1. Johnson was never one of our best players, not even close when you signed him from us. Most said he'd fail in the prem and then he surprised a few. The only reason fans hold onto him as being stupid to get rid of is because he hasn't done half bad in the prem and it also is another reason to hate Bates.
2. We were pretty good when we had those players, we were one of the top goalscorers in the league (if not the top goalscorers) and would've got promoted if it wasn't for our poor excuse of a defence.
3. If you think Johnson and Howson are good, Snoddy is better, especially when on form. Does sometimes go missing though but I have always blamed the fact that we play him when he is injured and don't let him fully recover