Johnson vs. Kelly

[vlahka]

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...

I'm not going to watch the entire match and make a little list for you. I counted at least 6 crosses that got past him. I know he was always next to Skrtel leaving the right side totally empty. I know Kuyt had to backtrack a few times to cover for him. I also know when Kelly played Chelsea he stopped almost all their attacks from the right which is what earned him such favourable reviews.

In all the teams Johnson has been in he's played the same way. Kenny isnt telling him to leave the right side bare, to let most crosses get past him. Its just how he is. He's better at going forward.

[Imy]

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

Kuyt was not much help today.

[RedReet]

I'm not going to watch the entire match and make a little list for you. I counted at least 6 crosses that got past him. I know he was always next to Skrtel leaving the right side totally empty. I know Kuyt had to backtrack a few times to cover for him. I also know when Kelly played Chelsea he stopped almost all their attacks from the right which is what earned him such favourable reviews.

In all the teams Johnson has been in he's played the same way. Kenny isnt telling him to leave the right side bare, to let most crosses get past him. Its just how he is. He's better at going forward.

Ahh, the same game where Johnson played on the left when we kept a clean sheet?

And so the facts you wan't to talk about are this one isolated match? The same match when you opened your post by asking us to 'forget' about the most important stat of all?

You are not giving me much to work with here.

[Finnish_Red]

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

His goal today was a good reminder what Glen can offer offensively. He was great at pompey running down the right and cutting inside. Hopefully he can now stay free of injuries, his confidence is surely growing.

[vlahka]

Ahh, the same game where Johnson played on the left when we kept a clean sheet?

And so the facts you wan't to talk about are this one isolated match? The same match when you opened your post by asking us to 'forget' about the most important stat of all?

You are not giving me much to work with here.

I'm comparing 2 games against the same team where both players played in the same position. Kelly has also been consistantly good at stopping players where as Johnson has been less. We are talking about who is the better defender, not who is the better attacking midfielder. If you're happy to put down Kellys skill as a defender then go for it. I think he's better at defending then Johnson is. So theres no point arguing.

What I'd like to know is why we can ignore any defensive frailties Johnson has because he scores a goal. I recall Garcia getting slated every match about his passing even when he did score and win us matches. That still disgusts me to this day. Its like 1 rule for one player and so forth.

[Exiled_red]

His goal today was a good reminder what Glen can offer offensively. He was great at pompey running down the right and cutting inside. Hopefully he can now stay free of injuries, his confidence is surely growing.

[RedReet]

I'm comparing 2 games against the same team where both players played in the same position. Kelly has also been consistantly good at stopping players where as Johnson has been less. We are talking about who is the better defender, not who is the better attacking midfielder. If you're happy to put down Kellys skill as a defender then go for it. I think he's better at defending then Johnson is. So theres no point arguing.

What I'd like to know is why we can ignore any defensive frailties Johnson has because he scores a goal. I recall Garcia getting slated every match about his passing even when he did score and win us matches. That still disgusts me to this day. Its like 1 rule for one player and so forth.

Against different players, a different manager, different tactics etc. That makes sense. Why not tell me how many crosses Johnson conceded in that same game compared to Kelly and how many times he was caught out of position?

And if you read my earlier post you will see I conceded that Johnson wasn't at his best defensively today. This was one game though and Johnson has been excellent since Kenny came back which is why in all those months it's had to take this one performance for you come out and accuse of of being **** defensively, despite him winning us the 3 points.

I admitted that he wasn't great defensively today. I think he's been great defensively since Kenny and Clarke have been working with him though

[kop-al-74]

Isn't it nice to just have the option of the two?.....

Btw,i havn't even read anyone else's response to this thread.

[Exiled_red]

Isn't it nice to just have the option of the two?.....

Btw,i havn't even read anyone else's response to this thread.

[vlahka]

Against different players, a different manager, different tactics etc. That makes sense. Why not tell me how many crosses Johnson conceded in that same game compared to Kelly and how many times he was caught out of position?

And if you read my earlier post you will see I conceded that Johnson wasn't at his best defensively today. This was one game though and Johnson has been excellent since Kenny came back which is why in all those months it's had to take this one performance for you come out and accuse of of being **** defensively, despite him winning us the 3 points.

I admitted that he wasn't great defensively today. I think he's been great defensively since Kenny and Clarke have been working with him though

Going by different managers and different teams, his performance on the right has always been fairly similar. On the left he was good. Whos to say he's not a better left sided defender going by that? Kelly also had very strong performances while Johnson was injured. He did nothing wrong and was solid as always when he features. The only reason he was dropped in my view is because he's younger and he didnt cost us near 20mill.

I also didnt take months to come out and say anything. I generally dont say much. But I saw the thread title and since Kelly is one of my favourite players I decided to put my 2 cents in. My opinion of both Kelly and Johnson is not based off 1 game. After all you dont see me complaining about Johnson in the main max thread. I'm saying which I think is a better right defender.

[danperkins]

Johnson had super game today although got sold few times. For me Kelly is a far better defender but no doubts Johnson is better attacking. Nice problem to have IMO

[RedReet]

Going by different managers and different teams, his performance on the right has always been fairly similar. On the left he was good. Whos to say he's not a better left sided defender going by that? Kelly also had very strong performances while Johnson was injured. He did nothing wrong and was solid as always when he features. The only reason he was dropped in my view is because he's younger and he didnt cost us near 20mill.

I also didnt take months to come out and say anything. I generally dont say much. But I saw the thread title and since Kelly is one of my favourite players I decided to put my 2 cents in. My opinion of both Kelly and Johnson is not based off 1 game. After all you dont see me complaining about Johnson in the main max thread. I'm saying which I think is a better right defender.

Yes, and your thoughts are not facts, they are your opinion (which I think is biased).

But let’s just leave this conversation for now, I’m struggling to reply without sounding smart or sarcastic and I’m sure it’s making quite tedious reading for other members.

[vlahka]

Johnson had super game today although got sold few times. For me Kelly is a far better defender but no doubts Johnson is better attacking. Nice problem to have IMO

Fixing that problem would be Kelly rightback and Johnson right wing. Put Kuyt in midfield instead of Adam since his passing is better and he runs down every single person who has the ball, making midfield far stronger and harder for the opposition to get through. Gives him the chance to run forward with the ball at goal.

[little dave hedgehog]

dirk kuyt's passing better than charlie adam?!?

now i have officially heard it all. i'm not even really on earth anymore, am i?

edit: also having a good lol trying to imagine dirky dribbling the ball through a crowded midfield. it's just crackers.

[Chris]

Fixing that problem would be Kelly rightback and Johnson right wing. Put Kuyt in midfield instead of Adam since his passing is better and he runs down every single person who has the ball, making midfield far stronger and harder for the opposition to get through. Gives him the chance to run forward with the ball at goal.

He's not a right winger! Theres a reason no one plays him there.

And Dirk in central midfield?!