Johnson vs. Kelly

[MrMichael]

That's probably the first poor defensive performance Johnson has had had since Kenny took charge and I didn't see too many threads bumped after all his solid displays.

Poor is probably a bit harsh too as Chelsea focused all their play down the left second half and Johnson was often left isolated. Kuyt was unusually poor which didn't help matters much.

Tend to agree. I didn't think Johnson had his best game defensively, but you're right, in the second half Chelsea did concentrate all their play down his flank and Kuyt has had much better games too.

Great goal though.

[Exiled_red]

Don't think he had a great game defensively, but he didn't have a bad one and that goal was out of this world.

That's how I saw it too.

[Assassin]

He could have did better on a few occasions and Chelsea were having a lot of joy down that wing, but he didn't make many glaring mistakes. FB's get beat by their men all the time, some are just unfortunate enough to get it highlighted every time they do.

He was defending 2 and sometimes 3 to 1 in the second half. It is not his fault he was flooded by chelsea players. He played extremely well under the circumstances

[Shaggy]

He could have did better on a few occasions and Chelsea were having a lot of joy down that wing, but he didn't make many glaring mistakes. FB's get beat by their men all the time, some are just unfortunate enough to get it highlighted every time they do.

Haha exactly. Neville was the best right back in England for years and he got taken apart plenty of times.

[RedReet]

He is the only defender in the PL who can score that type of goal. He has so much composure when he gets into the box. Great finish!!!

He has a sweet left foot on him.

I think some people forget just how good he was in them first few months under Rafa. He's barely had a run of games since without picking up an injury but since Kenny took over I think he's been one of our most consistant players.

[ChesterDave]

Defensively, I thought he had a shocking second half. More than a couple of occassions where he was well beaten, or out of position. Goal was brilliant though and showed that the best part of his game is going forward, not defending.

[Shaggy]

Remember that stunning volley he scored at Portsmouth ....left footed

[The_weatherman]

I love both of them! Great options to have.

Kelly coming through and staying fit will at least keep GJ on his toes.

[BootRoom]

Johnson's a superb attacking player. He's dozy at times (on and off the ball) but all round he is still a fair bit ahead of Kelly. Competition is key though; players need to know that if they aren't performing there is someone waiting in the wings to take their place.

[vlahka]

First post match in a Johnson thread after he's just received the MOTM award,and to do what? Criticize him again.

That's probably the first poor defensive performance Johnson has had had since Kenny took charge and I didn't see too many threads bumped after all his solid displays.

Poor is probably a bit harsh too as Chelsea focused all their play down the left second half and Johnson was often left isolated. Kuyt was unusually poor which didn't help matters much.

What the ****?!

Johnson had a near faultless 1st half - his only mistake was when he let Malouda in in 1st half stoppage time and then Malouda dived to win a free kick. Otherwise immaculate.

Tested big time 2nd half down what is by far their strongest side, beaten a few times but generally coped with everything they threw at him. And then scored a wonder goal. He's a very good RB.

The topic is who is better at right back, Kelly or Johnson. The fact that we werent punished from any crosses that he missed to stop doesnt change anything. I said he'd be good on the right wing. As a defender he's not that good. If you somehow didnt see the half dozen crosses that went in from the right, and how majority of chelseas attacks came from the right flack compared to the left, isnt my problem. Its been mentioned many times in the past that Johnson isnt very good at positioning when it comes to defending but makes up for it in attacking.

Slate me all you like but pointing out that his defensive ability is unchanged whether he's match fit or not doesnt change the fact that Kelly stops more crosses from coming in. Thats the whole reason Kelly even has a name with Liverpool supporters. He's not scoring goals, so what exactly is he doing? He's being an absolute rock at rightback. Thats why we even say his name. I'd rather not have crosses coming in. But thats me.

[RedReet]

The topic is who is better at right back, Kelly or Johnson. The fact that we werent punished from any crosses that he missed to stop doesnt change anything. I said he'd be good on the right wing. As a defender he's not that good. If you somehow didnt see the half dozen crosses that went in from the right, and how majority of chelseas attacks came from the right flack compared to the left, isnt my problem. Its been mentioned many times in the past that Johnson isnt very good at positioning when it comes to defending but makes up for it in attacking.

Slate me all you like but pointing out that his defensive ability is unchanged whether he's match fit or not doesnt change the fact that Kelly stops more crosses from coming in. Thats the whole reason Kelly even has a name with Liverpool supporters. He's not scoring goals, so what exactly is he doing? He's being an absolute rock at rightback. Thats why we even say his name. I'd rather not have crosses coming in. But thats me.

Yes, by Paul Merson and people behind keyboards. Idiots like Rafa, Capello and King Kenny seem to miss this.

[vlahka]

Yes, by Paul Merson and people behind keyboards. Idiots like Rafa, Capello and King Kenny seem to miss this.

I dont much care for your sarcasm. Plenty of crosses go past him. You can ignore them but if Skrtel wasnt having a blinder today there could of been more goals from Chelsea. Unless I'm mistaken about how this thread is meant to go.. Is it say nothing but nice things about johnson and any slight negative aspects about his game is met with ridicule and a ban? Maybe we can change the topic to 'How would redcafe/rawk moderate you if you dont say Johnson is the best'.

I say a factual element about his game and instead I'm met with hostility and rudeness.

[the rev leeroy brown]

Johnson wa at fault for the chelsea goal - he wandered into no mans land ad failed to close down. Once or twice he was beaten down the right side but attacking wise he was superb today. Defensively he was decent too.

Johnson v Kelly - IMO Johnson has to play right now. Kelly isn't ready to be first choice when u consider he is still a centre back playing on the right.

[little dave hedgehog]

agger and enrique were just as culpable imo.

[RedReet]

I dont much care for your sarcasm. Plenty of crosses go past him. You can ignore them but if Skrtel wasnt having a blinder today there could of been more goals from Chelsea. Unless I'm mistaken about how this thread is meant to go.. Is it say nothing but nice things about johnson and any slight negative aspects about his game is met with ridicule and a ban? Maybe we can change the topic to 'How would redcafe/rawk moderate you if you dont say Johnson is the best'.

I say a factual element about his game and instead I'm met with hostility and rudeness.

Ok then, how many crosses do go past him and how does this compare to Kelly and the average PL FB? How many went past him in the last two games when we didn't concede?

Poor positioning...

What are Glen's instructions? Does Kenny tell him to come narrow with the CB's or stay out wide? What is his instruction after bombing forward? Has he to sprint straight back, does someone cover his position, or does he just do as he feels? What is he told to do for set-pieces?

Lets hear these facts...