Hodgson: Johnson has not performed

[Original202]

Stoke v Liverpool: Glen Johnson's future in doubt as Roy Hodgson challenges him to reproduce his England form

 

Glen Johnson’s Liverpool future has been cast into doubt after the club’s manager, Roy Hodgson, criticised the £18 million defender for failing to produce the sort of form befitting an England right-back.

 

Johnson has played just once for Liverpool since the beginning of October — last week’s Europa League victory over Napoli —because of a groin injury. Hodgson confirmed on Friday that the 26 year-old had suffered a relapse and will miss Saturday evening’s trip to Stoke City.

 

Even had Johnson been fit, though, Hodgson’s withering assessment of the former Chelsea and Portsmouth player’s form suggests he faces a struggle not simply to regain his place but to prolong his 15-month stay on Merseyside.

 

“He is the England right-back and if he plays like that, one would expect him to come back in,” Hodgson said.

 

“But then he would have had to play like the England right-back and up to now, to be quite frank, he has not performed — or very often at least — to the level I would expect of him.

 

“You would have to ask him the question: ‘Do you think you are playing at top form and are you playing like the best right-back in the country for your club?’ If he says yes, obviously we will have to agree to differ. And if he says no, then you have to ask the question why not.”

 

The prospect of Johnson losing his place permanently is likely to alert Tottenham and Juventus, both of whom have been monitoring the player’s situation at Anfield, with a move as early as January a possibility.

 

The full-back would be eligible to feature for Harry Redknapp’s team in the Champions League, while the Serie A side have identified Johnson and Ajax’s Gregory van der Wiel as their preferred targets when the transfer window reopens.

 

Johnson’s travails could also lead to an extended run in the side for his understudy Martin Kelly, whose form has earned him a call-up to the England Under-21 side to face Germany in Wiesbaden next week and will mean he is offered an improved contract when his existing deal expires this summer.

 

Though Hodgson may employ Jamie Carragher as right-back at the Britannia Stadium, the Liverpool manager has been effusive in his praise of Kelly, 20. He said Kelly had surprised him when making his first Premier League start, in last Sunday’s 2-0 victory against Chelsea.

 

“It was a really tough match to throw him in because they are at their best down the left and many a right-back would not have relished facing them.”

 

Goalkeeper Pepe Reina, meanwhile, has stressed that he is “fully committed” to Liverpool after reports he wanted to leave Anfield at the earliest opportunity.

 

Though the club have drawn up a shortlist of possible replacements — including the German international Manuel Neuer — Liverpool’s owners are desperate for the Spain international to stay.

 

“I have not told the manager I wish to leave in January or at any other time,” said Reina. “I have a long-term contract at Liverpool and I am fully committed to the club.”

 

Rory Smith

 

 

 

Pretty strong stuff that, but ultimately it's accurate. I don't think we'd recover much over half of what we paid for him but I think we'd be best of cutting our losses on this one.

 

Kelly isn't a long term right back and I'd hope he gets more opportunities in the middle, but Johnson is a poor defender - always has been, always will be.

[robslappa]

Not a suprise 'cos Johnson's been shite, but I'll tell you what I'll do I'll knock a couple of million off his value , just in case. Fuck me, that's ridiculous.

[Guest LFD]

I don't like seeing managers criticising their players in public. Behind closed doors, then I think it is fine - but I don't see how this helps Johnson's confidence. If anything it just puts more media pressure on him.

 

What he says is right though, I just think he should do it one on one with Johnson and not via the public.

 

Not good management, for me.

[goatboy59]

Reproduce your England form?

 

Don't you fucking dare!

[Original202]

I don't like seeing managers criticising their players in public. Behind closed doors, then I think it is fine - but I don't see how this helps Johnson's confidence. If anything it just puts more media pressure on him.

 

What he says is right though, I just think he should do it one on one with Johnson and not via the public.

 

Not good management, for me.

 

I broadly agree. But maybe he's already tried that and feels he needs a public kick up the arse?

[Code]

What,

 

how can anyone say something like that about the best right back in the world?

[Wor Horse]

He's right but I hate the way he goes about things. He's about as tactful as a dog on heat shagging your leg.

[RedKnight]

Should've just told him to reproduce his non-drinking form.

[Ted]

Maybe if Johnson wasn't so pre-occupied with slotting all kinds this type of shit wouldn't need to be said.

[Guest LFD]

I broadly agree. But maybe he's already tried that and feels he needs a public kick up the arse?

 

Maybe.

 

But surely Kelly's performances just give him a kick up the arse and Hodgson should tell him that.

 

Also Soto and Skrtel's performance at centre back together, with Carragher at right back has looked good.

 

He needs to be told that he is not the only option and won't play unless on top form.

 

I just think that should have been said to him individually, not via the public to put more pressure on him and dent his confidence and adds to the scrutiny.

[Cardie]

Poulsen and Konchesky must be pissing themselves.

[piscinin]

Hodgson wants to play him in a flat back 4, something anyone who has seen him play knows is not going to happen. This is Roberto Carlos @ Inter all over again and with probably the same conclusion. You get the sense we'd be hearing the same if Alves was here. Hodgson doesn't know how to use him properly. If we could play with 4 central defenders across the back and 4 central midfielder across the middle, he'd be happy.

[Guest LFD]

Poulsen and Konchesky must be pissing themselves.

 

Good point, I don't see why Johnson gets singled out.

[robslappa]

Maybe if Johnson wasn't so pre-occupied with slotting all kinds this type of shit wouldn't need to be said.

 

Do you honestly think this couldn't have been dealt with behind closed doors? I do, regardless who's in charge. If he didn't respond after that then he would have been on his way.

[ngogswilly]

Stick him on the right wing as punishment for his poor form and silly hairstyles.

[El Rojo]

Tomorrow's motivating quote:

 

"Pepe Reina could be described as a good goalkeeper. He's certainly above average. Granted he's not the best from his country because Casillas always gets the number one shirt for them, so he couldn't be, could he? I'm happy to have Pepe Reina here, certainly, I think, I hope. He cost us a goal against Arsenal, it must be remembered, I'm sure he hasn't forgotten. And he wouldn't like to let down the fans, I'm sure. He's a good goalkeeper, Pepe Reina, and goalkeepers play in a different position to the rest of the first XI."

[Code]

This would fit in perfect as the end of this thread, the ups and downs of G.Johnson

 

http://www.liverpoolway.co.uk/forum/ff-football-forum/61175-glen-johnson.html

[2005]

I think Hodgson just continue to say all the wrong things. He should talk up his players in the media. Johnson has just played without confidence before he got injured. This isn't helping.

 

Everyone who saw Kelly against Lyon last season knows the player's potential. Hodgson clearly didn't.

[Wor Horse]

Good point, I don't see why Johnson gets singled out.

 

Look at who signed him and then look at who signed the other two, that's always going to happen unfortunately.

[J-V]

Poulsen and Konchesky must be pissing themselves.

 

Exactly what I thought.

[robslappa]

Tomorrow's motivating quote:

 

"Pepe Reina could be described as a good goalkeeper. He's certainly above average. Granted he's not the best from his country because Casillas always gets the number one shirt for them, so he couldn't be, could he? I'm happy to have Pepe Reina here, certainly, I think, I hope. He cost us a goal against Arsenal, it must be remembered, I'm sure he hasn't forgotten. And he wouldn't like to let down the fans, I'm sure. He's a good goalkeeper, Pepe Reina, and goalkeepers play in a different position to the rest of the first XI."

 

In the name of God, tell me that's not true,

[Liquid football]

I think it depends on the personality of the player in question. This will work on some players and be bad for others.

[Ted]

Do you honestly think this couldn't have been dealt with behind closed doors? I do, regardless who's in charge. If he didn't respond after that then he would have been on his way.

 

Yeah, defo - but this could just be a last resort from Hodgson.

[Code]

In the name of God, tell me that's not true,

 

Are you drunk?

 

Then go to bed.

[ngogswilly]

In the name of God, tell me that's not true,

 

Pretty sure its a fairly well written joke.