Bolton Build up

[Mattshark]

Surely though Johnson's attacking game is built on him making overlapping runs down the wing and not taking on his man and doing him with skill which is what I'd expect from a RM ?

Being an attacking fullback is not the same as being a winger.

[Kloppster]

Will any manager ever try Johnson at right mid? I think he would have done well with all that space. Maxi had a decent game mind. I wold love to see Kelly and Johnson linking up the right someday. And Kelly can defend, unlike Johnson.

would like to see something like this

...........Carragher....... Skrtel ........Agger

Johnson .... Meireles ........... Lucas ...... Aurelio - if fit

................................Gerard............ .........
.................................................. .. Cole

................................Torres

[Scratch]

Could Johnson be a right sided equivalent to Gareth Bale...a defender converted to a right sided midfielder who suddenly becomes top drawer?

[Mattshark]

Could Johnson be a right sided equivalent to Gareth Bale...a defender converted to a right sided midfielder who suddenly becomes top drawer?

Well, Johnson is a far, far better defender than Bale is for a start.

[Craig_H]

Could Johnson be a right sided equivalent to Gareth Bale...a defender converted to a right sided midfielder who suddenly becomes top drawer?

Uh-oh....

Just you wait until Shaggy sees this. He'll scratch your eyes right out.

[SB]

Being an attacking fullback is not the same as being a winger.

We had this discussion recently didn't we and the general consensus then was " no " he wouldn't be able to make the switch. I'd like to see it in a cup game or something without meaning but only then h:

[Rich]

Bale's a more technical player than Johnson.

Johnson is at his best with plenty of space to gallop into. If he's playing RM then there's likely to be less space for him.

[RichC]

Bale's a more technical player than Johnson.
Johnson is at his best with plenty of space to gallop into. If he's playing RM then there's likely to be less space for him.

Not sure that is entirely true to be honest, he also likes space to run into and I'd say Johnson is more of a two footed player than Bale as well.

That being said not knocking Bale, he's a good player.

[the rev leeroy brown]

Surely though Johnson's attacking game is built on him making overlapping runs down the wing and not taking on his man and doing him with skill which is what I'd expect from a RM ?

we dont have any RM sided players who take on the fullbacks at present. we have kyut, maxi, babel, cole, jova - all who dont like playing out wide and come central. johnsons defending is pretty dire and i for one would like to see him free of any real defensive duties and given free range to attack as a winger. he has shown a willingness to take on the fullbacks and has pace to burn so why not give him a shot?

[The_weatherman]

Not sure that is entirely true to be honest, he also likes space to run into and I'd say Johnson is more of a two footed player than Bale as well.

That being said not knocking Bale, he's a good player.

I agree, Bale is faster and more agile but Johnson has good technique and he can take people on and dribble with the ball. That said, it maybe worth a try but I think he can be more useful to the team when attacking from right back, that is when he is allowed to.

[The_weatherman]

we dont have any RM sided players who take on the fullbacks at present. we have kyut, maxi, babel, cole, jova - all who dont like playing out wide and come central. johnsons defending is pretty dire and i for one would like to see him free of any real defensive duties and given free range to attack as a winger. he has shown a willingness to take on the fullbacks and has pace to burn so why not give him a shot?

When Rafa set up with Johnson Carra Agger Insua he was basically playing with three attack minded players in defence, I think having at least two attack minded skillful defenders is a must, so I'd rather Johnson stayed at right back and found his form.

[the rev leeroy brown]

I agree, Bale is faster and more agile but Johnson has good technique and he can take people on and dribble with the ball. That said, it maybe worth a try but I think he can be more useful to the team when attacking from right back, that is when he is allowed to.

under rafa last year we saw a steady progression backwards from johnson in the amount of attacking play and dribbles he was allowed to do - a trend continued this year with roys tactics.
as part of a 4 man defense i do not trust johnson enough to be the steady defender and real attacking threat - i feel he lacks the restraint and sense to do both. i would however trust him a lot more as a wing back ( 3-5-2 ) formation which is something i have wanted to see us try for years - our best performance i have seen live against newcastle a few years back was a 3-5-2 game - with agger / skittles / carra as a back 3 and johnson and aurelio on the wing back role.

[Fernandinho]

Im pretty sure Rafa tried that 3-5-2 when Torres was out and babel and kuyt played up front vs Stoke. I think we lost that game but Johnson was our best player?

[gentingfrmhell]

we dont have any RM sided players who take on the fullbacks at present. we have kyut, maxi, babel, cole, jova - all who dont like playing out wide and come central. johnsons defending is pretty dire and i for one would like to see him free of any real defensive duties and given free range to attack as a winger. he has shown a willingness to take on the fullbacks and has pace to burn so why not give him a shot?

I agree. I think he has the capability to excel in that position. Gives us a different option.

[Fernandinho]

Think I was had confused it with this game http://www.est1892.co.uk/forums/show...ighlight=stoke

We started with this:
---------------------Reina--------------
----------------Carra-Skrtel-Soto------
---Degen------------------------------Insua
---------Masch------Lucas-------Aurelio
---------------Kuyt----------Ngog