Johnson

[Nick77]

I just want to say what a fecking signing. I must admit I was the first to question Rafa's decision to fork out so much on him & I was pretty sceptical as he is not the greatest defender in the world & I thought that defensively Arbeloa was better.
But going forward he's given us a whole new dimension AND he's improved his defensive abillities quite considerably.
He just keeps getting better & better every time I see him play and I would officially like to eat my humble pie!
In Rafa I trust! (except when it comes to Lucas...)

[pondus]

May just be the best piece of business this season if he continues as he has started.

Johnson

[saj]

I said before the season kicked off that he would be the signing of the season in the whole of England - I stand by that. He's like a cross between Heggem, Babbel and Finnan!

[Darkon]

Fantastic signing!!

[FatTony]

He is looking our most dangerous player so far, ahead of Gerrard and Torres.

What a player this lad is.

[Craig_H]

Looked very good so far. But it's only 4 games. If he'd looked **** and people had criticised him, they'd have been told it was only 4 games.

Works both ways.

[Mattshark]

Looked very good so far. But it's only 4 games. If he'd looked **** and people had criticised him, they'd have been told it was only 4 games.

Works both ways.

Though he is only 1 goal of scoring as many as our last 2 rb's combined!

[EwarWoo]

Looked very good so far. But it's only 4 games. If he'd looked **** and people had criticised him, they'd have been told it was only 4 games.

Works both ways.

Not really.

Don't get me wrong, I still think 4 games is too short a period to a certain extent, but the same period doesn't apply as as a player settles in they should get better, so giving them a grace period makes sense, where as writing off the fact they immediately fit in doesn't.

[Bender]

now what do i do? do i bring in jonhson or torres in my fantasy team ? but considering there is an international break for 2weeks as well ....injuries ?

[Craig_H]

Not really.

Don't get me wrong, I still think 4 games is too short a period to a certain extent, but the same period doesn't apply as as a player settles in they should get better, so giving them a grace period makes sense, where as writing off the fact they immediately fit in doesn't.

So you agree with me then. Good stuff.

[EwarWoo]

So you agree with me then. Good stuff.

As I said, I semi agree with you, 4 games is too short a period to draw final conclusion, however it's enough to get excited as generally a player improves as he fits in, not declines.

The grace period given for a player to fit in is irrelevant if they fit in immediately.

Nice attempt at twisting my words but

[Craig_H]

I wasnt trying to twist anything. I said 4 games is too short a period of time, and you said the same. So you agree with me, no?

As for your other point. It's entirely possible for a player to hit the ground running with a purple patch, before evening out.

It's highly unlikely, for example, that Johnson will continue to score 1 in 2. From the four games so far, one might say that once he's settled, he'll improve further. Well, in that respect, no he wont

[Rafael Benítez Maudes]

i'm not as convinced as you lot.

let's see how he defends against better opposition.

so far so good i guess.

[Craig_H]

Stop being so sensible

[dww]

i'm not as convinced as you lot.

let's see how he defends against better opposition.

so far so good i guess.

I think that is a fair comment - although his personal performances have been exceptional so far credit to him. I also think at times attack can be the best form of defense. Hopefully he will develop into a right sided, higher scoring Ashley Cole.

On a related note - I think one of the problems we have had this season has been the demands made on the central midfielders and defenders to cover when our fullbacks push forward. This has exacerbated the problems we have had play making and linking defense/midfield with attack. Rather surprisingly I thought some of our pest play making against Bolton came when Riera and Kuyt were more central. Kuyt in particular seemed more capable of linking the play - possibly we need to look at whether he and Gerarrd (and possibly even whoever is on the left) could be more fluid in the roles they play, especially when Gerrard is being man marked as against Bolton.