Player Watch Player Watch: Brennan Johnson

[Ron Burgundy]

It seems like the consensus is that he is not performing well in his all round game but that he has key attributes (running in behind with pace) that gives us goals at the moment.

We would all like to him to have that pace while also being amazing on the ball, but I don't think that exists outside the elite players of the game.

Looking at the numbers, he has either created or been on the end of our biggest chance in 8 games this season (measured by xG).

He is a huge attacking weapon for us.

Good post. I think if we’re going to use him in that way, it needs to be balanced with players that can exert a bit more control on the game then, and he needs to be more clinical.

Neither of those seem out of the question in time

 

[kent brockman]

Agree.
I understand he's 22 and this is his first season with us, but I just dont tolerate the lack of effort. He never tracked back, and got anticipated every time they passed him the ball.

This is what puzzles me. I know that he did not have a full preseason, but surely he should be fit enough to track back when coming on as a sub.

 

[Stoof]

I think we need to give the lad a bit of a break to be honest.

To me it shows what an asset he is that he’s there on the end of a (great) cross, putting it away in the 96th minute. It’s not an easy finish; it’s so easy to balloon it in multiple directions.

Important moment for us and him - he’s a kid in his first season in a big team.

I remember a young South Korean lad getting pelters in his first season …

 

[Shanks]

Agree.
I understand he's 22 and this is his first season with us, but I just dont tolerate the lack of effort. He never tracked back, and got anticipated every time they passed him the ball.

In fairness to him, as i have been critocal, he did chase back a few times amd actually showeed some lf fhis pace in yesterdays shoaing, seems to be a lot better off thr bench than stafting so hopefully he can put it all together next year

 

[Wheeler Dealer]

This is what puzzles me. I know that he did not have a full preseason, but surely he should be fit enough to track back when coming on as a sub.

He offers flashes of class, but generally he’s been mightily frustrating.

 

[jurgen11]

From the East Stand didn’t hear any booing , which is good…more like sighing . There was a lot of sighing throughout, it was that kind of game

 

[coysjod]

I really hope he will reach the heights we are hoping for and I hope the fans give him the time to do so (ref to Son’s first season).

I am though a bit worried about the lack of fire, determination and grit. I coach 11 years old (until they turn twelve) (yes including my own but he is 12 already so the joke died there) in a team in Swedens highest division Allsvenskan and it’s a huge difference between the kids with the in their own bellies and the ones that you have to try to fire up all the time to get them pressing and working hard with grit.

A lot can obviously happen, you grow and mature but some things you just have and others don’t, see Sessegnon for example, will he ever get the warrior instinct of our other full backs…?

 

[muppetman]

At the ground yesterday and I was saying that I just don't see what he offers. . . then he scored, so you can thank me!


I don't know if it's on instruction from Ange but he does not track back well at all. Sonny gets back and at least blocks passing lanes, Brennan just jogs slowly back. But, goals win games, so if he can keep getting involved in that then maybe it's OK.

 

[Cochise]

Why's it important to criticize any player just because they have made a mistake?

What is the purpose, or end result you are looking for here?

I see way too much micro-criticism on here that its just not healthy, and it does bleed out into real life, and you see it on all kinds of social media - and that gets back to the players.


Trust in the manager to have a word with him on where he needs to improve - but Ange said just today - that one area they have been working with him on to improve is showing up at the back post - and now he has two goals to show for that effort - he is learning, and improving. Give him, and other players, room to make those improvements without over analyzing or judging each possession.

For me it's the fanbase im pointing to. He scores today and people are making these apology forms and talking about how his output is almost as good as Kulusevski's in less minutes.

It's completely over the top and I don't like this environment where the option's are that you're either on the bandwagon or having to stay quiet.

 

[Rob]

At the ground yesterday and I was saying that I just don't see what he offers. . . then he scored, so you can thank me!


I don't know if it's on instruction from Ange but he does not track back well at all. Sonny gets back and at least blocks passing lanes, Brennan just jogs slowly back. But, goals win games, so if he can keep getting involved in that then maybe it's OK.

He was getting abuse non-stop from the stands. Being “weak”, “out of position”, “lazy”, etc. Hope the goal took the target off his back a bit but we have some shit fans and he won’t be given time if he doesn’t perform immediately. Werner’s getting the same despite looking a threat and having some decent games.

 

[muppetman]

He was getting abuse non-stop from the stands. Being “weak”, “out of position”, “lazy”, etc. Hope the goal took the target off his back a bit but we have some shit fans and he won’t be given time if he doesn’t perform immediately. Werner’s getting the same despite looking a threat and having some decent games.

I'm in the south lower and didn't hear any of that.

 

[easley91]

He offers flashes of class, but generally he’s been mightily frustrating.

Because he's 22 and by no means the finished article which many need to remember.

 

[Rob]

I'm in the south lower and didn't hear any of that.

Might just be the idiots around where we were (middle of south stand) but it was constant every time he got the ball.

 

[muppetman]

Might just be the idiots around where we were (middle of south stand) but it was constant every time he got the ball.

A small number of idiots can make a disproportionate amount of noise and aggro.

 

[TheHodFather]

A small number of idiots can make a disproportionate amount of noise and aggro.

21st century life in a nutshell....

 

[TOLBINY]

His fee, inflated because he is HG, does not help - but I have always said it doesn't matter how much a player costs, be it 5M or 50M, what matters is how they perform week in week out for your team. If he had cost us 5M would we be saying we got a bargain?

Let's be honest, for whatever reasons; new coach, new squad, new system, injuries, suspensions, international tournaments (take your pick!) this team is not yet firing on all cylinders, and neither is Johnson, his crossing and shooting need to improve, but I have seen enough of both the team and Johnson to be patient and give them my full support.

 

[mark87]

 

[THFC_SWE]

For me it's the fanbase im pointing to. He scores today and people are making these apology forms and talking about how his output is almost as good as Kulusevski's in less minutes.

It's completely over the top and I don't like this environment where the option's are that you're either on the bandwagon or having to stay quiet.

His output is not just almost as good. It is as good in 800 less minutes. I like Deki, but he must be more productive. Both players need to improve in different areas.

But I think some people make Johnson the scapegoat when other players plays as bad or even worse than him.

 

[NorthernYido]

His output is not just almost as good. It is as good in 800 less minutes. I like Deki, but he must be more productive. Both players need to improve in different areas.

But I think some people make Johnson the scapegoat when other players plays as bad or even worse than him.

Productive in what way? Fair enough goals and assists (Deki), but I think they will come. He is top class in many ways. Off the ball movement, work rate. On the ball passing and holdup play.

Johnson has a long way to go, but yesterday was a great example of what Deki brings. When he left the pitch for Johnson, Mitoma suddenly burst to life for Brighton and going forward (apart from the late goal) we were totally null down the right and fortunate to get the result.

Deki Johnson by a long way imo

 

[THFC_SWE]

Productive in what way? Fair enough goals and assists (Deki), but I think they will come. He is top class in many ways. Off the ball movement, work rate. On the ball passing and holdup play.

Johnson has a long way to go, but yesterday was a great example of what Deki brings. When he left the pitch for Johnson, Mitoma suddenly burst to life for Brighton and going forward (apart from the late goal) we were totally null down the right and fortunate to get the result.

Deki Johnson by a long way imo

He must score and assist more than he does. I'm a swede and I like Deki, but his output is not good enough. Yes, he does the things you mention, but we need more from him.

I'm happy to have both Deki and Johnson. Very different players, which is not a bad thing.