Manager slates player in public....

[DJS]

Johnson's turn this time....

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/8129999/Stoke-v-Liverpool-Glen-Johnsons-future-in-doubt-as-Roy-Hodgson-challenges-him-to-reproduce-his-England-form.html

 

Stoke v Liverpool: Glen Johnson's future in doubt as Roy Hodgson challenges him to reproduce his England form

 

Glen Johnson’s Liverpool future has been cast into doubt after the club’s manager, Roy Hodgson, criticised the £18 million defender for failing to produce the sort of form befitting an England right-back.

 

By Rory Smith 11:00PM GMT 12 Nov 2010

 

 

Johnson has played just once for Liverpool since the beginning of October — last week’s Europa League victory over Napoli —because of a groin injury. Hodgson confirmed on Friday that the 26 year-old had suffered a relapse and will miss Saturday evening’s trip to Stoke City.

 

Even had Johnson been fit, though, Hodgson’s withering assessment of the former Chelsea and Portsmouth player’s form suggests he faces a struggle not simply to regain his place but to prolong his 15-month stay on Merseyside.

 

“He is the England right-back and if he plays like that, one would expect him to come back in,” Hodgson said.

 

“But then he would have had to play like the England right-back and up to now, to be quite frank, he has not performed — or very often at least — to the level I would expect of him.

 

“You would have to ask him the question: ‘Do you think you are playing at top form and are you playing like the best right-back in the country for your club?’ If he says yes, obviously we will have to agree to differ. And if he says no, then you have to ask the question why not.”

 

The prospect of Johnson losing his place permanently is likely to alert Tottenham and Juventus, both of whom have been monitoring the player’s situation at Anfield, with a move as early as January a possibility.

 

The full-back would be eligible to feature for Harry Redknapp’s team in the Champions League, while the Serie A side have identified Johnson and Ajax’s Gregory van der Wiel as their preferred targets when the transfer window reopens.

 

Johnson’s travails could also lead to an extended run in the side for his understudy Martin Kelly, whose form has earned him a call-up to the England Under-21 side to face Germany in Wiesbaden next week and will mean he is offered an improved contract when his existing deal expires this summer.

 

Though Hodgson may employ Jamie Carragher as right-back at the Britannia Stadium, the Liverpool manager has been effusive in his praise of Kelly, 20. He said Kelly had surprised him when making his first Premier League start, in last Sunday’s 2-0 victory against Chelsea.

 

“It was a really tough match to throw him in because they are at their best down the left and many a right-back would not have relished facing them.”

 

Goalkeeper Pepe Reina, meanwhile, has stressed that he is “fully committed” to Liverpool after reports he wanted to leave Anfield at the earliest opportunity.

 

Though the club have drawn up a shortlist of possible replacements — including the German international Manuel Neuer — Liverpool’s owners are desperate for the Spain international to stay.

 

“I have not told the manager I wish to leave in January or at any other time,” said Reina. “I have a long-term contract at Liverpool and I am fully committed to the club.”

 

Brilliant PR and man-management again from the man who, with 35 years of unbridalled success, cannot be argued with....

[Epic Swindle]

Where's he slating him exactly?

 

It needed saying anyway. He's been coasting for a while.

Edited November 12, 2010 by Epic Swindle

[Swan Red]

Where's he slating him exactly?

 

Like I know you want to find ways to defend him and I think some of the criticism is over the top but seriously?

[Maldini]

Rafa said "senior players have to perform better" last season and got slaughtered for 9 months over it on here and in the media. Roy has picked out a specific player and we'll hear a chorus of agreement.

[Swan Red]

 

It needed saying anyway. He's been coasting for a while.

 

If it needed saying to the player say it to the player don't slate him for all and sundry

[DJS]

Where's he slating him exactly?

 

The bit where he criticises his performances....

 

“But then he would have had to play like the England right-back and up to now, to be quite frank, he has not performed — or very often at least — to the level I would expect of him.

 

“You would have to ask him the question: ‘Do you think you are playing at top form and are you playing like the best right-back in the country for your club?’ If he says yes, obviously we will have to agree to differ. And if he says no, then you have to ask the question why not.”

 

By all means, have the conversation. But why have it with the press?

 

These are the kind of things you keep in house.

 

But then, Roy's the kind of manager who has 35 years of great success, so who am i to argue?

Edited November 12, 2010 by DJS

[Swan Red]

Rafa said "senior players have to perform better" last season and got slaughtered for 9 months over it on here and in the media. Roy has picked out a specific player and we'll hear a chorus of agreement.

 

maybe in the media but certainly not here

[smithdown]

He is a victim of prejudice, no?

 

Odd that he didn't talk in those terms about Denmark's captain. When I say odd, of course, I mean out and out c*ntish.

[Epic Swindle]

What? All he's doing is pointing out that Johnson has not been at his best in that long winded style of his and that his place is, rightly, not assured. If that's slating then players are more protected than ever.

[DJS]

What? All he's doing is pointing out that Johnson has not been at his best in that long winded style of his and that his place is, rightly, not assured. If that's slating then players are more protected than ever.

 

So if a player isnt performing, the way to sort that is to tell the press? Because they are the ones who can improve Johnson's performances, yeah?

 

I'm sorry, i do not understand...

[Swan Red]

What? All he's doing is pointing out that Johnson has not been at his best in that long winded style of his and that his place is, rightly, not assured. If that's slating then players are more protected than ever.

 

It's not about protecting the player it's about having discussions regarding players form with players not with the media

[smithdown]

What other manager does this?

[sean]

Why can't he just shut his fat mouth?

[Benzo-13]

I'm fed up with this warbly old man and his s**** stories.

 

Though it still feels like we've G&H here.

He's dragging the place down.

[DJS]

What other manager does this?

No, no, no....you've made a cardinal schoolboy error.

 

See, what you're trying to do here is find another manager comparable to Roy and his hugely successful 35-year-career....

 

You're clearly flogging a dead horse.

[kenny7]

At least he did the same with Poulsen.................................................

[Swipe]

He's gonna wind us up every week til he f***s off.

 

He's a disaster.

 

A snake too.

 

Be lovely if a hack asked him for an asessment of his own performances so far.

[Maldini]

maybe in the media but certainly not here

 

The chorus of agreement? Nah I mean the media, the same lads that slated Rafa and claimed that statement lost him the dressing room will say this is Roy being a strong manager.

[DJS]

At least he did the same with Poulsen.................................................

Yep, and i'm sure Poulsen will put in a sterling performance tomorrow too.

 

Edited November 12, 2010 by DJS

[Benzo-13]

He's gonna wind us up every week til he f***s off.

 

He's a disaster.

 

A snake too.

 

Be lovely if a hack asked him for an asessment of his own performances so far.

He had a go at the press too during the week.

He's on a wind up.

Bet he has a s*** in all his homes toilets so he has got it all covered.

[Coyler]

Though it still feels like we've G&H here.

Quite. Did we win that f*cking court case or what? After 40 years in the desert it's going to be plain sailing all the way for the Jews, right? ...right?

[smithdown]

No, no, no....you've made a cardinal schoolboy error.

 

See, what you're trying to do here is find another manager comparable to Roy and his hugely successful 35-year-career....

 

You're clearly flogging a dead horse.

 

 

I bet this is what they teach at uefa coaching seminars.

 

"Pick and choose who you slag off to the papers and who you defend with weeping moving eulogies, depending on whether you signed them or not"

[DJS]

He had a go at the press too during the week.

He's on a wind up.

Bet he has a s*** in all his homes toilets so he has got it all covered.

 

It honestly does feel like he's actually on a sabotage mission.

 

Not saying he is, like....but he's acting the same way as someone would, if they genuinely were.

 

I'm sure there's some valid reason why Mr Henry hasnt ditched him yet. Surely...

 

I bet this is what they teach at uefa coaching seminars.

 

"Pick and choose who you slag off to the papers and who you defend with weeping moving eulogies, depending on whether you signed them or not"

 

I wish they'd had a 25 year lock-in at the last sodding seminar he attended.

 

Never thought i'd say this about a Liverpool manager, but i have reached the point where i think i actually hate him.

 

Christ, if things really DO even themselves out, we're in for a mighty rosy decade....

[Benzo-13]

Quite. Did we win that f*cking court case or what? After 40 years in the desert it's going to be plain sailing all the way for the Jews, right? ...right?

Dunno. We lurch from one bunch of crap to the next.

If our new owners weren't such rookies we'd be shot of him.

 

His CV alone screams mediocrity.

Beggars belief when we've a man employed by the club that knows HOW to win a Premier League who'd gladly step in.

[Rory Fitzgerald]

Firstly, I agree with the THOUGHTS of Roy, but you keep that private.

 

Secondly, he could have turned the question on its head by making the right back position about Kelly's good form and not Johnson's poor form.

 

Thirdly, I think he realises that his only fans at the moment are in the media and the media love nothing more than the a manager speaking the truth.

 

On the whole, he gets away with that statement if the club is winning and competition for places is fierce. With a squad biting at the bit and a manager thats picking a winning team then he gets away with it.

 

I am not sure Roy has totalling bought into his position.