Glen Johnson

[Leo No.8]

That last night was as good an attacking perfomance as I've ever seen from a Liverpool full back. Johnson has the potential to become a genuinely world class right back, and has been our best player this season in my opinion.

 

Just posted this elsewhere, but wondering what people think of him playing further forward on the right wing, particularly with Kuyt out of form and Yossi Benayoun likely out for some time now?

 

Young Kelly showed a lot pf promise and to be fair now he's actually fit Degen looked pretty useful; Johnson is, along with Gerrard and Torres our most devastating runner with the ball - could we utilise that better by pushing him further up?

 

At the moment he's beating both the full back and the right midfielder who tracks him back; used on the right wing he might have the chance to get the full back one on one more and I'd back him to beat most if not all of them.

 

I could see the more defensive minded but still mobile Kelly with Johnson given license to run with the ball at will in front of him becoming a find partnership down the right side.

[stressederic]

I think a big part of Johnson's threat going forwards is that he's coming from deep and it makes it harder to track him. Playing him further forwards would risk placing him to close to both the winger and the opposing fullback and might blunt some of his driving runs.

[Rimbeux]

Keep him where he is, it gives us an extra player almost, pushing further up means he's not running onto it as much and playing more facing backwards. Sure he can do it but his presence there allows Kuyt to drift inside and into the box

[Bailo]

To Chris Waddle.

 

You can't criticise Johnson for being "suspect" defensively when you later praise Ridgewell, the defender he was roasting all night, for his defensive solidity. But then again, more fool me for actually thinking ESPN would get in an incisive, intelligent co-commentator.

[Leo No.8]

To Chris Waddle.

 

You can't criticise Johnson for being "suspect" defensively when you later praise Ridgewell, the defender he was roasting all night, for his defensive solidity. But then again, more fool me for actually thinking ESPN would get in an incisive, intelligent co-commentator.

 

After about 20 mintues of the game our surround sound stopped delivering the commentary for some reason. I switched back to the TV sound to get it back on, but 10 minutes into the second half switched back to surround with no commentary.

 

That main commentator is an absolute prat, and Waddle isn't much better. What is it about our commentators in English football, its all about the controversy and creating a tabloidesque story - just f*cking describe the game.

 

Comes back to what we were saying in the general about how NFL coverage is miles better because they give you a tactical insight and describe the game. The likes of him last night haven't a f*cking clue about tactics.

Edited November 10, 2009 by Leo No.8

[Conrad]

Last night showed yet again - not that it needed to - what a brilliant buy Johnson was. Absolutely 100% right for Rafa to identify him and sign him up as soon as he did. Don't care what else happened for the rest of the summer - Rafa identified an area we needed to improve significantly and got his man.

 

It's a shame (to carp) that he didn't do as well on the attacking left back front the summer before.

 

And for those posting saying a right back shouldn't be your main attacking threat at home, I disagree. Top quality full backs bombing forward are always going to be the main outlet in home games against teams playing with 11 behind the ball.

 

And I've seen plenty of games where Roberto Carlos and Cafu were Brazil's biggest attacking threat - even where the likes of Ronaldo and Ronaldinho at their peak where on the park

[Bailo]

After about 20 mintues of the game our surround sound stopped delivering the commentary for some reason. I switched back to the TV sound to get it back on, but 10 minutes into the second half switched back to surround with no commentary.

 

That main commentator is an absolute prat, and Waddle isn't much better. What is it about our commentators in English football, its all about the controversy and creating a tabloidesque story - just f*cking describe the game.

 

Comes back to what we were saying in the general about how NFL coverage is miles better because they give you a tactical insight and describe the game. The likes of him last night haven't a f*cking clue about tactics.

Yeah, and it's not about bias necessarily - Halling and a few others in the NFL clearly hate the Pats, but give flowing credit when it's due. Here it just seems totally engineered to create a crisis around the latest Big 4 club to not have a good run of results.

 

The Johnson defending issue is the biggest example of a few no-nothings creating a meme and it being parrotted by every brain-dead ex-player who needs something to say.

[Boca]

After about 20 mintues of the game our surround sound stopped delivering the commentary for some reason. I switched back to the TV sound to get it back on, but 10 minutes into the second half switched back to surround with no commentary.

 

That main commentator is an absolute prat, and Waddle isn't much better. What is it about our commentators in English football, its all about the controversy and creating a tabloidesque story - just f*cking describe the game.

 

Comes back to what we were saying in the general about how NFL coverage is miles better because they give you a tactical insight and describe the game. The likes of him last night haven't a f*cking clue about tactics.

 

Was it Champion commentating last night? Whoever it was he never missed an opportunity to put the boot in Benitez. Irritating in the extreme.

[nrkintheuk]

After about 20 mintues of the game our surround sound stopped delivering the commentary for some reason. I switched back to the TV sound to get it back on, but 10 minutes into the second half switched back to surround with no commentary.

 

That main commentator is an absolute prat, and Waddle isn't much better. What is it about our commentators in English football, its all about the controversy and creating a tabloidesque story - just f*cking describe the game.

 

Comes back to what we were saying in the general about how NFL coverage is miles better because they give you a tactical insight and describe the game. The likes of him last night haven't a f*cking clue about tactics.

 

I think with the NFL Madden set a benchmark that others aspire to. Over recent years the equivalent here has probably been Hansen and most TV execs responded by hiring somebody who speaks with a Scottish accent. In the resulting confusion people thought Andy Gray was quite good leading to the mess we're currently in.

[Bailo]

Was it Champion commentating last night? Whoever it was he never missed an opportunity to put the boot in Benitez. Irritating in the extreme.

"Again the chants of You're Getting Sacked in the Morning ring out........but not from the Liverpool fans"

 

So what? Are you going to comment on every chant from the opposition fans?

[Swipe]

Champion was unreal last night.

 

Right at the start he suggested Rafa only put Stevie on the bench to stick two fingers up to Capello. He actually said: "it's all speculation of course. But it's fun."

 

And the whole questioning of Stevies fitness and ability to come on and do anything was based entirely, it seemed, on Waddle reckoning he didn't look right during his warm up.

 

Couldn't write it.

[Bailo]

Champion was unreal last night.

 

Right at the start he suggested Rafa only put Stevie on the bench to stick two fingers up to Capello. He actually said: "it's all speculation of course. But it's fun."

 

And the whole questioning of Stevies fitness and ability to come on and do anything was based entirely, it seemed, on Waddle reckoning he didn't look right during his warm up.

 

Couldn't write it.

Which Waddle would not shift from during the second half, as it would make him look like he was wrong. They even pointed to him warming up at half-time as proof - not because he's had preceisely a minute to play before cooling down for 15 mins!

[Kite]

I think a big part of Johnson's threat going forwards is that he's coming from deep and it makes it harder to track him. Playing him further forwards would risk placing him to close to both the winger and the opposing fullback and might blunt some of his driving runs.

Was going to reply with something similar, it's playing where he does that makes him just so effective. Outstanding performance from him last night

[Leo No.8]

Good thing Waddle never saw Itandje warming up...

[Dan]

Absolute class player yet people still question the wisdom of the signing.

[Stevie H]

Last night showed yet again - not that it needed to - what a brilliant buy Johnson was. Absolutely 100% right for Rafa to identify him and sign him up as soon as he did. Don't care what else happened for the rest of the summer - Rafa identified an area we needed to improve significantly and got his man.

 

It's a shame (to carp) that he didn't do as well on the attacking left back front the summer before.

 

And for those posting saying a right back shouldn't be your main attacking threat at home, I disagree. Top quality full backs bombing forward are always going to be the main outlet in home games against teams playing with 11 behind the ball.

 

And I've seen plenty of games where Roberto Carlos and Cafu were Brazil's biggest attacking threat - even where the likes of Ronaldo and Ronaldinho at their peak where on the park

spot on this, johnson gives us what alves gives barcelona, an extra attacking threat from a position that's hard for opponents to counter. can't wait to see him working with a fully fit and firing attacking five of torres, yossi, gerrard, aquilani and kuyt.

 

and your third paragraph is exactly, exactly right. anyone trotting out 'a right back shouldn't be your main attacking threat at home' when we know that teams come to anfield and park the bus is talking out of their hoop and doesn't know much about the game.

[Gravy]

and your third paragraph is exactly, exactly right. anyone trotting out 'a right back shouldn't be your main attacking threat at home' when we know that teams come to anfield and park the bus is talking out of their hoop and doesn't know much about the game.

 

Absolutely. We've all been crying out for it for years, now we've got it people moan about it being one of our main weapons.

 

When people have made their mind up that's it's all fecked there's nothing that will change their minds I guess.

[Knoxy]

I think a big part of Johnson's threat going forwards is that he's coming from deep and it makes it harder to track him. Playing him further forwards would risk placing him to close to both the winger and the opposing fullback and might blunt some of his driving runs.

 

Agree with all that

 

Leo is spot on as well, have rarely seen a full back continually influence the game to the extent that Johnson does. His ability to beat a man is a huge addition to our attacking options

[kop205]

. anyone trotting out 'a right back shouldn't be your main attacking threat at home' when we know that teams come to anfield and park the bus is talking out of their hoop and doesn't know much about the game.

 

In fairness it was Wayne who made that point in another thread and I don't think you can out him into the category of people who don't know much about the game.

 

I do disagree with him about this point though - I did straight away and posted so in the other thread, for all the same reasosn that you disagree.

 

I think his comment was probably borne more out of frustration/pessimism than anything else.

[Dan]

Pulled out of England squad with an apparent injury picked up against Birmingham. Lets hope Rafa is playing the game here.

[sean]

Enormous player this guy. He tormented poor McFadden the other night.

[Murphman]

Keep him where he is, it gives us an extra player almost, pushing further up means he's not running onto it as much and playing more facing backwards. Sure he can do it but his presence there allows Kuyt to drift inside and into the box

 

He could play right mid easily particularly at home and in fact, it would give Kuyt a break. All that about him being picked up more easily with a higher starting position ignores the simple fact we'd have another right back coming into the space created by the man picking Johnson up, and so it goes around. A 25 year old Steve Finnan or Marcus Babel behind Glen Johnson is a dream ticket and young Kelly has the makings of a player too from what little we've seen.

Edited November 11, 2009 by Murphman

[David Hodgson]

spot on this, johnson gives us what alves gives barcelona, an extra attacking threat from a position that's hard for opponents to counter. can't wait to see him working with a fully fit and firing attacking five of torres, yossi, gerrard, aquilani and kuyt.

 

and your third paragraph is exactly, exactly right. anyone trotting out 'a right back shouldn't be your main attacking threat at home' when we know that teams come to anfield and park the bus is talking out of their hoop and doesn't know much about the game.

 

True enough, but I couldn't help but feel, the other night, what a joy it would be to have Johnson constantly receiving the ball in attacking positions. He is in every sense a right winger, and as good as any in that position in the premiership. I would be tempted to just unleash him in that position.

 

Yes, we get him forward plenty in games like Monday's, but even then there are times when he's forced to take the ball off a centre back or Reina, and you're thinking 'he'll not be able to figure in this attack'. I want him getting the ball the way Barnes did. Every time just over the half way line, ready and primed to attack a full back. When we're countering he needs to be one of the furthest players forward, as Kuyt often is (in the postion Johnson could play in). Away from home the case is more pressing because Johnson is naturally far more restricted given he is primarily a right back.

 

Given that he can defend as well as attack like a true winger, I think Johnson is close to the complete modern right midfielder, and we are wasting him (to an extent) at right back (not that we have much choice at the moment).

Edited November 11, 2009 by David Hodgson

[David Hodgson]

He could play right mid easily particularly at home and in fact, it would give Kuyt a break. All that about him being picked up more easily with a higher starting position ignores the simple fact we'd have another right back coming into the space created by the man picking Johnson up, and so it goes around. A 25 year old Steve Finnan or Marcus Babel behind Glen Johnson is a dream ticket and young Kelly has the makings of a player too from what little we've seen.

 

 

I agree, and it's a nonsense argument. On that basis one would play Ronaldo at full back.

[Swipe]

Enormous player this guy. He tormented poor McFadden the other night.

 

It was hilarious actually. It was like a 16 year old playing against the under 10s down their left hand side.