Forget the price tag and former reputation, he's just not performing at the level that's required. I think it's time to drop him and install McLean back on the left. At least McLean can beat a man, has pace, and a bit of strength. Johnson gets knocked off the ball too easily, has no pace, and can't beat his man. Time MON swallows his pride and does the right thing for the team. Considering Johnsons price, could be one off the worst signings of the summer, unfortunately.
Righto here is my theory. Our wingers are pretty much strapped to white lines. With the system we play this often leads them to be isolated. As soon as they get the ball they have very little options. This is a failing of the system for me. Both wingers should be tucked in. 5-10 yards from the lines. This brings them closer to the midfield and forwards. This would allow for fullbacks to overlap (something we don't seem to do)
Maybe the use of a diamond formation ndiaye sits in front of the back for bring the wingers in a bit sess at the top of the diamond behind graham n fletch
Even with Bardsley fit we dont have proper full backs. No point putting a plough horse in when you need a something thats going to win the derby.
Disagree somewhat, Tragic has lost the plot, with one bound he may become the player we welcomed in the Summer, but ATM he is hopeless. If we had spent the £10m on another striker in the summer we would IMHO have had many more points. I also think McClean has lost it, so it is Sess and Seb on the wings for me. (Seb is not a CM, but he can put crosses in for Graham and Fletcher.
Yes but we have encountered the same problem with Mcclean on the wing?? Then everybody wanted him dropped!! Whilst I agree Johnson's form is poor I'm putting it down to the way we play football and the system being adopted. We look one of the most disjointed teams playing to me. There is a lack of movement and often players are far too far apart. Everton exploited us last year, allowed our wide players into the channels then easily closed them down and isolated them. For me O'Neill is getting it wrong - I'm not advocating 4-4-2, I'm not struck on Graham, think it was a waste of 5 million and he is a sub at best. I'd prefer Wickham who can win the ball in the air and has a bit of pace. With us playing 3 CM's we should be able to get our fullbacks to overlap. Sadly I think our first team needs at least a 50 million overhaul and we have pretty much no players to cash in on. I worry it's relegation and then a rebuilding programme. I'm not saying we will get relegated this season but I see nothing at the moment to suggest from MON's transfer activities to say a good summer of business is coming up. I'm not saying sack him but I do fear that we are not progressing, infact we are going backwards. We are replacing better players with not as good players.
So drop our joint 3rd top scorer and a player who also has 4 assists and 25 shots, then and replace him with the biggest load of ****e this side of the Irish sea? Brilliant! Wonder why no one else has ever thought of this?
Time to drop him. He will only improve if he has to fight for his place, he looks unfit and 1/2 a yard short to me. Sess on the left and Larsson on the right. Larsson deserves a chance in his natural position, he was one of our best players last season playing there and scored some decent goals. The above IMO would give Fletch and Graham the service they need. Our ideal side would be Migg Gardner JOS Cuellar Rose Larsson Catts NDiaye Sess Graham Fletcher Due to injuries we cannot currently put that side out, but I think the above side has the quality to get us up to a mid table finish.
3rd top scorer with 4 goals, in a team that relies on 1 goalscorer.. And 4 whole assists? Lol. That's certainly worth 10 million. At least McLean can beat a man and put a cross in. Take the game on Saturday for example, it was mcleans run and cross that led to sess's goal. Johnson is a luxury player, who needs to be in the last 3rd for most of the game.. When he gets the ball from inside our half which is the norm, he can't beat a man, so is ineffective.. Whereas McLean can, he might not be pele, but he is unpredictable and can create abit more than Johnson with our current formation.
3rd top scorer with 4 goals, in a team that relies on 1 goalscorer.. And 4 whole assists? Lol. That's certainly worth 10 million. At least McLean can beat a man and put a cross in. Take the game on Saturday for example, it was mcleans run and cross that led to sess's goal. Johnson is a luxury player, who needs to be in the last 3rd for most of the game.. When he gets the ball from inside our half which is the norm, he can't beat a man, so is ineffective.. Whereas McLean can, he might not be pele, but he is unpredictable and can create abit more than Johnson with our current formation.
McClean is ****e. End of. Regardless of your desire to replace Johnson, to do so with McClean is a terrible decision. Put Sess there and Larsson at right wing and you may have an argument I agree with but McCLean? No way. BTW, whatever your sneers towards AJ, the fact remains he IS our 3rd joint top scorer; has 4 assists (have a guess who has better assists for SAFC - no one that's who) and if you look at EPL stats, Gerard and Mata have 9; Rooney and David Silva only 7 and Aaron Lennon a paltry 6. Considering all these are regarded as having magnificent seasons and AJ a ****e one (according to you that is) he isn't that far away is he?
We are a team without any pace.. McLean has that. I'm not saying McLean is a great player, but at least he has a bit of flair and unpredictability... Also, if you want to point out the stats.. McLean has 5 goals in all competitions, 2 assists and 29 shots.. So this pile of ****e that you've just brandished, is about on par with 10 million man Johnson. I really want Johnson to do well, always have. But he's not threatening no where near enough. It looks to be a poor signing, so wether you replace with with McLean or Larson, it doesn't matter.
Agree with everything - Although AJ hasn't "Set thre world alight" like we all expected him - he has 5 goals and 4 assists - - he HAS the ability to pass the ball and sees (and plays) some very good passes - I'd be playing Sess left and AJ right and Catts & N'Diaye in centre midfield if Catts is fit - Larsson is so lightweight and has been poor in centre midfield.
Where is the unpredictability bit coming from? if your are talking about his twitter rants, then yes he in unpredictable. As far as being on the football pitch, he is the most predictable player i have ever seen, hence why he has had no impact this year as defenders know what he is going to do. Mcclean's game atm is literally: kick the ball 5 yards in front of himself, run onto it and whip it in with his left foot. Defenders have clicked on and this is why he has minimal impact now as he has no plan b.
So what's Johnsons plan b then mate?.. Actually, what's his plan a?.. Is it to beat the full back? Because he don't do that.. Maybe put some decent deliveries in? No he doesn't do that either... Tell me, what is it that makes Johnson better than McLean? What does he do that I can't see?
I don't get why people are on AJ's back. He's not set the world alight but come on! He's playing deeper then he's used to to protect our dodgy defence. I'd be more worried about larrson's performances and our defence.
Anyone who really thinks James Mcclean 's a better footballer than Adam Johnson knows **** all about football. That's a fact.
