Glen Johnson

[Shaggy]

I think people have inordinately high expectations of Johnson. He is essentially asked to play two roles at once. In the first half last night he was often our most advanced player. He was insanely high up the pitch but he is asked to be. He is also expected to be spot on defensively. He is cut zero slack and folk expect him to do two jobs to perfection. He covered an insane amount of ground last night, up and down up and down all night, and was bollocksed by 75 minutes. Tired bodies, tired minds.

If we sell Johnson, whoever replaces him will be expected to fulfil the same role - the same two roles. It is the nature of the beast with ultra-attacking full-backs. And yet whoever replaces him will probably still get slaughtered and micro-analysed.

[john316]

Whoever we sign is going to need fresh, young legs as that attacking full back role is not a young man's game. Either that or we need to be rotating both full backs a lot more next season so we don't wear them into the ground.

[Fredo]

I think people have inordinately high expectations of Johnson. He is essentially asked to play two roles at once. In the first half last night he was often our most advanced player. He was insanely high up the pitch but he is asked to be. He is also expected to be spot on defensively. He is cut zero slack and folk expect him to do two jobs to perfection. He covered an insane amount of ground last night, up and down up and down all night, and was bollocksed by 75 minutes. Tired bodies, tired minds.

If we sell Johnson, whoever replaces him will be expected to fulfil the same role - the same two roles. It is the nature of the beast with ultra-attacking full-backs. And yet whoever replaces him will probably still get slaughtered and micro-analysed.

Thought he defended very well for 75 minutes. Made one or two excellent interceptions which could have cost us. Yet, this is not emphasised.

Whoever plays in that role will get the same slack when we concede. It's the nature of the beast for the way we play. I wouldn't change our style just to accommodate a more defensive fullback.

[Shaggy]

On top of him being asked to play two roles in one, we're now going with a diamond, the big negative of which is the full-backs are offered little to no protection, especially when you've got a physically ****ed Lucas ahead of you. So he's even more exposed. I just think you have to see the full picture yet most seem to see it in black and white. "He's wank", "he's a liability" etc.

Ah well. Only my opinion. Based on here and Twitter last night he's getting absolute ****ing pelters.

For anyone who missed his tweets last night.....

Glen Johnson @glen_johnson
Absolutley clueless.....

Glen Johnson @glen_johnson
So many sofa experts in this game....
Absolutely no idea about football what so ever! #Jokers

[Fredo]

Yeah saw that. Just out or order that he gets so much abuse. Pisses me off whenever he gets abused each time we draw or lose here anyway. I don't think the criticism is justified at all.

[Shaggy]

What sort of cunt of a fan would head straight for Twitter to abuse one of our players? One of the players in a tiny squad which has taken us this far?

You ****in tell em Glen.

[JohnDoe]

He's the player who misses Henderson the most. Lucas just cannot play that role, it's asking too much of Johnson to be flawless offensively and defensively while playing in these circumstances.

[DannyMan2006]

In fairness, he's never been great at the back. His best attributes are without doubt when our team is attacking. It would be easy to put his mistakes last night down to tiredness, and maybe it was. But he makes similar mistakes all the time. Personally, I hope we keep him. He isn't perfect but it'll be hard to recruit a better full back. I would like to bring in competition, but maybe that could be Flanno or Wisdom.

[Shaggy]

He's the player who misses Henderson the most. Lucas just cannot play that role, it's asking too much of Johnson to be flawless offensively and defensively while playing in these circumstances.

[danperkins]

I agree that everyone was absolutely out on their feet the last 20 mins. Wing back is a poxy position & i thought Johnson had a good first half. I thought he had a good 45 not a good 75, from the get go of the second half he gave away possession and was making mistakes.

If it was an isolated incident with Johnson i would understand but it's all too regular. I never never seen defending as bad the last 20 mins, it's was like a bad dream. Be interesting to see what happens with him in the summer. If we are going to replace him, we have to be very careful.

Agree the Henderson's energy was horribly missed last night, such an unnecessary tackle too

[Tee]

This opinion is based on what I have seen from him all season not just last night. He has become quite predictable and indecisive in the attacking third and has the knack of switching off at the back as well. I really liked him but in this system we just need better than what he is offering us right now. Maybe it is just injuries and form, but if he wants a future here there is no doubt he will have to up his game a few notches to keep his starting place. IMO.

[danperkins]

This opinion is based on what I have seen from him all season not just last night. He has become quite predictable and indecisive in the attacking third and has the knack of switching off at the back as well. I really liked him but in this system we just need better than what he is offering us right now. Maybe it is just injuries and form, but if he wants a future here there is no doubt he will have to up his game a few notches to keep his starting place. IMO.

fair post

[Havors]

Of course, everyone's entitled to their own opinions, but he was one of our best players last night. It's one of the most difficult positions to get right and there aren't many right backs out there as good as Johnson.

I take it you didn't watch the match last night then.... He was ****ing awful.

[Fredo]

I take it you didn't watch the match last night then.... He was ****ing awful.

No he wasn't. And how patronising of you to suggest I didn't watch it.

[Reece]

I thought it was Johnson's best game for a while for the first 70 minutes or so.