Our right side

[Exiled_red]

Putting a full back on the wing usually takes the edge out of his game offensively. Coming from deep, unmarked, is easier than being the first man who gets the ball out wide.

[Fredo]

He wouldn't have the same impact if he had to come from a more advanced position. Then again, I don't know what he'll bring to the team as his performances in general have been appalling of late, so I guess anywhere you'd use him wouldn't change his game much.

I do think that our central midfield is the problem though. Our game is slow and ponderous because Poulsen and Lucas are pedestrian at best from there. We no longer have Mascherano's dynamism and Alonso's quick thinking and vision. One example yesterday was when both Torres and Gerrard contributed to an opening (for Gerrard) - who had a clear run on goal if the right pass was made. Unfortunately, the ball ricocheted off a Brum player and the ball never arrived at his feet. Alonso would have spotted this instantly and we would have had Gerrard scampering on goal.

Hopefully Cole and Meireles will bring much needed movement and creativity/mobility but apart from these players (along with Gerrard and Torres), we're pretty much an average team.

[red g]

Its worked out well for Bale, but it wasnt his defending that is woeful its his whole game. Sloppy passes/sloppy tackles he just seems to be playing with the world on his shoulders.

I think the Johnson/Kelly combo would be worth a try though only becuase Kuyt is out and Maxi was woeful on Sunday

[cream]

I suggested the very thing last season and was basically told on here by a well known member that it will/shall never happen....................to me it's a no brainer ..................Johnson is ****ing hopless at defending end of! kelly is by far a better defender

Hopeless at defending

He's hardly got forward this season, thats been his problem, not defending.

[saj]

Putting a full back on the wing usually takes the edge out of his game offensively. Coming from deep, unmarked, is easier than being the first man who gets the ball out wide.

He proved he was better offensively when he was at Portsmouth- he even played a few games as a FW

[SB]

He proved he was better offensively when he was at Portsmouth- he even played a few games as a FW

Friggin Wally ?

[danperkins]

Johnson aint suspect at the back, that's just a load of tosh built up about him. Anyone care to tell me the last goal from the opposition that came about from an attack down our right hand side?

Long time a go.

Mate usually i agree with alot of your opinions there similiar to mine but IMO Johnson is criminal at defending, he has been caught out time and time again, but he always has been weak defensively throughout his entire career, great going forward horrendous defensively, especially his positional sense.

P.S. I wish he'd just cut his ****ing hair because he spends most of the time fixing it, so annoying!

[danperkins]

Its worked out well for Bale, but it wasnt his defending that is woeful its his whole game. Sloppy passes/sloppy tackles he just seems to be playing with the world on his shoulders.

I think the Johnson/Kelly combo would be worth a try though only becuase Kuyt is out and Maxi was woeful on Sunday

[Mostar]

Putting a full back on the wing usually takes the edge out of his game offensively. Coming from deep, unmarked, is easier than being the first man who gets the ball out wide.

[danperkins]

Johnson would offer a hell of alot more going forward than Kuyt/Maxi would, he can beat a man, is very mobile, strong lad and has a fantastic delivery, he actually would get balls in which at the moment is non existent? I don't see how thats taking the edge off with Johnson being ultra attacking and Kuyt being very defensive minded.

Surely it would make us more dynamic and attacking considering the players involved?

[little dave hedgehog]

my sister, who played college ball but never watches games on tv, asked me who #2 was t'other day so she could tell me he was lazy.

[JohnDoe]

For the record, I prefer Johnson on the right wing over Maxi Rodriguez, but that doesn't say much. It's a solution for a team of **** standards, but maybe we're getting there.

[the rev leeroy brown]

dont need johnson right mid although i think he would do it well. once meirels get fit, cole is no longer suspended and poulsen is fit we can go:

-----ste - poulsen----
babel--meriles--cole
-----torres----

sorted!

[Rudo]

dont need johnson right mid although i think he would do it well. once meirels get fit, cole is no longer suspended and poulsen is fit we can go:

-----ste - poulsen----
babel--meriles--cole
-----torres----

sorted!

That looks impressive.

[JohnDoe]

dont need johnson right mid although i think he would do it well. once meirels get fit, cole is no longer suspended and poulsen is fit we can go:

-----ste - poulsen----
babel--meriles--cole
-----torres----

sorted!

Yep, only thing that's left is making sure nobody gets injured, ever.