Another menacing element to England's wonderfully fluent attacking threat. His break downfield in the build-up to the third goal, exhilarating in its pace and culminating in a fine slipped reverse pass to Young, typified his threat. Would have loved a goal of his own to celebrate. 8
Most people praised him after the game. Johnson looks all well and good coming off the bench, but when he comes on he still makes bad decisions when it gets to the crucial times. Yes, sometimes he makes the right decision and it all looks fantastic but he doesn't do it consistently enough when the time comes. You see it for City a lot when he comes on, and he had a pretty quiet afternoon for them up until the goal against Blackburn.
Those ratings are hilariously over the top. Barry, Downing and Walcott given 8's? I honestly don't remember him doing anything. The only players who impressed in that game were Young and Parker, and Rooney was clincal. Bulgaria actually bossed possession in the first half and most of our front players barely got into the game, but we managed to score all of our chances as their defending was horrific.
most of our players had a quiet afternoon before johnson scored. silva was having little influence on the game, the only players standing out were nasri and balotelli, who were working hard. walcott did next to nothing against tottenham.
Yeah those ratings are exaggerated for god knows what reason, only players who stood out were the ones Seb mentioned. In regards to Walcott/Johnson, I'm on the fence with them. Walcott has shown himself to be capable of being a very exciting player but he is probably the most inconsistent person in the entire squad - I certainly wouldn't say he is proven. Capable of brilliant things but proven would suggest that it happens often or at least a semi-regular basis, which it doesn't. Johnson on the other hand just seems to be an impact sub, I don't see him as the sort of player who should be starting games. If I had to pick one over the other, I'd probably go for Walcott.
Yeah those ratings are exaggerated for god knows what reason, only players who stood out were the ones Seb mentioned. In regards to Walcott/Johnson, I'm on the fence with them. Walcott has shown himself to be capable of being a very exciting player but he is probably the most inconsistent person in the entire squad - I certainly wouldn't say he is proven. Capable of brilliant things but proven would suggest that it happens often or at least a semi-regular basis, which it doesn't. Johnson on the other hand just seems to be an impact sub, I don't see him as the sort of player who should be starting games. If I had to pick one over the other, I'd probably go for Walcott.
"He is vastly overrated by football fans who don't watch him for 90 mins. Game against Wigan he was atrocious and I could sense people around me and others were frustrated with him. Secondly he would you'd think be a perfect impact player however when he came on v Fulham he did nothing; hardly a great impact player. I think he has got potential but still needs to stick with 'running' at players which not many players can do and hopefully with more confidence he can come good."
He is 24 now, and I really can't see him ever making it at City. Maybe a squad player for a top 6 team. I think he can be a good impact player, with a tired defence but makes too many bad decisions to get near a City first XI, or even an England XI.
Johnson has terrific ball control, he cuts inside very well, and he's got some pace. He's techniquely far superior than any of the other wingers who would be playing in front of him (I consider Young to be a starter now so i'm talking about all the other wingers, all of whom have been tried and have failed for England).
International Matches Discussion Thread
Re: International Matches Discussion Thread
