Glen Johnson

[The Birdman]

To be slightly fairer and to put it into context, Glen Johnson was bad during Hodgson's tenure. I mean really, really bad. It was the 'make sure the hair is behind the ears and then defend' period. However, it was obvious for all to see that during Rafa's time, Glen Johnson was a quality full back and had it in him to get back to the level he had shown the previous season.

Hmmmmm, kind of reminds me of another full-back on our books...

Who?
Enrique has always been average.

Just because he was better (initially) than Riise, Ziege, Dossena, Konchesky etc.. says more about what **** left backs we've had.

[Maxiedge]

Who?
Enrique has always been average.

Just because he was better (initially) than Riise, Ziege, Dossena, Konchesky etc.. says more about what **** left backs we've had.

No, I disagree with that. I saw it with my own two eyes, man He was awesome defensively and going forward. He just needs to get back to basics and do the simple things while he finds his form again.

[Zapater]

If anyone was being "highly unfair" it was the people who were having a go at Johnson week in week out, regardless of how he played. Sometimes he was just fine and people had a rant about him, for no apparent reason. I could never understand it, especially when far too often in recent years one could have a go at half of the team for sub par performances. Never have understood why he gets/got stick, I acknowledge he's improved, but I was very happy when we signed him and I'm still sure it was the right choice by Rafa to do so.

[saj]

If anyone was being "highly unfair" it was the people who were having a go at Johnson week in week out, regardless of how he played. Sometimes he was just fine and people had a rant about him, for no apparent reason. I could never understand it, especially when far too often in recent years one could have a go at half of the team for sub par performances. Never have understood why he gets/got stick, I acknowledge he's improved, but I was very happy when we signed him and I'm still sure it was the right choice by Rafa to do so.

Same happened with Insua, he got torn to bits by posters (not that their opinion matters anyway). He has done very well at Sporting.

[Kenneth]

He was **** for us.

[The Birdman]

Same happened with Insua, he got torn to bits by posters (not that their opinion matters anyway). He has done very well at Sporting.

Exactly right, prime example of a young promising footballer overplayed

He was **** for us.

Absolute bollocks.
Insua had the most assists from open play. He was a young kid who played to many games, he'd be very useful under Rodgers in this system

[Lee]

He was a young kid who played to many games, he'd be very useful under Rodgers in this system

Since we flogged him we've had Konchesky, Aurelio and Enrique. None of those are an upgrade on Insua (apart from a fit Aurelio but that doesn't happen).

[Buzzo]

Having read over the first few pages of this thread I'd forgotten what a nob 'Rudo' was.

[yamiedo]

Since we flogged him we've had Konchesky, Aurelio and Enrique. None of those are an upgrade on Insua (apart from a fit Aurelio but that doesn't happen).

Robinson will be better than Insua

[Kenneth]

Exactly right, prime example of a young promising footballer overplayed



Absolute bollocks.
Insua had the most assists from open play. He was a young kid who played to many games, he'd be very useful under Rodgers in this system

he was **** for us.

[Lee]

Robinson will be better than Insua

I hope so, he looks a very good prospect.

That wasn't really what I was getting at though.

[Shaggy]

If anyone was being "highly unfair" it was the people who were having a go at Johnson week in week out, regardless of how he played. Sometimes he was just fine and people had a rant about him, for no apparent reason. I could never understand it, especially when far too often in recent years one could have a go at half of the team for sub par performances. Never have understood why he gets/got stick, I acknowledge he's improved, but I was very happy when we signed him and I'm still sure it was the right choice by Rafa to do so.

[yamiedo]

I hope so, he looks a very good prospect.

That wasn't really what I was getting at though.

We seem to have a problem tying down that position. Konchesky was just ****. Aurelio had injury problems all his career. Enrique is too inconsistent and thinks he is Roberto Carlos. Hopefully it is the academy we should have been looking too all along and Robinson can step in and stop us worrying about it. I've noticed Robinson has put a bit more muscle on too. He used to be so skinny but I think by the time he is 21 he is going to be some player.

[Shaggy]

I'd never seen this before

Sorry, Glen! Hodgson holds his hands up over rift with Liverpool star

England boss comes clean over his criticism of full-back's form while Kop boss - and hopes it's all in the past as they head for Euros together

Roy Hodgson has taken the blame for his Anfield rift with Glen Johnson - as he gave the Liverpool full-back a Euro 2012 place.

Hodgson's last months as Liverpool boss came against the background of a war of words with the right-back, who was seething after his performances were criticised.

Johnson was scathing about Hodgson's "boring" tactics after being rebuked by the then-Anfield boss, and the peace deal the pair subsequently brokered was fragile at best.

But with Kyle Walker ruled out by a broken toe, Chris Smalling also injured and Micah Richards overlooked, Johnson was handed his opportunity and Hodgson took the chance to effectively apologise for his poor choice of words.

The new England manager said: "It all related to a question I answered unwisely by answering honestly, which gave the appropriate headline.

"The question, quite simply, was: 'Do you think Glen Johnson is playing for you at the moment like an England international?' I said he didn't because he wasn't playing that well.

"As a result, Glen was a bit upset that I hadn't protected him more than I'd done. I paid the price for that honest answer, but I don't think that's affected my relationship with Glen.

"I certainly hope it hasn't.

"He was very friendly when we [West Brom] played up at Liverpool recently. We greeted each other very warmly.

"I'm hoping that, when he plays for England, the last thing on his mind is a headline in the newspapers from two years previously, when he knows quite well that, on a daily basis, our working relationship was as good as it could possibly be."

[Fredo]

Surprisingly, Rodgers did the same with Downing and Enrique.