Johnson

[1664agreatyear]

Football
Roberto Mancini stands by criticism of Manchester City's Adam Johnson
• Adam Johnson 'refused to board bus' home from Wolves
• Roberto Mancini says comments will improve winger's game

Adam Johnson is congratulated by Edin Dzeko after scoring at Wolves but he was criticised by his manager afterwards. Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty Images
Tim Rich at Etihad Stadium
The Guardian, Sun 30 Oct 2011 22.30 GMT
Roberto Mancini faces yet more player unrest after it was reported that Adam Johnson initially refused to board the team bus after the Carling Cup victory at Molineux last Wednesday night. The winger was said to be angered by the Italian's public criticism, especially after a game in which he scored one goal and created another for Samir Nasri.
The 24-year-old was eventually persuaded on to the coach but, following the Carlos Tevez affair, the incident has further highlighted the problems Mancini faces in keeping his expensively assembled squad happy.
The City manager, however, said that he will not hold back from criticising the winger because he thinks the comments will make him a better player in the long run. In a post-match interview on Wednesday Mancini said that, even though City were leading Wolves 5-1, Johnson should have tracked back to stop Stephen Ward providing the assist for Jamie O'Hara. Mancini said he was "disappointed he doesn't put everything on to the pitch".
After Johnson had scored again against Wolves on Saturday Mancini defended his stance, saying it was a deliberate policy to provoke the player to greater heights. He added that the England manager, Fabio Capello, was of the same opinion and that Johnson could and should reach the same levels of performance as his team-mate David Silva.
"I am happy he is upset," said Mancini. "I love Adam. It is like with the children in your family. If you love your children, then sometimes you should be hard with them and Adam understands this. I say what I want because, if he were not a good player, then I wouldn't waste my time on him. But because he has everything, I don't want him stopping at this level. I want him up a level and then a level more.
"He has some characteristics that are different from other players and because of this he could become one of the top wingers in the game. If you have a top winger, you are going to win a lot of games. One versus one, he is incredible, every time he takes the ball out wide near the box, we can score a goal or at least have a chance."
Mancini's treatment of Johnson, whom he bought from Middlesbrough in his first transfer window as manager of City, called to mind comments from his predecessor, Mark Hughes, that the Italian was "autocratic". Hughes said of Mancini before the Manchester derby: "I am not sure if he indulges players, tries to get to know them or understand them. He never can put his arm around a player – he is not that sort of manager."
In bloodlessly removing Emmanuel Adebayor and Craig Bellamy, two of the most combustible footballers he inherited from Hughes, Mancini demonstrated his control of the dressing room at Eastlands even before the conflagration with Tevez that has dominated the start to City's season.
Mancini argued that his attitude towards Johnson came from a determination that the player should not fail. "I have seen so many players like Adam in my life, both when I played and since I have been a manager," he said, adding that Johnson had played with more discipline against Wolves at the Etihad Stadium than he had shown at Molineux.
"Sometimes players like Adam play very well in one game but only so-so the next. He should not think: 'I have scored a goal, this is enough.'
"He has played in the Premier League for two and a half seasons now and he has played for the national team. Fabio Capello and I are of the same opinion. A player like him should play well every game, like David Silva."
On Monday afternoon the City defender Kolo Touré will face an internal inquiry into the failed drugs test that brought him a six-month ban.
Related
Football
Manchester City


What a fucking slapped arse

[Ted Hughes]

Football
Roberto Mancini stands by criticism of Manchester City's Adam Johnson
• Adam Johnson 'refused to board bus' home from Wolves
• Roberto Mancini says comments will improve winger's game

Adam Johnson is congratulated by Edin Dzeko after scoring at Wolves but he was criticised by his manager afterwards. Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty Images
Tim Rich at Etihad Stadium
The Guardian, Sun 30 Oct 2011 22.30 GMT
Roberto Mancini faces yet more player unrest after it was reported that Adam Johnson initially refused to board the team bus after the Carling Cup victory at Molineux last Wednesday night. The winger was said to be angered by the Italian's public criticism, especially after a game in which he scored one goal and created another for Samir Nasri.
The 24-year-old was eventually persuaded on to the coach but, following the Carlos Tevez affair, the incident has further highlighted the problems Mancini faces in keeping his expensively assembled squad happy.
The City manager, however, said that he will not hold back from criticising the winger because he thinks the comments will make him a better player in the long run. In a post-match interview on Wednesday Mancini said that, even though City were leading Wolves 5-1, Johnson should have tracked back to stop Stephen Ward providing the assist for Jamie O'Hara. Mancini said he was "disappointed he doesn't put everything on to the pitch".
After Johnson had scored again against Wolves on Saturday Mancini defended his stance, saying it was a deliberate policy to provoke the player to greater heights. He added that the England manager, Fabio Capello, was of the same opinion and that Johnson could and should reach the same levels of performance as his team-mate David Silva.
"I am happy he is upset," said Mancini. "I love Adam. It is like with the children in your family. If you love your children, then sometimes you should be hard with them and Adam understands this. I say what I want because, if he were not a good player, then I wouldn't waste my time on him. But because he has everything, I don't want him stopping at this level. I want him up a level and then a level more.
"He has some characteristics that are different from other players and because of this he could become one of the top wingers in the game. If you have a top winger, you are going to win a lot of games. One versus one, he is incredible, every time he takes the ball out wide near the box, we can score a goal or at least have a chance."
Mancini's treatment of Johnson, whom he bought from Middlesbrough in his first transfer window as manager of City, called to mind comments from his predecessor, Mark Hughes, that the Italian was "autocratic". Hughes said of Mancini before the Manchester derby: "I am not sure if he indulges players, tries to get to know them or understand them. He never can put his arm around a player – he is not that sort of manager."
In bloodlessly removing Emmanuel Adebayor and Craig Bellamy, two of the most combustible footballers he inherited from Hughes, Mancini demonstrated his control of the dressing room at Eastlands even before the conflagration with Tevez that has dominated the start to City's season.
Mancini argued that his attitude towards Johnson came from a determination that the player should not fail. "I have seen so many players like Adam in my life, both when I played and since I have been a manager," he said, adding that Johnson had played with more discipline against Wolves at the Etihad Stadium than he had shown at Molineux.
"Sometimes players like Adam play very well in one game but only so-so the next. He should not think: 'I have scored a goal, this is enough.'
"He has played in the Premier League for two and a half seasons now and he has played for the national team. Fabio Capello and I are of the same opinion. A player like him should play well every game, like David Silva."
On Monday afternoon the City defender Kolo Touré will face an internal inquiry into the failed drugs test that brought him a six-month ban.
Related
Football
Manchester City


What a fucking slapped arse

Ok nice find, & I'm taking it your 'slapped arse' comment is a joke.

This is absolute quality stuff by Bob & I absolutely take huge pleasure in the fact hat he rates AJ amd wants to make a player out of him.

[twosips]

I echo those sentiments. Love this. Brilliant stuff.

[1950]

Ok nice find, & I'm taking it your 'slapped arse' comment is a joke.

Refusing to board the bus? This is exactly the kind of arrogant jerkoff behaviour that Johnson is prone to & one reason why he should be singled out for criticism.

[phips]

I completely agree that Mancini is in his right to be criticizing Johnson cuz its for AJ's own good. Mancini can do that as the manager.

However, what I don't agree with is Mancini's public criticism of AJ...to the press etc. Maybe its just a U.S. thing where most sports coaches understand that you shouldnt really criticize a player to the media, but rather do it behind closed doors. I could see why AJ would be upset and being publicly criticized.
Probably just me though...

[Tokyo Blue]

Perhaps he has tried to do this in private and Johnson hasn't taken any notice. Basically we have got no idea what exactly has gone on in the two years prior to this that Mancini has been manging Johnno.

[carl_feedthegoat]

I completely agree that Mancini is in his right to be criticizing Johnson cuz its for AJ's own good. Mancini can do that as the manager.

However, what I don't agree with is Mancini's public criticism of AJ...to the press etc. Maybe its just a U.S. thing where most sports coaches understand that you shouldnt really criticize a player to the media, but rather do it behind closed doors. I could see why AJ would be upset and being publicly criticized.
Probably just me though...

Rightly or wrongly...at least we now know for sure why the manager picks on him now and again...no second guessing for us fans...Also it looks like the little shit hasn't learnt his lesson if the story of him refusing to board the bus is true...I would have left him there if I was Mancini.

I thought something was up when he didn't celebrate the goal he scored at the weekend but if he doesn't start to play ball then he will be sold...I will back Mancini either way.

I'm becoming a right fucking Mancini licker lately.

[Kladze]

Perhaps he has tried to do this in private and Johnson hasn't taken any notice. Basically we have got no idea what exactly has gone on in the two years prior to this that Mancini has been manging Johnno.

What we DO know is that Johnson does NOT play up to his potential and when starting a game he rarely has any real impact on the game. Someone needs to turn him into a 90 minute player - enter Mr R Mancini.

[Kladze]

I thought something was up when he didn't celebrate the goal he scored at the weekend but if he doesn't start to play ball then he will be sold...I will back Mancini either way.

Same here.

I'm becoming a right fucking Mancini licker lately.

Same here...........

[Tokyo Blue]

Perhaps he has tried to do this in private and Johnson hasn't taken any notice. Basically we have got no idea what exactly has gone on in the two years prior to this that Mancini has been manging Johnno.

What we DO know is that Johnson does NOT play up to his potential and when starting a game he rarely has any real impact on the game. Someone needs to turn him into a 90 minute player - enter Mr R Mancini.

Indeed.

[Slim]

I'm becoming a right fucking Mancini licker lately.

Same here...........

Thirded.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Perhaps he has tried to do this in private and Johnson hasn't taken any notice. Basically we have got no idea what exactly has gone on in the two years prior to this that Mancini has been manging Johnno.

What we DO know is that Johnson does NOT play up to his potential and when starting a game he rarely has any real impact on the game. Someone needs to turn him into a 90 minute player - enter Mr R Mancini.

That's the main thing here. It's not like he is saying anything us supporters didn't already know. Johnson does few eye catching moves in a game to display his natural ability and then fades away. Mancini wants to help him to become player he can be. If however he himself isn't committed to that then he will have to find new home down the line. The way we are as a club now, we don't have time for any half arsed players.

[Tony P]

in the two years prior to this that Mancini has been manging Johnno.

No wonder he's upset.

[1664agreatyear]

Ok nice find, & I'm taking it your 'slapped arse' comment is a joke.

Refusing to board the bus? This is exactly the kind of arrogant jerkoff behaviour that Johnson is prone to & one reason why he should be singled out for criticism.

No it wasn't a joke, as the above poster says, refusing to board the bus is acting like a child ..
Grow some balls AJ

[Ted Hughes]

Ok nice find, & I'm taking it your 'slapped arse' comment is a joke.

Refusing to board the bus? This is exactly the kind of arrogant jerkoff behaviour that Johnson is prone to & one reason why he should be singled out for criticism.

No it wasn't a joke, as the above poster says, refusing to board the bus is acting like a child ..
Grow some balls AJ

And I take it Mancini has confirmed this & people are not just deciding to hang the player on the strength of one line wich reads : it was reported that Adam Johnson initially refused to board the team bus? Especially when our usually strict manager had no problem bringing on said player AFTER the alleged strop took place ?

I'm sure you must have other, reliable, sources, as to jump the gun in this way & slag off our player who scored in the last two games & was praised by his manager afterwards, without even knowing if the story is true or what the circumstances were, would be a fucking joke wouldn't it ?

[Tokyo Blue]

in the two years prior to this that Mancini has been manging Johnno.

No wonder he's upset.

Nice spot. :-)

[stefano]

may be Johnson would do well to study history of Alvaro-"the best left foot after maradona"-Recoba

[mcfc1632]

I thought something was up when he didn't celebrate the goal he scored at the weekend but if he doesn't start to play ball then he will be sold...I will back Mancini either way.

Same here.

I'm becoming a right fucking Mancini licker lately.

Same here...........

X 3 on both

It is getting like a love-in on here recently - we need some friction to lighten things up

[Kladze]

I thought something was up when he didn't celebrate the goal he scored at the weekend but if he doesn't start to play ball then he will be sold...I will back Mancini either way.

Same here.

I'm becoming a right fucking Mancini licker lately.

Same here...........

X 3 on both

It is getting like a love-in on here recently - we need some friction to lighten things up

Ok

Fuck you !

[carl_feedthegoat]

To put things into perspective Mancini has a pop at Hart.

Roberto Mancini gave Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart a word of warning over his technique in the wake of Vincent Kompany's red card against Wolves.

Hart's parry led to the Wolves penalty and Kompany's dismissal that almost allowed the visitors back into Saturday's game.

Mancini said: “It would be better next time if he deflected the ball round the post because two or three times the deflection has been to the front and that is dangerous."