Much-maligned Reds defender is now the finished article
IT’S been another mixed bag of a season so far but it could yet finish on a positive note, depending on whether we can finish in the European places.
There have been some highlights though – Luis Suarez, in general; the progress of many of our young stars; Steven Gerrard getting through most of the season uninjured, amongst others.
For me though, one of the biggest positives has been the maturing of Glen Johnson.
It’s easy to forget that we signed the England international almost 4 years ago, and that he has now played over 125 games for Liverpool.
Johnson has received much criticism for his defensive lapses and ‘off-days’ and much of that was justified; there was a top player in there just waiting to come out but it wasn’t half frustrating to watch him struggle for form sometimes.
But at the age of 28, he appears to be peaking at just the right time. Having cementing his place as England’s first-choice right-back and had a solid run of games for Liverpool this season, Johnson – at last – appears to have come into his own, both in the attacking sense and defensively.
It’s hard to argue with the fact that Glen is clearly one of the best attacking full-backs in the league. He has plenty of technique and I’ve many times expressed my desire to see him play further up the pitch, such are his attacking qualities.
But this season he appears to have worked out any kinks in that all-important defensive side of his game too. It’s possible that he’s the only member of Liverpool’s defence not to have made a costly individual error this season.
Suarez is clearly going to win Liverpool’s Player of the Year award, but Johnson would be a front-runner if not for the genius of the Uruguayan.
The question is: is Johnson the finished article, or can he get even better?
Provided he keeps his concentration and those lapses don’t find there way back in, I can’t really see where Johnson can improve his game. He’s even managed to bring some consistency to his performances this season and you could even say he was one of the few players you could rely on week-in, week-out.
However, he could perhaps do with adding a few more assists and goals to his game. All the great attacking full-backs over the years have chipped in at the opposite end and if Glen could bring on that aspect of his game then it would be hard to see where else he could better his game.
It’s definitely been a long time in coming, but it looks as if Johnson has finally started to show the kind of form that justifies the £17.5 million the club reportedly spent on him in July 2009. Long may that form continue.
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March 20th, 2013
I have never seen such a sad loser as you on here mikeyboy
hahaha
March 21st, 2013
Found out how to do percentages yet? HAHAHA
March 20th, 2013
Only kidding. I’m not looking for apologies even though you probably wouldn’t have given one anyway.
All I’m asking (hoping) for is a bit more balance in the views I read, not just blithely trotting out something you heard once and making out it’s a fact.
You don’t like Rodgers? Fine, it’s your prerogative. Nobody can tell you that you have to like him.
Just don’t peddle these myths and present them as facts, and hopefully you’ll decide to base your opinions on an open minded assessment of the situation…
March 20th, 2013
You will admit you faked the stats then ?
March 20th, 2013
Those stats ARE facts , not myths
March 20th, 2013
Oops . My mistake . Im doing the percentages off the top of my head. It is 40% . I apologize
But you still faked the facts and Rodgers is still the worst
…and it’s you who started trotting the stats out for your own agenda
March 20th, 2013
Well done red rum . That will teach the numpties to try usin statistics
March 21st, 2013
Numpty my ass. You are a bigger fool than most for not noticing even when it was pointed out.
here is my source for the so called faked statistics
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Liverpool_F.C._managers
I haven’t faked anything as you can see.
Rodgers overall record : P45 won 21
Win percentage 46.67%
As you can see, I have rounded up/down using the standard method right across the board.
That shows both of you that you should be more careful when accusing people of making stuff up.
I’m still waiting for you to explain how Kenny in a full season, (2nd spell)can have a considerably worse win ratio, lose ratio, and STILL not be called all the things you called Rodgers.
You, of course, think it fair to include the previous season’s stats for Kenny when Rodgers hasn’t even completed a full season yet. Mainly because it boosts his % from just over 36% which it was for the whole of season 2011/12.
I already posted a link to compare the stats at the same point in 11/12 and 12/13. Kenny was worse in that comparison too
Since the team has considerably improved their performance level over the last 10 games or so, it is reasonable to expect that Rodgers’ win ratio will increase by the end of the season. If it doesn’t, he deserves to go.
That accusation of making stuff up to suit my point has been proven wrong. And it’s your final point against me as far as I can see.
You apologised, which means you are not as big an idiot as I made out.
But please note that I will NEVER knowingly quote stats that are Incorrect, and definitely will NEVER make them up.
March 21st, 2013
I checked out the stats and you are wrong Mikeyboy. You shouldn’t open your mouth if you dint know what your talking about.
Good find redrum. I have used them already.
March 21st, 2013
NO he’s not. Check again. Souness, Evans/Houllier, and Moran are both worse for a start.
March 21st, 2013
That’s re you saying Rodgers is still the worst…
March 21st, 2013
By the way, Kenny’s overall 2nd spell win % was 47.3 against 46.7 for Rodgers. Which is why I said before that they were broadly similar. 1.5 points per game.
That’s why I don’t buy the line that we were great under Kenny/Steve but crap under Rodgers.
You haven’t even given Rodgers a full season yet.
If it gets much worse- sack him.
but at least give him the chance you gave Kenny
March 21st, 2013
What are you on about ?
i said league ratios . the cups are full of crappy games against rubbish european qualifiers
check the LFChistory website for LEAGUE ratios
Now i believe u are just twisting the stats deliberately
These are the facts as by Liverpools own historical website
………….. win % ……. average points per game
shankly …52.11 ……….1.81
paisley ….57.57 ……….1.97
fagan ……54.20 ……….1.90
dalglish ….60.91 ………2.08
souness .42.04 ………1.55
evans …..51.77 ……….1.80
houllier ….52.12 ………. 1.80
rafa ……..56.28 ………..1.90
hodgson 41.93 ………..1.51
dalglish ..47.30 ………..1.65
rodgers .. 40.00 ……….1.5
THEY ARE THE FACTS – Rodgers is clearly the worst
Stop making up rubbish , your just looking stupid
Check them out on the website and then shut up
March 21st, 2013
what you did mikey – was take the exact same stats as i did , the league ones … but u changed rodgers stats from league percentages to overall percentages .
silly mistake to make . but the least u should do is check my facts are correct and admit you were wrong
March 21st, 2013
Anfield Online has all the stats too .just look for historical LFC manager stats
March 21st, 2013
No I didn’t, you’re mistaken.
The first figures I used were from Wikipedia and were ALL overall stats for ALL managers. Check them.
THEN you said you meant LEAGUE ratios, so I quoted league win ratios for EVERYBODY including Rodgers.
At no time did I EVER mix the two. Check it.
Your facts ARE now correct.
If you look properly at what I said, I clearly stated that I felt it was unfair to boost Kenny’s stats by using win percentages from the previous season when Rodgers hasn’t been able to post a full season’s figures.
The reason I believe that to be unfair is that Kenny should be judged on a full season’s figures as that 2011/12 season is the one which we managed AFTER he made his own team by buying Henderson, Downing, Carroll etc.
Now IF you disagree with that reasoning, by all means pull me up on it and tell me why you think we should include the previous part season figures. While you’re able to make a case for that, I think that most people would agree with my assessment that 2011/12 was Kenny’s real figures as it was HIS team.
The fairest way would be to look at the first 30 matches for ALL the managers, but I don’t have the time or desire to do so. You can if you wish.
I COULD, however, compare Kenny’s first 30 games in 2011/12 to Rodgers’ first 30 games of 2012/13:
Kenny 2011/12
P 30 W 11 D 9 L 10 GF 36 GA 31 GD 5 PTS 42
Rodgers 2012/13
P 30 W 12 D 9 L 9 GF 57 GA 39 GD 18 PTS 45
I THINK THAT’S THE FAIREST COMPARISON. Please tell me why it isn’t if you disagree
The reason you will likely want to include the previous season’s figures is that Kenny’s 2011/12 season’s stats are BELOW Rodgers. And you want Rodgers to look worse.
I’m not just adding this point of view afterwards, check my posts and you will see that I made this point earlier.
The gist of my argument is that you are castigating Rodgers for his present performance, but didn’t do the same to Kenny over last season’s performance which is unfair in my eyes.
I am not saying Rodgers is brilliant , or Kenny is not, I’m saying there’s too much difference between the reaction to their actual performance, certainly more than can be explained by referring to the Carling Cup win.
People were saying give Kenny another season when his win percentage OVER A FULL SEASON was 36%
But you and others are saying Rodgers Out for this season after only 30 games when his win % is better at 40%.
You’re not letting him complete the season to see how it compares on a like for like basis. His team over 38 games vs Kenny’s over 38 games. You want him out NOW
And THAT’s what I’m saying is wrong.
Ps Moran’s ratio was 40% same as Rodgers. Evans/Houllier 38.9 (source Anfield Online)You left those out.
Plus AO’s figures are out of date for Rodgers. His current ratio is 40% as you know
March 21st, 2013
I’ve put this last stat separate because it is probably the most important. My first post pointed this out.
Using Anfield Online, as you suggested look at the LOSS statistics
They show who lost more games over their time with LFC
Dalglish 2nd period
Loss % 29.73%
Rodgers
Loss % 26.92% ( currently 30%)
The defence has been NO WORSE under Rodgers.
(well,.08%) There’s NO way out of that fact. Which was my original point.
March 21st, 2013
The LFC site btw omits the figures from Evans/Houllier and rolls them into the respective manager’s overall stats which is why I didn’t use it as my source.
March 21st, 2013
I didn’t put Moran in because he was only a caretaker manager and only had 10 games. It wasn’t his team and he was never a proper manager
I didn’t include Evans/houillier joint reign because that was a ridiculous situation .how can judge the 2 ? Who was to blame ? Evans ? Houllier ? Nonsense
It never occurred to me to seperate Kennys reign into 2 . A manager should be judged overall. His remarkable run after taking over was fantastic and should not be discarded
Yes include Moran, Evans/houillier if u must but I dint think it’s fair .but Kennys stats are the way they should be.
Kennys league form was disastrous last season no doubt….as is Rodgers. However 2 cup finals , a trophy , all the problems he had with the Suarez affair , injuries to Gerrard and Lucas.I think Kenny deserves a hell of a lot more credit than Rodgers. In fact overall I think last season was acceptable and this season NOT.
I truly believe we have a fool in charge an
March 21st, 2013
even a few wins (against mostly poor teams) wont change that
The tide is turning , more and more fans are sick of his bull and poor tactics , and inexcusable selections (Allen).
To me as a man and a manager – he is a big let down to LFC
March 21st, 2013
Ok reasonable points, I also think we should have given Kenny another season at least, but the cup wins were just a band aid to mask a poor season, Rodgers will need to be better at the moment he is doing slightly better but I agree not enough.
I think Downing and Henderson were similarly inexcusable for Kenny though- like he was trying to justify their fees, both of which were more than Allen’s who I agree has been poor.
End of the season though, that’s the time to take stock. It’s not too late for him imo