Described by AN on the podcast as a “special” player.
Neil said: “Naturally as you get a bit older you take more of a burden of responsibility. “Experienced guys like John Welsh, Jordan Hugill and Greg Cunningham have moved on.
“That has opened up some natural gaps for other lads like DJ to be more of a leader, more of a voice, to lead more by example.
“In recent weeks, I think DJ’s performances have been like that.
“DJ is a special player, his athleticism is hard to match. “That athleticism he can back up with an unbelievable technique which means he can get the ball in tight spaces and find a way out.”
Johnson, who played 156 games for PNE since signing from Villa in January 2015, penned a contract extension in August. He will be in line to start in North End’s visit to Hull City on Saturday as action resumes after the international break.
Neil told the official PNE podcast: “I say to DJ regularly that he should pick himself for our team.
“But he knows he needs to find a level of consistency that makes him a stalwart in the team.
“In recent weeks DJ has done that and that’s very good to see.”
Read more at: https://www.lep.co.uk/sport/footbal...lenge-for-midfielder-daniel-johnson-1-9396023