Michael Johnson on loan ?

[Leicfox]

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-news-Wolves-favourites-to-land-Manchester-City-outcast-Michael-Johnson-article649679.html

[wattolcfc]

Cracking player but the way the 3 centre mids are playing.. can we accomodate him?

[dpjfox]

We could accommodate him while Abe is away

[sphericalfox]

Cracking player but the way the 3 centre mids are playing.. can we accomodate him?

It will be a absolute necessity for us to bring in a midfielder with strength and ability in the transfer window. We cannot keep playing the system we currently are. We'll be found lacking ideas and valuable points will be lost if can't change formation simply because, as Sven has said, the only reason we are playing the formation we are is because of the midfield weakness. I think he'll be focussing on the midfield and goalkeeping situation.

We could do with someone like Johnson to up the options and quality. I had Stephen Ireland in my vision, until Houllier started playing him a bit more. Ireland played fantastically well under Sven, and fell apart when he left. But I don't think that's an even feasible option anymore.

[dannythefox]

good player could replace abe IF fit while hes away but we need someone whos fit now and not whos going to need 3-4 game to get warm up like bednar!

[karl rudham]

If you can believe anything the Sunday papers deliver he is on his way to Wolves in January, lets hope the paper's are wrong once again as he would be another welcome addition to an ever improving team.

[dyer11]

We could accommodate him while Abe is away

here here! shame to be losing good old yuki for 6 games, but i'm sure someone with the quality that Johnson possesses would do more than a good job in this league. only on loan though

[sdb]

i get the feeling he's been and gone as a player tbh

[sphericalfox]

Don't stone me to death. I don't personally don't favour this fella's personality, but falling down the pecking order, could Alan Smith drop down to play under Sven? It'll be as long a shot as Stephen Ireland, or anyone else for that matter. But he'd be the ideal player Sven is describing he wants.

[dyer11]

Don't stone me to death. I don't personally don't favour this fella's personality, but falling down the pecking order, could Alan Smith drop down to play under Sven? It'll be as long a shot as Stephen Ireland, or anyone else for that matter. But he'd be the ideal player Sven is describing he wants.

tbh that's a good shout (Y)

wouldn't mind alan smith, got the tenacity and would do all the dirty work that yuki currently does so well.

[Lineker's Left Foot]

I know they have the same number of injuries, but I'd even class Mark Davies as a 'Poor Man's Michael Johnson'

[Petchy]

i get the feeling he's been and gone as a player tbh

At 22?! You must be kidding me,

[Kitchandro]

It will be a absolute necessity for us to bring in a midfielder with strength and ability in the transfer window. We cannot keep playing the system we currently are. We'll be found lacking ideas and valuable points will be lost if can't change formation simply because, as Sven has said, the only reason we are playing the formation we are is because of the midfield weakness. I think he'll be focussing on the midfield and goalkeeping situation.

We could do with someone like Johnson to up the options and quality. I had Stephen Ireland in my vision, until Houllier started playing him a bit more. Ireland played fantastically well under Sven, and fell apart when he left. But I don't think that's an even feasible option anymore.

There was nothing wrong with the formation yesterday. The midfield didn't lack in ideas once they pulled their fingers out. If we are going to change the formation it's because it doesn't suit the strikers, not the midfield. We need a striker.

[sphericalfox]

There was nothing wrong with the formation yesterday. The midfield didn't lack in ideas once they pulled their fingers out. If we are going to change the formation it's because it doesn't suit the strikers, not the midfield. We need a striker.

There was nothing wrong with it yesterday, nor the other games before either. However, when Abe is away on International duty, what formation do you think will be best, as I don't think we have a player who can fill Abe's boots if we stick with the same formation as we are doing now? Or if we have injuries to Dyer or Vassel?

My point is that we need to be able to swap formations easily and have another midfielder outside of Andy King who knows how to take the game to the opponents. The 'Wellens Show' yesterday was great, but I can't see this happening very often, and I'll be glad to be proved wrong.

[Kitchandro]

There was nothing wrong with it yesterday, nor the other games before either. However, when Abe is away on International duty, what formation do you think will be best, as I don't think we have a player who can fill Abe's boots if we stick with the same formation as we are doing now? Or if we have injuries to Dyer or Vassel?

My point is that we need to be able to swap formations easily and have another midfielder outside of Andy King who knows how to take the game to the opponents. The 'Wellens Show' yesterday was great, but I can't see this happening very often, and I'll be glad to be proved wrong.

When Abe is away I think we have the players for a 4-4-2. I'm not sure what Sven means when he says we're not strong enough in midfield, because surely you pack it with more bodies if that is the case. We have some decent wingers - Dyer, Gallagher, Moussa. We also have a potential replacement for Abe (if we were to stick with the current formation) in Moreno, who looks a decent player.

What role would you invision Johnson playing?

[sphericalfox]

When Abe is away I think we have the players for a 4-4-2. I'm not sure what Sven means when he says we're not strong enough in midfield, because surely you pack it with more bodies if that is the case. We have some decent wingers - Dyer, Gallagher, Moussa. We also have a potential replacement for Abe (if we were to stick with the current formation) in Moreno, who looks a decent player.

What role would you invision Johnson playing?

I suspect Sven will want to put him in goal.

I see him playing in a 4-4-2 , being the central midfielder who will take it to the defenders ala Mark Davies did. He will bring pace and strength. He is no wallflower at 6ft tall, and I would have thought he has been putting some hours in the gym whilst away.

What Sven is suggesting is that while we have some very good technical players, ie they can spot a pass, make a pass, and be in the right place. We don't have someone who can run at the opposition and put fear in their eyes, and are not easily pushed off the ball. This is the 'weakness' and who am I to argue with Sven, I think he's right.

[Kitchandro]

I suspect Sven will want to put him in goal.

I see him playing in a 4-4-2 , being the central midfielder who will take it to the defenders ala Mark Davies did. He will bring pace and strength. He is no wallflower at 6ft tall, and I would have thought he has been putting some hours in the gym whilst away.

What Sven is suggesting is that while we have some very good technical players, ie they can spot a pass, make a pass, and be in the right place. We don't have someone who can run at the opposition and put fear in their eyes, and are not easily pushed off the ball. This is the 'weakness' and who am I to argue with Sven, I think he's right.

I assume you would drop Wellens then?

[sphericalfox]

I assume you would drop Wellens then?

Are we referring to when Abe is on International duty? Cos if we are then no.

Wellens can do the tracking back, and passing to the left and the right, and sometimes backwards.

When Abe returns then it is simply dependent on the opposition. There's no point saying that we should have one formation, and because that is working we should stick to it. That's madness, and we've seen enough of that rubbish in the last 10 years to understand how inevitably that will ensure failure.

Sven is limited to formations by the tools, please excuse the expression, he is working with.

It would be prudent to have options. Sven has stated that he believes in 4-4-2, and has all his career, but changes accordingly, but 4-4-2 is his bread and butter.

I am not saying that we should change for change sakes, but it might help our strikers to occasionally play their natural positions once in awhile, with the option of reverting to a 4-3-3, the formation that is working for us if needed or vice-versa.

Sorry to blab on, just trying to address all the points. Moreno is okay, but he is no Abe. I would be uncomfortable come January, when he hasn't played a game, that he is dropped into that position and is expected to pick up where Abe left off.

[Kitchandro]

Are we referring to when Abe is on International duty? Cos if we are then no.

Wellens can do the tracking back, and passing to the left and the right, and sometimes backwards.

When Abe returns then it is simply dependent on the opposition. There's no point saying that we should have one formation, and because that is working we should stick to it. That's madness, and we've seen enough of that rubbish in the last 10 years to understand how inevitably that will ensure failure.

Sven is limited to formations by the tools, please excuse the expression, he is working with.

It would be prudent to have options. Sven has stated that he believes in 4-4-2, and has all his career, but changes accordingly, but 4-4-2 is his bread and butter.

I am not saying that we should change for change sakes, but it might help our strikers to occasionally play their natural positions once in awhile, with the option of reverting to a 4-3-3, the formation that is working for us if needed or vice-versa.

Sorry to blab on, just trying to address all the points. Moreno is okay, but he is no Abe. I would be uncomfortable come January, when he hasn't played a game, that he is dropped into that position and is expected to pick up where Abe left off.

Then King?

Sorry, I know what you mean about needing the potential to change formations, I'm just trying to work out where Johnson would fit in and who would make way. Maybe I'm just being a douche.

Personally, I think in terms of a 4-4-2 something like Moussa/Gallagher-King-Wellens-Dyer would work. Wellens might have to concentrate more on his defensive responsibilities than he does now, but we'd have 2 decent wingers to get crosses in.

[sphericalfox]

Then King?

Sorry, I know what you mean about needing the potential to change formations, I'm just trying to work out where Johnson would fit in and who would make way. Maybe I'm just being a douche.

Personally, I think in terms of a 4-4-2 something like Moussa/Gallagher-King-Wellens-Dyer[/b] would work. Wellens might have to concentrate more on his defensive responsibilities than he does now, but we'd have 2 decent wingers to get crosses in.

So what you've suggested is that we don't get anyone in, what we have will do?

I will have to disagree. The reason we are playing a 4-3-3 in the first place is Sven had to pick up where Sousa left off. Sousa built a team for a 4-3-3. He brought in Moreno and Abe to make up for the rest of the midfield's weakness. Sven is clear what that is. We are easily pushed off the ball.

I am not going to make friends here, but all our wingers are lightweight. Dyer looks as though when on a run, if the wind caught him, the stewards and St. Johns ambulance would be fetching him off the roof. How his skinny legs don't snap when he's tackled is beyond me. Maybe he has adamantium on them shins, cos visually he looks as though he's only got his polio stirrups off. I love him, but it's difficult to watch him.

Gallagher hasn't much meat to him either. I just think if we set out a 4-4-2 we may come out in the first half positively and attacking. Let the defence do there job with Wellens or King(whoever is playing) to track back and let whoever Sven is getting in, be it Johnson to work the opposition and give them the shakes. Then maybe our strikers will have the confidence to be able to finish.

[Kitchandro]

So what you've suggested is that we don't get anyone in, what we have will do?

I will have to disagree. The reason we are playing a 4-3-3 in the first place is Sven had to pick up where Sousa left off. Sousa built a team for a 4-3-3. He brought in Moreno and Abe to make up for the rest of the midfield's weakness. Sven is clear what that is. We are easily pushed off the ball.

I am not going to make friends here, but all our wingers are lightweight. Dyer looks as though when on a run, if the wind caught him, the stewards and St. Johns ambulance would be fetching him off the roof. How his skinny legs don't snap when he's tackled is beyond me. Maybe he has adamantium on them shins, cos visually he looks as though he's only got his polio stirrups off. I love him, but it's difficult to watch him.

Gallagher hasn't much meat to him either. I just think if we set out a 4-4-2 we may come out in the first half positively and attacking. Let the defence do there job with Wellens or King(whoever is playing) to track back and let whoever Sven is getting in, be it Johnson to work the opposition and give them the shakes. Then maybe our strikers will have the confidence to be able to finish.

What would your first choice midfield 4 be then (considering we got Johnson). If you want both King and Wellens to play (I couldn't see a good reason to drop either of them) and you want Johnson playing in the centre too, it wouldn't be a 4-4-2. By the sound of it you think we need a new winger. TBH, if you are quick like Dyer, strength isn't always that important (as we saw yesterday). Gallagher perhaps your right, he isn't very strong or fast so probably isn't suited to the wing in a 4-4-2. Moussa has looked decent and I'd like him to be in or around the frame at some point. I think it's more important for the players in the centre to be strong. King isn't the strongest but is a massive threat going forward. Wellens is one of our stronger players.

I think if anything, we need a striker. Vassell did show signs that he could be the answer yesterday, I certainly don't think Bednar is. What we really need is someone who can play up front on their own. I'd love to get James Vaughan, people have said he's injury prone and maybe he is, but he is the type of player that would suit the current formation. As for a 4-4-2, I think we have several strikers who can play in that formation.

I don't think the midfield is a major concern, even without Abe. Certainly not the centr of it anyway.

[hackneyfox]

If you want promotion then you van never have too many good players, that's obvious so why would we query Sven bringing in good players and rotate the squad a bit, it's not as if we have 22 quality players.

[sphericalfox]

What would your first choice midfield 4 be then (considering we got Johnson). If you want both King and Wellens to play (I couldn't see a good reason to drop either of them) and you want Johnson playing in the centre too, it wouldn't be a 4-4-2. By the sound of it you think we need a new winger. TBH, if you are quick like Dyer, strength isn't always that important (as we saw yesterday). Gallagher perhaps your right, he isn't very strong or fast so probably isn't suited to the wing in a 4-4-2. Moussa has looked decent and I'd like him to be in or around the frame at some point. I think it's more important for the players in the centre to be strong. King isn't the strongest but is a massive threat going forward. Wellens is one of our stronger players.

I think if anything, we need a striker. Vassell did show signs that he could be the answer yesterday, I certainly don't think Bednar is. What we really need is someone who can play up front on their own. I'd love to get James Vaughan, people have said he's injury prone and maybe he is, but he is the type of player that would suit the current formation. As for a 4-4-2, I think we have several strikers who can play in that formation.

I don't think the midfield is a major concern, even without Abe. Certainly not the centr of it anyway.

My first choice 4 in midfield is irrelevant at this stage before the transfer window. Any one of Wellens, Abe, King could (god-forbid) get injured or go off the boil before then. Johnson or someone of his ilk would likely be coming in for the rest of the season either on loan or perm. I would say this player would not necessarily go straight in to the team, but again speculating on this is difficult, as we don't know know who it will be, other than from what Sven says. He wants a strong midfielder who will suit a 4-4-2. We need strength in depth, and options. I would like an attacking midfielder who can cut through the opposition and create chances for our strikers.

But for argument sake, Joe Bloggs signs on in January and can go straight into the team. Sven goes for a 4-4-2 as first choice formation. As it stands (though rumour has it that he is indeed looking for a winger). I would go for a Gallagher, King, Joe Bloggs, Dyer. We aim to score first and as many times as possible, putting the opposition under constant threat. We then resort to a 4-5-1 for the last third or quarter dependant on the score and 'Bob's your Uncle'.

It's near impossible to go through the millions of permutations. But that is, in my opinion, what Sven is aiming for.

I do see him going for a winger who can cross and provide a corner, and a Bentley-esque player should be another paramount signing and priority, cos corners should equal goals, not redundant record statistics.

[Simmo86]

If you want promotion then you van never have too many good players, that's obvious so why would we query Sven bringing in good players and rotate the squad a bit, it's not as if we have 22 quality players.

Exactly, feel the same way with Ljungberg. Even at 33 he'll still cut it at Championship level, not a world beater by any means but he'd still know how to play.

If one of our Midfielders got injured and I had a choice of a 33 year old Matt Oakley starting or a 33 year old Freddie Ljungberg starting...its a no brainer.

[Kitchandro]

My first choice 4 in midfield is irrelevant at this stage before the transfer window. Any one of Wellens, Abe, King could (god-forbid) get injured or go off the boil before then. Johnson or someone of his ilk would likely be coming in for the rest of the season either on loan or perm. I would say this player would not necessarily go straight in to the team, but again speculating on this is difficult, as we don't know know who it will be, other than from what Sven says. He wants a strong midfielder who will suit a 4-4-2. We need strength in depth, and options. I would like an attacking midfielder who can cut through the opposition and create chances for our strikers.

But for argument sake, Joe Bloggs signs on in January and can go straight into the team. Sven goes for a 4-4-2 as first choice formation. As it stands (though rumour has it that he is indeed looking for a winger). I would go for a Gallagher, King, Joe Bloggs, Dyer. We aim to score first and as many times as possible, putting the opposition under constant threat. We then resort to a 4-5-1 for the last third or quarter dependant on the score and 'Bob's your Uncle'.

It's near impossible to go through the millions of permutations. But that is, in my opinion, what Sven is aiming for.

I do see him going for a winger who can cross and provide a corner, and a Bentley-esque player should be another paramount signing and priority, cos corners should equal goals, not redundant record statistics.

I'm not against strengthening the squad of course. But I can't see someone coming in and walking straight into the starting line up, certainly not in place of Wellens as you have said in your example.