Jonno (The Original One!)

[daveh1962]

I think Johno has grown up mentally, he's been so close to losing what most people dream of. When it's almost/or taken away from you it can really open your eyes as I personally found out a couple of years ago. Yes, he's done his fair share of binge drinking, but you can blame some of that from our City culture with the likes of Barton etc having there own way due to weak management in years gone past.

Cut the guy some slack, I personally think if he can overcomecome his injuries, with time, he could and l hope he will be a massive asset to Manchester City Football Club.

Oh, it would seem our current owners and management staff seem to think the same........Guess what, they see him now day in day out and how much effort he's putting into his rehab'..... So just get off the young lads back!!

That's all well and good but this is not social security office, this is professional football club and one in the top end of the scale as well.

I'm sure everyone hopes he will make it but truth is he has very little room for error and it's time to move forward from his problems.

This is also case of massive double standards. While other players are ousted for their party boy culture, some others are given endless amount of chances[/b]. No some players were not good enough and some were good enough to perservere with Personally I'd move on any player whose head is not in it. Michael has great chance to show his skills to new regime now (i don't think current management have ANY opinion of him as they haven't seen him play) totally disagree the first opprotunity they could he was put back into the first team but is also under pressure to do it.

Some of the childish comments on this topic just goes to show that people rather look for background of the player rather than what he is doing for the club. In Michaels case it has not been lot in past few years. Here's for hoping it will all change now though.

Listen some people have to realise that when he burst on the scene he looked a genuinely top player in the Stephen Gerrard Frank Lampard mould an attacking goal scoring midfielder. He the got seriously injured as as a rich young man with not alot to do he did some stupid things who hasnt. He then got the chance to get back playing football and guess whathe got injured again. This time having grown up a bit he has not been as stupid. MJ I believe could save this club £25m. Lets hope so

[brite blu sky]

I think Johno has grown up mentally, he's been so close to losing what most people dream of. When it's almost/or taken away from you it can really open your eyes as I personally found out a couple of years ago. Yes, he's done his fair share of binge drinking, but you can blame some of that from our City culture with the likes of Barton etc having there own way due to weak management in years gone past.

Cut the guy some slack, I personally think if he can overcomecome his injuries, with time, he could and l hope he will be a massive asset to Manchester City Football Club.

Oh, it would seem our current owners and management staff seem to think the same........Guess what, they see him now day in day out and how much effort he's putting into his rehab'..... So just get off the young lads back!!

the argument over Johnno is a good one as it is a classic. not just a half empty half full argument, but also the very very important for football argument of development of potential.. seeing it, nurturing it and helping it grow. The argument is not about blind optimism it is about getting it right at an individual level with a human being whatever that takes. part of that is discipline.
I would back Johnno based on his uniqueness as a player, that starts with his vision and progresses into his calmness and movement. However that said i would not 'cut him some slack' as it were. There is a slightly intangible argument that a lot of people would agree with but they cant pin down quite why, that is that injuries and susceptibility to them are in some part brought about by not only lifestyle but attitude. Johnno needs to understand that he is not helping himself by having a messy life and irresponsible lifestyle. Even sports massage therapists are adopting a holistic approach these days where injuries are assessed in terms of the individuals mentality.. psychology if you will. All human beings are very complex and a bit like babies we need a lot of care and attention if we are to fulfill our potential. This is not some namby-pamby twaddle, it is about respect for our own complexity. Teachers who genuinely take an interest in each of their pupils and go the extra mile to tune how they deal with each kid, get far far better results and a far happier group. Same for managers in business. A lot of people in those positions try not to bother as it takes time and commitment and they cant be bothered. In football where there is time and money we have seen the expansion of the backroom staff to massive proportions, so basically they can tailor their work to the individual.
Johnno is obviously seen by the club as a player with potential, that reflects what the fans have seen as a player who oozes class. So the bottom line is that they are prepared to go the extra mile and try and resolve all that has to be to get him back on the field. A lot of effort was put into resolving his abdominal problem, in part because initially they couldn't pin it down, he went to a particular specialist who nailed it. My take is that it was a symptom of who and what Michael Johnson was and less to do with simply physical strain and activity... resting didnt solve it.
Some very erudite posters on here have suggested he needs to get his head sorted out first, well that is right, but it isnt enough to just yell 'get yer head straight lad'. Personally i am sure that the therapy he had to sort the abdominal strain was more of a holistic type.. in which case it would have been as much about making changes to his thinking and therefore way of life than anything else. His current injury may have been just unfortunate, but the hardcore in holistic thinking would suggest it that it was that he still wasn't ready and that manifested itself by being in the wrong place at the wrong time and not getting away with it.

My personal take on Johnno is that he is worth the effort, that he has had a long time to do a lot of thinking particularly after the crunch back down of his second injury, but if that is what it took for him to ask the questions of himself that needed to be asked then so be it. In my view this adds up to suggest that he can come back better than he was as much as it suggests he will be out of it. I dont see that as wishful thinking, i see it as progress in a human being in whatever way it comes out. We all need support and understanding at times and for me anyone who denies that.. well lets just say i fear for their kids.

[Mike J]

im sure sven has had a word with bobby manc about jonno. i reckon he will get as much time as he needs.

sven loved him.

[Ted Hughes]

im sure sven has had a word with bobby manc about jonno. i reckon he will get as much time as he needs.

sven loved him.

I'm absolutely certain that will be the case. He made Elano look twice the player he actually is.

I don't know the truth about his partying etc but I'm sure there's SOME truth in it. I noticed a real drop in his workrate under Sven & to me, he didn't look arsed by the end of the season either for City or england U21's. Tbf though it now looks like that was certainly down to carrying an injury which was genuinely hampering him from then on.

He's now had chance to sit & watch & see what he's missing. If he gets fit he may be a smarter player from the time spent watching the game & hopefully learning.

Peter Reid had a lot of injuries early in his career & seemed to be a write off, then came back, won almost everything & played on at the top level for years because of using his brain (& studs occasionally!). I know the game's changed Johnno's a way better footballer than him & would probably beat him in a sprint on crutches. If he gets fit I recon he'll be bloody good, for us or someone else.

Good luck Johnno.

[LookMumImOnMCF.net]

Obviously I wish Johnson all the best and like any City fan I hope he gets into the first team so we can see what he can do.

But singing his praises is very premature imo. He had half a good season and people are getting carried away. If he'd of carried on playing and suffered a dip in form, a la Ireland, I don't think people would still revere them as they do. Plus I'm not claiming to be itk, but a few people that I trust have seen the guy out in 365 every time they're in there with a bottle of beer in each hand.

As I say I hope he comes good, but he's still got everything to prove.

[Mase]

Just watched the video on the OS.
Right, firstly I'll start by saying I used to be of the opinion that Johnson was spoilt, didn't have what it takes to even become a decent Premiership player, wanted to piss away his career on gambling, drink, etc. But haven't watched that video and spoken to a few mates who have the same friends it seems like he's grown up a lot since his first injury and maybe his mentality has changed for the better.
My mates used to tell me all the time that he just wanted to lead a student life style but as a footballer. I think a lot has changed over the last few years though from what I've heard.
What he needs to do now is knuckle down and work hard, which from that interview it seems like he's more than prepared to do that. I'm more than willing to give him till the end of next season and see if he's on track, not because HE deserves it but because WE deserve it after showing so much faith in him. I was never lucky enough to see Colin Bell play, so I cannot agree or disagree with certain fans when they compare the two. But surely it's worth the risk. Over the last few years we've had a few 'kids' come through who've shown the promise to make us think 'This guy is the next big thing!" and we've seen players like Micah, Ireland, Nedum, to a certain extent, show us that promise but then follow it up by having a terrible next season.
We the fans deserve someone to come through the ranks and dare I say it be a Giggs or Scholes type who turn out to be brilliant consistant players and stay with us for their entire career. I'm not saying Johnson will definitely be that player, but for our sakes I'm hoping he will be.

[Dazzacity]

If we can get him fully fit, he'll be like a new signing to us. I think the fella has bags of tallent. I hope he can pick things up again..If not, it will be the biggest wasted tallent I have ever seen.

[Beefymcfc]

Mmmmm, if he plays a game or 2, do you reckon he's gonna be an instant call up for Fabio?

[Mase]

Mmmmm, if he plays a game or 2, do you reckon he's gonna be an instant call up for Fabio?

That rule only applies if you play for the rags mate.

[Beefymcfc]

Mmmmm, if he plays a game or 2, do you reckon he's gonna be an instant call up for Fabio?

That rule only applies if you play for the rags mate.

Oh I don't know mate. Fabio know's that Stevie G and Fat Frank are no longer the future of England Football, and from what I'm seeing of the current young crop, Johnno back to form would piss all over them.

[King Kev]

I'd have thought that the Original Jonno (or Johno) was Tommy?


Just saying.

[Adam Johnson's Big Toe]

I think Johno has grown up mentally, he's been so close to losing what most people dream of. When it's almost/or taken away from you it can really open your eyes as I personally found out a couple of years ago. Yes, he's done his fair share of binge drinking, but you can blame some of that from our City culture with the likes of Barton etc having there own way due to weak management in years gone past.

Cut the guy some slack, I personally think if he can overcomecome his injuries, with time, he could and l hope he will be a massive asset to Manchester City Football Club.

Oh, it would seem our current owners and management staff seem to think the same........Guess what, they see him now day in day out and how much effort he's putting into his rehab'..... So just get off the young lads back!!

That's all well and good but this is not social security office, this is professional football club and one in the top end of the scale as well.

I'm sure everyone hopes he will make it but truth is he has very little room for error and it's time to move forward from his problems.

This is also case of massive double standards. While other players are ousted for their party boy culture, some others are given endless amount of chances. Personally I'd move on any player whose head is not in it. Michael has great chance to show his skills to new regime now (i don't think current management have ANY opinion of him as they haven't seen him play) but is also under pressure to do it.

Some of the childish comments on this topic just goes to show that people rather look for background of the player rather than what he is doing for the club. In Michaels case it has not been lot in past few years. Here's for hoping it will all change now though.

Agree with what your saying there. If you take a look how Nick Weaver was like in the early days, he was a proper p@@shead. I saw him many time in Fridays.....hammered. But after his transplant he really did change and work hard, unfortunately he never got to the standards required, but he approach was to be admired. I hope Johno follows that example but aspires to great things for City

[Pretty Boy Lee]

Mmmmm, if he plays a game or 2, do you reckon he's gonna be an instant call up for Fabio?

That rule only applies if you play for the rags mate.

Oh I don't know mate. Fabio know's that Stevie G and Fat Frank are no longer the future of England Football, and from what I'm seeing of the current young crop, Johnno back to form would piss all over them.

Please point me in the direction of this illustrious patch of form young Michael had that saw him play at a level higher than frank lampard and Steven gerrard!

[sandman]

Mmmmm, if he plays a game or 2, do you reckon he's gonna be an instant call up for Fabio?

That rule only applies if you play for the rags mate.

Oh I don't know mate. Fabio know's that Stevie G and Fat Frank are no longer the future of England Football, and from what I'm seeing of the current young crop, Johnno back to form would piss all over them.

Please point me in the direction of this illustrious patch of form young Michael had that saw him play at a level higher than frank lampard and Steven gerrard!

Good point, I think Michael has shown glimpses of absolute genius but to an extent he has been our Owen Hargreaves, he may have all the talent in the world but beyond his injuries he has almost pissed it away. If he doesnt come good this season then i'd place an Ad for him in loot.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Mmmmm, if he plays a game or 2, do you reckon he's gonna be an instant call up for Fabio?

That rule only applies if you play for the rags mate.

Oh I don't know mate. Fabio know's that Stevie G and Fat Frank are no longer the future of England Football, and from what I'm seeing of the current young crop, Johnno back to form would piss all over them.

Please point me in the direction of this illustrious patch of form young Michael had that saw him play at a level higher than frank lampard and Steven gerrard!

That's EXACTLY what I meant on another topic when I said some people have made him almost like mythical figure in their heads. Truth is, before his injuries and off field problems he looked like hugely talented but EXTREMELY raw player. He would go on and disappear for long periods in games doing nothing. He DID have good eye for opening and was good tackler and passer of the ball. Seemed to have alright shot as well.

But to say he was better than Lampard or Gerrard even in glimpses is absolutely ridiculous. Micahel Johnson is 22 now and will turn 23 next season.

At his age Steven Gerrard had played 139 games for Liverpool and had already been to Euro 2000 and would have started in World Cup 2002 (four months younger than Johnson now) had he not had injury (yes, Gerrard suffered lot of injuries early in his career but was already world known star).

Also

At his age Frank Lampard, relative slow starter in his career, had racked up 158 games for West Ham scoring 39 goals in process. Lampard got his first cap 1999 as 20 year old but was still mostly playing for England U21's playing for them 16 times and scoring record breaking 9 goals.

NOW

Michael Johnson has played 37 games for us scoring twice. He has two England U21 caps to his name.

To even put these players in same bracket at that stage, nevermind after their all conquering careers, is nothing short of ridiculous.

[john@staustell]

Mmmmm, if he plays a game or 2, do you reckon he's gonna be an instant call up for Fabio?

That rule only applies if you play for the rags mate.

Oh I don't know mate. Fabio know's that Stevie G and Fat Frank are no longer the future of England Football, and from what I'm seeing of the current young crop, Johnno back to form would piss all over them.

Please point me in the direction of this illustrious patch of form young Michael had that saw him play at a level higher than frank lampard and Steven gerrard!

FMTWF

[Nick]

Some balls on here trying to say that MJ's lifestyle causes his injuries - WTF?! Hes not been out in manchester for absolute ages. Whereas most prem players are out constantly on nights out (that doesnt mean they get wasted).

Theres alot of bullshit rumours that go with MJ, but i always thought the most likely to be true was that he was told the ab problem would never go away; that led him to break down thinking he'd never make it and thats when he went on the piss.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Some balls on here trying to say that MJ's lifestyle causes his injuries - WTF?! Hes not been out in manchester for absolute ages. Whereas most prem players are out constantly on nights out (that doesnt mean they get wasted).

Theres alot of bullshit rumours that go with MJ, but i always thought the most likely to be true was that he was told the ab problem would never go away; that led him to break down thinking he'd never make it and thats when he went on the piss.

says feller who used to be stalking him all over Manchester bars.

[Buffalo Soldier]

Mmmmm, if he plays a game or 2, do you reckon he's gonna be an instant call up for Fabio?

That rule only applies if you play for the rags mate.

Oh I don't know mate. Fabio know's that Stevie G and Fat Frank are no longer the future of England Football, and from what I'm seeing of the current young crop, Johnno back to form would piss all over them.

Please point me in the direction of this illustrious patch of form young Michael had that saw him play at a level higher than frank lampard and Steven gerrard!

That's EXACTLY what I meant on another topic when I said some people have made him almost like mythical figure in their heads. Truth is, before his injuries and off field problems he looked like hugely talented but EXTREMELY raw player. He would go on and disappear for long periods in games doing nothing. He DID have good eye for opening and was good tackler and passer of the ball. Seemed to have alright shot as well.

But to say he was better than Lampard or Gerrard even in glimpses is absolutely ridiculous. Micahel Johnson is 22 now and will turn 23 next season.

At his age Steven Gerrard had played 139 games for Liverpool and had already been to Euro 2000 and would have started in World Cup 2002 (four months younger than Johnson now) had he not had injury (yes, Gerrard suffered lot of injuries early in his career but was already world known star).

Also

At his age Frank Lampard, relative slow starter in his career, had racked up 158 games for West Ham scoring 39 goals in process. Lampard got his first cap 1999 as 20 year old but was still mostly playing for England U21's playing for them 16 times and scoring record breaking 9 goals.

NOW

Michael Johnson has played 37 games for us scoring twice. He has two England U21 caps to his name.

To even put these players in same bracket at that stage, nevermind after their all conquering careers, is nothing short of ridiculous.

I think Beefy was implying that Johnson as he was 3 years ago would piss all over the current crop coming through (i.e. Huddlestone, Cattermole etc),

At least I hope that's what he meant.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

what about Milner, Young and Adam Johnson though?
Those are the ones he should be compared to. Someone like Cattermole will never be anything but curiosity.

Point I'm trying to make is that he deserves another chance for his natural talent but as things stand, his career is bit in limbo and if he plans to breakthrough next two years are vital for him. Right now only thing he has got are unreasonable expectations on his shoulders.