Glen Johnson

[RedReet]

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.

Wisdom and Kelly. As I’ve mentioned previously, I felt that too many moves broke down through Wisdom and Kelly as their final balls aren’t the greatest from RB. Flanagan offers more IMO and is a sound enough defender to cope in home games. With Suarez back I think we can cope better with having Wisdom or Kelly at RB but against Southampton at home, I would be content with Henderson and Flanagan, although TBH I don't mind who starts as Kelly and Wisdom both have their strengths.

I've no opinion on Illori as I've no idea if he'd made a god RB.

[RedReet]

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

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.

I don’t think he’s that bad (excluding the couple of nightmare performances). As I said, I know I won’t have much support, but I seen enough of him for reserves and his early first team appearances, not to mention his decent pre-season showing to think he could do a decent job in a functioning team.

I don't think he will play anyway.

[danperkins]

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.

Flanagan offers absolutely nothing going forward & looks out of his depth defensively. Even Wisdom who has been exposed at RB offers more going forward than Flanagan & at set pieces too.

[Neil Young]

How is McLaughlin getting on these days? I see from his profile on the official site that he's now got a beard (which is ok) and is balding (a personal tragedy). Whenever I saw him play for the U-whatevers, he looked on the small side but very talented, especially going forward.

I'm not suggesting he should play. Nor that "he are the best right back at the club no doubt IMO" etzzz. I just wonder how he's doing since his elevation to the first team squad.

[danperkins]

Are you suggesting that his new beard is slightly amazing though? If so i concur

[PTP]

yeah i like the lad (flanagan), but he just hasn't seemed to kick on from early promise.

He'll go the same as a number of 'promising' right backs before him imo

ostenembor
raven
derby
peltier


all local lads come through the academy, looked like they would at least become decent squad players, all disappeared

[SB]

How is McLaughlin getting on these days? I see from his profile on the official site that he's now got a beard (which is ok) and is balding (a personal tragedy). Whenever I saw him play for the U-whatevers, he looked on the small side but very talented, especially going forward.

I'm not suggesting he should play. Nor that "he are the best right back at the club no doubt IMO" etzzz. I just wonder how he's doing since his elevation to the first team squad.

Well according to his Wiki page he's never played for the U-whatevers. Must have confused him with someone else. What league do they play in? Can't ever say I've heard of them

[Neil Young]

Are you suggesting that his new beard is slightly amazing though? If so i concur

No, not really. Beards are ok, a matter of personal taste. I don't know why anyone has any strong views, for or against, about other people's beards. I don't deny your right to find his beard amazing, but to me a beard is just a beard. If you don't shave, it grows. That's it.

The baldness though. That's a disability. :candle:

Well according to his Wiki page he's never played for the U-whatevers. Must have confused him with someone else. What league do they play in? Can't ever say I've heard of them

[Reece]

Don't push me Neil, not today. Just back the **** off.

[Tee]

Don't push me Neil, not today. Just back the **** off.

[RedReet]

Flanagan offers absolutely nothing going forward & looks out of his depth defensively. Even Wisdom who has been exposed at RB offers more going forward than Flanagan & at set pieces too.

Your opinion on RB’s is void after your views on Johnson.

[PTP]

if it is the 10 weeks as suspected,

I have missing 9 games - one of which is the league cup game against united where arguably we may rotate a few

8 league games are
Swansea AWAY
Southampton HOME
Sunderland AWAY
Palace HOME
Newcastle AWAY
West Brom HOME
Arsenal AWAY
Fulham Home

Arsenal away is the one 'big' game - if we can get Kelly back up to fitness, then between him and wisdom, if they stay fit/don't get suspended, then i'm not too worried.

[Neil Young]

Your avatar is taunting him.

Thanks, Tee.

[dww]

if it is the 10 weeks as suspected,

I have missing 9 games - one of which is the league cup game against united where arguably we may rotate a few

8 league games are
Swansea AWAY
Southampton HOME
Sunderland AWAY
Palace HOME
Newcastle AWAY
West Brom HOME
Arsenal AWAY
Fulham Home

Arsenal away is the one 'big' game - if we can get Kelly back up to fitness, then between him and wisdom, if they stay fit/don't get suspended, then i'm not too worried.

For me the issue is more about the balance of the side which has looked good so far. Without and outlet down one of the flanks we could become very narrow. Towards the end of last season we could have blown away some of those teams but a big part of that was Johnson providing an outlet from the back.

It is a sterner test than you make out IMO. Swansea are a good team and we lost to Southampton at the back end of last season. If we win those two without Johnson and Suarez then I'm going to start believing we can get top 4.

[PTP]

don't get me wrong - i'm not expecting it to be easy - i'd be very pleased if we get say 5 wins a couple draws/losses out of the next 8 games (regardless of johnson being fit/injured)

however maybe i just have a bit more confidence in Kelly and Wisdom than some others do? i rate both very highly and reckon one of them will be take this chance to force their way in to the team