It's no secret that I am not a fan of Glen Johnson (as a footballer - it's not personal). At the time he was signed, I argued that the deal was a waste of money, and that the team would suffer as a result of his defensive frailty. This has clearly proven to be the case, and one good performance doesn't change 14 months of defensive liability.
Kudos to Johnson for finally putting in a good performance this season (!) but it shouldn't take (constructive) public criticism from the manager to shame him into making an effort. I totally accept that Roy Hodgson was wrong to make his comments publicly (such criticism should always be given behind closed doors IMO); however, the nature of the criticism notwithstanding, Hodgson made completely valid points.
Johnson's response gave further worrying insight into his mentality:
"It was a little reminder from the boss, he told me that was what he meant by it. We spoke and he explained he wanted it to help me, to push me and I said to him then: “I don’t need people to tell me, I know where I’m at in terms of form”. I knew it all already".
I may be wrong, but is it not the manager's job to tell players when they need to improve their form? Johnson accepts that Hodgson wanted to help him but, apparently, he is above such help, and he seems to suggest that the manager should never do his job and discuss his form (or lack thereof).
I find this attitude slightly arrogant to be honest; it suggests that Johnson knows everything and does not need any help at all. Johnson clearly *does* need people to tell him where he's going wrong; just because he thinks he knows the score doesn't mean the manager shouldn't have his say. Perhaps this kind of 'no one can tell me anything' attitude explains why Johnson has not really improved as a footballer over the last few years.
In any event, it seems Hodgson's accurate criticism did the trick; against West Ham, Johnson played like he had a point to prove. Liverpool benefited, so the end arguably justifies the means.
Having said that, it is ONE game - Johnson needs to start consistently performing well; his main role is as a defender so major improvements need to be made to that part of his game.
I love the hypcrisy that comes into play here too. I've seen fans arguing that Johnson should not be judged so harshly only 3 months into the season; that he just needs time to find his form etc. These same fans then slate Poulsen, Konchesky and Hodgson despite the fact all 3 have only been at the club for 3-4 months (!). Where is the understanding for those three?
A couple of months ago, I explained in detail why I believe Johnson was and is a waste of money, so I won't repeat myself here; I'll just pose the same questions I always do about Johnson:
* How have Liverpool benefited from his signing?
* How has the 18m been worth it?
* What consistent, positive impact has Johnson had on the team?
* How has Liverpool's defence improved with Johnson in it?
Generalisations like 'he's great going forward' just won't cut it. If he's so great going forward, how come he only managed 3 assists all last season? I'm looking for specific, measurable examples of how Johnson actually improved the performance of the team, and how the money spent on him was worth it.
Like many fans over the last year, I've argued that Johnson should be converted into a right-winger, With Martin Kelly taking over at right back. I no longer think that's a good idea; he will be a liability in any position so the club should just cut its losses and get rid of him in January.
Jaimie Kanwar
Kudos to Johnson for finally putting in a good performance this season (!) but it shouldn't take (constructive) public criticism from the manager to shame him into making an effort. I totally accept that Roy Hodgson was wrong to make his comments publicly (such criticism should always be given behind closed doors IMO); however, the nature of the criticism notwithstanding, Hodgson made completely valid points.
Johnson's response gave further worrying insight into his mentality:
"It was a little reminder from the boss, he told me that was what he meant by it. We spoke and he explained he wanted it to help me, to push me and I said to him then: “I don’t need people to tell me, I know where I’m at in terms of form”. I knew it all already".
I may be wrong, but is it not the manager's job to tell players when they need to improve their form? Johnson accepts that Hodgson wanted to help him but, apparently, he is above such help, and he seems to suggest that the manager should never do his job and discuss his form (or lack thereof).
I find this attitude slightly arrogant to be honest; it suggests that Johnson knows everything and does not need any help at all. Johnson clearly *does* need people to tell him where he's going wrong; just because he thinks he knows the score doesn't mean the manager shouldn't have his say. Perhaps this kind of 'no one can tell me anything' attitude explains why Johnson has not really improved as a footballer over the last few years.
In any event, it seems Hodgson's accurate criticism did the trick; against West Ham, Johnson played like he had a point to prove. Liverpool benefited, so the end arguably justifies the means.
Having said that, it is ONE game - Johnson needs to start consistently performing well; his main role is as a defender so major improvements need to be made to that part of his game.
I love the hypcrisy that comes into play here too. I've seen fans arguing that Johnson should not be judged so harshly only 3 months into the season; that he just needs time to find his form etc. These same fans then slate Poulsen, Konchesky and Hodgson despite the fact all 3 have only been at the club for 3-4 months (!). Where is the understanding for those three?
A couple of months ago, I explained in detail why I believe Johnson was and is a waste of money, so I won't repeat myself here; I'll just pose the same questions I always do about Johnson:
* How have Liverpool benefited from his signing?
* How has the 18m been worth it?
* What consistent, positive impact has Johnson had on the team?
* How has Liverpool's defence improved with Johnson in it?
Generalisations like 'he's great going forward' just won't cut it. If he's so great going forward, how come he only managed 3 assists all last season? I'm looking for specific, measurable examples of how Johnson actually improved the performance of the team, and how the money spent on him was worth it.
Like many fans over the last year, I've argued that Johnson should be converted into a right-winger, With Martin Kelly taking over at right back. I no longer think that's a good idea; he will be a liability in any position so the club should just cut its losses and get rid of him in January.
Jaimie Kanwar
Again, again and again you use stats Jamie just to justify your imaginary facts, unproven without twisting words and numbers. Why you don't mention 3 goals Johnson scored last year? Very decent tally for a full-back. 3 goals and 3 assists might not be world-class, but you fail to put his personal achievemnts in the context and in the wider picture. He had a stop-start campaign, with niggling injuries, that restricted him to 24-25 league games. He's English, which always inflates the price tag, and was bought at the age of 25, just like other crucial aquisitions from former regime, with Mascherano, Agger, Skrtel, Torres, Reina and Alonso signed at the age og 23, only Aquilani at 25. Meireles was bought aged 27, so he he has 2 years less at his peak than Johnson, that's why their price is more or less similar. Add the fact Johnson is English and Meirels doesn't look that better, does he? And you approve Meireles signing, so how many goals and assists he has so far? By the way, I'm not Johnson biggest fan and fing him quite a liability, but he had some good games this season, Rabotnicki or Arsenal. His attacking impact can't be put down only to assists, as he streches opponet's defense and creates space. Alonso, who you're a big fan of since he blamed Rafa for his exit, didn't offer much more than Johnson in terms of goals and assists, yet he was a great player, because he orchestrated the midfield. If assists and goals said everything, Insua would be a cracking player, with 4-6 assists to his name in a debut season. Only Leighton Baines had more among the full-backs, majority of them coming from set-pieces. Somehow, you never called Insua an attackingly effective full-back.
ReplyDeleteCheers to you and your agenda
Get over it already. When people continually make light of Johnson's so-called attacking prowess it is perfectly fair to raise the issue of his assist rate. If he is so good at attacking, he should create more goals, no? That is, after all, the main job of a non-striker attacking player, is it not?
ReplyDeleteAnd just because the stats don't support your view of Johnson's ability doesn't make them wrong. It is a fact that he oly managed 3 assists last season; it is also a fact that he has averaged 2.5 assists per season over the last 8 yearsch is poor for someone of his apparent alleged ability.
jamie try something productive instead of being a complete beep lol
ReplyDeleteBut he can score, can't he? 3 goals in both of his last domestic campaigns isn't that bad if you take his Ashley Cole's record from last year of 4 goals the best in his career into account. Last year he missed 30% of the season and played in the appaling team.His fantastic display against Birmingham at home also left him without a single assist or goal, but his contribution was immense, we just weren't clinical in front of goal. You forgot a penalty on Johnson against Spurs and two more against Portsmouth and Debrecen referee didn't notice. If I based any opinion on your stats, Xabi Alonso would be an ordinary playmaker, Aquilani streets ahead of him and Insua extremely attacking full-back - better than Evra and Ashley Cole, that's what assists stast table says, not to mention Konchesky.
ReplyDeleteJK the man who will provide table after table of stats to compare manager's records over different eras is comfortable to supply the following as relevant analysis of Johnson's impact.
ReplyDelete* In his 35 appearances last season, the team conceded 30 goals (with Johnson directly responsible for several) His defensive frailty was exposed time and time again across the season, not only for Liverpool, but for England too.
Read more: http://www.liverpool-kop.com/2010/09/glenn-johnson-still-gigantic-waste-of.html#ixzz164VVPj3W
Yes its factual to state that Liverpool conceded 30 goals in 35 games which Johnson appeared but to make a statement that he was responsible for <span>several</span> is misleading. Defenders do make mistakes and when teams let in so many the cause of these goals often originates from midfield with defenders under inordinate amounts of pressure. To mistakenly lay the blame for a poor season at Johnson's feet is a low act. Please state the games and goals that Johnson was responsible for and provide video links so we can all pass reasonable judgement on his weaknesses. Don't just throw the wors several in there and hope we all believe you.
Be factual relevant and reliable and one day you may have an opinion that is worthy of consideration
Johnson was a key component of that 'appalling' team; in fact, he was one of the main reasons for last season's atrocity (IMO). And the difference between Johnson and the other players you mention is that everyone and his dog is always going on about how great he is oing forward; fine - people are entitled to argue that, but people like me are similarly entitled to argue that it's not really true.
ReplyDeleteFrom a defensive standpoint, Johnson is and has been a liaibility. With that in mind, we need to look at what else he has to offer, and it's not much.
And who cares if he 'makes space' for others; how exactly has that benefited the team? What difference did that make last season? What differences is it making this season? What difference has it made for England? What difference did it make during the world cup?
It only matters if there is some kind of positive end product, and there isn't.
Constructive? if you post anything as ignorant as that again I will delete your comment. You seem to have deliberately ignored the MANY constructive articles I've posted supporting the manager during a difficult time; arguing for patience with the team etc. I am also allowed to be critical if I want. Why don't you try and be fair?
ReplyDeleteMickah - repost your comment without the deorgatory remarks and it will stay up. Stick to making your points in the right manner; if you can't do that then don't bother at all.
ReplyDeleteConstructive? Why don't you try and be fair? You seem to have deliberately ignored the MANY constructive articles I've posted supporting the manager during a difficult time; arguing for patience with the team etc. I am also allowed to be critical if I want.
ReplyDeleteIMO, so just not waste fro 18m why not put Johnson as winger and Kelly as Fullback. For sure, Hodgson can experiment this rather then sell him for cut price. But if we can get decent fee for him why not.
ReplyDeleteKanwar, if you can't speak sense, stop writing and delete that absolute joke of a blog
ReplyDeleteAs a fan of another club, I agree Jamie.
ReplyDeleteJohnson's attitude is rotten.
I don't think he's right for Liverpool because of that attitude. I would be worried if my club signed him.
He's a good attacking right back but he's no Maicon. Spending the majority of your transfer budget on him was sheer folly. He doesn't contribute enough to justify that sort of money. Teams figured out that they could smother the left side, and he and Kuyt had no collective answer, despite Kuyt being a very useful player in his own right. As Liverpool have no left side to speak of at all, this is the number one reason you are finding the league harder.
I'd expect him to go back to Chelsea for 6m less.
Jaimie, since you've decided to focus on Johnson's assist ratio as a means of evaluating his attacking prowess you seem to have conveniently forgotten that an assist is only a valid metric if the people receiving the passes or crosses actually SCORE the goals.
ReplyDeleteNobody was scoring on our team last year, and that all can't be on Johnson's shoulders.
So is his contribution diminished if it happened to be the case (as actually happened a lot of times last season) that he was actually making good runs and getting good crosses in only for the move to be let down by the finishing product at the end with whomever wasted the cross in the middle?
This is why assists are an unreliable way of measuring a player's worth to a team. Because it doesn't count as an assist until the player at the receiving end of the pass actually scores the goal regardless of all the good work that may have come before it. And you simply cannot put all the blame for the team's scoring woes on Johnson's perceived attacking weaknesses and your negative opinion of him.
Likewise, I could also ask YOUR own same questions regarding Hodgson thus;
<span>* How have Liverpool benefited from his signing?
* How has the 9m been worth it? (not sure how much his contract was worth)
* What consistent, positive impact has Hodgson had on the team?
* How has Liverpool (as a team) improved with Hodgson running it?</span>
<p>These are YOUR questions regarding Johnson and IMO valid questions to ask about Hodgson himself. But again, this is not to take a pop at Hodgson but rather to point out yet another flaw in your Logic, in the sense that you can't hold Johnson to one standard and then ask fans to cut Hodgson more slack on the other hand even when held up against the same standard.
</p><p>
</p><p>Personally I still believe that he team should still try to convert him into a right-winger since there really is nothing really to be gained by selling him. We're obviously not going to get back the 18 Million for him (clearly Portsmouth over-sold him) plus there are no British or Home-grown quality wingers out there, so getting rid of him - to ostensibly buy a quality Right winger from presumably abroad (assuming there will even be any available on the market in January) would end up being addition by attrition or subtraction, especially with the Home-grown rules coming into effect soon.
</p><p>
</p><p>So why not just try to convert him into a serviceable winger instead where he still shows more attacking intent that a whole host of wingers in the Premier League?
</p><p>The question is, would Hodgson still have the balls to do it?
</p><p>You tell me. You're seemingly his biggest supporter or at least defender (online anyway).
</p>
Any football "fan" with a brain and decent footballing knowledge would be able to tell straight away that Johnson has offered far less than Arbeloa whom he replaced.
ReplyDeleteMy rational for his purchase was that he was English, and needed to be purchased to appease the new rules as at his time of purchase Martin Kelly wasn't ready yet.
The problem with Johnson is that his defensive frailties requires for Jamie (or Soto or Skrtel) to cover the right more often than not, leaving the middle open for direct-attacking teams.
Sorry you guys can argue all you want, but Johnson is just not up to scratch.
I agree with you about Glen, he isn't a defender at the end of the day for me. We could try a Bale and move him to right mid but I don't want to see him at right-back.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I don't think this is arrogance by Glen. I think Glen has every right to feel aggrieved after Hodge publically humiliated him. Not the right way to deal with things.
'as a fan of another club'...whatever.
ReplyDeletejamie, you are obviously obsessed with the club i really, really love to support.
i think you may need to take a deep breath, wake up, and realize that your take on the "big picture", factual or not, counts for nothing.
everything you blog is an afterthought. face it - you, like all suppporters, have absolutely nothing to do with the reality of LFC. you do understand that?
i know you control the blog, and thus, the conversation. it still doesn't make you correct.
glen johnson - shite player? hardly. it is interesting how you attack when players produce. you should write a blog about that at some point - "why i get pissy every time one of the players on the team i so call support does something good'.
you are not, and never will be, the supreme supporter, so pull your thumb out and get a life. one question: have you ever run the length of a football pitch? how about two times in a row? and you judge glen johnson, come on. what do you know? admit it.
and wizz....follow your own team, who gives a rat's ass what you think about LFC? or glen johnson, for that matter?
Just sayin'....
Aquilani 18mil - out
ReplyDeleteJohnson 18mil -out
Babel 10mil - out
Jovanovic 10mil - out
With this amount its enough to buy a decent rb , dc , St
:-D
i normally agree wiv u jamie but not this tjme if he is creating space as a winger shud do and stretching teams then u must look at the other players not moving in 2 that space or poss look at the managers negative tactics glen wud make decent winger better than kuyt or maxi espec wiv kelly as rte bk
ReplyDeleteOne good result Roy. Still want you to go.
ReplyDeletejohnson will come good. the whole team were poor in defence last season so its unfair to pin it all on johnson. he's the best rb in england. jamie, if you want to analize poor buys start with paulson, konchesky and cole.
ReplyDeleteWhat worries me most is the amount we can get with him!! 5M-8M?? Really It was a waste of money. Jaimie how much you value him in the current market ??
ReplyDeletelol who's that noob who will pay the said amount for these players ?? There are other cheaper and better options out there :x
ReplyDeleteYep, I have to agree with Jamie on this. A defender's primary role is to defend; something that GJ seems to struggle with. I could see what Benitez was doing when he signed him, what with the impending "homegrown ratios," but I always thought £18 million was little excessive for a right back. And he was no improvement over the two previous incumbents in that position, both of which were far, far cheaper.
ReplyDeleteI do think that Roy should try him a little further up the field, though. After all, he is a natural right-sided player, so should give a good bit of balance to the structure of the team. That said, I suspect he may be found wanting.
On the point of his arrogance... I think that's a harsh call Jamie. You allude to the fact that Roy was out of line when taking his criticisms public, so you need to factor that in when considering Johnson's response - I think he was trying to defending himself somewhat (the best bit of defending I've seen from him in a red shirt!). Still, he would have been able to take the moral high ground over Roy by keeping his mouth shut and churning out the performances.
I dont always see eye to eye with what JK says but I agree with him over Johnson. The lad is a decent footballer going forward but IMO he is never a defending full back. The defence has looked frail but i dont think we can blame it all on Johnson. As i said he is not what a would call a proper right back but Jamie Carragher has not been the usual rock we have loved him for, not his fault but age catches up with everyone, skirtl does okay aggers always injured and I am not at all convinced about any of our left backs. For me I would start with Kelly at RB use Carra/Skirtl/Wilson/Agger in the middle and maybe recall Irwin or try Mavinga at LB. I would try Johnson on the RHS of midfield and if it didnt work out the maybe we should let him go
ReplyDeleteVest right back in England? Why - because the media says so? Where is the evidence that's he's the best right back in England?! Don't just say it - show it. The fact he pays for England means nothing - when has he ever performed for England either? Steve Bull played for England once upon a time - did that make him the best Striker in England?
ReplyDeleteYes, good point points Billywhizz. The nature of Johnson's response was probably affected by RH's criticism. Hopefully he'll kick on from this and start performing consisently but I'm not optimistic.
ReplyDeleteFair enough, but in reality it's not just onw good result, is it? There have been quite a few good results so far this season.
ReplyDelete<span>
ReplyDeleteTo be fair though we have had a lot more bad performances than good. The sad thing is that if we had a manager who was more interested in (forgive the Houllier analogy) 'shooting for the stars and maybe landing on the moon' rather than downplaying expectation - we could have been near the top of the league. Wins at Stoke and Wigan and we would have been bang in the mix the way this season is shaping up. Roy told us though, after Bolton, that it was too much to expect to win the next 7 games. Maybe if he had more belief, the team would have more belief and maybe, just maybe, the fans would have more belief in him.
</span>
Johnson's defensive lapses were taken into account when he was bought which I think is the reason why we play with 2 defensive midfielders who are expected to fill in at right back when Johnson goes forward. Mascherano even filled in at right back when Johnson was not available last season.
ReplyDeleteJohnson is often exposed because of his attacking attributes which could make him an effective winger for that matter. If Meireles is played as winger when he sees himself as a central midfielder leaves a few question marks why Johnson is not tried in that role as that could save us some cash because we seem to already have cover in the right sided areas. Kelly learning his trade as right-back before moving to the centre while Johnson (who was used as a central midfielder for his most productive spell at Portsmouth) playing ahead of Kelly.
Comparing our right back and left back position confirms for me I would rather have 2 Johnsons at the back than 2 Koncheskys. Johnson's attacking is well documented while Konchesky is essentially the anti-Johnson personified. Konchesky is hesitant going forward, doddles on the ball before being forced to hoof the ball away when in attacking positions. If you compare Konchesky's touch to Aurelio's assuredness when he came on against West ham you immediately know why we are less of an attacking threat. I would happily have Johnson and Aurelio playing our right and left backs tha a functional player like Konchesky who occasionally realise he has a duty to go forward but fails to read the game and weakens his position every time he goes forward without an end result but is then caught out of position. Defenders are more worried about an attacking Johnson which means he opposition Left back attacks us less because Johnson commits them to their defensive roles.
I am sure we all see that most opposing teams seem to attack our left back more than right back and we may be in for a torrid time against Spurs if Bale is going at Konchesky unless Aurelio is brought in to play the left sided winger role.
I do agree that for a person brought in to defend and attack, his defence is poor but surely as I suggested above, his weaknesses are also down to our rigid managers who play everyone else out of position but resist from moving to a position he could cause ultimate damage. Gareth Bale while always a good player did not shine as a right back but since his move to midfield, many are are saying he is the so called "World Class Player" (I assume by World Class they simply mean good as I don't believe we could easily name 11 layers of comparable talent to the truly exceptional Messi and Ronaldo so that makes nonsense of the world class tag).
Glen Johnson has never been a good full back, but he does provide an option in an attacking sense, we should play him on right wing permanently. Convert him to a winger
ReplyDeleteIt's also beneficial when signing young players that we have a few England internationals about the place
If finances aren't so tight that we need to sell him we should keep him, but if we need the money and someone is willing to pay us minimum £12 million then I'd grudgingly agree to sell him
Kelly will be fine in that position, we should play them both and let Glen concentrate on attacking on the right wing, he is fast, two footed, decent crosser, great striker of the ball and can beat his man. We would have to search a long time to get a winger who ticks all those boxes
He is just 26, in his prime now. He may not have verbally accepted the criticism form Roy, but he certainly responded when it mattered
hey jamie...putting non-biased(ness) and anti-ManU(ness) aside, i think everyone would agree that evra is one of the best, if not the best right back in the BPL. he is very well noted for the threat he provides on the attacking side without compromising much in defense...now, i admit that johnson leaves a lot to be desired in terms of defending. anyone would be a fool to say otherwise. but to dismiss johnson's attacking talent, solely based on assists isnt that bright either. here's why...evra has played 238 (6 seasons) games since 2005 for club and country for all competitions of which 21 are substitute appearances. hes managed 3 goals and 12 assists during that course of time. that is and average of 0.5 goals per season and 2 assists per season. That is, a goal in every 79.33 games and an assist in every 19.83 games...if football was just based on black and white, evra offers close to nothing in terms of attack. but yet, in reality, he does...unless you are gonna dismiss evra's attacking threat, dismissing johnson's would be wrong (on the sole basis of assists or even goals, for that matter)...to strengthen my point, lets look at ashley cole. in the past 6 seasons since 2005, he has played 244 games with 6 goals and 16 assists. johnson played 170 in the past 6 seasons with 9 goals and 22 assists. more than evra and cole. so, to say that johnson provides no attacking threat or little going forward isnt exactly true.
ReplyDeletefigures were obtained from http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/stats?id=21931&cc=4716.
im not sure if the figures are accurate, but im sure it at least is close. so the ratios that i have provided shouldnt be that far apart if the the data of soccernet is inaccurate.
the figures include players playing in all competitions for club and country.
Whilst I agree with parts of this article I think you have misinterpreted his words. When he says 'I don’t need people to tell me, I know where I’m at in terms of form' I don't think he means 'nobody can say anything to me'. Rather, I think he is saying 'I know I am playing poorly it doesnt take a genius to spot that'.
ReplyDeleteAs an aside I don't condone RH going to the media with his comments. If it was the other way round you would have already had GJ's head on a stick. Again.
Bully bully !!!! two 50 goal seasons in a row, 4 goals in 13 internationals..
ReplyDeleteLoyalty kept him at wolves otherwise he would have gone to bigger club !!!!
Who else was avaiable when bully got his caps .. Lineker, Smith erm..
You defend Konchesky and slap the face of Johnson. I belive a bit of Hypocritical behaviour is going on. Johnson has the ability to go past players and create width, something that is lacking massively with liverpool. Yes we have players who can come inside, but we need to use this option on the pitch. I agree he is not the best defender but who do we get to replace him, maicon?? Arguably the best right back in the world some people say, And yet he was abused by Bale in the champions league, How much would he cost??. Should we start using some of the home grown talent?? Kelly has produced some good displays and he is consistent when given his chance, pushing johnson on to right wing maybe an option against better teams as it gives a good attacking option when going forward but also hardens the right hand side when defending. Unlike if Konchesky leaves he will probably end up at fulham again or blackburn etc. If johnson left i presume he would leave for better teams, would'nt you agree?? So, it does say alot about his current ability.
ReplyDeletewho's a better attacking right-back than Johnson that's English then ???
ReplyDeletespot on simon convert him to a winger !!!! i am old enough to remember the club signing a fantastic striker a certain Ray Kennedy from Arsenal I think he had just finished the season as leading goal scorer and they converted him to one of the best midfield players i have seen
ReplyDeleteAnyone care to make a suggestion about who they would have signed instead of Johnson? The days of full backs being there to just defend are gone- they need to be able to offer in both defence and attack and I think Johnson offers a good balance of both. He's one of the few players we have that's able to dribble at speed and commit people. Maybe he would make a good midfielder- perhaps we should try him there in one of the Europa games. The lack of good available wide players makes it worth a try but I don't have a problem with him at right back.
ReplyDeleteyou forget Portsmouth were going bust at the time we bought Johnson and they owed us 6 or 7m i believe from the Couch deal and another million from Pennants loan which would never have been paid because of their debt. We also sold Arbeloa that close season
ReplyDeleteHi JK, Sorry to see you feel I was not playing by your rules with my post questioning your use of the word several hidden amongst your broad generalist use of statistics when you are quite happy to leave a post that calls you a beep lol?? My criticism might be alittle barbed but isnt that what healty debate is all about. Come on give me a break. Don't resort to censorship. Let me join in all the fun that is your blog. Just as there is no bad publicity there surely is no bad response to a blog.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with you <span><span>Jaimie</span></span>
ReplyDeleteThe two reasons Johnson was bought was because Rafa wanted to get a higher quota of English players to satisfy UEFA rulings and because he couldn't afford to buy any world, or even international, class wingers.
He tried to do it on the cheap by replacing his quite competent full-backs, such as arbeloa or Finnan and replace them with "Attacking" full-backs like Dossena and Johnson. As it happened it was his downfall, as what was one of the leagues best defences fell apart as a result of the changes.
The only way you can get away with playing tosh like Johnson, is if you play him as an old fashioned wing back - and then you need to play 3 centre backs.
For a cost of £26m for those two jokers, we could of bought somebody like Philippe Lahm or Marcelo.
Totally agree with you <span><span>Jaimie</span></span>
ReplyDeleteThe two reasons Johnson was bought was because Rafa wanted to get a higher quota of English players to satisfy UEFA rulings and because he couldn't afford to buy any world, or even international, class wingers.
He tried to do it on the cheap by replacing his quite competent full-backs, such as arbeloa or Finnan and replace them with "Attacking" full-backs like Dossena and Johnson. As it happened it was his downfall, as what was one of the leagues best defences fell apart as a result of the changes.
The only way you can get away with playing tosh like Johnson, is if you play him as an old fashioned wing back - and then you need to play 3 centre backs.
For a cost of £26m for those two jokers, we could of bought somebody like Philippe Lahm or Marcelo.
Totally agree with you <span><span>Jaimie</span></span>
ReplyDeleteThe two reasons Johnson was bought was because Rafa wanted to get a higher quota of English players to satisfy UEFA rulings and because he couldn't afford to buy any world, or even international, class wingers.
He tried to do it on the cheap by replacing his quite competent full-backs, such as arbeloa or Finnan and replace them with "Attacking" full-backs like Dossena and Johnson. As it happened it was his downfall, as what was one of the leagues best defences fell apart as a result of the changes.
The only way you can get away with playing tosh like Johnson, is if you play him as an old fashioned wing back - and then you need to play 3 centre backs.
For a cost of £26m for those two jokers, we could of bought somebody like Philippe Lahm or Marcelo.
Totally agree with you <span><span>Jaimie</span></span>
ReplyDeleteThe two reasons Johnson was bought was because Rafa wanted to get a higher quota of English players to satisfy UEFA rulings and because he couldn't afford to buy any world, or even international, class wingers.
He tried to do it on the cheap by replacing his quite competent full-backs, such as arbeloa or Finnan and replace them with "Attacking" full-backs like Dossena and Johnson. As it happened it was his downfall, as what was one of the leagues best defences fell apart as a result of the changes.
The only way you can get away with playing tosh like Johnson, is if you play him as an old fashioned wing back - and then you need to play 3 centre backs.
For a cost of £26m for those two jokers, we could of bought somebody like Philippe Lahm or Marcelo.
Totally agree with you <span><span>Jaimie</span></span>
ReplyDeleteThe two reasons Johnson was bought was because Rafa wanted to get a higher quota of English players to satisfy UEFA rulings and because he couldn't afford to buy any world, or even international, class wingers.
He tried to do it on the cheap by replacing his quite competent full-backs, such as arbeloa or Finnan and replace them with "Attacking" full-backs like Dossena and Johnson. As it happened it was his downfall, as what was one of the leagues best defences fell apart as a result of the changes.
The only way you can get away with playing tosh like Johnson, is if you play him as an old fashioned wing back - and then you need to play 3 centre backs.
For a cost of £26m for those two jokers, we could of bought somebody like Philippe Lahm or Marcelo.
Totally agree with you <span><span>Jaimie</span></span>
ReplyDeleteThe two reasons Johnson was bought was because Rafa wanted to get a higher quota of English players to satisfy UEFA rulings and because he couldn't afford to buy any world, or even international, class wingers.
He tried to do it on the cheap by replacing his quite competent full-backs, such as arbeloa or Finnan and replace them with "Attacking" full-backs like Dossena and Johnson. As it happened it was his downfall, as what was one of the leagues best defences fell apart as a result of the changes.
The only way you can get away with playing tosh like Johnson, is if you play him as an old fashioned wing back - and then you need to play 3 centre backs.
For a cost of £26m for those two jokers, we could of bought somebody like Philippe Lahm or Marcelo.
Totally agree with you <span><span>Jaimie</span></span>
ReplyDeleteThe two reasons Johnson was bought was because Rafa wanted to get a higher quota of English players to satisfy UEFA rulings and because he couldn't afford to buy any world, or even international, class wingers.
He tried to do it on the cheap by replacing his quite competent full-backs, such as arbeloa or Finnan and replace them with "Attacking" full-backs like Dossena and Johnson. As it happened it was his downfall, as what was one of the leagues best defences fell apart as a result of the changes.
The only way you can get away with playing tosh like Johnson, is if you play him as an old fashioned wing back - and then you need to play 3 centre backs.
For a cost of £26m for those two jokers, we could of bought somebody like Philippe Lahm or Marcelo.
Totally agree with you <span><span>Jaimie</span></span>
ReplyDeleteThe two reasons Johnson was bought was because Rafa wanted to get a higher quota of English players to satisfy UEFA rulings and because he couldn't afford to buy any world, or even international, class wingers.
He tried to do it on the cheap by replacing his quite competent full-backs, such as arbeloa or Finnan and replace them with "Attacking" full-backs like Dossena and Johnson. As it happened it was his downfall, as what was one of the leagues best defences fell apart as a result of the changes.
The only way you can get away with playing tosh like Johnson, is if you play him as an old fashioned wing back - and then you need to play 3 centre backs.
For a cost of £26m for those two jokers, we could of bought somebody like Philippe Lahm or Marcelo.
Totally agree with you <span><span>Jaimie</span></span>
ReplyDeleteThe two reasons Johnson was bought was because Rafa wanted to get a higher quota of English players to satisfy UEFA rulings and because he couldn't afford to buy any world, or even international, class wingers.
He tried to do it on the cheap by replacing his quite competent full-backs, such as arbeloa or Finnan and replace them with "Attacking" full-backs like Dossena and Johnson. As it happened it was his downfall, as what was one of the leagues best defences fell apart as a result of the changes.
The only way you can get away with playing tosh like Johnson, is if you play him as an old fashioned wing back - and then you need to play 3 centre backs.
For a cost of £26m for those two jokers, we could of bought somebody like Philippe Lahm or Marcelo.
The Johnson debate again and it's the same tune, from most, that he is good in attack and lacking in defense. Is it about time that people realised, including Glen that his best position is not right back!!! From what I have seen, he looks more suited to RM. I also think he has the potential to be very influential there like Bale, maybe had he played there all along. Anyway for a midfielder he has quite good defense.
ReplyDelete