[spireman]

For McDermott put Johnson, why the hero worship. Sure he is a decent player but other than a few good passes and runs around a lot he hasn't contributed that much in the last few games I've seen. We leak goals when he's playing, hasn't scored and generally we haven't won.
Cook has to do something about the goals against, and Johnson not being our player is the obvious choice to leave out.
My view is that the main weakness is the lack of physical presence up front, not easy to solve tho.

[Wooden Spoon]

spireman, on 26 October 2014 - 03:11 PM, said:

For McDermott put Johnson, why the hero worship. Sure he is a decent player but other than a few good passes and runs around a lot he hasn't contributed that much in the last few games I've seen. We leak goals when he's playing, hasn't scored and generally we haven't won.
Cook has to do something about the goals against, and Johnson not being our player is the obvious choice to leave out.
My view is that the main weakness is the lack of physical presence up front, not easy to solve tho.

Keeps the ball really well. plays balls through that few players at this level would see. Spots runners very early. Made a good few assists for Doyle. But apart from that, your right, he hasn't contributed that much.

You don't leave out a player of Johnsons calibre when Roberts is also out injured. Its a mistake by Cook.

[Spireite-Karl]

First it was Doyle to blame for us leaking goals and now its Johnson... Neither of these two players are anything to do with why we concede all the goals we do or are they to blame for us not winning football matches or have they played poorly. Cook's messed Johnson around and he's hardly played since the Oldham game where he was wrongly substituted imo. Didn't the Oldham fans say that Johnson and Morsy were far our best two players? (Same as fans of every club we've played since Johnson got handed the role in the hole). And the Oldham match wasn't even one of his better games for us (though he still played well).

You're barking down the wrong tree with this one imo... Johnson has been the difference in Doyle scoring so many goals and we are really going to miss the quality assists he provides. Also he keeps and uses the ball so well as opposed to Roberts who loses it more often than not. I like Robbo and he will do a very good job in Johnson's position once he's gone back to Villa (if he's fit), but he isn’t a patch on what Johnson offers to us (IF he didn't give possession away so much then maybe). Plus he's really fit these days which is another concern to the gaffer.

Clucas Johnson/Robbo Gardner would be my three across the middle, with a new right wingback loan signing, and if Evo doesn't book his ideas up I'd be signing another centre back as well! Another keeper wouldn't go amiss that is actually going to put some pressure on Tommy as he's not been so hot this season either (but it’s all down to what we can afford and Tommy would be behind the other two positions in terms of replacements. The front six players have the least to no blame in any of this (maybe Robbo for giving too many easy balls away, wide players needing to help out more going backwards *as well as the two holding players helping their relevant wingbacks a little more, basically fine tuning of these players, with no blame on Doyle or Johnson whatsoever imo). It’s the five behind them that need to come under the most scrutiny so forget Johnson (well Cook has anyway )


EDIT: *Forgot to add that Roberts giving so much cheap possession away adds no end to the workload of Ryan (who tires in games) and Morsy, which in turn adds pressure to our already suspect defence. That's my main gripe about Robbo, other than that I can't deny he's quality.

This post has been edited by Spireite-Karl: 26 October 2014 - 04:26 PM

[Westbars Spireite]

spireman, on 26 October 2014 - 03:11 PM, said:

For McDermott put Johnson, why the hero worship. Sure he is a decent player but other than a few good passes and runs around a lot he hasn't contributed that much in the last few games I've seen. We leak goals when he's playing, hasn't scored and generally we haven't won.
Cook has to do something about the goals against, and Johnson not being our player is the obvious choice to leave out.
My view is that the main weakness is the lack of physical presence up front, not easy to solve tho.

You're entitled to your view. Even if it's wrong. We all are.

[lindave]

spireman, on 26 October 2014 - 03:11 PM, said:

For McDermott put Johnson, why the hero worship. Sure he is a decent player but other than a few good passes and runs around a lot he hasn't contributed that much in the last few games I've seen. We leak goals when he's playing, hasn't scored and generally we haven't won.
Cook has to do something about the goals against, and Johnson not being our player is the obvious choice to leave out.
My view is that the main weakness is the lack of physical presence up front, not easy to solve tho.

Your having a sick laugh mate, we've been nothing without him in the past 2 games.

[sophocles]

a kick in the balls, on 26 October 2014 - 03:28 PM, said:

Keeps the ball really well. plays balls through that few players at this level would see. Spots runners very early. Made a good few assists for Doyle. But apart from that, your right, he hasn't contributed that much.

You don't leave out a player of Johnsons calibre when Roberts is also out injured. Its a mistake by Cook.

Absolutely correct. DJ is a level above any other player we have available.much as I like and support PC I think he has got this one dead wrong. With Johnson playing I believe we would have beaten Walsall. Play DJ and worry about it when he's actually gone.

[Wooden Spoon]

sophocles, on 26 October 2014 - 05:34 PM, said:

. Play DJ and worry about it when he's actually gone.

agreed. We looked much better when he came on at Colchester, and why not even have him on the bench yesterday. As you say, worry about him not being available when hes gone and not available. A player of his quality is too good not to play. Even more so with Roberts out injured

[Westbars Spireite]

Cook obviously disagrees with what seems to be the majority on this. Be interested to see how he responds on Tuesday. He should stick to his guns if he believes he's right.

[Spireite-Karl]

Westbars Spireite, on 26 October 2014 - 06:05 PM, said:

Cook obviously disagrees with what seems to be the majority on this. Be interested to see how he responds on Tuesday. He should stick to his guns if he believes he's right.

Cookie may just see this as an away tactic (hopefully). Plus I really want to see and thank DJ for all his efforts with us in his last two home games. I'll be really cross if I'm denied this opportunity as he fully deserves the accolades from the fans.

[CrossStreet62]

spireman, on 26 October 2014 - 03:11 PM, said:

For McDermott put Johnson, why the hero worship. Sure he is a decent player but other than a few good passes and runs around a lot he hasn't contributed that much in the last few games I've seen. We leak goals when he's playing, hasn't scored and generally we haven't won.
Cook has to do something about the goals against, and Johnson not being our player is the obvious choice to leave out.
My view is that the main weakness is the lack of physical presence up front, not easy to solve tho.

Your entitled to your opinion mate ....but Jesus Christ....I sometimes wonder what on earth I see when I watch a player....yes he's not our player..yes it looks like Villa have said he won't be coming back so PC's decided to call his cards early...yes we have to find a way of playing without him and yes we do have our own players to come back in...but he has been a stand out player I would say for the 7 game period between the Scunny and Oldham games.....to single him out as the reason for our current demise is counter factual and misconstrued.

[Spired]

spireman, on 26 October 2014 - 03:11 PM, said:

For McDermott put Johnson, why the hero worship. Sure he is a decent player but other than a few good passes and runs around

stopped reading at this point

[lindave]

spireman, on 26 October 2014 - 03:11 PM, said:

For McDermott put Johnson, why the hero worship. Sure he is a decent player but other than a few good passes and runs around a lot he hasn't contributed that much in the last few games I've seen. We leak goals when he's playing, hasn't scored and generally we haven't won.
Cook has to do something about the goals against, and Johnson not being our player is the obvious choice to leave out.
My view is that the main weakness is the lack of physical presence up front, not easy to solve tho.

He's been Doyle' main provider for most of his goals.

[Sammy Spireite]

lindave, on 27 October 2014 - 09:24 PM, said:

He's been Doyle' main provider for most of his goals.

according to the OS, we only have 3 players with assists in the league this season (a worrying stat?):

Johnson - 4
O'Shea - 2
Roberts - 1


Edit: is it up to date?

[plannerj]

Sammy Spireite, on 28 October 2014 - 01:21 PM, said:

according to the OS, we only have 3 players with assists in the league this season (a worrying stat?):

Johnson - 4
O'Shea - 2
Roberts - 1


Edit: is it up to date?

If the stats are up-to-date, it demonstrates why they should be mistrusted. Who assisted with the other 7 goals? They were not all individual goals that were entirely of his own making!

[Goku]

Assists are pretty pointless as far as stats go.

[Tyrion]

plannerj, on 28 October 2014 - 01:26 PM, said:

If the stats are up-to-date, it demonstrates why they should be mistrusted. Who assisted with the other 7 goals? They were not all individual goals that were entirely of his own making!

I don't think you get an assist for a penalty

[Sammy Spireite]

Tyrion, on 28 October 2014 - 02:17 PM, said:

I don't think you get an assist for a penalty

or a tap in from a rebound off the keeper.

And who is to say all those assists are all for his goals?