Topic: Roy Hodgson tells Glen Johnson to get his act together

[jooneyisdagod]

I've said a few times and I'll say it again, Johnson is a luxury player.  He may not be the best defender but that isn't what he is renowned for.  It is his attacking play from the back that makes him the player he is.  Roy's agricultural tactics don't allow that.  But its not just Roy's tactics that are a problem.  The biggest problem is the lack of pace across the back 4.  If we had a couple of CB's with recovery pace, then we could play a higher line and pin our opponents back and that is when players like Johnson come into their own.  We could have Maicon/Alves down the right and Evra/Cole down the left and they would both look terrible simply because of the defensive line we play.  It happened last season with Rafa where I felt our defensive line fell back by about 10 yards and this year there has been a conscious pull back of our defensive line.  Johnson might not fit in with what we are trying to achieve but watch him move to Spurs and play really well and dominate again.  Its a shame that he has been subject to criticism because again he is one of the proper footballers in our squad.

[shanklyboy]

One start in the last 7 games through injury and struggling for form and fitness.
This statement will really work wonders for the lad.



I wonder if this would have had a different reaction a few weeks ago?


The manager wants to see tangible proof that fitness is accompanied by form before selecting Torres

"The big thing is whether he will be fit enough to play any part in the game, that’s more relevant than whether he will get his place back,” Hodgson said. “He’s the Spain Centre Forward and if he plays like that, one would expect him to come back in. But then he’d have to play like the Spain Centre Forward and up to now, to be quite frank, he’s not performed — very often, at least — to the level I’d expect of him.

“You would have to ask him the question, ‘Do you think you’re playing at top form and are you playing like the best Centre Forward in the country for your club?’ If he says yes, obviously we will have to agree to differ and if he says no then you’d have to ask the question, ‘Why not?’ ”


I'm sure the lads are ready to run through brick walls for the manager due to his unique man management skills and motivational techniques.
I'm sure that rather than asking journalists to ask Johnson themselves he might want to try and do that with the player himself.

[steelersmark]

If I saw Glen Johnson now, I'd tell him he's a bad twat. Because he is.

He needs to not turn up in the boozer with his boys working up a tab when he's meant in Italy apart from the fact he was apparently injured.

And his corn rows are a shocking disgrace.

But Roy needs to fuck off too.

[jooneyisdagod]

If I saw Glen Johnson now, I'd tell him he's a bad twat. Because he is.

He needs to not turn up in the boozer with his boys working up a tab when he's meant in Italy apart from the fact he was apparently injured.

And his corn rows are a shocking disgrace.

But Roy needs to fuck off too.

Yeah totally agree about the corn rows.  Don't know what the fuck he was thinking.  All that extra hair and beads and shit have clearly taken the edge off his pace and his agility.  I've always maintained that if Voronin cut his hair, he would become a great player.  Same as Poulsen.  If he has a hair cut, watch him become the mix of Roy Keane and Patrick Viera in their respective pomps. 

[mercury]

I've said a few times and I'll say it again, Johnson is a luxury player.  He may not be the best defender but that isn't what he is renowned for.  It is his attacking play from the back that makes him the player he is.  Roy's agricultural tactics don't allow that.  But its not just Roy's tactics that are a problem.  The biggest problem is the lack of pace across the back 4.  If we had a couple of CB's with recovery pace, then we could play a higher line and pin our opponents back and that is when players like Johnson come into their own.  We could have Maicon/Alves down the right and Evra/Cole down the left and they would both look terrible simply because of the defensive line we play.  It happened last season with Rafa where I felt our defensive line fell back by about 10 yards and this year there has been a conscious pull back of our defensive line.  Johnson might not fit in with what we are trying to achieve but watch him move to Spurs and play really well and dominate again.  Its a shame that he has been subject to criticism because again he is one of the proper footballers in our squad.

Now, this is talking. 

[Fanxxxxtastic]

If I saw Glen Johnson now, I'd tell him he's a bad twat. Because he is.

He needs to not turn up in the boozer with his boys working up a tab when he's meant in Italy apart from the fact he was apparently injured.

And his corn rows are a shocking disgrace.

But Roy needs to fuck off too.

Oh dear

[Fanxxxxtastic]

I've said a few times and I'll say it again, Johnson is a luxury player.  He may not be the best defender but that isn't what he is renowned for.  It is his attacking play from the back that makes him the player he is.  Roy's agricultural tactics don't allow that.  But its not just Roy's tactics that are a problem.  The biggest problem is the lack of pace across the back 4.  If we had a couple of CB's with recovery pace, then we could play a higher line and pin our opponents back and that is when players like Johnson come into their own.  We could have Maicon/Alves down the right and Evra/Cole down the left and they would both look terrible simply because of the defensive line we play.  It happened last season with Rafa where I felt our defensive line fell back by about 10 yards and this year there has been a conscious pull back of our defensive line.  Johnson might not fit in with what we are trying to achieve but watch him move to Spurs and play really well and dominate again.  Its a shame that he has been subject to criticism because again he is one of the proper footballers in our squad.

Good post!

[steelersmark]

Oh dear

Mate, he definitely got launched outta Pan Am on Mobo night. I saw him. As someone who's funding him doing this shit, I was more than a little annoyed.

And yeah, I don't like Hodgson.

[Rohit]

I still cant believe were stuck with this whopper over a manager, my goodness his going to destroy any good work left by the previous manager. Henry must act now or he may need to literally buy a whole new team and pay teams to take hodgsons crap of us. Johnson is getting ridiculed left right and center as some have said the like of maicon, alves,cole/evra would all look wank in this system hodgson employs. The tactics dont suit these fullbacks who are known as the best for a reason which im not going to go into because it might take a while to explain why they are so important.

[Les Willis]

Yeah totally agree about the corn rows.  Don't know what the fuck he was thinking.  All that extra hair and beads and shit have clearly taken the edge off his pace and his agility.  I've always maintained that if Voronin cut his hair, he would become a great player.  Same as Poulsen.  If he has a hair cut, watch him become the mix of Roy Keane and Patrick Viera in their respective pomps.

I thought he mean't corners? 

[DonkeyWan]

Here is the quote from Roy

“The big thing is whether he will be fit enough to play any part in the game, that’s more relevant than whether he will get his place back,” Hodgson said. “He’s the England right back and if he plays like that, one would expect him to come back in. But then he’d have to play like the England right back and up to now, to be quite frank, he’s not performed — very often, at least — to the level I’d expect of him.

“You would have to ask him the question, ‘Do you think you’re playing at top form and are you playing like the best right back in the country for your club?’ If he says yes, obviously we will have to agree to differ and if he says no then you’d have to ask the question, ‘Why not?’ ”

So what's wrong with this then?

1] He's talking shit in the media. Again. Fuck off and shut up. BEHIND. CLOSED. DOORS.

2] The England international bit. I don't give two flying fucks if he is England quality or not. I don't give a fuck if he never played internationally ever again. Stop framing our players arund England, its like you are ball sucking the England band wagon and putting the club in second place.

3] As has been noted the system now played does not suit his game. How does Roy address this? He asks Glenn to think how he could be a  better player. Lovely. Anyone think for an instant that Mourinhio's advice to one of his players would be "your form is poor, think what it takes to be the best Spanish player in your position... now do what you are thinking...."

4] Trash talking his own players. Again. I thought this was supposed to be a guy who had good man management skills. This is not good man-management. It strikes me as if Roy is once again sucking up to the media at the expense of the club, pushing all the right buttons "England. Best player in the country. etc." All he needs now is to say Torres is playing with a smile on hid face and the crap will be complete.

I'm really tired of Roy and his media ambushes of players.

[Robotforaday]

I've said a few times and I'll say it again, Johnson is a luxury player.  He may not be the best defender but that isn't what he is renowned for.  It is his attacking play from the back that makes him the player he is.  Roy's agricultural tactics don't allow that.  But its not just Roy's tactics that are a problem.  The biggest problem is the lack of pace across the back 4.  If we had a couple of CB's with recovery pace, then we could play a higher line and pin our opponents back and that is when players like Johnson come into their own.  We could have Maicon/Alves down the right and Evra/Cole down the left and they would both look terrible simply because of the defensive line we play.  It happened last season with Rafa where I felt our defensive line fell back by about 10 yards and this year there has been a conscious pull back of our defensive line.  Johnson might not fit in with what we are trying to achieve but watch him move to Spurs and play really well and dominate again.  Its a shame that he has been subject to criticism because again he is one of the proper footballers in our squad.

Absofuckinglutely.

[Aristotle]

It's the inconsistency of it all that annoys me the most of all. Stick to your guns and don't make such clear favouritism. He has publically slated the "B team", several fringe players, most of our youth, all but forced Agger out and now this shite.

Yes Johnson needed a kick in the ass, but a simple phone call "Glen, my office 8 sharp tomorrow morning" followed by a "nut up or shut up" (was just watching Zombieland ).

At least have the decency of all or none. I mean if you're on the subject of going public telling players they need to step up their game or they'll be benched without any delay, certain players in the team, English descent, initals JC, numbers #10 & #23 spring to mind. Not naming names, just saying like

[Rafa_La]

"You'd have to ask him "Do you think you've been performing like one of the most respected managers in Europe, a 35-year veteran of the profession, last year's winner of a prestigious award?" If he says "Yes, I have" then we would need to tell him that we obviously differ with him on that count. If he says "No, I haven't" then we would have to insist that he improve his performance to avoid being fired in a forthnight's time."

His reply will be 'Look at me. I got awared the LMA award. What does that say?'  A chin scratch and puzzled look. It's a no-brainer that he can see another side.

[Fanxxxxtastic]

Mate, he definitely got launched outta Pan Am on Mobo night. I saw him. As someone who's funding him doing this shit, I was more than a little annoyed.

And yeah, I don't like Hodgson.

Oh come on.  If he's injured, is he expected to remain indoors?  It's not like he's got the pox is it.

[all_funkt_up]

I was told that figure a while ago so apparently it's true

Well and truly miffed over this. Just cant believe would pay him that much. Is that market value these dats, is a right back worth that much?

I suppose thats another debate in itself, i digress.

If this has the deired outcome then  Roy is an expert man manger, if it doesnt then we may look at this less favourably in the future

[Rohit]

Well and truly miffed over this. Just cant believe would pay him that much. Is that market value these dats, is a right back worth that much?

I suppose thats another debate in itself, i digress.

His only 60k a week i dont get where people got 120k i mean steven gerrard on that sort of pay, do you honestly think hicks and gillett or even rafa would sanction johnson being on 120k its bullshit same with jovanovic whos closer to 70k than 120k we are not money city so lets have abit of though our processing no?

[shanklyboy]

Mate, he definitely got launched outta Pan Am on Mobo night. I saw him. As someone who's funding him doing this shit, I was more than a little annoyed.

And yeah, I don't like Hodgson.

Are you saying he and his mates got thrown got thrown out of the Pan Am?

[steelersmark]

Are you saying he and his mates got thrown got thrown out of the Pan Am?

Yes. That's exactly what I'm saying. I work there and witnessed this.

And Fanxxxxtastic, no, I don't believe he should be under house arrest. However, when he's been playing like a total wanker, id like to think he's doing all he can to turn his form around, not going out the night before a match he would otherwise be in and getting in a fight with bouncers.

For example, Tim Cahill attended the same event and his evening passed off without any hassle.

[Fanxxxxtastic]

I can't understand what's brought this attack towards Johnson on.  He's only managed to play 1 of the last 7 or 8 games due to injury.  Just read that he won't be involved tomorrow due to injury. 

So, why has Hodgson launched this attack towards the lad?  It's not like he's been a part of the team lately and performed poorly.  If he had, I can understand why.  This has all the makings of an Agger situation.  Lets slag any player who has an attacking mentality, as it doesn't meet with Hodgson's mind set.

We all know that Glen isn't the sort of player who isn't comfortable sitting deep and defending.  His mind set is to attack.  Which is why some have said that he could do a job in midfield.

This appears to be an unwarranted attack towards the lad out of nowhere.

[Red eh]

Glen when I've watched has played like he always plays. ROY can go suck a CAWK.

[Les Willis]

I can't understand what's brought this attack towards Johnson on.  He's only managed to play 1 of the last 7 or 8 games due to injury.  Just read that he won't be involved tomorrow due to injury. 

So, why has Hodgson launched this attack towards the lad?  It's not like he's been a part of the team lately and performed poorly.  If he had, I can understand why.  This has all the makings of an Agger situation.  Lets slag any player who has an attacking mentality, as it doesn't meet with Hodgson's mind set.

We all know that Glen isn't the sort of player who isn't comfortable sitting deep and defending.  His mind set is to attack.  Which is why some have said that he could do a job in midfield.

This appears to be an unwarranted attack towards the lad out of nowhere.

Not if he's getting chucked out of nightclubs when injured (or is it aeroplanes?) 

Roy does seem a bit hot on the old discipline front, so maybe this "incident" triggered the need for a public dressing down.

[surfer. Fuck you generator.]

Sensible decision. Johnson's unnecessary in a team molded to play without any sensible width. Fuck him off.

[Fanxxxxtastic]

Yes. That's exactly what I'm saying. I work there and witnessed this.

And Fanxxxxtastic, no, I don't believe he should be under house arrest. However, when he's been playing like a total wanker, id like to think he's doing all he can to turn his form around, not going out the night before a match he would otherwise be in and getting in a fight with bouncers.

For example, Tim Cahill attended the same event and his evening passed off without any hassle.

I'm sure if Johnson had got into a fight with bouncers, it would have reached the press.

The only person I've heard anything of the like is from you.

Just because he was at the event you were at, it doesn't mean he's not striving to be fit.

[Trada]

Not if he's getting chucked out of nightclubs when injured (or is it aeroplanes?) 

Roy does seem a bit hot on the old discipline front, so maybe this "incident" triggered the need for a public dressing down.

Hang on a minute please can you give some evidence of him being chucked out of night clubs?

Where did this suddenly come from.

[Discipline]

I've said a few times and I'll say it again, Johnson is a luxury player.  He may not be the best defender but that isn't what he is renowned for.  It is his attacking play from the back that makes him the player he is.  Roy's agricultural tactics don't allow that.  But its not just Roy's tactics that are a problem.  The biggest problem is the lack of pace across the back 4.  If we had a couple of CB's with recovery pace, then we could play a higher line and pin our opponents back and that is when players like Johnson come into their own.  We could have Maicon/Alves down the right and Evra/Cole down the left and they would both look terrible simply because of the defensive line we play.  It happened last season with Rafa where I felt our defensive line fell back by about 10 yards and this year there has been a conscious pull back of our defensive line.  Johnson might not fit in with what we are trying to achieve but watch him move to Spurs and play really well and dominate again.  Its a shame that he has been subject to criticism because again he is one of the proper footballers in our squad.

+1.

Good post.

[Les Willis]

Hang on a minute please can you give some evidence of him being chucked out of night clubs?

Where did this suddenly come from.

I just read it on this thread from an eyewitness. 

[Marko B]

Maybe the buffoon should recognise his own failings and how his system of playing curtails and renders any attacking fullback useless. Once again the man passes the buck and tries to shift blame from where it should rightfully fall

[Rigden]

This stuff should be dealt behind closed door. Poor player management by Roy, openly criticizing a player.

[Alonso_The_Assassin]

Roy should've done this behind closed doors. However it is Roy we're talking about here; a muzzle is certainly needed, but that's a notion we already know all too well judging by recent history.

In saying that though, it dosen't mean I don't agree with he's saying.

Johnson's been pretty average for us barring the first couple of months last season.

So much potential to be a world class player. Has he got the application though? That's something we probably can't answer, as we only see the guy on the playing pitch and not the training paddock.

[Trada]

I just read it on this thread from an eyewitness. 

No it's someone who said they were an eyewitness a big difference.

I could say I witnessed Rooney shagging Mr Alex Ferguson up the ass doesn't make it true.

Now there is an eyewitness report to spread better than spreading shit about our own players.

[surfer. Fuck you generator.]

I'm sure if Johnson had got into a fight with bouncers, it would have reached the press.

You would be surprised the amount of shit sports men / women get away with, even these days. Anyway, like you say, doesn't matter what he does in terms of amateur shit like this as long as he's putting in the work.

Johnson's problem, a bit like Agger's (when he was fit, apparently he's not now), is the team set-up. He's simply no use when you take away one of his main strengths by not targetting the wide areas in attack. He's just about a competent defender, but in a set up that requires decent defending with the enjoyment of hoofing and not wandering too far forward often, why bother with paying out 120 k a week when Kelly can do just as well. Even Carra could.

Kill off all our decent ball players and then moan about a major rebuilding plan. Fucking A. You can see, even on this thread, how the number of top level players in our squad is now only three. It's not Hodgson's fault, doing anything decent with this squad would be a great achievement.

Like fuck it is. 

[shanklyboy]

Yes. That's exactly what I'm saying. I work there and witnessed this.

And Fanxxxxtastic, no, I don't believe he should be under house arrest. However, when he's been playing like a total wanker, id like to think he's doing all he can to turn his form around, not going out the night before a match he would otherwise be in and getting in a fight with bouncers.

For example, Tim Cahill attended the same event and his evening passed off without any hassle.

Take out the fact that he acted like a gobshite how is it relevent to him getting fit by going out the night before a game he wan't going to be fit for?

What Cahill did or didn't do has nothing to do with it.

[Vladi Legend]

I'm going to back Roy here. Whether or not he should be criticising Johnson in front of the media is debatable but it could well be the kick up the arse Glenn needs. People slag Roy for being too soft and as soon as he tries to get a grip of his players guess what he gets slagged again. There's been people commenting in this thread who haven't even read the article properly. Contrary to what "Roy said" Glenn isn't going to Spurs that's just pure media hype. There's no sources or direct quotes on him moving to Tottenham it was just a case of "XYZ team" needs a new full back and he's worked with old 'Arry before so obviously he'd like to go and play for them.....

The fact is Glenn has very rarely produced his Portsmouth / England form for us so without question he needs to step it up.

[karrmadamaii]

Apparently so.  There were countless articles by the usual suspects about how Benitez was in no position to criticise senior players too.  Here's one http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/columnists/steve-stammers/After-criticising-Gerrard-and-Carragher-Rafa-Benitez-needs-to-learn-what-goes-on-in-the-dressing-room-stays-in-the-dressing-room-article132001.html


Expect the same treatment for Hodgson tomorrow - or maybe not.

Since it's by the usual suspects, and there isn't any certainty over this whole player power matter/rumour, it's hard for me to take in the above piece.

The cynical me says that it's alright to criticize the players that aren't liked, or in the good books. It sucks.

[karrmadamaii]

I'm going to back Roy here. Whether or not he should be criticising Johnson in front of the media is debatable but it could well be the kick up the arse Glenn needs. People slag Roy for being too soft and as soon as he tries to get a grip of his players guess what he gets slagged again. There's been people commenting in this thread who haven't even read the article properly. Contrary to what "Roy said" Glenn isn't going to Spurs that's just pure media hype. There's no sources or direct quotes on him moving to Tottenham it was just a case of "XYZ team" needs a new full back and he's worked with old 'Arry before so obviously he'd like to go and play for them.....

The fact is Glenn has very rarely produced his Portsmouth / England form for us so without question he needs to step it up.

Very rarely?

Almost every time when he played last season, he was always our first attacking outlet on the right after Kuyt has has held the ball up for him.

The things that clouds this:
1) are the fact that when he losses the ball or the attack breaks down, then he doesn't get back in time.
2) he doesn't have a great game consistently against the big sides as they nullify him.

Why does everyone like to make statements like that without finding out the bloody root cause. If Alves was here he'd struggle too.

[steelersmark]

I'm sure if Johnson had got into a fight with bouncers, it would have reached the press.

The only person I've heard anything of the like is from you.

Just because he was at the event you were at, it doesn't mean he's not striving to be fit.

Well I'm not lying. He paid over his bar tab so our boss wouldn't tell the paps. If you think I'm lying, fine. But I really do work there and I really did see him getting kicked out and I really do have a picture of him outside while some of his entourage are dealing with the aftermath. As someone has said, not everything makes the papers straight away.

And shanklyboy, the point I'm making is that the guy is hardly giving a great impression is he. I used the example of Cahill to show that I'm not anti footballers going out per se, but when he's playing shit and meant to be hurt, I would like to think he's doing everything he can to get fit and turn his form around. Running up a £450 bar tab before being thrown down the Pan Am steps backwards and into the side of a taxi, isn't really the way.

[ALPH1217]

Good on ya, Roy. Johnson's been shocking this year and maybe this is what he needs to wake up.

[fowler9_god]

Roy is shrewd, in front of the media. He washes his hands clean of everything. He puts in an excuse in the form that the media would understand. He knows the Glen isn't going to perform with the system he is comfortable with, and hence he has already made sure that the pressure is on the player and not on him.

Did something similar with Torres, said that it's the world cup and that the boy is in depression. The media enjoys that as it gives them stories to write about. And it serves Roy's purpose. He washes his hands clean of things even before they have become an issue. He is a self serving, selfish man who knows how his image won't be tarnished. His lies have been repeated so many times in the media that right now getting this team into the top half looks like an achievement, while his predeccesor was sacked because he could not get us into 4th place, which we felt short by a massive 7 points.

It's getting ridiculous how the man plays the media. But the Liverpool fans are seeing through it.

Get out of the club sir, before you do any further damage.

[free_at_last]

fuckin sick of roy mouthin off

Seriously - what is hodgson's game?
 Is he a manc mole intent on finishing us off for his boyfriend fergie?
 Is he a secret Liverpool hater who wants it as his only achievement - the man who stopped Liverpool in their tracks?
 Is he just some megalomaniac that thinks -"look what I can do with impugnity"?
 It's like somebody walking into your house, throwing the T.V out of the window then nestling down on the couch with your missus and your bottle of scotch.