Jon Flanagan

[MrMichael]

If we've got Kelly and Flanigan as right backs, where does that leave Glen Johnson?

Left back? Squad player?

Sell if the right offer comes along.

I'm just not a fan of Johnson. It wouldn't be very sensible to leave us just with Kelly and Flanagan obviously, but sensible is boring.

[banditos]

Sell if the right offer comes along.

I'm just not a fan of Johnson. It wouldn't be very sensible to leave us just with Kelly and Flanagan obviously, but sensible is boring.

Against weaker teams at Anfield that park the bus, it'd be handy to have a FB like Johnson who offers a lot of threat going forward.

[RedReet]

I think that next season will start with a new left back and Johnson as rightback, Kelly will be battling for the right back slot (and provide cover) while I suspect Johnson will provide cover for left back. So for the majority of the season it will be 2 from 3 of Johnson, Kelly and a new Left back.
I hope Flanagan gets more games between now and the end of the season I think next season he will either be back up (3rd choice RB unless we sell someone) or he will be loaned out to hopefully get him a season of first team experience (hopefully in the Premiership - if he has a good end to the season).

That was my thinking too, that there would be enough games to keep everyone happy if Johnson is 2nd choice LB.

Then… I remembered about wee Insua? Is he consigned to the scrapheap now by us after one good performance from a kid? TBH I didn’t expect him to return, but like many fans still harboured hopes that he would and maybe fulfil his potential. And before people start claiming that he’s **** etc, look back over his first few games for us in the first team (well not his very first two ), not too dissimilar to Flanagan’s last night. Also similar in that he was a breath of fresh air holding onto the ball and passing it when we were so used to Riise hoofing, just like with Flanagan and Carra.

[Lecter]

That was my thinking too, that there would be enough games to keep everyone happy if Johnson is 2nd choice LB.

Then… I remembered about wee Insua? Is he consigned to the scrapheap now by us after one good performance from a kid? TBH I didn’t expect him to return, but like many fans still harboured hopes that he would and maybe fulfil his potential. And before people start claiming that he’s **** etc, look back over his first few games for us in the first team (well not his very first two ), not too dissimilar to Flanagan’s last night. Also similar in that he was a breath of fresh air holding onto the ball and passing it when we were so used to Riise hoofing, just like with Flanagan and Carra.

Doesnt Insua's contract expire this summer?

[MrMichael]

Against weaker teams at Anfield that park the bus, it'd be handy to have a FB like Johnson who offers a lot of threat going forward.

See maybe I'm getting old or something, but I've got a curious old fashioned opinion that full backs should well, be defenders first. If he wants to act like a winger he should be a winger. Johnson offers a certain amount of attacking threat, for a full back anyway, but does he offer more than say, a proper midfield player? Every time he goes bombing forward then someone else has to fill in behind him, so our sum total of players in the attack is still the same. I don't think his distribution is amazing, nor is his reading of the game. In how many games when teams have done exactly that against us has Johnson's attacking play really made the difference?

[RedReet]

Doesnt Insua's contract expire this summer?

Aye, as far as I am aware. I think a lot of us just presumed/hoped we'd extend it and take him back considering the lack of cover in that position. It's also odd that no teams have tried to sign him on a pre-contract. The whole situation from the start has been very bizarre.

[Slinky Skills]

Great performance by the young man last night.

Well impressed, reminds me of a very young Stevie.

[banditos]

See maybe I'm getting old or something, but I've got a curious old fashioned opinion that full backs should well, be defenders first. If he wants to act like a winger he should be a winger. Johnson offers a certain amount of attacking threat, for a full back anyway, but does he offer more than say, a proper midfield player? Every time he goes bombing forward then someone else has to fill in behind him, so our sum total of players in the attack is still the same. I don't think his distribution is amazing, nor is his reading of the game. In how many games when teams have done exactly that against us has Johnson's attacking play really made the difference?

Get with the times MrM. Most top teams get their width from full backs dont ya know.

TBH, if Dirk's in front of him, they compliment each other very well.

[Exiled_red]

Aye, as far as I am aware. I think a lot of us just presumed/hoped we'd extend it and take him back considering the lack of cover in that position. It's also odd that no teams have tried to sign him on a pre-contract. The whole situation from the start has been very bizarre.

Hodgson

I'd be tempted to offer him a new deal relatively short term with the option to extend it if he does well. That way we get a back up left back, Insua gets some football at a high profile club to at least put himself in the shop window (as it seems he doesn't have too many options now). If he does well he gets an extension and everyone is happy. If not he isn't tied to a long term contract, he's able to move without too much difficulty and we're not stuck to paying his wages long term. Sound like a reasonable deal that has something for everyone...

[Lee]

'got a mate....' Never begin a sentence like that. For starters, it just sounds so implausible

Didn't you start a thread in General Football containg the contents of a Facebook conversation with a 'mate' of yours?

[PTP]

Didn't you start a thread in General Football containg the contents of a Facebook conversation with a 'mate' of yours?

[RedReet]

See maybe I'm getting old or something, but I've got a curious old fashioned opinion that full backs should well, be defenders first. If he wants to act like a winger he should be a winger. Johnson offers a certain amount of attacking threat, for a full back anyway, but does he offer more than say, a proper midfield player? Every time he goes bombing forward then someone else has to fill in behind him, so our sum total of players in the attack is still the same. I don't think his distribution is amazing, nor is his reading of the game. In how many games when teams have done exactly that against us has Johnson's attacking play really made the difference?

Before his injury, I’d say he was probably in our top 3 consistent performers under Kenny, defending very well. I can’t think of exact games off hand when his attacking prowess made the difference against weaker teams, but in the first few weeks when he played for us (again before injury) he was outstanding going forward and looked every bit the £18m player that we’d hoped he would be. Think he gets a very rough deal from fans and a lot of unfair criticism.

[dww]

There have been a couple of games when teams targetted him

I think it was the Everton game when they moved Anichebe over and he gave him a torrid time when they played diagonal balls into him

For me its something he definitely needs to work on and I know its something the staff have concerns over

For me Kelly is like Markus Babbel he will be a top top class rightback but like Babbel I think he'll have a few frailties at centrehalf

Perhaps like Babbel though a spell (or at least some cup games) in the middle might help him develop his weaknesses and improve as a fullback.

[Mostar]

He played really well but it was an easy night for him.
I've read people saying it compares with Rob Jones' which is rubbish as RJ marked Giggs out of the game whereas JF didn't actually have anyone up against him for any of the game.
It wasn't what he did but how he did it, composed, technically good and definitely hid his nerves well.
Long way off being at Johnson's and Kelly's level but if he keeps progressing at the same rate it won't be long until he is as good.
He is the perfect example of a young player who next season needs to play, we need to make a decision on him and as long as we have cover he should go out on a season long loan to someone in the PL

With Johnson and Kelly fighting for the RB spot, Flanagan will not get too many playing opportunities and in order to continue his development he should go out on a loan but I am not sure he'd get many playing opportunities in any low ranking PL. Championship football, preferably club in the upper half or better, would be imo exactly what he needs.

[danperkins]

What i liked about Flanagan was he was very composed on the ball. He didn't just panic and hoof it, he was picking his passes whilst also not dwelling on the ball. Top performance