The dearth of true wingers at Liverpool and the slow, methodical attacking play of recent times has heightened the Glen Johnson debate; right-back or right wing? In a recent LFC.tv survey supporters were asked if they agreed with John Aldridge and his view that Johnson would be better employed on the wing with Martin Kelly slotting in at right back and Dirk Kuyt moved up to partner Torres. The answer was overwhelmingly in the positive, with 94 per cent feeling that the right back’s abilities in the final third would make him more effective as a winger. Defensive lapses against Blackpool, particularly conceding a penalty, will probably have entrenched this view even further.
Early indications from the Roy regime suggest this will never happen despite not purchasing an out-and-out winger in the summer. In a fashion similar to Benitez’s preferred tactic of last season, the full backs are given some license to push forward in attack and are covered by defensive-minded wingers. This is when we see Johnson at his aggressive best, overlapping the winger and pumping in good crosses or cutting inside to great effect. It’s these late bursts that grab our attention after what is, frankly, slow and insipid possession play. A lack of presence in the box, however, negates much of Johnson’s work in the final third.
In contrast, the defensive strategy of the team is accentuating any mistake from the fullbacks. At the moment Poulsen is sinking into the defensive line (when his laborious gait gets him there) and the centre backs are pushed outwards to give defensive width. This means the fullbacks are free to get close to the opposition wingers whilst they are covered from overlapping runs behind them by their own wingers. If this shape holds and the team keeps the opposition at bay whilst looking for an opportunity to tackle, perfect.
However, the trepidation and conservatism of this current Liverpool side means there is a very deep defensive line. The space available to Blackpool on Sunday was simply embarrassing. This area between the lines was not closed down by the centre backs and Poulsen was not quick enough in assuming his defensive duties. Most blatant was how the fullbacks were exposed to runs behind them as the opposition were able to play through balls deep in Liverpool territory. The defensive tactics meant Johnson was often left isolated by his team and when he did have a chance to tackle he was often hesitant and allowed wingers to cut inside into dangerous areas. This was exacerbated by his forays down the right that meant he had to track back quickly.
Hodgson’s tactics are not conducive to a player like Johnson. His wing play is wasted on a team that plays slow, progressive passing and does not have presence in the box and the tactics in defence highlight his shortcomings in one-on-one situations. If one of the creative quartet of Gerrard, Meireles, Cole and Torres were playing even close to their best, spreading play and busting a gut to get into the box, then playing Johnson on the right might work. Unfortunately pass and move doesn’t seem to be in Hodgson’s plans for the moment. Let’s hope things change.
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I think pass and move is in his plans but the players are not performing up to scratch to make it work! He needs to pay what works with the players that he has and not try to make them play to his ideas!
BOTH.
It’s funny, I said something very similar at the start of the season and got roundly hammered by most commentors for it! Will be interesting to see whether John Aldridge’s opinion holds more weight than mine. I agree however, Johnson would be far better utilised on the right side of the midfield/wing.
I SAID PUT HIM ON THE WING LAST SEASON WITH KELLY BEHIND HIM COS EVEN THEN YOU COULD SEE HE CANT DEFEND ,THIS IS OLD NEWS
YNWA
JOHNSON is not a right back in the old mould of just defending.
play him right wing see how he does if not just sell him and buy a better player at that role. when or if this great club gets better owners and maybe then only then can we even talk about new players etc! but for me unless his attitude gets better and he can play at right wing, if not sell him fast for around 15-18 million recoup the cash and if we could buy lahm instead who is twice the player johno is.
if not darion srna and cissohko would be got for the same amount of cash two for the price of one, both better than johno as well.
improve or flog, oh and why we are are at it;
sell; lucus, babel, el zhar, itandge, aquilani,
poulsen, thats would generate around 30 mill.
we still got the young david amoo!!!
Hodgsons track record speaks for itself. He’s won nothing of any note in 35 yrs.
ROY, ROY, ROY,
For almost a year I’m shouting that Johnson should be playing right winger because he’s not a defender. I’m honoured to find out that Aldridge thinks the same and I hope it will happen soon.
He just needs to learn how to defend. I don’t know if roy ever win nothing in all is years as a manager, he’s a mid table manager who lacks ambition, always talking about the fans needs to be realistic and judge me after ten games. Realistic your not good enough and after 7 games we have 1 win 3draws 3loses. Get the fuck out of the club.
if johnson is in a football team, its the wrong position.
glen is learning spanish, i think he should learn how to defend first.
the worrying thing about roy is he wants liverpoool toplay his system, well his system is set up for underdog football, he better learn the top dog attacking system quick.
glen is talented british player we should not even think of selling him, the problem is managers playing style. with the new rule & his age hes more important to our future plan whether he will play at the full back or a winger.In my view manager matters alot with playing style & getting better from his players,unfortunately we dont have this at the moment. In terms of individual players I realy think we have better players than Wenger side but see how good they are playing and winning mentality they have. YNWA
fire roy,period.get klinsman or kenny
BOTH WITHOUT ANY QUESTION
i think harry redknap only wrote that crap about hicks and gillett so he could donate the cash to sick animals, in this case they ran at kempton on saturday. he sold his dignity for a couple of thousand, one phone call from the daily scum and harry was right up for it, you know harry, he helped bankrupt portsmouth spent a fortune then did a runner.