adam johnson

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Amazing stuff, 95% of people on here were screaming out for him to be played not long ago ... money is ruining some fans I reckon

It's crazy isn't it.

[Original Dub]

I don't find it amazing at all.

The players who you know are going to make it at the very top will pick up a few MOTM throughout the season. Like Tevez, Kompany, Silva, De Jong, Hart... they'll all be ok for this next step.

Johnson will need to stand out from the rest on quite a few occasions and while he has moments, I haven't seen this nearly often enough. He'll still score a few goals and maybe set one or two up, but so will most when you surround them with the players we have. We need amazing players in their respective positions and he has a good bit to go on that level.

And before I get the "he's still so young". He's about the same age as Messi as far as I know?

I don't want to get rid, but major improvements have to be made if he wants to be a regular starter as he says he does. He won't stay as a squad player.

[1950]

Amazing stuff, 95% of people on here were screaming out for him to be played not long ago ... money is ruining some fans I reckon

Because 'people on here' knew what he is capable of, albeit he only showed his 'brilliance' in patches and even then they were doubts over his stamina among other things.

Now he finally strung some games together & didn't exactly perform.

Nothing amazing about it to call it as it is, nothing to do with money & most certainly no ruining of fans going around.

[Colin the King]

That's a fair point about his age Ronan, by the start of next season he'll be 24 so the 'young player' argument has to be put aside now.

I can see him being a Kalou-like figure for us. Playing 15/20 or so games, contributing with a few valuable goals and assists, but ultimately not being one of the first names in the team every week. He's got tremendous ability, and can be an absolute joy to watch but there's a consistency lacking. Whether it starts to come when the pressure is really on for places, we'll see.

What we very simply need is a wide-player who has excellent delivery, but they're few and far between. We've scored TWO headed goals in the league this season, that is fucking atrocious. If we had high quality crosses/set piece taking throughout this season, (1 Dzeko would have five league goals by now and 2) We'd have third place sewn up, never mind battling to clinch it. If AJ was to spend all summer long in his garden practicing crosses, again and again and again, and came back in August with quality delivery (because it's one thing that's not a natural attribute, if you work on it, you can do it) to add to what he already offers, then we could start to think about him as one of the key players in the squad.

[Ted Hughes]

That's a fair point about his age Ronan, by the start of next season he'll be 24 so the 'young player' argument has to be put aside now.

I can see him being a Kalou-like figure for us. Playing 15/20 or so games, contributing with a few valuable goals and assists, but ultimately not being one of the first names in the team every week. He's got tremendous ability, and can be an absolute joy to watch but there's a consistency lacking. Whether it starts to come when the pressure is really on for places, we'll see.

What we very simply need is a wide-player who has excellent delivery, but they're few and far between. We've scored TWO headed goals in the league this season, that is fucking atrocious. If we had high quality crosses/set piece taking throughout this season, (1 Dzeko would have five league goals by now and 2) We'd have third place sewn up, never mind battling to clinch it. If AJ was to spend all summer long in his garden practicing crosses, again and again and again, and came back in August with quality delivery (because it's one thing that's not a natural attribute, if you work on it, you can do it) to add to what he already offers, then we could start to think about him as one of the key players in the squad.

I recon Mancini knows this is a problem (well if he didn't he be an idiot) & only a moron would sign Dzeko then not 'do' crosses. In his 1st full season, he's failed to address it but we could partially understand that as he's had other things to work on. Now, it should be a priority for next season & being in the Chump's Lg, I'm sure he'll sign some players to help solve it & try toget better quality from the present squad.

If the new players perform to the required level, AJ's lack of product will stand out like a sore thumb (he only has SWP as a comparison so far) so it will be a case of him understanding what is required &, as you say, practicing like fuck, or probably failing.

I'm sure if you were in AJ's position, you'd see that was neded & probably spend most of the summer working on improving, in order to grab the opportunity next season but AJ will probably get pissed, smoke, & chat up women who've been on 'Big Brother' instead.

[john@staustell]

He's a great asset to have in this team. He hasn't been quite the same since his injury but he will come good again, just watch him dribble a peno for us on Saturday!

He does face a challenge soon though as I am certain we will sign a new winger. will be interesting to see his response to that

Sometimes he's a great asset to have in the team. Other times he's a total waste of space as pointed out above. Unfortunately it's difficult to tell when he will be which!

Where Bobby really gets frustrated with him is his weakness in defending the flank. It's like having a bit of a hole in the system. But luckily with monsters like Richards and De Jong behind him it sort of covers this up a bit.

Wouldn't be surprised to see him stick around, as occasionally he gives up a bit of sheer magic before vanishing again. But wouldn't be surprised to see him moved on either.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Some people on this site never get wing play. They expect wingers to beat their fullback every game every time. You see the way it is with wingers, they all have games where they beat their fullback and games where they are in shadows all game. The difference between good and bad winger is how often they have sparkling games. I've seen Stephen Jordan completely overshadow Christiano Ronaldo. And I don't think anyone (except Dev) would call Stephen Jordan world class or Tranaldo second rate.

All the world's best wingers have off games. It's not like playing centerback where good centerback makes one or two crucial mistake all year while otherwise is always solid. If some people had their way we'd have 10 centerbacks playing for us. And yes, even as a striker. Some people are calling for Christopher Sambaesque player up front.

[Piccsnumberoneblue]

One of the things I like about Johnson is that he takes his full back on. He tries to get behind the defence. And there are few at our club who do that. Against that he isn't playing well or contributing much at the mo.
Oh and play him on the left so he can cross the bloody thing when he gets to the line, instead of having to switch back onto his left foot.

[Ted Hughes]

Some people on this site never get wing play. They expect wingers to beat their fullback every game every time. You see the way it is with wingers, they all have games where they beat their fullback and games where they are in shadows all game. The difference between good and bad winger is how often they have sparkling games. I've seen Stephen Jordan completely overshadow Christiano Ronaldo. And I don't think anyone (except Dev) would call Stephen Jordan world class or Tranaldo second rate.

All the world's best wingers have off games. It's not like playing centerback where good centerback makes one or two crucial mistake all year while otherwise is always solid. If some people had their way we'd have 10 centerbacks playing for us. And yes, even as a striker. Some people are calling for Christopher Sambaesque player up front.

The main thing is providing quality, however it's done. Beckham rarely beats a man. Giggs on the whole crosses 1st & dribbles only if he has to. The world's best wide players put in tons & tons of quality all season, even on a bad day, they get one or two in. If the strikers then don't convert it, as with Spurs for instance, it's not the fault of the wide player, his job is done. If they constantly fail to get any kind of decent ball in, even when having time & space, they aren't doing their job. On the whole, neither AJ nor SWP do their jobs as wide players. Joe Royle, Shearer or Andy Gray, would have to make their own chances in our team. They wouldn't accept it. They would go fucking ape shit.

As a striker, if you know the ball will be coming in, you gamble & make runs into areas where it may go, near post far post etc, if enough quality comes in, at some point, the area you attack will be the same area the ball goes into, high or low. When that happens, you either score or miss or the keeper saves it; the defence can do nothing as you have two yards start on them & are moving. If the ball never comes in, you alter your style of play to suit it & stop making the runs, so when the winger does, on a rare occasion get it right, you are somewhere else, waiting for the usual fuck up rather than being in the spot to convert it. If the crosses come in & you still don't score; you are shit & need replacing.

We are a mess at this simple part of the game & there are lots of people sat in the stands who deliver a better ball, take a better corner, than the players on the pitch. It's pathetic.

[Rag_hater]

Whenever I see him play he does nothing that SWP hasn't done or is still doing.
I think SWP was better and is still better.

[leewonpen]

I went to the Leicester game at home and he had to take the fullback on 3 times before he got anywhere near the area. This gives the forwards a hard time making the decisive runs as they do not know when the pass is coming and can tend to stray off side. The fullback in the the leicester game kept him quite and what division are they in. Leciester had a player called dyer who played on the wing who gave us problems all night. Not saying he is the answer but it shows what genuine pace can do.

[Ted Hughes]

I went to the Leicester game at home and he had to take the fullback on 3 times before he got anywhere near the area. This gives the forwards a hard time making the decisive runs as they do not know when the pass is coming and can tend to stray off side. The fullback in the the leicester game kept him quite and what division are they in. Leciester had a player called dyer who played on the wing who gave us problems all night. Not saying he is the answer but it shows what genuine pace can do.

We could do with the option of more genuine pace in all areas of the pitch.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Some people on this site never get wing play. They expect wingers to beat their fullback every game every time. You see the way it is with wingers, they all have games where they beat their fullback and games where they are in shadows all game. The difference between good and bad winger is how often they have sparkling games. I've seen Stephen Jordan completely overshadow Christiano Ronaldo. And I don't think anyone (except Dev) would call Stephen Jordan world class or Tranaldo second rate.

All the world's best wingers have off games. It's not like playing centerback where good centerback makes one or two crucial mistake all year while otherwise is always solid. If some people had their way we'd have 10 centerbacks playing for us. And yes, even as a striker. Some people are calling for Christopher Sambaesque player up front.

The main thing is providing quality, however it's done. Beckham rarely beats a man. Giggs on the whole crosses 1st & dribbles only if he has to. The world's best wide players put in tons & tons of quality all season, even on a bad day, they get one or two in. If the strikers then don't convert it, as with Spurs for instance, it's not the fault of the wide player, his job is done. If they constantly fail to get any kind of decent ball in, even when having time & space, they aren't doing their job. On the whole, neither AJ nor SWP do their jobs as wide players. Joe Royle, Shearer or Andy Gray, would have to make their own chances in our team. They wouldn't accept it. They would go fucking ape shit.

As a striker, if you know the ball will be coming in, you gamble & make runs into areas where it may go, near post far post etc, if enough quality comes in, at some point, the area you attack will be the same area the ball goes into, high or low. When that happens, you either score or miss or the keeper saves it; the defence can do nothing as you have two yards start on them & are moving. If the ball never comes in, you alter your style of play to suit it & stop making the runs, so when the winger does, on a rare occasion get it right, you are somewhere else, waiting for the usual fuck up rather than being in the spot to convert it. If the crosses come in & you still don't score; you are shit & need replacing.

We are a mess at this simple part of the game & there are lots of people sat in the stands who deliver a better ball, take a better corner, than the players on the pitch. It's pathetic.

I once started players who would and would not make it in modern game thread. Royle and especially Gray belong to latter group.

the idea with players like AJ isn't that they'd always run towards cornerflag and whip in crosses for some man mountain to head in. The idea is that they cut in and cause havoc in the box. Sure decent cross every now and then would be welcome but that's what manager expects him to do.

[aaron bond]

Some people on this site never get wing play. They expect wingers to beat their fullback every game every time. You see the way it is with wingers, they all have games where they beat their fullback and games where they are in shadows all game. The difference between good and bad winger is how often they have sparkling games. I've seen Stephen Jordan completely overshadow Christiano Ronaldo. And I don't think anyone (except Dev) would call Stephen Jordan world class or Tranaldo second rate.

All the world's best wingers have off games. It's not like playing centerback where good centerback makes one or two crucial mistake all year while otherwise is always solid. If some people had their way we'd have 10 centerbacks playing for us. And yes, even as a striker. Some people are calling for Christopher Sambaesque player up front.

The main thing is providing quality, however it's done. Beckham rarely beats a man. Giggs on the whole crosses 1st & dribbles only if he has to. The world's best wide players put in tons & tons of quality all season, even on a bad day, they get one or two in. If the strikers then don't convert it, as with Spurs for instance, it's not the fault of the wide player, his job is done. If they constantly fail to get any kind of decent ball in, even when having time & space, they aren't doing their job. On the whole, neither AJ nor SWP do their jobs as wide players. Joe Royle, Shearer or Andy Gray, would have to make their own chances in our team. They wouldn't accept it. They would go fucking ape shit.

As a striker, if you know the ball will be coming in, you gamble & make runs into areas where it may go, near post far post etc, if enough quality comes in, at some point, the area you attack will be the same area the ball goes into, high or low. When that happens, you either score or miss or the keeper saves it; the defence can do nothing as you have two yards start on them & are moving. If the ball never comes in, you alter your style of play to suit it & stop making the runs, so when the winger does, on a rare occasion get it right, you are somewhere else, waiting for the usual fuck up rather than being in the spot to convert it. If the crosses come in & you still don't score; you are shit & need replacing.

We are a mess at this simple part of the game & there are lots of people sat in the stands who deliver a better ball, take a better corner, than the players on the pitch. It's pathetic.

I once started players who would and would not make it in modern game thread. Royle and especially Gray belong to latter group.

the idea with players like AJ isn't that they'd always run towards cornerflag and whip in crosses for some man mountain to head in. The idea is that they cut in and cause havoc in the box. Sure decent cross every now and then would be welcome but that's what manager expects him to do.

The thing is that AJ doesn't cross hardly at all. He loses it most of the time when trying to take a player on. For me, his decision-making lets him down. He either crosses too early or too late, or tries to take a player on when there's no need.

He has the talent I believe, but needs to improve (with help from our management team of course).

At the moment, he doesn't deserve to be in the starting 11 and should just be used as an impact sub.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Some people on this site never get wing play. They expect wingers to beat their fullback every game every time. You see the way it is with wingers, they all have games where they beat their fullback and games where they are in shadows all game. The difference between good and bad winger is how often they have sparkling games. I've seen Stephen Jordan completely overshadow Christiano Ronaldo. And I don't think anyone (except Dev) would call Stephen Jordan world class or Tranaldo second rate.

All the world's best wingers have off games. It's not like playing centerback where good centerback makes one or two crucial mistake all year while otherwise is always solid. If some people had their way we'd have 10 centerbacks playing for us. And yes, even as a striker. Some people are calling for Christopher Sambaesque player up front.

The main thing is providing quality, however it's done. Beckham rarely beats a man. Giggs on the whole crosses 1st & dribbles only if he has to. The world's best wide players put in tons & tons of quality all season, even on a bad day, they get one or two in. If the strikers then don't convert it, as with Spurs for instance, it's not the fault of the wide player, his job is done. If they constantly fail to get any kind of decent ball in, even when having time & space, they aren't doing their job. On the whole, neither AJ nor SWP do their jobs as wide players. Joe Royle, Shearer or Andy Gray, would have to make their own chances in our team. They wouldn't accept it. They would go fucking ape shit.

As a striker, if you know the ball will be coming in, you gamble & make runs into areas where it may go, near post far post etc, if enough quality comes in, at some point, the area you attack will be the same area the ball goes into, high or low. When that happens, you either score or miss or the keeper saves it; the defence can do nothing as you have two yards start on them & are moving. If the ball never comes in, you alter your style of play to suit it & stop making the runs, so when the winger does, on a rare occasion get it right, you are somewhere else, waiting for the usual fuck up rather than being in the spot to convert it. If the crosses come in & you still don't score; you are shit & need replacing.

We are a mess at this simple part of the game & there are lots of people sat in the stands who deliver a better ball, take a better corner, than the players on the pitch. It's pathetic.

I once started players who would and would not make it in modern game thread. Royle and especially Gray belong to latter group.

the idea with players like AJ isn't that they'd always run towards cornerflag and whip in crosses for some man mountain to head in. The idea is that they cut in and cause havoc in the box. Sure decent cross every now and then would be welcome but that's what manager expects him to do.

The thing is that AJ doesn't cross hardly at all. He loses it most of the time when trying to take a player on. For me, his decision-making lets him down. He either crosses too early or too late, or tries to take a player on when there's no need.

He has the talent I believe, but needs to improve (with help from our management team of course).

At the moment, he doesn't deserve to be in the starting 11 and should just be used as an impact sub.

I never once disagreed with that. Then again, I wasn't one of the people screaming for him to be given chance few short weeks back. At this stage of his career and in this team his place is impact sub from the bench. He needs to improve certain weaknessess in his game over the summer in order to fight for starting spot.

My point was general though. I've seen same things repeated about wingers million times before on this site. Such winger some people talk about doesn't even exist. They see match highlights and see some players going past fullback time and time again. These people think "that's just the kind of player we need". Problem is, highlights never show the dozen times they didn't get past fullback and weak crosses they put in.

[Ted Hughes]

Some people on this site never get wing play. They expect wingers to beat their fullback every game every time. You see the way it is with wingers, they all have games where they beat their fullback and games where they are in shadows all game. The difference between good and bad winger is how often they have sparkling games. I've seen Stephen Jordan completely overshadow Christiano Ronaldo. And I don't think anyone (except Dev) would call Stephen Jordan world class or Tranaldo second rate.

All the world's best wingers have off games. It's not like playing centerback where good centerback makes one or two crucial mistake all year while otherwise is always solid. If some people had their way we'd have 10 centerbacks playing for us. And yes, even as a striker. Some people are calling for Christopher Sambaesque player up front.

The main thing is providing quality, however it's done. Beckham rarely beats a man. Giggs on the whole crosses 1st & dribbles only if he has to. The world's best wide players put in tons & tons of quality all season, even on a bad day, they get one or two in. If the strikers then don't convert it, as with Spurs for instance, it's not the fault of the wide player, his job is done. If they constantly fail to get any kind of decent ball in, even when having time & space, they aren't doing their job. On the whole, neither AJ nor SWP do their jobs as wide players. Joe Royle, Shearer or Andy Gray, would have to make their own chances in our team. They wouldn't accept it. They would go fucking ape shit.

As a striker, if you know the ball will be coming in, you gamble & make runs into areas where it may go, near post far post etc, if enough quality comes in, at some point, the area you attack will be the same area the ball goes into, high or low. When that happens, you either score or miss or the keeper saves it; the defence can do nothing as you have two yards start on them & are moving. If the ball never comes in, you alter your style of play to suit it & stop making the runs, so when the winger does, on a rare occasion get it right, you are somewhere else, waiting for the usual fuck up rather than being in the spot to convert it. If the crosses come in & you still don't score; you are shit & need replacing.

We are a mess at this simple part of the game & there are lots of people sat in the stands who deliver a better ball, take a better corner, than the players on the pitch. It's pathetic.

I once started players who would and would not make it in modern game thread. Royle and especially Gray belong to latter group.

the idea with players like AJ isn't that they'd always run towards cornerflag and whip in crosses for some man mountain to head in. The idea is that they cut in and cause havoc in the box. Sure decent cross every now and then would be welcome but that's what manager expects him to do.

The thing is that AJ doesn't cross hardly at all. He loses it most of the time when trying to take a player on. For me, his decision-making lets him down. He either crosses too early or too late, or tries to take a player on when there's no need.

He has the talent I believe, but needs to improve (with help from our management team of course).

At the moment, he doesn't deserve to be in the starting 11 and should just be used as an impact sub.

I never once disagreed with that. Then again, I wasn't one of the people screaming for him to be given chance few short weeks back. At this stage of his career and in this team his place is impact sub from the bench. He needs to improve certain weaknessess in his game over the summer in order to fight for starting spot.

My point was general though. I've seen same things repeated about wingers million times before on this site. Such winger some people talk about doesn't even exist. They see match highlights and see some players going past fullback time and time again. These people think "that's just the kind of player we need". Problem is, highlights never show the dozen times they didn't get past fullback and weak crosses they put in.

Royle & Gray at their peaks, with todays fitness levels, would make it easily. There is so much identikit thinking these days, that only certain types of player are any use, it's bollocks. There are no players on our team bar perhaps Micah Richards who would get near either of them in the penalty box. There are no players in football anywhere who carry their aerial threat now. Carroll is the nearest but compared to those two, he's like a pussycat & skillwise he's not even half as good at heading the ball.

No defender in the modern game would have a fucking clue how to handle a player like that, they've never even seen one let alone played against them. People have a hard time competing with Crouch, Cahill & Kenwyne Jones but they could stop Joe Royle?!! Half of them can't even stop Hernandez getting on a cross but Any Gray couldn't make it?

True that they'd do fuck all in our team though, other than flick on Joe Hart's goal kicks, as they'd never get a cross & that's what strikers live from.

[Hazy2]

Wingers always frustrate us as fans, managers, need width and he gives us that, great left peg, give him a decent run of games and if he is going to a bit part player or a regular match winner will be known soon enough, Our fans are as frustrating with some of the expectations way of the mark.

[Ted Hughes]

Wingers always frustrate us as fans, managers, need width and he gives us that, great left peg, give him a decent run of games and if he is going to a bit part player or a regular match winner will be known soon enough, Our fans are as frustrating with some of the expectations way of the mark.

It's not a lot to ask for a bit of quality from wide positions though. Even if a player has no pace & no tricks, they can still get a decent ball in when they get the chance, if they see it as a priority. That big nosed twat Ne****e was still getting in one or two decent crosses right up til he (thankfully) fucked off. He could barely move yet was still able to do it.

Itr's not that difficult, it's a matter of intent.

[johnny crossan]

today's Times

[Alioune DVToure]

today's Times

You're really sticking it to Murdoch with these daily scans. Fuck the News International paywall! Power to the people!