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I don't think he is at present. Maybe if he signed a contract he'd reassume some status, but for now I can't see him getting a game and the signing of Ledson has somewhat nullified his presence.
DJ
I don't think he is at present. Maybe if he signed a contract he'd reassume some status, but for now I can't see him getting a game and the signing of Ledson has somewhat nullified his presence.
I agree, tally up his contribution over the last twelve months, then ask, is that what you would expect from a guy angling for an improved extended contract, he is not prepared to graft under those circumstances then he never. Will be. Let him go and be super chilled with occassional brilliance thrown in at a club that can afford the luxury.
If DJ will not sign a new contract then it is difficult to see the point of him simply being allowed to run down his present one other than to make the point that the club will not be held to ransom - you can't imagine him in such circumstances showing great commitment even if he got into the first team. Frankly if that is the case I would prefer we sold him for whatever we can get before 5.00pm on Thursday.
Ledson is back-up/competition for Pearson and Browne. Frankly if DJ left his immediate replacement is already here - Harrop with Gallagher as experienced back-up for this season and Burke for longer term strength-in-depth.
No way would he drop a division. His agent wants 15k a week wage for him.
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Sorry Ernest, but I think you could be wrong. When has Johnson ever played as a 10 for us or as any part of the 3 in our 4-2-3-1? Feel free to correct me, but he's been used as part of the 2 almost exclusively.
Gallagher also always (?) plays in the 2, not the 3 from what I've seen, acting as something like a quarterback and adding poise to the area.
You would think that Johnson would be selected as the 10 as opposed to Browne and maybe even Harrop, but clearly Neil has other ideas.
This means there is no place for him really...
Why would you think he would be selected as the 10? He has shown he isn't interested in pressing or challenging for the ball. Even as a 10 in AN's system, you have to be part of that.
Frankly, as good as DJ has been at times, I think people have rose tinted glasses on because he was part of the League One side that restored our Championship status (and some pride). He hasn't done much in the Championship and won't be much of a loss IMO.
Harrop will be streets ahead of him by the end of this season.
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I don't disagree, the only reason Johnson would be selected as a 10 is because of his (arguably) superior technical ability compared to Browne. As I've said before if you don't press and run, you're fucked under Alex Neil. And under any manager that plays the pressing game. He maybe got away with it under Grayson because we sat far deeper and didn't press as a unit.
I hope you're right about Harrop and tend to agree. The lad has class in those boots that he is yet to fully demonstrate.
It is where he should have been played but perhaps more importantly given both the fact that AN now seems to have recognised that Browne should be played further back more often and the signing of Ledson it is where he would have to play if he stayed.
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Having scanned the replies to this thread, I think a few people are guilty of a selective memory regarding Johnson, and do him a disservice to say he's been just a luxury, ornamental player since are return to the Championship - which isn't true.
He was electric in League One, no doubt about that, but I think his contribution in this league is often understated. He was superb for us in the first half of our first season back at this level, and almost our only creative outlet in a direct and one dimensional team.
His goals return from August - November 2015 probably kept Grayson his job, and PNE above the drop zone. His form did tail off towards the end of that first season, to be fair. Likewise, he was important at the beginning of our second season back, and a key part of our resurgence from around September onwards after a poor start. Again, it seemed like his form tailed off towards the end of that season, but so did the team's as a whole.
Maybe I'm being too kind to Johnson, I have a soft spot for him because he's a good footballer and has so often provided the spark of quality in hard working if unspectacular sides under Grayson/Neil. If we can find a place to accommodate him, and he acquiesces to work a bit harder off the ball perhaps, then I still think he has more to offer.
He was electric in League One, no doubt about that, but I think his contribution in this league is often understated. He was superb for us in the first half of our first season back at this level, and almost our only creative outlet in a direct and one dimensional team.
His goals return from August - November 2015 probably kept Grayson his job, and PNE above the drop zone. His form did tail off towards the end of that first season, to be fair. Likewise, he was important at the beginning of our second season back, and a key part of our resurgence from around September onwards after a poor start. Again, it seemed like his form tailed off towards the end of that season, but so did the team's as a whole.
Maybe I'm being too kind to Johnson, I have a soft spot for him because he's a good footballer and has so often provided the spark of quality in hard working if unspectacular sides under Grayson/Neil. If we can find a place to accommodate him, and he acquiesces to work a bit harder off the ball perhaps, then I still think he has more to offer.
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Totally with you regarding your final sentence. I honestly think there’s quality there that is currently being wasted,unfortunately.
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And I've no faith his place in the squad will be filled with another player. Just a sad situation for me personally, he's a quality footballer and yet another we've been unable to secure.
Aye 'doesn't fit into the system' might be true but it seems harsh. As long as 'the system' works we'll get over it.
Totally agree. He is a class act on the ball. Hardly ever gives the ball away and creates chances. For me he should start more often and we will be weaker without him. Will no doubt spend 50k to try and replace him . Disgusted if he is sold to the Blades.
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Agree.
I don't think we'd particularly notice his absence, mainly because he's barely played in the last year anyway and the team has performed admirably in his absence. My point is I think DJ has talent which hasn't been fully utilised of late.
Maybe his time has just come to a natural end, and he is just surplus to Neil's requirements.
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I think that’s the case, unfortunately. I said in an earlier post that it may now be best for both parties if he moved on and made a fresh start somewhere. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he proves to be a major success at another championship club and it may well be a case of our loss is their gain.
A pity though that he doesn't exhibit more "steel" during the games.