Johnson

[Ombudsam]

I didn't think a full back coulkd make that much of a difference but I was wrong.

 

I don't like it when he tries to dribble out of our penalty area. I think he's over comfortable on the ball sometimes and it will cost us. I think that's the only thing he needs to work on. Gets skinned sometimes but if you have wingers against you that will happen as that is literallly their job.

[Gerrardrules]

I didn't think a full back coulkd make that much of a difference but I was wrong.

 

I don't like it when he tries to dribble out of our penalty area. I think he's over comfortable on the ball sometimes and it will cost us. I think that's the only thing he needs to work on. Gets skinned sometimes but if you have wingers against you that will happen as that is literallly their job.

 

He also has to work on blocking a cross. Crosses go to easily past him.

His main asset though is that he can cross properly with his left foot as well. difficult to defend

[carrafan]

I didn't think a full back coulkd make that much of a difference but I was wrong.

 

I don't like it when he tries to dribble out of our penalty area. I think he's over comfortable on the ball sometimes and it will cost us. I think that's the only thing he needs to work on. Gets skinned sometimes but if you have wingers against you that will happen as that is literallly their job.

 

He's brilliant. If he wants to improve his game, then Rafa and his goons are one of the best at the job. Arbeloa made tremendous progress to his game in under a year and i believe Glen can as well...especially as he's super athletic. He does need a bit more defensive support than Aurelio or Arbeloa and thats why i believe Masch has to play against all sides with pace in their wings. Kuyt andd Johnson complement their games really well.

[Rory Fitzgerald]

.......and a full backs job is to stop them

 

(Psst, whisper it quietly, but Samuel said this on the Sunday Supplement)

 

Apparently, Johnson came to the club in a confident position thinking he had the backing of the manager, after all, Rafa doesnt have a big budget but just spent 17-18mln on him.

 

Anyway, once Rafa got to work with him it was full of "You have to do this better", "Dont run at this time", "Dont do this", "Concentrate on this"

 

Johnson was a little surprised that a manager could fork out so much and then pick out so many negatives. It has taken Johnson a month to get used to that side of Rafa and to understand where he is coming from.

 

I'm glad Gerrard's piece will have been read by posters because then we can see the mindset of such 'tactics'.

 

Anyway, I agree with you Sammy, his contribution to attack means we are not devoid of any presence on the right when Kuyt or Benayoun stray infield.

[Falconhoof]

Far too much is made of these supposed deficiencies in his defending. I've seen far more of Carra and Skrtel being made to look below standard than I have of Johnson getting skinned.

 

He's a very good footballer and was at Portsmouth, some people have trouble with that.

[betterman]

.......and a full backs job is to stop them

 

(Psst, whisper it quietly, but Samuel said this on the Sunday Supplement)

 

Apparently, Johnson came to the club in a confident position thinking he had the backing of the manager, after all, Rafa doesnt have a big budget but just spent 17-18mln on him.

 

Anyway, once Rafa got to work with him it was full of "You have to do this better", "Dont run at this time", "Dont do this", "Concentrate on this"

 

Johnson was a little surprised that a manager could fork out so much and then pick out so many negatives. It has taken Johnson a month to get used to that side of Rafa and to understand where he is coming from.

 

I'm glad Gerrard's piece will have been read by posters because then we can see the mindset of such 'tactics'.

 

Anyway, I agree with you Sammy, his contribution to attack means we are not devoid of any presence on the right when Kuyt or Benayoun stray infield.

 

Let's hope he doesn't end up in Pennant's 'Men not Machines' support group so!

[growler]

frankly, Johnson could be difference between first and second.

 

With Aquilani and Lucas both more comfortable playing infront of Masch, it allows Masch to shield the space left by Insua or Johnson, without having to go forward at all.

 

Sort of a 4-1-1-3-1

 

Johnson, Carra, Skrtel, Insua

-----Masch

----Lucas/Aqui

Kuyt, Gerrard, Bena

---Torres

 

or even a 2-3-1-3-1

 

----Carra, Skrtel

Johnson, Masch, Insua

-----Lucas/Aqui

Kuyt, Gerrard, Bena

----Torres

 

Personally, I would like a more 2-3-2-3 type formation:

 

----Carra, Skrtel

Johnson, Masch, Insua

-----Lucas/Aqui + Gerrard

Kuyt, Torres, Bena

 

Meaning that Gerrard playing slightly deeper, especially against weaker opposition.

[floyd the barber]

being honest, i think hes a horrible defender...but f`king fantastic on the ball going forward....he does have pace which does help at the back....so i think we can cope, kinda reminds me of dani alves..

 

id rather him at the back than arbeloa...saying that, i feel it means carra needs to do extra work to get across and cover.

[DonRafa]

He's fecking ace

[Maldini]

He's not a horrible defender, he's just average. If there's anyone who can turn him into an excellent one it's Rafa. Obviously Johnson coming into the side has changed the balance of the side. Combined with the loss of Alonso we no longer control games as well as we did, however we are far more incisive. I think this was a dliberate risk on Rafa's part. I said at the start of the season that we'd be stronger against the s**** this season but probably a bit weaker against top 8 teams and it seems to be proving true so far. Hopefully as the season goes on we'll come to terms with the new setup and regain a bit of balance.

[growler]

if we were to win 19 of the 20 fixtures against the bottom 10 sides, that would be 57 points there. Win 60% of the remaining 18 fixtures = 11 wins or another 33 points, that would give us 90, which will be enough this season I think.

 

The title is won against the fodder, not the other top 4, as shown by the wancs last season.

[owenthomas]

I'm glad Gerrard's piece will have been read by posters because then we can see the mindset of such 'tactics'.

what's this mate? i've seen Gerrard's article mentioned twice but haven't seen anything.. any ideas where i can find it? cheers..

[Maharajkumar of Vizianagram]

what's this mate? i've seen Gerrard's article mentioned twice but haven't seen anything.. any ideas where i can find it? cheers..

 

http://www.ynwa.tv/forum/index.php?showtopic=146359

[Earl Hafler]

He's not a horrible defender, he's just average. If there's anyone who can turn him into an excellent one it's Rafa. Obviously Johnson coming into the side has changed the balance of the side. Combined with the loss of Alonso we no longer control games as well as we did, however we are far more incisive. I think this was a dliberate risk on Rafa's part. I said at the start of the season that we'd be stronger against the s**** this season but probably a bit weaker against top 8 teams and it seems to be proving true so far. Hopefully as the season goes on we'll come to terms with the new setup and regain a bit of balance.

 

Add to that Insua playing a similar role on the left and it's the first time we've had two such fullbacks in the same side since the 90's. I assume Rafa's thinking about a new centre back but it's not a " must have ", especially considering Reina's speed and agility, although Agger back in the side would be great, looking at Carra's refound enthusiasm ( since Alonso left ) for launching the ball upfield

 

Benayoun's consistent good form has taken us up a notch. Johnson another couple. Aquilani might make the difference.

 

I'd be keeping Torres and Gerrard away from all league cup games and possibly even the FA Cup matches in January.