Glen Johnson

[baitman]

every time i see this thread in 'new posts' i get my hopes up.

but no. not yet

[Buzzo]

I'll be disgusted if Johnson gets a new contract.

You've kept that quiet.

Disgusted... Get a grip.

[RedReet]

Useful to keep for this formation, can cover 4 positions.

[Lee]

Disgusted.

[RichC]

In the current formation Johnson playing as a wingback could actually be quite useful he's far better going forwards

[Darkon]

Not sure about that. One of the most important attributes of a wingback is his defensive awareness and positioning. If not the defence will be caught out far to much, and the central defence will be stretched to much on the counter.

Johnson in his prime when he was quick enough to make up for his at times poor positioning was fine, in his state today I really don't think he would be an ideal solution.

[Norbs]

He was always better going forward than defending, maybe being a wingback might suit him

RunsRuns for cover

In the current formation Johnson playing as a wingback could actually be quite useful he's far better going forwards

At least you got a polite reply when you suggested it

[Darkon]

At least you got a polite reply when you suggested it

Sorry, you are also wrong

[RichC]

I'm not. He's perhaps not disciplined for a conventional back 4 especially the way we play pushing the full backs up the pitch however with playing 3 CBs and Lucas who doesn't move too far forwards it gives you decent numbers still in defensive positions hence why he might still be able to do a job for us there.

One issue with letting Johnson go is another position that potentially needs replacing/covering - Flanagan could make it not convinced by Manquillo as of yet tbh

All depends on what we do in terms of formation when Sturridge is back

[Darkon]

The thing for me on our current system is, that it requires a lot of defensive awareness for it to work properly. We might have 3 CD, but they are in effectiveness covering the two traditional CD positions and the two traditional backs that normally would have support of backtracking wingers.

In our system, when the wingbacks are caught up the pitch we are effectively one man down, even with Lucas covering central. It works out most of the time, and Can/Sakho have been really good at making decisions when covering (thank god it's not Skrtel in that position!!), but it's also led to a lot of the chances created against us. Either like in the Chelsea game when a ball is quickly sent to Hazard giving him a lot of room, or when Can/Lucas went there giving Costa a 1v1 against Skrtel. Usually with Sakho having to watch the other wing when we are attacking.

This happens a fair deal with someone like Henderson there, that acutally covers his back well and have the speed/stamina to make up for when out of position. With someone like Johnson that get's caught out a lot even as full back, I have my serious fears putting him back in the team.

[Norbs]

Sorry, you are also wrong

[Norbs]

I'm not. He's perhaps not disciplined for a conventional back 4 especially the way we play pushing the full backs up the pitch however with playing 3 CBs and Lucas who doesn't move too far forwards it gives you decent numbers still in defensive positions hence why he might still be able to do a job for us there.

One issue with letting Johnson go is another position that potentially needs replacing/covering - Flanagan could make it not convinced by Manquillo as of yet tbh

All depends on what we do in terms of formation when Sturridge is back

I know it's early doors but, Markovic looks very decent in the role, Moreno can switch over and Wisdom, Sterling and Henderson can all play there and provide cover.

[The_weatherman]

The thing for me on our current system is, that it requires a lot of defensive awareness for it to work properly. We might have 3 CD, but they are in effectiveness covering the two traditional CD positions and the two traditional backs that normally would have support of backtracking wingers.

In our system, when the wingbacks are caught up the pitch we are effectively one man down, even with Lucas covering central. It works out most of the time, and Can/Sakho have been really good at making decisions when covering (thank god it's not Skrtel in that position!!), but it's also led to a lot of the chances created against us. Either like in the Chelsea game when a ball is quickly sent to Hazard giving him a lot of room, or when Can/Lucas went there giving Costa a 1v1 against Skrtel. Usually with Sakho having to watch the other wing when we are attacking.

This happens a fair deal with someone like Henderson there, that acutally covers his back well and have the speed/stamina to make up for when out of position. With someone like Johnson that get's caught out a lot even as full back, I have my serious fears putting him back in the team.

I think you are right, Glen might be able to adjust his game as a fullback but he can't perform like we need him to as a wingback. I think it would be best for both parties if he finds another club. Maybe Montoya would be a good fit? Or Clyne in the summer?

[Darkon]

I think you are right, Glen might be able to adjust his game as a fullback but he can't perform like we need him to as a wingback. I think it would be best for both parties if he finds another club. Maybe Montoya would be a good fit? Or Clyne in the summer?

Montoya looks very interesting, but it's hard to judge with the limited game time at Barca.

[elrichio86]

If he's willing to take a large paycut and be happy to act as backup to our younger fullbacks then a 12 month extension seems sensible. By then we'll know whether Manquillo or Flanagan have been able to step up as our long term rightback.