Michael Johnson.....

[decmancity]

Heard some news today but probably complete bullshit. Mate of a mate knows MJ and this I knew before but apparently he's been told that MJ is signing the papers today to get released from his contract as he's "had enough of football". Now this isn't ITK at all as I said why the fuck would he end his contract when he's getting £40k a week to sit of his arse but can't help but hope this is true.

Maybe he is being told to stop taking money?

If he doesn't have the money coming he might either go off the rails completely and turn to dealing drugs etc or it might sort him out.

I hope the club can help him in some way, I know we have been giving him money for nothing but if we can associate ourselves with getting him back on track and in a coaching role or something it would be fantastic for both parties.

It's a shame to see how he has gone, I feel a bit of sadness when I read any story about past pro footballers and I am only 18. I can only imagine having it all and then for it to disappear.

 

[Gelsons Dad]

Two weeks away from training?

But on a serious note, we've all seen his situation deteriorate over the last few years and it's a shame that the club didn't step in at the beginning rather than pampering him in the hope of hanging on the the new xxx. Even sadder is the number of people who know him personally and posted on here about it being his right to go out and enjoy life etc etc.

If you know someone who is showing similar signs of going off the rails don't excuse their behaviour, confront them and get them proper help early.

 

[Franny Lee's Barrel Chest]

The lad is a tool for drink driving, for being a piss head and for chucking a promising career away.

BUT. What about the people around him? Did he not have an arm round his shoulder when he suffered serious injury? Did he not have a sports psychiatrist to help him though lonely and depressing times? Did he not have someone watching his alcohol intake and his diet? Or was it the case that some of these people around him simply took advantage and were happy to be bought copious amounts of alcohol and drink with him, rather than say "Come on fella, enough's enough, you need to be up early tomorrow for your rehabilitation work. What happened to "Tough love" ?

I really do despair sometimes when you see the likes of MJ, Paul Gascoigne and others in a similar position throwing it all away.

Surely some responsibility lies with the club in some way, shape or form, for not having the correct systems in place to mentor someone like that? In this day and age, players get everything done for them, apart from their arses wiped and I wouldn't be surprised if someone was even hired to do that! I can't, for the life of me, understand how it got to this with the amount of science and medical expertise available and the amount of staff employed by the club.

 

[Mr Ed (The Stables)]

You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink. The lad has to acknowledge he has a problem in the first place before anyone can help him. Very sad indeed especially as he's homegrown. Talking of which I shared the bog at full time against Villa in the Colin Bell Stand (305) with Jeff Whitley who'd have thought!!

 

[kippaxchris]

I wonder if Johnson has been to see Mancini to apologise about his behaviour in recent years and explained that he is a local lad that loves the club and has begged for a start or a place on the bench for the Watford game and explained how if given the chance he wont let Mancini the club or himself down again....... Thats what i would be doing and what he should be doing but we probably will never find out if he cares or doesnt

 

[Heart.net]

Dude needs to see a shrink.

 

[i kne albert davy]

Can't help but feel sorry for him,he had a chance to be a great English midfield player and it's all gone wrong whether his fault or not, i don't know whats gone on on and off the field but rightly or wrongly i feel for him.

 

[Anonymous]

put this **** next to paul lake ffs.

lakey is a true city legend, this lad is a fucking disgrace.

 

[gerrygowsjockstrap]

I don't feel sorry for him. I became epileptic a few years back. Because of it I had to hand my driving licence in. They can't sack you for being epileptic. But when redundancies came around I was top of the list. Even though I had 19 years in a lot longer than most. Now I work for a shit wage to keep a roof over the families head. I bet the drunk driver does'nt give a shit about me. It's life & you have to get on with it. Not risk killing people when pissed.

 

[LoveCity]

I wonder if Johnson has been to see Mancini to apologise about his behaviour in recent years and explained that he is a local lad that loves the club and has begged for a start or a place on the bench for the Watford game

He doesn't even train at the club anymore... wouldn't like to know what he looks like at the moment given how prone he is to putting on weight. I would be fascinated to learn what is going on with him, are the club paying him £30k-£40k/week to sit at home? Surely he has to train at minimum to earn his big pay packet?