Player Watch Player Watch: Brennan Johnson

[Rosco1984]

I really like him. he has put some goals on a plate for son and richy and he pins his fullback back as they are scared of his pace and direct runs in behind. Yes he needs to do better in possession when he has time on the ball and a man to beat but it will come with experience and confidence and he isn't letting us down or giving it away needlessly so I don't see what people's problems are. Although everyone thinks Hojbjerg was good yesterday and all I saw was plodding and losing the ball falling over his own feet so it's a game of opinions isn't it and sometimes we see what backs up our previous opinions.

Also he was playing yesterday without any of the players who typically are tasked with releasing the wingers in behind.. When we have 3 ball players in midfield again having his and werners pace in wide areas will cause chaos.

Imagine defending against... Werner Son Johnson with madders, Bentancur and Biss releasing them every couple of minutes.

 

[JSpurs1]

I don’t think I buy all of this - he’s only 22, expected to be on the bench etc.

He had played over 140 games in men’s football before joining us - 40 games in the PL with Forest. He’s an international footballer who’s played at a WC.

It is way too early to write him off but he needs to improve. He was pretty dreadful yesterday and constantly had a grimace on his face of someone who wasn’t enjoying the physicality. AWB pocketed him.

 

[easley91]

I don’t think I buy all of this - he’s only 22, expected to be on the bench etc.

He had played over 140 games in men’s football before joining us - 40 games in the PL with Forest. He’s an international footballer who’s played at a WC.

It is way too early to write him off but he needs to improve. He was pretty dreadful yesterday and constantly had a grimace on his face of someone who wasn’t enjoying the physicality. AWB pocketed him.

People had written off Richarlison, someone with vastly more experience and is older. Each player is different in how long it can take to settle and gain confidence in a new side/system regardless of age and experience. I think we just need to be patient with Brennan. I can see the potential, and as others have mentioned once everyone is back and available him off the bench will be a decent weapon against tiring defences.

People just need to give them at least a season before writing someone off, especially a young lad like Johnson.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

The trouble is, some people judge solely by the game, that player, largely based on the latest 90 minutes, they just see that so judge on that with no consideration for any other influences or even balance. He played bad, so he's bad. And what 'bad' on SC is, is often times harsh to say the least and that's not even mentioning the scapegoat rule

United's first goal was, IMO, a bit of a lucky break for the player but that didn't stop criticism. And there's another issue, why does the always have to be criticism. Sometimes we concede a goal because well, you know, there's another team on the pitch. Go back through the season and you'll be hard pressed to find a goal that wasn't down to one of our players.........It's a joke. We lose and the players get criticised, we win or draw and fuck me, the first thing you get is people criticising. Literally. The first thing. The micro analysis everywhere has gotten out of hand

So so spot on mate!

I mean take Richy, people writing him off not taking into account he needed an operation and his mental health was not in a good place. Fast forward to now and he's scored 6 in 6!

As you say its such simple thinking 'he played bad so he is bad'. Football and life isn't like that, things need to be looked at with balance and context and perspective.

And also exactly that why does there always have to be criticism, I think that is a product of modern society plus the nature of football fans, they always want to find something to blame, sometimes people need to just accept things for what they are or not micro analyse everything, Johnson is a prime case of this whether he goes on longer term to be a success with us or not as I've said repeatedly that taking all of the context into account, given he's only been with us half a season, is only 22 and is playing more than we'd planned he has done fairly well in the very short time he has been with us.

Luckily we have a Manager who does completely understand the importance of balance and context.

 

[Gilzeanking]

I think regardless of what Johnson's qualities are, aren't or could potentially be, what is apparent, is we are one special player away from being serious title challengers and the obvious place where we can accomodate that player is the RWF role. We can't have a regular first team spot where we "develop" players. That's for mid to lower table teams. Title challengers have players like Johnson as bit part options, who hopefully improve or go on loan to improve. Despite paying a large fee for him, I still think our biggest and perhaps only major investment, in the summer, needs to be RWF and ideally Olise. Sonny, Madders and Kulu are all good enough, but we need at least one player that combines, both speed and technical brilliance to take us to that next level. Johnson needs another season or 2 of improving and even then it's unlikely he'll reach Mane levels, which is what is required to win Prem titles.

I'm basing this on the assumption we aren't suddenly going to find another Harry Kane for the CF role.

So much to like in this post. It's a question of what are we aiming for. If its titles, all of the above applies. If it's old style top 4 is our best target Spurs then OK, let's see if Johnson develops with another 30 starts.

If it's titles then, as Ange repeatedly tells us, 'Our front third needs improving' . Of course Johnson has been starting because we have a drastic injury problem, so later a squad place will suit better imo. I'm hoping that Joey is right about Kulu because bar Sonny, forward wise I'm not totally convinced.

@Archibald&Crooks Unkind to suggest that doubts re Johnson are largely from one latest match. I've been getting whacked for months now on this subject !

 

[Gb160]

People had written off Richarlison, someone with vastly more experience and is older. Each player is different in how long it can take to settle and gain confidence in a new side/system regardless of age and experience. I think we just need to be patient with Brennan. I can see the potential, and as others have mentioned once everyone is back and available him off the bench will be a decent weapon against tiring defences.

People just need to give them at least a season before writing someone off, especially a young lad like Johnson.

At most a handful of posters have 'written him off'...the vast, vast majority criticising are just expressing disappointment at what we've seen so far.

 

[Wheeler Dealer]

Soft as shite

At most a handful of posters have 'written him off'...the vast, vast majority criticising are just expressing disappointment at what we've seen so far.

What we've seen has been rather disappointing on a number of factors. Football doesn't allow for patience unfortunately.

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

At most a handful of posters have 'written him off'...the vast, vast majority criticising are just expressing disappointment at what we've seen so far.

That's true (and fair), but what you have to remember is sometimes that handful are the most vocal, or are most likely to return to argue it and probably get the most responses, so I guess it seems worse than it is. Then those, like your good self, feel compelled and then you have three sides of a coin, heads, tails and bollocks, all arguing the finer points

We all do it somewhere along the SC line.

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

@Archibald&Crooks Unkind to suggest that doubts re Johnson are largely from one latest match. I've been getting whacked for months now on this subject !

Fair comment. If that's what i'd done (or meant) that is

 

[ohtottenham!]

I have faith that Ange will unlock and develop the potential that Brennan has for the good of the team. He'll put an arm round him and say, "Why do you look like you're in constant pain, son. Lose the grimace for starters!"

 

[Fergus]

I don’t think I buy all of this - he’s only 22, expected to be on the bench etc.

He had played over 140 games in men’s football before joining us - 40 games in the PL with Forest. He’s an international footballer who’s played at a WC.

It is way too early to write him off but he needs to improve. He was pretty dreadful yesterday and constantly had a grimace on his face of someone who wasn’t enjoying the physicality. AWB pocketed him.

Shameful that you got dislikes for this piece of harsh but fair criticism. I'm quite free with my disagrees (neutral rep BTW) but I save my dislikes for totally snide posts like Mr 400 and counting.

 

[yido_number1]

I'd put myself in the camp of expecting him to come good but being a bit miffed that some of the chasing back/physical bits have been a little off.

He's definitely produced in key moments and you'd like to see more. Not his best game yesterday but I'm sure he knows that.

I think he'll benefit from the extra maturity that will come. Seems to not be switched on 100% of the time. Definitely a player that benefits from being marshalled through a game.

 

[Vedi]

It's very simple, if Ange sees something in him and puts him on the team then we should trust him. Trust does not work only in cases where he is proven right, but we should also give it to him when the result is not obvious. Maybe he sees something in training that has not yet transpired to the pitch.

It's only a couple of weeks since people wanted Richarlison shipped off to Saudia Arabia (some still do), but he is our top scorer these last weeks, so things can change quickly. And for BJ it's clear that the raw attributes are there and I am sure that the moment will come when it will be transferred on the pitch, if in the meantime Ange trusts him in starting lineup or puts him in towards the end is completely up to him and we should accept his decision.

 

[Fergus]

People had written off Richarlison, someone with vastly more experience and is older. Each player is different in how long it can take to settle and gain confidence in a new side/system regardless of age and experience. I think we just need to be patient with Brennan. I can see the potential, and as others have mentioned once everyone is back and available him off the bench will be a decent weapon against tiring defences.

People just need to give them at least a season before writing someone off, especially a young lad like Johnson.

The difference for me (and this is purely a personal take) is that despite his struggles, Richarlison never gave me the impression that he was scared to mix it with defenders.

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

I save my dislikes for totally snide posts like Mr 400 and counting.

haha had he really got that many now?

 

[TOLBINY]

His first time instinctive crosses have mostly been good, it is more when he has time to think that his crosses and shots lack real purpose / conviction.

Re the chasing back, I posted previously that we do not know what he is being asked to do. I expect if as fans we are aware he is not chasing back enough and it is something he is supposed to do, then Ange and staff will be working on that with him. IMHO I think he is being asked to make himself available as an option higher up the ptich - but I accept I do not know.

It has taken a 26 year old Richarlison with lots more Prem experience, 18 months to find some form - let's give Brennan some breathing space for now.

 

[Gilzean at the near post]

I'm willing for BJ to succeed and I think there are some fundamentals he needs to address. He mustn't be 2nd best in every 50 50 challenge, he should at times look up and slow the play down, he should hit shots with a bit more conviction and he should play without inhibition.
He is a great prospect who has contributed a goal and some assists but we need him to be at the top of his game before we get all our players back in February

 

[Wheeler Dealer]

His first time instinctive crosses have mostly been good, it is more when he has time to think that his crosses and shots lack real purpose / conviction.

Re the chasing back, I posted previously that we do not know what he is being asked to do. I expect if as fans we are aware he is not chasing back enough and it is something he is supposed to do, then Ange and staff will be working on that with him. IMHO I think he is being asked to make himself available as an option higher up the ptich - but I accept I do not know.

It has taken a 26 year old Richarlison with lots more Prem experience, 18 months to find some form - let's give Brennan some breathing space for now.

Richarlison had been effective at both Watford and Everton before he arrived here. Not sure what Johnson's return for Forest was last year.

 

[Shanks]

That's true (and fair), but what you have to remember is sometimes that handful are the most vocal, or are most likely to return to argue it and probably get the most responses, so I guess it seems worse than it is. Then those, like your good self, feel compelled and then you have three sides of a coin, heads, tails and bollocks, all arguing the finer points

We all do it somewhere along the SC line.

At least its in the right thread though!

 

[carpediem991]

I think he should start a few games on the bench as soon as Deki and Maddison are back. He might will have it easier to have some success against tired legs in the last 20 minutes. Right now its not enough for 80-90 minutes. He has a lot of useful tools and hopefully its just some bad form right now.