Topic: Glen Johnson 3.0. Bossing it, much better than Windows 8.

[Mutton Geoff]

i will just repeat myself here, i would rather Glen in our team than the oppositions. The lad is quality that is glaringly obvious to most people!

[Anywhichwayicant]

Has been very good for the vast majority of the season, imo. Has definitely been suspect defensively on a couple of occasions, mainly due to the fact he's attacking so much, but also just quite simply a case of poor defending.


I think someone like a Masch in the team would benefit Johnson immensely, as he covered that RB so many times for us when he was here. I think in the current system, we usually see Skrtel cover for Johnson, in that channel, which then leads to a shortage of defenders in central areas.


Overall, definitely one of our better and most consistent players this season, in my opinion.

[ConqueredAllOfEurope]

This is the second time I'm bringing up a Glen Johnson thread and I'm not ashamed. He was fucking awesome today imo. Obviously the attackers will get all the plaudits today but I thought he attacked and defended really well today.

[Durlmints]

This is the second time I'm bringing up a Glen Johnson thread and I'm not ashamed. He was fucking awesome today imo. Obviously the attackers will get all the plaudits today but I thought he attacked and defended really well today.

Yeah he was great today. If he had his shooting boots on he could have had a hat-trick.

Covered the flank really well.

[swoopy]

Really poor.. again.. I'm not meaning to be negative but he's honestly no where near as good as some of you make him out to be

[B0151?]

Really poor.. again.. I'm not meaning to be negative but he's honestly no where near as good as some of you make him out to be

ok mate 

[swoopy]

ok mate 

He's really not though... His defensive ability is woefully lacking. You can't have a serious conversation on this place. If you say something bad about a player you just get stupid replies like yours that offer nothing to reply to

[Danny_]

Don't say Benitle the moderator's name 3 times or he will appear.

[SwissV]

Don't say Benitle the moderator's name 3 times or he will appear.

Benitle Benitle Benitle.....

[Samee]

Really poor.. again.. I'm not meaning to be negative but he's honestly no where near as good as some of you make him out to be

Couple of subpar games and it's all undone.

[The 5th Benitle]

Haha I love the fact you think you 'can't have an opinion'. Of course you can. But if its a boneheaded one, you'll be challenged on it. And rightly so.

Are you against people disagreeing with you? What do you want, people to lose their ability tojudge a player and actually agree with these palpably ludicrous opinions you have on Johnson? Sorry!

But yeah, 'can't have an opinion on this place'. Jesus wept that's idiotic.

[mrantarctica]

To be honest I thought he was only average against Zenit. Seemed a bit slow on the ball, and misplaced quite a few passes. His aggression and intensity were really good though, but unfortunately he's just been a bit imprecise of late and that's a key flaw in the role that he plays. Still, one of our better players this season and one of the best in the league.

[keyo]

interesting last couple of pages on the thread....from "not being allowed to criticise" to the kop of the 80's never accepted shit performances to kenny's teams even got booed loads of times back in the day.....i managed to eventually get back to glen johnson!!!

i have not seen either zenit game, and missed the swansea game, so cannot say much about his form - other than it must be incrdibly volatile given the responses on here ("awesome" "shit again" "best in the country" "was he pissed?")

what i would say, is that this year he has generally been fantastic, he has had plenty of opportunities to show what he can do going forward - and shown plenty - shown what an athlete he is by getting up and down so often, and showing massive workrate, and has shown good solid defending generally, although i still feel he allows crosses in too much, and his chosen (apparent) method of defending - cutting off the angles so the ball does not get wide to his man, and then recovering if it does - tends to lead to his man getting too much space when he does get the ball...but he defends well generally, and going forward he is fantastic

then why do i get particularly wound up by him when he has a poor game?  he does not have more than anyone else in the team (generally, he has less) and even playing poorly he tends to contribute, so what is it that bugs me?  is it that he lets himself down?  is it that he could be doing more, even when off-form?  is it that his mistakes seem to be careless, and due to a lack of focus?  the most annoying thing i can ever pick up when he is playing poorly is his "shuffling" passes inside which often leave the receiver in trouble because the ball not played firmly enough and there is an opponent in attendance.....

even that is on a bad day......and i know from attending matches, johnso used to get a bit of stick from the crowd generally, but thought his game over time has become sound in all aspects.....so, why does he annoy and frustrate me so much??  can only be because the expectations get heightened with him?  or is it the casual lethargy that seems to take over when he is on a bad day?

fuck it, i suppose if you can have favourites, you can have "least favourites" too?!?!!?

[Danny_]

Benitle Benitle Benitle.....

I told you not to do it!!!

[Danny_]

i have not seen either zenit game, and missed the swansea game, so cannot say much about his form - other than it must be incrdibly volatile given the responses on here ("awesome" "shit again" "best in the country" "was he pissed?")

what i would say, is that this year he has generally been fantastic, he has had plenty of opportunities to show what he can do going forward - and shown plenty - shown what an athlete he is by getting up and down so often, and showing massive workrate, and has shown good solid defending generally, although i still feel he allows crosses in too much, and his chosen (apparent) method of defending - cutting off the angles so the ball does not get wide to his man, and then recovering if it does - tends to lead to his man getting too much space when he does get the ball...but he defends well generally, and going forward he is fantastic

Giving your man space and allowing him to cross the ball is not good defending - it is called being caught out of position.  I tend to agree with a lot of the above - someone remarked that Johnson looks like he was a better defender on the left than the right.  I think this is because he has to concentrate more.  And that is his worst weakness for me - his concentration is poor.  He's often caught ball watching because of this or gives his man too much space.  That's the bad.

The good.  Going forward, he is fantastic.  Some people see that as an acceptable trade off.  I am not one of them but I understand that point of view.  If he actually was able to improve this aspect of his game, I agree that he would be world class.  But, he is a senior player now and it has always been that way for as long as I have been watching him.  I don't know if it can be coached out of him - maybe the right person could do it.  I don't think he is awful defensively - I think he is average.  Overall, I guess that makes him a very good player. 

[keyo]

Giving your man space and allowing him to cross the ball is not good defending - it is called being caught out of position.  I tend to agree with a lot of the above - someone remarked that Johnson looks like he was a better defender on the left than the right.  I think this is because he has to concentrate more.  And that is his worst weakness for me - his concentration is poor.  He's often caught ball watching because of this or gives his man too much space.  That's the bad.

The good.  Going forward, he is fantastic.  Some people see that as an acceptable trade off.  I am not one of them but I understand that point of view.  If he actually was able to improve this aspect of his game, I agree that he would be world class.  But, he is a senior player now and it has always been that way for as long as I have been watching him.  I don't know if it can be coached out of him - maybe the right person could do it.  I don't think he is awful defensively - I think he is average.  Overall, I guess that makes him a very good player. 

what i said was that his method of defending tends to be stopping the ball getting there, which tends to be high risk as it leaves his man time and space which he then has to close.......the problem being is that he will always be on the back foot getting there....

there is an element of concentration involved in terms of closing space, but i don't think defensively johnson is as bad as you say in some of the things you talk about......he is aggressive in defending, trying to cut out the ball and work in the space that can lead to counters rather than standing goal side of his man and letting him receive but leaving no room to work in

[LiverBirdKop]

Very poor yesterday. Lethargic. Had miles of space in front of him on attack and stopped 2/3s up the field to misplace a pass quite a few times. He's not a very good defender imo and when his going forward game is not on he seems to lose concentration.

[Discipline]

Personally feel he should sit one out. Think he's played far too much and looks a little fatigued.

[MassDriver]

His general decision making and presence of mind on the pitch has been poor to say the least.

I am in the 'He is not as good as he is made out to be' camp. I usually never resort to singling out players but Johnson has not been playing all that great recently.

[Discipline]

He's been our most consistent player this season. He's not been all that great recently because he's tired. Not only does he have to add prescence in the final third (as he's A LOT more efficient than Downing) he also needs to defend.

[MassDriver]

He's been our most consistent player this season. He's not been all that great recently because he's tired. Not only does he have to add prescence in the final third (as he's A LOT more efficient than Downing) he also needs to defend.

His presence is of fuck all use to us if his decision making remains as poor as it has been. And the way he ambles back to defend without showing any signs of urgency drives me insane.

Please, lets not blame his deficiencies on Downing.

[Hazell]

Couple of subpar games and it's all undone.

Indeed. Prior to the West Brom game, the last time I can recall him having anything close to a bad game was in August/September.

[davidg]

Started the game really well, was bombing on the outside of Downing and looking his usual self. That knock he took right in front of the Kemlyn seemed to knock the stuffing out of him and he struggled after that.

Goes without saying how well he has played this season.

[LFCDad]

Started the game really well, was bombing on the outside of Downing and looking his usual self. That knock he took right in front of the Kemlyn seemed to knock the stuffing out of him and he struggled after that.

Goes without saying how well he has played this season.

Yeah i noticed that, but fucking he wasnt a shit as hes made out to be here, he just had an average game, don't see how people are knocking him for his defending based on last night...

[Anywhichwayicant]

Said it while he was at left back a while back, he`s better at left back imo.

[elpistolero7]

A bit off form of late, hasn't looked the same since the last England international. Maybe a rest will do him some good, as he definitely isnt' on form.

Good player on form, very handy going forward, average defensively. Most overrated LFC player on RAWK ever.

[elpistolero7]

He's been our most consistent player this season. He's not been all that great recently because he's tired. Not only does he have to add prescence in the final third (as he's A LOT more efficient than Downing) he also needs to defend.

Suarez, Gerrard, Henderson....

[Discipline]

Indeed. Prior to the West Brom game, the last time I can recall him having anything close to a bad game was in August/September.

Can only think of Arsenal at Anfield myself.

[Discipline]

Suarez, Gerrard, Henderson....

... are all Liverpool players?

[davidg]

Yeah i noticed that, but fucking he wasnt a shit as hes made out to be here, he just had an average game, don't see how people are knocking him for his defending based on last night...

He's set high standards for himself this season. He was sound defensively last night, just wasn't his usual marauding self going forward. The little break coming up will do him good.

[Discipline]

His presence is of fuck all use to us if his decision making remains as poor as it has been. And the way he ambles back to defend without showing any signs of urgency drives me insane.

Please, lets not blame his deficiencies on Downing.

If Johnson's decision making is poor, so is 3/4 of Liverpools squad. And that includes Suarez, Gerrard, and other key players in the team. Fact is, before Zenit away, he's been arguably our best player this season. Both in attack and defence. He's played far too many times this season, especially with the ground he covers.

And Downing is horrid. The amount of times he's BEHIND the actual fullback amazes me. There's a reason he doesn't do anything in attack. He's always kicking back sitting behind the full-back - pisses me off every game. And to add to that, good old Stewie is then praised for his "defensive duties" and solid performance covering Wisdom/GJ. 

[DeLeiva]

Best right back in the Prem bar none.

[elpistolero7]

Best right back in the Prem bar none.

For fucks sake. There's no way he's the best right back in the league with the amount he ballwatches and his defensive position at times. I'd have Ivanovic/Azipulcueta over him andy day of the week. If you look at the defensive side of things, I'm more comfortable with Kelly at RB. Good player mainly cause of his ability going forward. Again, most overrated player in the history of RAWK and that's saying something.

[justsean]

If Johnson's decision making is poor, so is 3/4 of Liverpools squad. And that includes Suarez, Gerrard, and other key players in the team. Fact is, before Zenit away, he's been arguably our best player this season. Both in attack and defence. He's played far too many times this season, especially with the ground he covers.

And Downing is horrid. The amount of times he's BEHIND the actual fullback amazes me. There's a reason he doesn't do anything in attack. He's always kicking back sitting behind the full-back - pisses me off every game. And to add to that, good old Stewie is then praised for his "defensive duties" and solid performance covering Wisdom/GJ.

I wholeheartedly disagree with your second paragraph but this isn't the Downing thread so I'll leave it.

Johnson had a great season but since the West Brom game has not looked his usual self.

[elpistolero7]

... are all Liverpool players?

More consistent than Johnson mate.

[subroc]

If Johnson's decision making is poor, so is 3/4 of Liverpools squad. And that includes Suarez, Gerrard, and other key players in the team. Fact is, before Zenit away, he's been arguably our best player this season. Both in attack and defence. He's played far too many times this season, especially with the ground he covers.

And Downing is horrid. The amount of times he's BEHIND the actual fullback amazes me. There's a reason he doesn't do anything in attack. He's always kicking back sitting behind the full-back - pisses me off every game. And to add to that, good old Stewie is then praised for his "defensive duties" and solid performance covering Wisdom/GJ.

I reckon his days in Liverpool are numbered - with the likes of Coutinho, Sterling and Assaidi in the team, once they settle/mature in the team, we will have no need for Downing anymore.

[Discipline]

For fucks sake. There's no way he's the best right back in the league with the amount he ballwatches and his defensive position at times. I'd have Ivanovic/Azipulcueta over him andy day of the week. If you look at the defensive side of things, I'm more comfortable with Kelly at RB. Good player mainly cause of his ability going forward. Again, most overrated player in the history of RAWK and that's saying something.

You're all talk lol.

I could understand if somebody said Rafael from the Mancs, but Ivanovic or Azpil? Are you serious?

Oh, and name more than one mistake he's done in the PL this season. I doubt you'll get many more than the Arsenal game at Anfield.

[Discipline]

More consistent than Johnson mate.

Suarez is the only one I could agree with to be honest.
Gerrard has picked up his form since Lucas' return no doubt, but he had a few poor games at the start of the season trying to adjust to Rodgers' philosophy early on.
Henderson has looked good in most of the games he's played in, but I'd have to pick GJ being more consistent as he's played a lot more games than Henderson this season.

[Discipline]

I reckon his days in Liverpool are numbered - with the likes of Coutinho, Sterling and Assaidi in the team, once they settle/mature in the team, we will have no need for Downing anymore.

We still have no one that can play on the right hand side bar maybe Sturridge or Suarez. Anyway, we should leave it for the Downing thread. We don't want to get this thread locked. Well, I don't anyway.

[LFCDad]

its funny how we spent years defending Glen Johnson from the roasting he used to get in the media

this season Football365 have acknowledged how great he has been, yet we have our fans going on the opposite warpath here. fucking nutters i tell ya