Johnson vs. Kelly

[RedReet]

Johnson's positioning is poor at times as he can be suspect to ball watching. Recall shouting at the TV screen on a few occasions about Johnson yesterday and that happens often for me. He is capable of being good (Defensively) but I think sometimes it is a lack of concentration that holds him back. Kelly seems more composed and I think defending comes more naturally to him whereas you can tell Johnson loves to attack. Not to say Kelly hasn't had his share of mistakes but I think he is better defensively.

I would like people to explain this to me and give me practical examples. I’m not having a go at you but I hear this time and time again about every FB that people don’t rate and it just seems to roll off the tongue for some.

What is it about Johnson’s positioning that makes him so bad and how do fans know where he’s instructed to be?

[RedReet]

i remember Alan Hansen going through several of Johnson's performances in games and he absolutely picked him apart for his defensive mistakes. Defensively positioning and body positioning as a defender in particular, Hansen said.

IMO Kelly is a naturally better defender.

How long ago was this? It might sort of help me where I'm going with my previous post.

[yamiedo]

I would like people to explain this to me and give me practical examples. I’m not having a go at you but I hear this time and time again about every FB that people don’t rate and it just seems to roll off the tongue for some.

What is it about Johnson’s positioning that makes him so bad and how do fans know where he’s instructed to be?

For example against Chelsea yesterday, there was a man (can't recall who) back post, completely unmarked and Johnson was off tending to the same guy as Skrtel. Ball came floating over him. Completely unnecessary and simple marking skills. Of course all defenders are guilty off this at some time in their career but for me I find Johnson guilty of it more than most. Just from my experience of watching him. Also, I DO rate Johnson as a Full Back, I am just of the opinion that Kelly is better defensively and Johnson is better in attack.

[danperkins]

How long ago was this? It might sort of help me where I'm going with my previous post.

I've been trawling through google mate trying to get it, was on match of the day 2 i think good while back, sorry can't find it.

I know pundits are pundits, but IMO when Hansen,like Lee Dixon (two top defenders) are critiquing footballing defense it's usually spot on. He basically was highlighting Glen Johnson's body shape when players attacking him and his positional frailties. Was a great critique of how not to defend, and just highlighted some of the unnatural aspects of Johnson's defending in certain games.

By no means a damning critique but was very interesting IMO.

[Exiled_red]

I actually find Kelly more 'composed', but obviously Johnson a much bigger goal threat...

I think Kelly has a more direct, powerful attacking game where he looks to knock the ball past people and 'charge' forward, I think Johnson is happier to take more touches and keep the ball under close control. I can't imagine Kelly having the composure in the final third that Johnson showed for his goal yesterday, perhaps that will come with experience.

[danperkins]

I think Kelly has a more direct, powerful attacking game where he looks to knock the ball past people and 'charge' forward, I think Johnson is happier to take more touches and keep the ball under close control. I can't imagine Kelly having the composure in the final third that Johnson showed for his goal yesterday, perhaps that will come with experience.

[yamiedo]

In my opinion Jose Enrique has it all. He has the defensive qualities and the attacking qualities. You always feel safe with him at the back and Johnson makes me feel nervous in defence sometimes. I think it is good to have two right backs with different qualities. Some games you may want more sturdiness at the back and Kelly could provide that and other days you may want more going forward. Then there's Flanagan too of course. He seems more defensively sound than attacking, though I'm sure he'll improve on that.

[Icon]

In my opinion Jose Enrique has it all. He has the defensive qualities and the attacking qualities. You always feel safe with him at the back and Johnson makes me feel nervous in defence sometimes. I think it is good to have two right backs with different qualities. Some games you may want more sturdiness at the back and Kelly could provide that and other days you may want more going forward. Then there's Flanagan too of course. He seems more defensively sound than attacking, though I'm sure he'll improve on that.

Johnson can make both defenses feel nervous on occasion...

[yamiedo]

I think Kelly has a more direct, powerful attacking game where he looks to knock the ball past people and 'charge' forward, I think Johnson is happier to take more touches and keep the ball under close control. I can't imagine Kelly having the composure in the final third that Johnson showed for his goal yesterday, perhaps that will come with experience.

I agree with that.

[yamiedo]

Johnson can make both defenses feel nervous on occasion...

Yeah, that's what I meant about him being the more attacking option.

[RedReet]

For example against Chelsea yesterday, there was a man (can't recall who) back post, completely unmarked and Johnson was off tending to the same guy as Skrtel. Ball came floating over him. Completely unnecessary and simple marking skills. Of course all defenders are guilty off this at some time in their career but for me I find Johnson guilty of it more than most. Just from my experience of watching him. Also, I DO rate Johnson as a Full Back, I am just of the opinion that Kelly is better defensively and Johnson is better in attack.

I think it was Malouda who had that chance and he possibly could have been picked up by Kuyt at the time. I'm just thinking off the top of my head so can't be sure, but I don't think we could be too critical on Johnson for that.

Agger and Enrique were guilty of letting men in behind them for the goal and I'm pretty sure Enrique let someone in behind him early on when he should have did much better.

I'm not trying to make excused for Johnson here, I'm genuinely trying to understand what people see when they make these constant poor positioning accusations.

[danperkins]

Enrique is a beast. What a signing!!!

I love the way even if he gets beaten first time around you always expect him to recover. Didn't someone mention before that he has the best one on one stats over any LB in the league? or did i make that up

And yup i'm of the opinion that defenders should be able to defend first and foremost, and anything after that is a bonus. Incidents like Johnson being flat footed against Mata and being sold by Malouda last night, would have been highlighted if something had of came of it but thankfully nothing did, although Agger and Enrique were terrible for their goal last night. In saying that i did think Johnson was very good last night and his goal was outstanding.

I suppose Kelly does have time on his side.

[yamiedo]

Enrique is a beast. What a signing!!!

I love the way even if he gets beaten first time around you always expect him to recover. Didn't someone mention before that he has the best one on one stats over any LB in the league? or did i make that up

And yup i'm of the opinion that defenders should be able to defend first and foremost, and anything after that is a bonus. Incidents like Johnson being flat footed against Mata and being sold by Malouda last night, would have been highlighted if something had of came of it but thankfully nothing did, although Agger and Enrique were terrible for their goal last night. In saying that i did think Johnson was very good last night and his goal was outstanding.

I suppose Kelly does have time on his side.

Was going to mention that too because even though it is Mata, and he is a class act, you can't really imagine Enrique letting him go past him that easy, and if he did he would recover. Johnson just didn't seem to have the agility to recover.

[danperkins]

Was going to mention that too because even though it is Mata, and he is a class act, you can't really imagine Enrique letting him go past him that easy, and if he did he would recover. Johnson just didn't seem to have the agility to recover.

When Mata switched over Enrique had the better of him every time

[yamiedo]

I think it was Malouda who had that chance and he possibly could have been picked up by Kuyt at the time. I'm just thinking off the top of my head so can't be sure, but I don't think we could be too critical on Johnson for that.

Agger and Enrique were guilty of letting men in behind them for the goal and I'm pretty sure Enrique let someone in behind him early on when he should have did much better.

I'm not trying to make excused for Johnson here, I'm genuinely trying to understand what people see when they make these constant poor positioning accusations.

I thought Enrique had a good game though I saw in the match thread a lot of people thought he was poor.