Glen Johnson and beyond – 14 November 2010
The recent open criticism of Glen Johnson by manager Roy Hodgson has put the spotlight firmly on the England right-back. Whether it turns out to be a great piece of man management or more likely, it highlights the fact that a Liverpool manager is openly criticising one of his players in a way which Shankley, Paisley and Daglish would never have dreamt of is open to question.
Johnson’s game has always been based on his attacking prowess and it was certainly the reason why he struggled to breakthrough under the strict regime at Mourinho’s Chelsea. His game flourished at Portsmouth where he was often seen more on the right-side of midfield where he developed the devastating habit of cutting in from the right and shooting on goal. He is equally adept when tried on the left, because unlike most modern day footballers he has the confidence to use his weaker foot.
After Steven Gerrard, Johnson has arguably the best delivery at the club and with the lack of wide-men giving him a run further up the pitch wouldn’t be a risky call. A comparison with Gareth Bale is not wide of the mark. Bale’s defensive capabilities have been called into question at left-back, but freed of the responsibility with the solid Assou-Ekotto in behind Bale’s game has flourished to the point where we are now hearing of interest from the likes of Barcelona.
The problem here lies with Hodgson being one-dimensional in most aspects of his management. He picks the same rigid formation home and away and seems to lack the flexibility to make use of the creative elements in his team such as Gerrard, Torres and Meireles who is playing out of position on the right. Liverpool are in the position now where the club must make use of any creative talent it has at its disposal and it for this reason players like Johnson and Babel must be used to help Gerrard and Torres as a creative force.
The time surely has come for Hodgson to give Babel and Johnson their heads and play Meireles in the middle with Gerrard.
KP
14 November 2010
KP
14 November 2010
Glennda - since Glenn started growing his hair and being more concerned about how he looks than marking his man, I've often wondered when we might see the best of him defensively. But must we? I have sometimes wished that Glenn Johnson could be the best right sided player in the business. Sometimes I have dared to wonder - what if he was as good defensively as Dirk? What would it be like to have GlenDirk Kuyt-Johnson playing for us.
ReplyDeleteYou see, the problem is this. Glenn is the best attacking RIGHT full back in the country, and I am convinced that Dirk is probably the best defensive right midlfielder? Could they not just switch positions? I don't often see Dirk leaving players unmarked or not tracking their runs.
The emergence of Kelly makes the quest for Johnson to do a Gareth Bale, is even more urgent. I saw a quote from Dalglish earlier which implied that Johnson would be happy playing at left back but I just can't see it somehow.
KLFC