Simon, given some of the players who've put the famous white shirt on in the last few years, having "basic ability" or not as the case maybe is almost irrelevant. He's english with a left foot, can tackle & head. That puts him above many who've worn the shirt. Having said all of that, we're starting to get a reputation for developing young english midfield talent. If you include Bradders for now, we've had Milner, Lennon, Delph, & Howson. That as a 5 man midfield wouldn't be too shabby.
It also shows the national teams bias towards the bias, when you consider that even now Howson is probably still the better midfielder, but won't be able to think about a full cap until we're back in the PL (or, god forbid he moves).
have to back up my fellow canary thai on this one. to think we got johnson on a free transfer is extraordinary. fantastic so far for us. he is a terrific footballer, his passing is good too, much better than i expected given many of the comments from leeds fans when we signed him. he has been a real pleasant surprise this season and when you think how much money qpr are paying joey barton who in all honesty is no better than johnson, i think its fair to say we got a bloody brilliant deal! probably not quite good enough for england but he sure is close!
I liked all parts of his game apart from his passing which was very wayward. If that has not come good then he will be a very forceful player in the middle. Good luck to him. Bradford City developed Delph in his formative years, we just applied the polish to be fair.
I have watched bradders a few times this season and to be fair he does look a better player but for him to be considered over either howson or especially clayton would be ridiculous. You've got to remember that clayton made parker look like a mug already this season, the guys talent is immense and is clear premiership quality. The way he just turns and all of a sudden finds himself in acres of space. Not many players have that ability. And whoever said it before, i completely agree that we do not want any of our players in the england squad, at least until we get into the prem otherwise they would be gone as soon as possible.
Be realistic Josh... Clayton not even a quarter of a season in the championship against championship opposition. Johnson is now playing against premiership opposition you can't compare the two. Johnson really came good for us at the end of last season he left just at the wrong stage. Ask any Leeds fan Johnson or clayton with 3 games to go last season who they would have chosen? By the sound of it Johnson has continued to improve. As for howson I would drop him tomorrow, one 8/10 performance every 4-5 games isn't good enough
But ask any Leeds fan Johnson or Clayton now and even with Brad in the PL I'm pretty sure 90% would go with Clayton. Out of our current batch of central midfielders I'd say Pugh, Howson and Clayton are all better than Johnson. That's 3/5 and I'm not including Vayrynen simply because we've not seen enough of him yet.
If it were me picking an England team then Johnson wouldnt get in on what I have seen of him and clayton wouldn't due to opposition. Playing against championship players is one thing internationals another. Not to mention who would England leave out. As for Pugh I still don't see him as replacement for gradel would like to see someone else come in and would drop howson tomorrow.
I don't see Pugh as a direct replacement for Gradel either, he's simply not the same type of player, but right now with the formation we're playing he is the best option for the left wing. Howson is simply being played out of position.
Ristac, my point isnt that howson and clayton should get picker for england, its that johnson shouldnt. Both clayton and howson are english and are better, thats why i used there names. Clayton is the most likely out of the 3 to be getting in the england team or rather squad in the future out of the 3 IMO
Judging by the high fences behind the goals in Montenegro, it appears they believed BJ was going to be playing! <grin>
I'm all for Engerland to give Johnson a game, it would be ideal as the rest of the players in that pish team are of equal ability. England may have qualified for Euro 12, but surely nobody would disagree that this is one of the worst England teams ever. I've watched eleven fat bastaards play a Sunday league game and give the supporters more enjoyment and skill to watch, that any England game under that Italian bloke. Anyway back to the point of the topic, if anyone thinks Johnson is international class, then I would suggest they should never ever be allowed near a football pitch ever again, the man is GARBAGE, UTTER GARBAGE. For the sake of balance, don't get me started on Scotland, they make the part timers look good!
Agreed Boab. Glad to see that bunch of twats who represent English rugby get tonked by France. After the way they've conducted themselves throughout the tournament they got what they deserved- NOTHING. England going home early.....happy days!
