Johnson vs. Kelly

[danperkins]

In friendlies and against lower quality opposition, not really comparable to how Johnson has done (and Johnson was part of the 3rd best defence last season).
Being an attacking fullback doesn't make you a winger.

Never said it did mate but his attributes as a player and how he plays the game are much more suited to playing that bit higher up the pitch, he is not a good defender that is clear, i do like Johnson and i think he fantastic to watch when he drives forward and would give us fantastic width and creativity at RM but it ain't gonna happen.
because Roy won't trust Kelly's lack of experience which is fair enough.

And we were 3rd best defense mate because we played horrible negative football and got everyone begind the ball and we have the best keep in the world, Chelsea also scored 40 odd more goals than us. Thats what happens when you set your stall out not to lose instead of to go out and win.

[elrichio86]

Never said it did mate but his attributes as a player and how he plays the game are much more suited to playing that bit higher up the pitch, he is not a good defender that is clear, i do like Johnson and i think he fantastic to watch when he drives forward and would give us fantastic width and creativity at RM but it ain't gonna happen.
because Roy won't trust Kelly's lack of experience which is fair enough.

And we were 3rd best defense mate because we played horrible negative football and got everyone begind the ball and we have the best keep in the world, Chelsea also scored 40 odd more goals than us. Thats what happens when you set your stall out not to lose instead of to go out and win.

And playing two fullbacks on the right hand side is going to solve these problems?

Johnson is a very attacking fullback. With that you are always going to sacrifice some defensive stability. If we want to have the additional attacking threat he undoubtably provides, we have to accept that sometimes he will get caught out too far upfield. I, for one, am willing to accept that trade off

[danperkins]

And playing two fullbacks on the right hand side is going to solve these problems?

Johnson is a very attacking fullback. With that you are always going to sacrifice some defensive stability. If we want to have the additional attacking threat he undoubtably provides, we have to accept that sometimes he will get caught out too far upfield. I, for one, am willing to accept that trade off

He doesn't get caught far upfield at all mate, he just isn't a good defender,simple as that i'm afraid

And at the moment we have Maxi/Kuyt/Babel who can potentially play on the right, Babel most likely won't get his chance there, Johnson is far better at going forward than Kuyt or Maxi, makes sense in certain games, maybe not tomorrow but in other games definitely.

We have problems in wide areas that is very evident.

[kop-al-74]

I believe he (Johnson) can do for us down the right what Bale has done for spurs down the left.I would love to see hom playing right midfield.

[Rudo]

Am i the only one that thought Kelly had a poor game the other night?

Shaky and nervy throughout.

[SB]

Am i the only one that thought Kelly had a poor game the other night?

Shaky and nervy throughout.

I wouldn't say poor but it wasn't a great performance either. He did look nervy I agree

[kop-al-74]

Am i the only one that thought Kelly had a poor game the other night?

Shaky and nervy throughout.

I wouldn't say poor game but he didn't convince me in any way that he should be playing for the first team at all.

[Mostar]

I wouldn't say poor but it wasn't a great performance either. He did look nervy I agree

It wasn't one of his best.

He's a young lad, who barely played for the first team, still improving and developing and it is unreasonable to expect to see him play great in every match.

[badpiggy]

I can see that some people are quite resistant to the idea of Johnson being a right winger, but in all fairness the way he attacks is more like a winger than a bombing down the touchline type full back. He beats players and moves into the box more often than whipping in crosses from closer to the endline.

[SB]

It wasn't one of his best.

He's a young lad, who barely played for the first team, still improving and developing and it is unreasonable to expect to see him play great in every match.

I completely agree and this is exactly why he needs to be eased into it

[Gibbo]

Bump. Interested to see people's opinion on this now.

[Rich]

Kelly every time for me. Although I don't feel as negative about Johnson as before - I just think Kelly offers more defensively and is still effective going forward.

[BringbackBiscan]

Johnson's the better player without a shadow of doubt but not when he's half fit. The latter seems to be the case for quite a while now. Infact I can't remember the last time he had a decent run of games at right back whilst fully match fit.

[Mattshark]

Johnson is still the better player imo.

[Shaggy]

Johnson still ahead for me. Kelly is a fantastic prospect though obviously.