SUNDERLAND, LATEST NEWS UPDATE: 9 HOURS 34 MINUTES AGO VIEWS: 1,717 Boss Sam Allardyce says he could continue to use Adam Johnson in a more central role after his impressive showing against Aston Villa. The 28-year-old was a surprise selection to pull the strings in the middle of the park alongside Yann M'Vila and Lee Cattermole on Saturday after Allardyce lost Jack Rodwell and Seb Larsson to injury. The former Middlesbrough man began to dictate the must-win game against the Villians in the second half and did enough to convince Allardyce he could make the switch from his usual role on the wing permanent as Sunderland ran out 3-1 winners. The Black Cats boss converted Stewart Downing from a winger to a central midfielder last season at West Ham and has indicated he could do the same again with Johnson. "I like him there because he gets more possession there than he does out wide and his talents on the ball are very important to us," Allardyce told the Sunderland Echo. "When he plays in a wide position, he maybe gets the ball an average of 24 to 30 times, whereas in the hole, it's maybe 45, 50, 55. "That's very important to us because he can play the final ball that we're looking for, for any of the front three." - See more at: https://www.clubcall.com/sunderland/johnson-to-make-switch-1794631.html#sthash.ol0ytHZP.dpuf Read more at: https://www.clubcall.com/sunderland/johnson-to-make-switch-1794631.html
I have often thought AJ could play there as he's not pacey enough for the wing, but we've tried it before and he's been ****e. Worth a punt though.
Is he going to turn into a consistent footballer? Is that the switch? He was awful first half I thought on Saturday - but came into it more in the second and looked better prior to being subbed
If we're relying on AJ to convert a good 30 mins vs Villa into good for 80-90 muns vs. everyone else, it's a tad worrying. Thankfully Sam only says 'could' not ''can' or 'will'. Here's hoping for a proper AM this Jan, please...unlikely, I know.
It's very disappointing, and worrying, that Sam is talking like this. I never thought he had a good game against Villa. I think he has been the weak link of the team in the last couple of games, he can't play the role and is giving M'Vila and Catts more work to do. I was hoping we could bring in a natural AM with a good work rate, obviously not...
I thought he looked off the pace against Villa & his touch was poor. Square peg - round hole springs to mind.
Could be that Sam is saying in a roundabout way that he is useless out wide, a sentiment I heartily share.
He aint sadly, always seems to be taking the easy option, not sure if this is just his style or that he is plain lazy, his turn and pass leading to PvA's goal was sublime though, a glimpse, and that is all we ever get, of the player he could be. It is just not enough from a key player imo.
absolutely. his boozy lifestyle is catching up with him, or he ate all the mince pies this Christmas, inc. next doors'. his alertness, pace and turn of speed has been so poor.
One decent pass to Defoe. Wont tackle, wont head the ball. He's effing w*nk imo. Not sure why I quoted your post there MCB, sorry.
Johnson to make the switch to play for Rudgate HMP in a pale blue t-shirt and any trainers he can find. His fee is full protection from the nonce's and a half ounce of old holborn. Win bonus = a pack of jammy dodgers. x
I thought he was our worst player vs Villa so this is very worrying, I would rather have Gomez there than Johnson and I don't particularly rate him either.
Looks like t's just a load of long winded spiel to disguise that we're probably not getting an AM if you ask me. He was ****e Vs Villa, he's been ****e every time he's played there. It's worrying.
