Glen Johnson

[Guest BlueBrett]

How on earth is Glen Johnson seemingly a shoe in for England selection these days? Am I the only one who thinks that he is a terrible footballer with virtually no saving graces? He makes no tackles, gives the ball away every time he gets it, shuts his eyes and swings his leg aimlessly when shooting and NEVER makes the right decision. He is one of those players who just seems to get worse every time I watch him. Am I being unfair?

[dandannieldanok]

I don't rate him that highly either but what's the alternative? I can't think of any decent English right-backs off the top of my head.

One player who I certainly think should be making way now is Gareth Barry.

[Fox You Forest]

Not a fan either but like Dan says their is nobody else.

[Joe.]

Yes, you are.

I am by no means his biggest fan but right now he's the best we've got for that position. In all seriousness, who would you put in his place? Micah Richards can't get in a squad these days let alone fight for a first team place.

His biggest attributes are obviously going forward, and for England he generally performs well in this area. Despite that woeful effort in the second half he's not too shabby in front of goal for a right back, and he's always there to support the wingers when they need him. That you can always rely upon him for.

That said, while he's forward there's gaps at the back. And there are gaps where he should be far too often. Sadly against the bigger sides Glen Johnson's attacking instincts will cost us (and seemingly have done), and he worries me immensely when we're playing somebody useful. Great defender he is not.

[Jimothy]

Name another England right-back who you would pick over him. If you say Gary Neville or Wes Brown then your point is invalid. And don't go naming centre-back who could play there either. Bet you can't name one better than Johnson.

[purpleronnie]

He's average but there's little out there.

[The Doctor]

Name another England right-back who you would pick over him. If you say Gary Neville or Wes Brown then your point is invalid. And don't go naming centre-back who could play there either. Bet you can't name one better than Johnson.

Micah Richards (when ever i've seen hm play he's been a right back)

[Guest BlueBrett]

I don't rate him that highly either but what's the alternative? I can't think of any decent English right-backs off the top of my head.

One player who I certainly think should be making way now is Gareth Barry.

Agreed on both points. I really wnted to write a sentence saying surely...would be a better choice but a suitable name just wouldnt come to me. I refuse to believe he is the best the entire country has to offer though.

Barry just doesnt do much in my opinion. My mate is a massive villa fan and he used to rant and rave about his apparent class but i have but i have never really seen it. All he ever seems to do is pass the ball 10 or 15 yards to the nearest available player. I know there is nothing wrong with just doing the simple thing sometimes but it doesnt seem like he knows how to do anything else. If only Paul Scholes would come out of international retirement!

[lildave3]

It's either him, Richards or Luke Young. He's clearly the best option.

[Jimothy]

Micah Richards (when ever i've seen hm play he's been a right back)

Actually I'll give you that, but England manager after England manager has over looked him. So it's Johnson or Richards, Richards doesn't look like getting a look in so there is nobody else.

[Guest BlueBrett]

Yes, you are.

I am by no means his biggest fan but right now he's the best we've got for that position. In all seriousness, who would you put in his place? Micah Richards can't get in a squad these days let alone fight for a first team place.

His biggest attributes are obviously going forward, and for England he generally performs well in this area. Despite that woeful effort in the second half he's not too shabby in front of goal for a right back, and he's always there to support the wingers when they need him. That you can always rely upon him for.

That said, while he's forward there's gaps at the back. And there are gaps where he should be far too often. Sadly against the bigger sides Glen Johnson's attacking instincts will cost us (and seemingly have done), and he worries me immensely when we're playing somebody useful. Great defender he is not.

I know that is what people always say when bigging him up but I don't really see it. I genuinely think that the few times he has scored or even got a shot on target he has just got lucky and he generally appears just as suprised as everbody else. Every time he gets the ball in the attcking third for England it makes me nervous because I get the feeling that he is going t throw away 25 passes worth of build up play by thoughtlessly and selfishly notching up three points for wigan.

[Joe.]

I genuinely think that the few times he has scored or even got a shot on target he has just got lucky and he generally appears just as suprised as everbody else.

Yeah, lucky...

Skip to 3:25.

[dandannieldanok]

Micah Richards (when ever i've seen hm play he's been a right back)

Completely forgot about him, good shout. Should definitely be a fixture in the squad if he can hold a place down at Man City.

[Webbo]

I think he's a good player. Obviously better going forward but not the worse defensively.

[Jackirius]

He would play better on the right side of midfield i think, defiantly not a defender

[Collier]

I don't think he's 'crap,' by any means. He's more than useful going forward.

Agree with the Barry point, I think he gets a headache whenever he feels like he might have to pass the ball forward.

[Zingari]

sorry , but i think he's a world class player , very classy, comfortable with the ball, and a real threat with some incisive passing and getting forward

i believe he and Ashley Cole are the best pair of full backs we could hope for

[DJ Barry Hammond]

sorry , but i think he's a world class player , very classy, comfortable with the ball, and a real threat with some incisive passing and getting forward

i believe he and Ashley Cole are the best pair of full backs we could hope for

Agreed - this is similar to the 'Ashley Cole can't defend' debate that was had a few years ago that was found to largerly unfounded in the end. We happen to have two of the best attacking full backs in the game at international level, yet we don't seem to want to use them in their best capacity. We are seriously wasting both of them with the formation we play, but what can you do?

[sdb]

Good going forward, very average defensively, but as most here have said, he's our best option. If Richards gets a lot of game time at Man City then perhaps, but he's got at least as many frailties and always has a mistake in him imo.