Glen Johnson

[dww]

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

In a way I have no problem with Kelly or Wisdom in isolation it is more that I don't think we have the AMs at the minute to balance the team without a good attacking fullback. In terms of attack both Kelly and Wisdom strike me as Carragher style straight line runners with little guile in terms of attack.

For me the problem is two fold - 1/ Enrique is not quick enough at decision making to really make a difference from that side and 2/ none of the likely starting attacking midfielders give natural width.

It is possible that Cissokho and Moses might make a big difference or that someone like Henderson could adapt their game but I don't think it is straight forward.

[The_weatherman]

In a way I have no problem with Kelly or Wisdom in isolation it is more that I don't think we have the AMs at the minute to balance the team without a good attacking fullback. In terms of attack both Kelly and Wisdom strike me as Carragher style straight line runners with little guile in terms of attack.

For me the problem is two fold - 1/ Enrique is not quick enough at decision making to really make a difference from that side and 2/ none of the likely starting attacking midfielders give natural width.

It is possible that Cissokho and Moses might make a big difference or that someone like Henderson could adapt their game but I don't think it is straight forward.

I think it will be OK, of course we lose a lot with Johnson. But we'll have Luis back after Swansea and Southampton. Having Suarez and Coutinho buzzing behind Sturridge will trouble most defences and adding the runs of Henderson and Enrique, I believe we'll cope just fine. Of course we'll be a bit narrow but these players don't need that much space, i.e. Coutinho, Suarez and Sturridge.

[Frenchie]

Well it's well-known he's been taking Spanish lessons for ages and wants to play there at some point. He's also on massive wages - circa £100k a week. Apparently Rodgers was aghast when he arrived that a right-back would be on such huge money.

He has a huge villa in Spain, my mentor's daughter went to school with him and her and her family have been out to stay...

[danperkins]

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:

[danperkins]

He has a huge villa in Spain, my mentor's daughter went to school with him and her and her family have been out to stay...

Are u a ninja?

[Frenchie]

haha, no..

[danperkins]

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

as i have said to Neil recently i like Johnson, but that's not to say i don't worry about his defensive positioning. If Alan Hansen can criticise him and pin point glaring aspects in his defensive game.. well then that's good enough for me.

Everyone can see he is great going forward and technically very good, was never an issue for me. He has improved recently defensively but he does has issues there IMO. I believe a defender must be able to defend first and foremost, everything after that is a bonus. Different style of defenders these days & i suppose there has to be a sacrifice in some aspects of the game when a defender pushes forward so much, as many full backs do in the modern game.

Anyways i do like Glen Johnson, he has improved but i still don't think he is the greatest defender around. In saying that, it's a big blow for us to lose him

[danperkins]

haha, no..

Dammit

[Neil Young]

as i have said to Neil recently i like Johnson, but that's not to say i don't worry about his defensive positioning. If Alan Hansen can criticise him and pin point glaring aspects in his defensive game.. well then that's good enough for me.

Everyone can see he is great going forward and technically very good, was never an issue for me. He has improved recently defensively but he does has issues there IMO. I believe a defender must be able to defend first and foremost, everything after that is a bonus. Different style of defenders these days & i suppose there has to be a sacrifice in some aspects of the game when a defender pushes forward so much, as many full backs do in the modern game.

Anyways i do like Glen Johnson, he has improved but i still don't think he is the greatest defender around. In saying that, it's a big blow for us to lose him

Hansen has been very good at analysing defending but he may well suffer from underestimating the importance of his attacking play. And he certainly wouldn't be the first ex-footballer to fail to keep up with tactical developments since giving up playing.

And round we go again...

[danperkins]

Hansen has been very good at analysing defending but he may well suffer from underestimating the importance of his attacking play. And he certainly wouldn't be the first ex-footballer to fail to keep up with tactical developments since giving up playing.

And round we go again...

Hansen commented on Johnson's defensive position & defensive body shape, gave several example in different games. Wouldn't say there's too many out there that know more about the defensive side of the game.

Anyways.. we like Johnson but his defensive game could improve. He'll be missed with this injury

[Neil Young]

He will be.

I remember what you said before about Johnson. My point about Hansen is that these weaknesses he identified might be relatively less important in a full back now than they were when he played.

Of course nobody is perfect. Not even Muddled.*






* Especially not Muddled.

[danperkins]

He will be.

I remember what you said before about Johnson. My point about Hansen is that these weaknesses he identified might be relatively less important in a full back now than they were when he played.

Of course nobody is perfect. Not even Muddled.*






* Especially not Muddled.

& you do have a valid point there about Hansen's perception of what it is to defend. Mind, i wouldn't mind having a CB like him again.

[baitman]

if we play with three at the back and a DM then there will be less emphasis on the full backs to have to act as a winger and a right back all rolled into one.

this can then allow other players to be considered as cover for the right FB as their limited defensive capabilities [compared to glen johnson] wont be as exposed.

[Norbs]

Thanks Brendan

[baitman]

and if that doesn't work then we will have a group hug, dust ourselves off and get the group ready to go again