Glen Johnson

[dww]

Well, I think that Ilori will be our long term right back. I don't think he was signed to play as a central defender but that is my opinion.

Time will tell.

That is certainly possible although given he has barely played any first team football and none as yet for us it is pretty hard to know if he is suitable. It will certainly be interesting to see how we use our young defenders in the coming games.

[Arn]

That is certainly possible although given he has barely played any first team football and none as yet for us it is pretty hard to know if he is suitable. It will certainly be interesting to see how we use our young defenders in teh coming games.

He is so quick that it would be a waste to play him as a central defender. The quickest attacking players often play out wide.

[Norbs]

It's not just quality but suitability to the way we play, there is no fullback similarly comfortable on the ball in the PL. I think the best route is to keep Johnson and groom a young player to be his successor.

I think the club could employ Lee to help with that transition

[I, Ravel Morrison]

I think Ilori will be coached into the DM instead, seeing he has played in the role before and he has all the tools. In our style of play, it's probably more cost-effective to coach a suitable candidate from within the ranks than to sign a ready-made DM.

How about Flanagan against the Swans? Haven't seen much of him lately. Is he far off the first team after his long lay-off?

[RedReet]

I thought there was a stat doing the rounds that Johnson has only been fit and available for 75% (roughly) of our games since joining?

Either way he is nailed on to leave in the summer.

It would be much less than that, in the leaguse before last year he played 22, 28 and 24 respectively. He has missed quite a bit of football through injury. Last year was his first proper run for us.

[Pablo]

I think Ilori will be coached into the DM instead, seeing he has played in the role before and he has all the tools. In our style of play, it's probably more cost-effective to coach a suitable candidate from within the ranks than to sign a ready-made DM.

How about Flanagan against the Swans? Haven't seen much of him lately. Is he far off the first team after his long lay-off?

Can't see that at all.

Flanagan? No chance, he's not up to it.

[Tee]

Agree about Illori at RB - would seem a traditional way at LFC of bedding him into the team. We have done the same with the likes of Carra, Wisdom and Kelly in that position so I can see it happening and Illori actually excelling in that position.

[RedReet]

I know I’m a lone voice on this one but I’d have no problem playing Flanagan at home to Southampton as I think he offers more going forward.

Not sure I’d risk him against Swansea though.

[Tee]

I know I’m a lone voice on this one but I’d have no problem playing Flanagan at home to Southampton as I think he offers more going forward.

Not sure I’d risk him against Swansea though.

More than who? RB should first and foremost be solid at defending, so that would push Flanagan way down the pecking order for me. I would much rather start with Wisdom, Kelly or Illori.

[rudedog]

It is an interesting point about Toure - although that was a long time ago and if he has left any of his athletic ability it might not suit him now and he is just coming back from injury too. If it was the Arsenal era Toure he would be first choice.



There is something to be said for that point of view. Although at the minute he may be due to Kelly and Toure being on injury come back and Ilori having just arrived.

Aye - I'm pretty sure Toure was playing right back for city when we played them early last season and Sterling ripped him to shreds in that game.

[Shaggy]

Aye - I'm pretty sure Toure was playing right back for city when we played them early last season and Sterling ripped him to shreds in that game.

Zabaleta played right back - Kolo played CB with Kompany.

[The_weatherman]

I think Rodgers has to play Kelly if fit or Wisdom. If we play someone like Kolo at right back we are saying that we don't trust these players and if Kolo (or Ilori) has a bad game there it could also affect his condifence. Wisdom/Kelly need the experience and we need to give them the chance IMO - not doing so will undermine their confidence now.

For Swansea I'd like to see Wisdom/Kelly - Kolo - Agger - Enrique. Playing alongside Kolo could benefit these younger players.

I also believe we should onle play three at the back in the absence of Lucas as the defensive midfielder. Not as a solution for not playing with a right back.

[Norbs]

I know I’m a lone voice on this one but I’d have no problem playing Flanagan at home to Southampton as I think he offers more going forward.

Not sure I’d risk him against Swansea though.

Whenever I've seen Flanagan he's looked really out of place, a disaster waiting to happen. He seems a good lad but he's not first team standard

[PTP]

I know I’m a lone voice on this one but I’d have no problem playing Flanagan at home to Southampton as I think he offers more going forward.

Not sure I’d risk him against Swansea though.

really - flanno - i'd be shocked if he gets more than 5 games this year we are really struggling with injuries.

Hopefully johnson won't be out to long, until then Kelly is getting back to fitness and Wisdom is more than capable of playing there. Plus i'd suspect Ilori would get a game at right back before flanagan

providing Johnson isn't completley crocked i'm not too worried about it.

[rudedog]

Zabaleta played right back - Kolo played CB with Kompany.

Ah - Zabaleta must have went missing a fair few times then as I can definitely remember Sterling giving Toure a torrid time down the left flank.