AJ considering leaving.

[Blue in North London]

Being picked for England appears to have inflated his ego.

He does appear to talk to the press quite a bit. If only he put in as much effort into maintaining his fitness levels so that he doesn’t run out of puff after 45mins in every game he plays.

He has played over 30 games in less than a year for a club that is looking to break the top 4. Prior to that he was playing in the Championship. You would think he’d be happy.

[london blue 2]

Probably our most exciting prospect (aside from MJ ;) ) yeah fuck him off cos he's spoken to the press, while we're there can we do the same to Tevez... how dare they.

[Beefymcfc]

well, good job for him he shone when given the chance on satur..

Pretty much my first thought too. He didn't exactly perform like somebody who was desperate to make a point and keep his place in the team did he.

It's true he didn't but part of the trouble with us at the moment is that we are looking for ( hoping for) an individual to make something happen through a bit of individual brilliance and I don't think it's very fair to have a go at somebody who doesnt produce this whether it's AJ or Carlos or Silva or whoever. It should be more about the whole team pressurising the opposition and making things happen rather than giving it to the few speciall attacking players and praying they will do it.

All AJ is saying here is entirely logical but I would just have preferred he hadn't actually said it to the press. Not always easy when they get their teeth into you I am sure but why didn't he just refuse to do the interview.

Very true Doug and it's hard to ask any player to go through 3 banks of players then find no-one in the box; he ended up having to pass it back or sideways once the banks of players withdrew into a solid wall. If he is to play from the start, he needs forward players to open the space for him, not left to try and cut solid defences open single-handed like Carlos and Silva are left to do.

Seems however, that the press have found a stick to beat us with again, even if it is a non-story. And for those who've jumped on the Sun's Vendetta Bandwagon, read just the quotes and tell us exactly what he has said wrong?

[Beefymcfc]

Looking back at the thread, it seems that the press' job is done!

[the_georgian_genius]

He needs to change his attitude, start producing some decent performances for 90 mins, stop being a pisshead and stop thinking he's Messi after 25 premier league games otherwise he won't be looking to go anywhere, he will be forced to go elsewhere.

Great talent, could be one of the best, terrible, terrible attitude though.

Big time charlie! Sort your head out Johnno!

[johnny crossan]

This is a clear come on to other clubs from his agent. AJ sees his chances of displacing Mario & Milner in Mancini's first choice team as very low I think.

Where does his agent come into this?

I thought they all had a press agent, he doesn't just wander in to a room for an interview with the Murdoch empire without a script does he?

[saulman]

Looking back at the thread, it seems that the press' job is done!

They're doing a mighty fine job at the moment. AJ has been on their radar for a little while now. Whether that's not getting in the team or just pissing his life up the wall, they seem to be latching onto him for a story.

I suspect all City players will be targeted one way or another. There should be a complete ban on anyone talking to the press, IMO.
Maybe Marwood should do a deal with one of the reputable broadsheets for news and leave the rest to speculate and feed off the scraps of any real stories. (which is what they do anyway)

[london blue 2]

uh oh.. I sense a "the press hate man city" thread brewing...

[brite blu sky]

well, good job for him he shone when given the chance on satur..

Pretty much my first thought too. He didn't exactly perform like somebody who was desperate to make a point and keep his place in the team did he.

It's true he didn't but part of the trouble with us at the moment is that we are looking for ( hoping for) an individual to make something happen through a bit of individual brilliance and I don't think it's very fair to have a go at somebody who doesnt produce this whether it's AJ or Carlos or Silva or whoever. It should be more about the whole team pressurising the opposition and making things happen rather than giving it to the few speciall attacking players and praying they will do it.

All AJ is saying here is entirely logical but I would just have preferred he hadn't actually said it to the press. Not always easy when they get their teeth into you I am sure but why didn't he just refuse to do the interview.

AJ is coming across as really quite naive even for a 23 year old, look at his facebook page and he has a profile pici of him as an England player.. that says a lot to me about his state of mind. As DH says and others this press stuff is a load of bollox as usual, but he shouldn't answer questions he should know will get twisted.
He has so much to learn as jinking past a couple of players only pleases easily pleased supporters, it is what you do after that, that gives the team something.

aside form that there are some really ill thought out posts on this thread.

Beefymcfc wrote:
Looking back at the thread, it seems that the press' job is done!

[Curlie]

Spoilt little rich kid.
AJ needs to grow up, knucke down, remember who is employer is and turn in some consistent good performances. For me he nothing more than a squad player at the moment and needs to show the manager in training and when he gets a game, that he should start more often.
Anyone know does he have a role model, big brother figure at City who can tell him whats what when it is needed. After all he is still only a child - or at least that what recent behaviour would suggest.

[Beefymcfc]

This is a clear come on to other clubs from his agent. AJ sees his chances of displacing Mario & Milner in Mancini's first choice team as very low I think.

Where does his agent come into this?

I thought they all had a press agent, he doesn't just wander in to a room for an interview with the Murdoch empire without a script does he?

He doesn't need an agent to do an interview but the whole Sun story was based on an interview on Key103. This was the supposed quote that the whole story was based on:

The forward, 23, said: "Every footballer has to think about it when the time comes.

"It is still early but I definitely would consider it."

Johnson made his comments the day after the disappointing goalless derby with Manchester United when he came on for the last 17 minutes.

Where did this quote come from as I cannot find it anywhere, especially after the Derby, and if it is a real quote what was the question asked?

Here are some of the quotes from the original story:

'I wouldn't say I was great with it,' the 23-year-old told Key 103. 'I am the type of person that wants to play football all the time, so it is hard to watch.

'I will still do my best and try to get back into the team but it is a little bit frustrating because I started the season well and my form was really good.

'But I have still tended to find myself on the bench.'

'Last season I was playing from the start every game and I had the same impact,' he said.

'The game against Liverpool at the beginning of the season was great for me. Now I have to get my head down now and try to get back into the team.'

'The fans were brilliant when I was warming up,' he said. 'They wanted me to come on and were singing my name.

'They were trying to get me on as much as they could. It was great to hear that.'

Seeing that the 2 story's are very similar, it seems very strange that he would come out with th quote that changes the whole essence of the story. And if those quotes were true, why has it taken so long to publish it, and wrap it up in a positive article about AJ wanting to get into the squad?

So, in short mate:- ABSOLUTE CHINNERS BOLLOX!!!

[Bridge'srightfoot]

Maybe if we stopped insisting on forcing him to play as a right winger..

[coMs]

Adam Johnson
Premiership 13 games

started--(mins played)---sub apps--(mins played)---goals---------assists--------------won---------------drawn------------lost----------
----5----------(437)-----------7------------(129)--------1 (as sub)----1 (as starter)-----6 (2 starter)------4 (2 starter)-----2 (1 starter)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------(4 sub)------------(2 sub)-----------(1 sub)----
1 game did not play (1 loss)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Euopa 6 games

started (mins played)---subs apps--mins played---goals------------ --assists------won----------------- drawn-------------lost---------
----3--------(260)------------1------------(24)-----------1 (as starter)------0-----------2 (1 starter)--------1 (1 starter)-----1 (1 starter)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---(1 sub)---------------------------------------------
2 games did not play (2 wins)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

carling cup 1 game

started (mins played)---goals----assists----won----drawn----lost
---1-----------(90)-----------0----------0--------0---------0--------1 (1 starter) -------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TOTAL
----starts-----sub apps-----mins on pitch-----goals-----assists-----
------9------------8---------------(950)------------1-----------1--------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

im not sure what im trying to point out with these stats but i just thought they might help someones argument.
in my opinion though.......Hes not the messiah... (hes a very naughty boy)

[Renato_CTID]

Maybe if we stopped insisting on forcing him to play as a right winger..

Maybe if AJ could play in a squad with a true centre forward and a 2nd striker too!

[Bridge'srightfoot]

Maybe if we stopped insisting on forcing him to play as a right winger..

Maybe if AJ could play in a squad with a true centre forward and a 2nd striker too!

Exactly. He's too predicatble going down the right and defenders have learned to play him by showing him the outside.
He needs to play on the left where he can beat defenders for pace and whip crosses in.

[blues2win]

He needs to switch wings during matches. If he plays on the left he's shown inside because he can't shoot with his right foot. I don't think anyone sensibly expects him singlehanded to win matches all the time. Tevez and Silva aren't too shabby. Mancini just wants to see more from him than the odd flashy dribble or cross and he's right. But the fundamental problem is a lack of bodies in the box to attack crosses or through balls. We need Balotelli when he's back , Milner, Silva, Yaya, Barry or anyone to be making runs ahead of the ball. All we see at the moment is Tevez running back from the ball.

[carl_feedthegoat]

So basically Mancini hasnt a fucking clue how to use him.

Smashing.

[CityFanFromRome]

So basically Mancini hasnt a fucking clue how to use him.

Smashing.

So basically you have taken to turn anything said on this board into an attack to the manager.

Wonderful.

Mancini knows exactly what to do with AJ, which is, play him on the right wing so he can cut inside and shoot/cross with his left foot, then switch him with Milner during the game so that when he's on the left he can go down the flank and cross. The switching of the wingers can confuse the full backs at least right after it is done and that can lead to chances to score. Of course, for this plan to work, AJ actually has to make decent shots/crosses, dribble when required to free himself, and run into space so that his teammates can pick his runs and exploit his pace to create troubles to the opposition.

[carl_feedthegoat]

So basically Mancini hasnt a fucking clue how to use him.

Smashing.

So basically you have taken to turn anything said on this board into an attack to the manager.

Wonderful.

Mancini knows exactly what to do with AJ, which is, play him on the right wing so he can cut inside and shoot/cross with his left foot, then switch him with Milner during the game so that when he's on the left he can go down the flank and cross. The switching of the wingers can confuse the full backs at least right after it is done and that can lead to chances to score. Of course, for this plan to work, AJ actually has to make decent shots/crosses, dribble when required to free himself, and run into space so that his teammates can pick his runs and exploit his pace to create troubles to the opposition.

I cannot say anything positive about Mancini right now.......AJ was playing well and then he was taken out of the side and has been given bit parts to play................do you honestly fucking expect him to just carry on from when he last played???

[Pretty Boy Lee]

Carl do you honestly expect a proper answer when people actually used Shay Givens performance in the league cup, in front of a kindergarten back 4 as an excuse to justify his blackballing?

Shay was one of our top perfromers last season and Macnini has kept him here stewing, when he could have at least tried to please both keepers. If Aj has pissed him off, I sincerely doubt things will get much rosier here for him.