Adam Johnson

[speccybob]

Is it just me who thinks he is a better impact player than starter? In no way am I slagging the lad off but to me it just seems he plays better when he has a tired defender in front of him, or against teams chasing the game. Does he have to knuckle down a bit more?

THIS IS NOT A SLAGGING AJ THREAD SO IF YOU WANT TO DO THAT THEN GO ELSEWHERE.

 

[ell]

agree

 

[alky313]

He doesn't quite have the touch for our current style of play. This isn't a knock on him. As there are other players in our squad with that same situation. Adam Johnson needs to take a page out Nasri's book. Instead of wildly smashing the ball use your god given footskills and dribble around everyone including the keeper (Nanas vs. the Rags).

He is perfect for situations like today. He provided good width at times allowing Micah to come up to the 18. I still think that while he can be a wide man, he plays better off of the forward. He's good when he can get in the box. Dzeko's first goal for an example.

 

[TheMightyQuinn]

He wasn't great today but it's still early days yet. Plenty of time to find his form.

 

[decmancity]

Much better impact player because his trickery and very quick feet against tired defenders gives him goals eg Newcastle last season.

When he starts he is up against fully mobile full backs and so his style of playing is less effective.

 

[mackenzie]

Agree

 

[exiled-blue]

Have said this for a while now, excellent coming off the bench but doesn't make to much impact when starts. This aspect of his game will come with time and learning off the masters we have on the pitch.

 

[speccybob]

I think that with the style of play we have at the moment we don't need a 'winger' as the full backs are overlapping so much (I know he isn't playing on the wing but that is what he is IMO).

He just doesn't seem as dangerous as he used to though. It might be rustiness, I hope so but I'm not sure :/<br /><br />-- Sat Sep 10, 2011 5:42 pm --<br /><br />

Have said this for a while now, excellent coming off the bench but doesn't make to much impact when starts. This aspect of his game will come with time and learning off the masters we have on the pitch.

Hopefully so pal. An absolute bargain for an English player when you see the likes of Henderson going for £20,000,000

 

[lee-mcfc]

i'v said it loads too great player but so much better when he comes off the bench

 

[southaustralianblue]

He is a quality player and I thought he had a couple of fantastic moments, the difficulty for AJ is he is a good passer a magnificant dribbler and a good crosser of the ball but lacks the finishing capacity when he gets into good areas.

In fairness to him the problem lies in the fact that he doesnt get enough game time to really develop the understanding he needs to get that feel. But he is playing the role that bobby wants him to and in the big games it is true to say we will see him off the bench in the last 20 mins. I thought he had a great game today though