Do we all remember how good Johnson is after last night? Hopefully this is a pointer to those suggesting Johnson should be our left-back next season why he should stay where he is. He was a huge attacking threat, and along with Carragher i thought he did really well defensively. He blocked one on the line, made a few key headers from corners and Salcido had absolutely no joy. In fact if you watch their second goal it's because Salcido just aimlessly crosses it from deep- as he did all game- that they get the chance from our clearance. Imagine being given attacking freedom by Benitez, then Hodgson comes in and tells you to play completely differently. The team is playing badly, you're no longer sure of how you're meant to be playing and the manager publicly criticizes you for it. Add a few injuries into the mix and is it any surprise his form suffered? Now look at the difference with Steve Clarke improving his defensive work and Kenny giving him freedom to attack. Awesome to watch!
He played right back last night, Flanagan was put at LB. Which is why Johnson was so more attacking and crossing into the box.
Sorry yes, misread your first sentence slightly! I'm torn between Johnson and Kelly, when Johnson puts in performances like that it's great. But we've seen him be too inconsistent at right back in the past year. I think now he's realised he's got to fight with Kelly and Flanagan, who have youth on their side, for the RB position so he's going to be putting in plenty of performances. I just want Kelly to be tried at CB next season now; Johnson and Flanagan to be our RB options, NEW LB and Robinson to be our LB options. We can shift Aurelio and Insua (I don't think he'll want to return) on.
Yeah i see Kelly as a centre back as well. He's good at getting forward from right back but i think that's as much to down to his athleticism as much as any skill, and quick, strong defenders are few and far between. His time at right back will have improved his positioning and distribution, but he has all the makings of a top CB. Also for the balance of the squad i agree we already have 2 suitable right back options. I don't see us getting rid of Aurelio. He left because we only offered him pay as you play, but Roy then offered him a 2 year contract (so he therefore has 1 year left). I think we'll just accept our losses and keep him as a squad player- he doesn't really have any sale value. He can do a job in several positions, so as long as we're not relying on him as first choice i don't think it will be too bad. I'm happy to move Insua on.
dont listen to him skrtel... i knew exactly what you meant , anyway ill reserve judgement on johnson if he plays like last night in the next 2 games then good but i think hes inconsistent tbh
I believe it's only short of a comma Mr Pedant! It was a quick addition so that people know which way I'm arguing. Instead of criticizing my spelling and making one word posts perhaps you should put your efforts into contributing to the debate! I hope that doesn't sound p1$$y because it isn't meant to be.
We also have to remember how bad he can be. I would still take any decent offer for him. Flanagan and Kelly would do me as the 2 right backs.
I was only messin anyway! Johnson has played way more poor games than he has good ones. If he keeps up last nights performance for the next two games then I'd be quite happy to see where he can go under Kenny but if he drops off the pace again before the end of the season then I'd be happy to let him go for a decent offer and, as someone mentioned previously, I'd be happy to have our first choice right backs as Flanagan and Kelly.
I reckon he has a future. I'll tell you why.Kenny has made him more disciplined by playing him on the left.He is on his weaker side so he has to be obviously be more disciplined.Liverpool did it with Ronnie Whelan,a natural right footer who played wide left even though he was naturally a central midfielder.Denis Irwin was one of the finest right footed left backs ever.Rob Jones taught himself to play left back and again he was right footed.Steve Nicol was just as comfortable on either side.Then again Steve Nicol could play anywhere. Alvaro Arbeloa was another.
