What does Adam Johnson actually do?

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Spent 22 minutes on the pitch, had one shot off target and did nothing else at all.

When Bellamy came on he was immediately a threat running down the left side.It looked like AJ was given the task of support to Micah and I thought he did what was required.Not so much a tackling role but to stay in there giving support/covering space rather than staying wide in an attacking role. Don't be blinded to his value just because he didn't score or terrorise the full back.

[Im_Spartacus]

Spent 22 minutes on the pitch, had one shot off target and did nothing else at all.

When Bellamy came on he was immediately a threat running down the left side.It looked like AJ was given the task of support to Micah and I thought he did what was required.Not so much a tackling role but to stay in there giving support/covering space rather than staying wide in an attacking role. Don't be blinded to his value just because he didn't score or terrorise the full back.

Going to 5.3.2 meant that Richards already had that support from Toure.

I agree that he took up space that otherwise could have been surrendered to a Liverpool shirt. But if we need a player to occupy space and have no attacking threat and you believe that was Mancini's intention, Johnson is a baffling choice, as we might as well have just put NDJ on

[Ted Hughes]

I find it absolutlely remarkable that a bloke who did exactly what was asked of him & also produced the best bit of quality skill on the night, can receive any criticism whatsoever.

He is most certainly being set up as the whipping boy, followed by Dzeko.

[Im_Spartacus]

I find it absolutlely remarkable that a bloke who did exactly what was asked of him & also produced the best bit of quality skill on the night, can recieve any criticism whatsoever.

He is most certainly being set up as the whipping boy, followed by Dzeko.

My only issue is why he was asked to fill a gap, why not use any of the other players on the bench? Why play a slow, left footed player who can't/won't tackle as a defensive right midfielder.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Spent 22 minutes on the pitch, had one shot off target and did nothing else at all.

When Bellamy came on he was immediately a threat running down the left side.It looked like AJ was given the task of support to Micah and I thought he did what was required.Not so much a tackling role but to stay in there giving support/covering space rather than staying wide in an attacking role. Don't be blinded to his value just because he didn't score or terrorise the full back.

Going to 5.3.2 meant that Richards already had that support from Toure.

I agree that he took up space that otherwise could have been surrendered to a Liverpool shirt. But if we need a player to occupy space and have no attacking threat and you believe that was Mancini's intention, Johnson is a baffling choice, as we might as well have just put NDJ on

I wondered whether Nigel might have come on but I thoink Mancini got it 100% right with AJ and then Lescott.AJ because he plays wider and from there can be a threat even if he isn't given licence to just attack.Whilst the 5.3.2 does give both full backs more cover it was an out and out 5.3.2 as Clichy was pushing into a wide midfield role when he could but then quickly dropping into an orthadox full back position when we lost the ball.

Put NDJ on and he would have been great in the centre but any real threat Lpool had was in wide positions where they were trying to double up and especially so on the left side.

[Socrates]

I find it absolutlely remarkable that a bloke who did exactly what was asked of him & also produced the best bit of quality skill on the night, can recieve any criticism whatsoever.

He is most certainly being set up as the whipping boy, followed by Dzeko.

My only issue is why he was asked to fill a gap, why not use any of the other players on the bench? Why play a slow, left footed player who can't/won't tackle as a defensive right midfielder.

Part of his education. Mancini is trying to make him a more rounded player.

[Wonderwall]

My only issue is why he was asked to fill a gap, why not use any of the other players on the bench? Why play a slow, left footed player who can't/won't tackle as a defensive right midfielder.

Who would liverpool worry more about? AJ gave us more options than NDJ, well done mancini. Good call.

[Ted Hughes]

He was also there because he can spring forward & score. He was unlucky not to do so & was also ignored several times in great positions due to the mental/physical tiredness of others.

[Chinners]

I reckon Mancini put AJ on to make a point to Liverpool that he's a City player, not a scouse bound one .... maybe

[Im_Spartacus]

I find it absolutlely remarkable that a bloke who did exactly what was asked of him & also produced the best bit of quality skill on the night, can recieve any criticism whatsoever.

He is most certainly being set up as the whipping boy, followed by Dzeko.

My only issue is why he was asked to fill a gap, why not use any of the other players on the bench? Why play a slow, left footed player who can't/won't tackle as a defensive right midfielder.

Part of his education. Mancini is trying to make him a more rounded player.

Fair point

[Im_Spartacus]

Spent 22 minutes on the pitch, had one shot off target and did nothing else at all.

When Bellamy came on he was immediately a threat running down the left side.It looked like AJ was given the task of support to Micah and I thought he did what was required.Not so much a tackling role but to stay in there giving support/covering space rather than staying wide in an attacking role. Don't be blinded to his value just because he didn't score or terrorise the full back.

Going to 5.3.2 meant that Richards already had that support from Toure.

I agree that he took up space that otherwise could have been surrendered to a Liverpool shirt. But if we need a player to occupy space and have no attacking threat and you believe that was Mancini's intention, Johnson is a baffling choice, as we might as well have just put NDJ on

I wondered whether Nigel might have come on but I thoink Mancini got it 100% right with AJ and then Lescott.AJ because he plays wider and from there can be a threat even if he isn't given licence to just attack.Whilst the 5.3.2 does give both full backs more cover it was an out and out 5.3.2 as Clichy was pushing into a wide midfield role when he could but then quickly dropping into an orthadox full back position when we lost the ball.

Put NDJ on and he would have been great in the centre but any real threat Lpool had was in wide positions where they were trying to double up and especially so on the left side.

I liked the switch to 532, wondered at first what the plan was with Lescott but the team seemed to be very very comfortable with that and actually seemed the better team after the sending off

[Dubciteh]

Spent 22 minutes on the pitch, had one shot off target and did nothing else at all.

When Bellamy came on he was immediately a threat running down the left side.It looked like AJ was given the task of support to Micah and I thought he did what was required.Not so much a tackling role but to stay in there giving support/covering space rather than staying wide in an attacking role. Don't be blinded to his value just because he didn't score or terrorise the full back.

Going to 5.3.2 meant that Richards already had that support from Toure.

I agree that he took up space that otherwise could have been surrendered to a Liverpool shirt. But if we need a player to occupy space and have no attacking threat and you believe that was Mancini's intention, Johnson is a baffling choice, as we might as well have just put NDJ on

I wondered whether Nigel might have come on but I thoink Mancini got it 100% right with AJ and then Lescott.AJ because he plays wider and from there can be a threat even if he isn't given licence to just attack.Whilst the 5.3.2 does give both full backs more cover it was an out and out 5.3.2 as Clichy was pushing into a wide midfield role when he could but then quickly dropping into an orthadox full back position when we lost the ball.

Put NDJ on and he would have been great in the centre but any real threat Lpool had was in wide positions where they were trying to double up and especially so on the left side.

I liked the switch to 532, wondered at first what the plan was with Lescott but the team seemed to be very very comfortable with that and actually seemed the better team after the sending off

We didnt switch to 532 as we only had ten men!

[Im_Spartacus]

Thats a very valid point sir

[Beefymcfc]

We didnt switch to 532 as we only had ten men!

I was wondering where the extra man came from, thought we'd sneaked on the Invisible Man.

[Chinners]

We didnt switch to 532 as we only had ten men!

ha ha

[freshie]

I find it absolutlely remarkable that a bloke who did exactly what was asked of him & also produced the best bit of quality skill on the night, can receive any criticism whatsoever.

He is most certainly being set up as the whipping boy, followed by Dzeko.

I agree with you. I don't think AJ had that bad a game against Sunderland and neither he or Dzeko were the worst players on the pitch that day yet they always seem to receive the lions' share of the criticism when things go wrong. Last night he did exactly the job he was asked to and, as you said, provided the best bit of skill with an excellent finish that he was unlucky to see hit the post. I think AJ's form has been steadily improving over the last couple of months but some fans just want to see the negatives and expect too much from him, especially when there are others around him who are more deserving of criticism

[leewonpen]

Personally I believe that Johnson is running out of chances. Mancini has given him many starting chances in big games nd the games pass him by. Mancini needs him to be commited to a full 90 mins , substitute appearances wont be enough to keep him at city. Even if they are succesfull as substitute. Bobby demands more and Johnson is not giving him what he needs.

[Goaters 103]

Yesterdays first half should be shown to all those in the media who bleat on and on about how AJ isnt given enough chances.

he offered us absolutely nothing in those 45 mins, zilch. At the moment he's an impact sub in big games, and 2nd stringer in others.

[sheiks and camels]

Adam Johnson can come on when the team is flying and stand out with a goal and a jinky run
the only time i think he truely changed a game was newcastle last year
he wont change it when things are going against us

[Crossie]

He worked fucking hard when Milner was dropped to right back.

I was impressed with his work rate yesterday.