Player Watch Player Watch: Brennan Johnson

[BorjeSpurs]

For those frustrated about the fee we paid for Johnson, I urge you to look at the money we spent on the following players to make yourself happy again.

- Vicario
- Udogie
- Sarr
- Kulusevski
- Bentancur
- VDV
- Maddison

We clearly don't have a problem of overspending or talent identification within our current setup.

 

[bigfrooj]

We overpaid for Porro, we overpaid for Son, we overpaid for Richarlison, we overpaid for Kulusevski, we overpaid for Royal - until we didn’t. What an attitude to take on a 22 year old with less than five months at the club. In the days before video games and social media there was a bit more patience amongst this fan base.

 

[Tarricko]

He hasn't been great, but I remember Son was very poor in his first season and he was a year older.

I did think of Son when opening this thread. But Son always had an intensity about him. Yes Son can shirk tackles and be a bit weak, but Son always had a great mentality. Persistent and determined.

Early days for Johnson so definitely not writing him off. He's been OK. I just do see a bit of Sess in him and it's worrying.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

The thing is every manager can get signings wrong. Even if they have great player ID overall they will still get some wrong.

So far Ange has been fantastic signing off on Vic, VdV and Maddison.

I do feel like our attack really stands out at the moment as being a level below our midfield and defence, even when everyone is fully fit. We will still score a lot of goals and create chances imo because Ange coaching is unreal and we’ve got a phenomenal defence and midfield. But we definitely don’t have the same level of quality or rounded skills in attack compared to the other two areas.

Mate it’s Johnson’s first season with us and he’s 22, I think you and others need to relax at this point, he’s done perfectly well all things considered. Ange has said a few times “he’s one for the future” but he’s had to play a lot more than planned because of injuries etc.

I know that you know football and you know some players in Europe who we in theory could’ve signed who MAY have been a little more effective than Johnson, but it’s all what ifs and we always need a certain number of homegrown players, Johnson knows the league, he scored 8 goals last season in a poor Forest side aged 21.

Sure I see where people are coming from he wasn’t great tonight and his end product needs to improve but I’ll say it again, he’s only 22. As Ange has said certain other players who are pulling up trees and scoring and assisting in big numbers we probably at this stage can’t attract or afford.

I just don’t really see a big problem here, it’s not like when we spent £50mil on Ndombele who couldn’t last longer than 20 mins on the pitch, or when we signed Postiga, Rebrov etc who from day 1 looked poor, Johnson has come in and he tore Reece james a new one against Chelsea until we went down to 10 men, he was brilliant away at Arsenal, he stretches teams with his pace and he’s a great option to have who will only get better.

MABYE we could’ve made a slightly better signing in heindsight but I don’t think Johnson is anywhere near as bad as some are making out.

Just my onions.

 

[Misfit]

All things being equal, and they haven't with injuries etc, it just sometimes takes a player a season to settle into a new club.

And he's already delivered in games this season too in terms of end product.

Was a bit pants today though, no doubt about it. Werner making his debut and playing his first full game of the season showed much more pep in comparison.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

We overpaid for Porro, we overpaid for Son, we overpaid for Richarlison, we overpaid for Kulusevski, we overpaid for Royal - until we didn’t. What an attitude to take on a 22 year old with less than five months at the club. In the days before video games and social media there was a bit more patience amongst this fan base.

Bloody love this post, finally some sense

 

[Spursmatty87]

I was really disappointed with his display today. However, it’s not really his fault (or anyone else’s) he’s been over played. I’d like to see less of him this season hopefully we can do that.

 

[Tarnished]

A very poor game. Seemed to lack all confidence suddenly today

The lack of confidence might have originated from being wiped out by Wan-Bissaka in the first five minutes.

 

[Misfit]

The lack of confidence might have originated from being wiped out by Wan-Bissaka in the first five minutes.

Yes. An age-old reducer.

As I said, sometimes it takes a player a season, even under the best circs, to settle in fully.

 

[Wick3d]

I always find it weird when people bring up transfer fees. Why? It isn't your money, so who the fuck cares if we spent 5p or 50 million. Financially, we are well-run; we aren't going bankrupt any time soon.

 

[Mr Pink]

This guy will be a sensation.

Once the confidence grows we have a special player on our hands

People rating this funny tonight lol

Going to love coming back to this thread down the line!

 

[KILLA_SIN]

I did think of Son when opening this thread. But Son always had an intensity about him. Yes Son can shirk tackles and be a bit weak, but Son always had a great mentality. Persistent and determined.

Early days for Johnson so definitely not writing him off. He's been OK. I just do see a bit of Sess in him and it's worrying.

I remember a lot of fans id say the vast majority wanted Son sold in his first season.

 

[arunspurs]

Why are we talking about what we paid for Johnson ?
Johnson is worth the money for the talent and promise he has shown

With him, talent isnt the problem. His problem is weak mentality - lack of conviction, lack of self belief and being a softie. IMO, first 2 problems can be sorted by a good man manger like Ange. So, at the least, he is not a lost hope. He isnt a Antony.

In summer, IMO, we need a better winger than him. Johnson has got 5 more months to prove he is good enough for the starting spot

 

[Nick-TopSpursMan]

Mate it’s Johnson’s first season with us and he’s 22, I think you and others need to relax at this point, he’s done perfectly well all things considered. Ange has said a few times “he’s one for the future” but he’s had to play a lot more than planned because of injuries etc.

I know that you know football and you know some players in Europe who we in theory could’ve signed who MAY have been a little more effective than Johnson, but it’s all what ifs and we always need a certain number of homegrown players, Johnson knows the league, he scored 8 goals last season in a poor Forest side aged 21.

Sure I see where people are coming from he wasn’t great tonight and his end product needs to improve but I’ll say it again, he’s only 22. As Ange has said certain other players who are pulling up trees and scoring and assisting in big numbers we probably at this stage can’t attract or afford.

I just don’t really see a big problem here, it’s not like when we spent £50mil on Ndombele who couldn’t last longer than 20 mins on the pitch, or when we signed Postiga, Rebrov etc who from day 1 looked poor, Johnson has come in and he tore Reece james a new one against Chelsea until we went down to 10 men, he was brilliant away at Arsenal, he stretches teams with his pace and he’s a great option to have who will only get better.

MABYE we could’ve made a slightly better signing in heindsight but I don’t think Johnson is anywhere near as bad as some are making out.

Just my onions.

I’ve literally said in my posts I still think he can be a good player for us and I think he has something.

I haven’t even said he’s been terrible, I’ve defended him at some points too.

I honestly don’t think people would be as harsh on him either if we had at least one player who had the profile we so badly lack. It would really help the likes of Johnson to improve. The fact we don’t have a single attacker who can take players on is enhancing and magnifying the weaknesses of the attackers we do have, it’s leading to frustration among the fans.

I still think we could have spent the money better, there are options out there who are better players imo and more rounded as players. That doesn’t mean I’m writing him off though or saying he’s shit. I’ve said he’s got potential and can become a good player for us.

 

[kendoddsdadsdogsdead]

Mate it’s Johnson’s first season with us and he’s 22, I think you and others need to relax at this point, he’s done perfectly well all things considered. Ange has said a few times “he’s one for the future” but he’s had to play a lot more than planned because of injuries etc.

I know that you know football and you know some players in Europe who we in theory could’ve signed who MAY have been a little more effective than Johnson, but it’s all what ifs and we always need a certain number of homegrown players, Johnson knows the league, he scored 8 goals last season in a poor Forest side aged 21.

Sure I see where people are coming from he wasn’t great tonight and his end product needs to improve but I’ll say it again, he’s only 22. As Ange has said certain other players who are pulling up trees and scoring and assisting in big numbers we probably at this stage can’t attract or afford.

I just don’t really see a big problem here, it’s not like when we spent £50mil on Ndombele who couldn’t last longer than 20 mins on the pitch, or when we signed Postiga, Rebrov etc who from day 1 looked poor, Johnson has come in and he tore Reece james a new one against Chelsea until we went down to 10 men, he was brilliant away at Arsenal, he stretches teams with his pace and he’s a great option to have who will only get better.

MABYE we could’ve made a slightly better signing in heindsight but I don’t think Johnson is anywhere near as bad as some are making out.

Just my onions.

Think that’s what’s getting overlooked. He effects the shape of teams. Take him out then you’re getting teams squeezing up and condensing the space.

 

[agrdavidsfan]

Soon as he got nailed by wan bissaka he didn’t want to know he was the same for wales a few times

 

[Krafty]

Bit underwhelming today. Got into some decent positions that final ball was just a bit ‘meh’. Needs to be a little more decisive/clinical and we will have a very good player on our hands

 

[Toast]

Needs to be more aggressive IMO start chucking some forearms about

 

[KILLA_SIN]

Needs more conviction, he's a soft lad he needs to toughen up physically and mentally but he will come good

 

[Rout-Ledge]

I always find it weird when people bring up transfer fees. Why? It isn't your money, so who the fuck cares if we spent 5p or 50 million. Financially, we are well-run; we aren't going bankrupt any time soon.

It obviously matters how much we spend on players. Unlike certain clubs we have a limited budget and we need to spend it wisely. The fear is not bankruptcy but rather spending big chunks of our limited budget on the wrong players thus limiting our ability to spend on the right players. We have no control over it, but that’s a different point. We have no control over lots of things we have an opinion on regarding the club.

However, as others have already rightly said, we might look back on this deal in a few years and think ‘what a great signing’. Far too early to reach any conclusions about Brennan. I also disagree with the comparisons to Sessegnon, I already think he’s shown more in 5 months than Ryan has in 5 years (unbelievably he has very nearly been here that long).