish list.

[PTP]

Are you pissed?

worryingly I don't know anymore haha

[vlahka]

I’m not surprised and I’m sure the majority in the current climate will agree with you.


However, if you go back to September last year in this thread, almost everyone is in agreement as to how good Johnson is and how vital he is to the side (even his biggest fan Dan Perkins is singing his praises), yet after a rough patch from December onwards he’s went from vital to the team to an absolute liability who hasn’t played well for years.

I guess I'm one of the few whos wanted him gone for a couple seasons then and havent changed my opinion

[RedReet]

I think you are being very kind to Johnson but we'll leave it there

Ok, here are a few quotes from Dec’12-Jan’13

Johnson is definitely the best RB in the league and one of the best in Europe. He's ****ing brilliant.

How long has he got left on his contract?

Bump.

Once again was as good as anyone on the pitch yesterday. Offered essential width down the left at all times which we'll need with Suarez and Sturridge playing, almost looked like our left winger. No problems defensively either.

One of our most important players ATM and a truly outstanding footballer.

It's a given with Glen. He practically puts in a 9/10 every match he plays. In terms of our player of the season, there is not much between him and Suarez

He's ****ing brilliant.

Johnson is by far the best Right back in the league and right up there with Cole and Baines at Left back IMO.

Really is a good outlet for us, a genuine two footed player as well which is always good to see.

I think a lot of people just form an impression and either refuse to change it, don't see them play enough to be able to change it, or more often than not suffer a mix of the two. I get that and we all do it to some degree, but it's amazing how blind some idiots can be to how relatively baseless their opinions are.

He's been brilliant all season. Used to be a liability at the back but is as solid as anybody and the best going forward in the league

Right or left, he's ****ing superb. Could do with a clone of him.

He's been absolutely fantastic.

Loving Glen's work.

Maybe not 10/10 as a defender but certainly 10/10 as a footballer.

He is presently one of the best fullbacks in the world not just PL.

He is almost as good on the left as he is on the right and very few can be effective on either side of the pitch.

He had a bit of indifferent form to the end of that season and the responses were as you’d expect, but from Sep’13-Nov’13…

I think Johnson is an excellent player for us. He has had a few dips in form but overall I think he has been a great signing.

I think he is one of the best right backs about if I am honest.

Massive loss to us isn't he

The outlet wide which is required when we play Rodgers system.

For me, Johnson has been missed the most and I'm really looking forward to see him back in the first team.

Johnson is very important to how we play, he's been a massive miss.

Glen Johnson has cemented his place and shown his true value to the team while injured, we miss him badly and he can't come back soon enough

Having Glen back will improve us considerably, add a fully fit Coutinho and Agger back into the side and we can only get better.

I'd like to see Johnson here for a few more years yet, regardless. Not only is he a cracking RB, he's also a quality LB.

Great player We look and play so much better when he is on the pitch? He adds another dimension to the team

He really is important to the side isn't he. I'd hope we offer him a new deal but I'm not sure we will and I'm not sure he'd stay if we did anyway.

He is invaluable to us. I really hope so on both accounts

Johnson is so important in the way Rodgers wants to set us up. Pushes us up the field and gives us great width. Super game, great to have him, Enrique,Coutinho & Agger back in the first 11. So much stronger with them in there.

Quality fullbacks are hard to come by. He's worth the money. Sign him up.

He's been one of our best and most consistent players for ages. Thoroughly deserves a new contract.

As stated he may have the odd bad game. But over the last few years Johnson has been easily one of our most consistent performers, and best right backs in Europe. Solid enough defensively and always offers something going forward.

So that brings us to December 2013 when most were singing his praises, so it appears that I’m not the only one who things it ws about 6 months ago his form dropped.

Quite a fall from grace I might add.

[dww]

I think attacking fullbacks always come in for extreme criticism when off form (with the honourable exception of Cafu but then he was different class). Some people tend to not rate them ever - there were a lot of Roberto Carlos naysayers on here I seem to remember (maybe I'm thinking Koptalk back in the day).

He seemed to dip after an injury and I don't think he's been quite back on it. However, I think that can be said of all of our defenders (and actually Gerrard at DM towards the very end of the season). Part of that has to be about the blend of players in the defensive unit. I think Johnson bears a lot of criticism that could reasonably be shared around. On the other hand accommodating an attacking right back means we have to compromise elsewhere and maybe at the minute we can't afford to do that?

[Fredo]

Agree fully with dww. But it's always black or white though. He's either ****, or fantastic.

[Alex]

Dont think many on here have been black and white with him. Some have. But most seem to acknowledge he is a good player, just playing poorly.

[Kenneth]

Agree fully with dww. But it's always black or white though. He's either ****, or fantastic.

****