Adam Johnson

[just]

Impressive last night and indeed on the few occaisions I saw him play for 'boro.

Only 22. Big, strong physique for a winger. Pacy and direct. Decent crosser of the ball. More than happy to track back and do his defensive duties.

There was talk earlier in the season that we were interested in him, but nothing happened. Anyone else think we may have missed a trick by not going for this lad?

[SydneyChelsea]

No.

He doesn't offer anything that Gokhan Tore hasn't got, and Tore is a) a Chelsea player already and ;) only 18.

I think he's a decent player, but it's all a bit Ashley Young or SWP for me.

[rahul]

I think he's a decent player, but it's all a bit Ashley Young or SWP for me.

More like Downing!

He played pretty well yesterday, though. But we need to wait and see what he offers in the long run before judging him.

[The Machine]

It is too early yet to make a judgement if we have missed a trick in regard to Adam Johnson. I did not see the game but have heard good things about the player. I will pass my judgement when he has been at Manchester City for a significant period of time.

[dkw]

More like Downing!

He played pretty well yesterday, though. But we need to wait and see what he offers in the long run before judging him.

thats the name i immediately thought of, he`s identical to downing when he appeared on the scene. he looked useful last night, but he was only up against robinson at left back, and hes hardly international class.

[rahul]

thats the name i immediately thought of, he`s identical to downing when he appeared on the scene. he looked useful last night, but he was only up against robinson at left back, and hes hardly international class.

Actually, I might have nicked that from you. ;)

[fester]

I believe that we were very interested in him, and from what I heard we were very confident of getting him - we'd agreed a 5M deal sometime ago, whereby he'd stay at 'boro until his contract expired in the summer (the money was "training compensation"). However, along came Citeh and offered 7M and a deal was done, I assume we thought that was too much and/or didn't want to get into a bidding war. In addition, I think that the club has an awful lot of faith in the youngsters coming through over the next few years.

[blizeH]

Apparently he was MOTM by an absolute mile last night, although I didn't see it.

To say he offers nothing that Gokhan Tore does is quite baffling. Do you honestly believe that he could go into a Premier League match, full of top players and international stars, and be the clear MOTM on his debut? I know it's a single game for City, but Johnson has always been fantastic whenever I've seen him play for Middlesbrough too.

[Nibs]

Apparently he was MOTM by an absolute mile last night, although I didn't see it.

To say he offers nothing that Gokhan Tore does is quite baffling. Do you honestly believe that he could go into a Premier League match, full of top players and international stars, and be the clear MOTM on his debut? I know it's a single game for City, but Johnson has always been fantastic whenever I've seen him play for Middlesbrough too.

Having seen Tore play a fair bit this season, I honestly think he could.

The lad is different gear and wouldn't be fazed by the occassion or who he was playing against. I see him as a first team regular at some point.

Johnson looks a decent player, but as we have Tore, Stoch & Kakuta, I don't think we have missed out.

[Dorset]

Having seen Tore play a fair bit this season, I honestly think he could.

The lad is different gear and wouldn't be fazed by the occassion or who he was playing against. I see him as a first team regular at some point.

Johnson looks a decent player, but as we have Tore, Stoch & Kakuta, I don't think we have missed out.

Agreed, Nibs, although Johnson is obviously taller than the three players you mention and defensively that has its advantages. No doubt about it though, he was impressive last night and has a lightning quick step over to go with bags of confidence. I’m inclined to think [hope] that Gokhan Tore will develop into a much more Rooney-esque talent, whereas Stoch, albeit in the Dutch League, has already proved he has a good eye for goal coming in from the wing, so he may be given his chance out wide with the first team next season ahead of the Turk. What of Kakuta? - just play him anywhere in the attacking third where he can get one-on-ones and hurt the opposition most.

[Tim W]

Agreed Dorset, Tore fits the Rooney mould, whereas I think Stoch fits the Robben mould without the need of Mickey Mouse plasters. Katuta will become God. And let's not forget Bruma, Mellis, Bertrand, van Aanholt, Clifford, Sala, Borini the list just goes on and on.

[just]

thats the name i immediately thought of, he`s identical to downing when he appeared on the scene. he looked useful last night, but he was only up against robinson at left back, and hes hardly international class.

He's already head and shoulders, (literally), above Downing. Stronger, faster and more direct.

[dkw]

He's already head and shoulders, (literally), above Downing. Stronger, faster and more direct.

All things said about Downing when he appeared. he does look a player and a very good prospect, but theres been plenty of them over the years that havent lived up to expectations. hope he does well, he`s what england are crying out for.

[g3.7]

we've two left footed left wingers with a manager who doesn't always play wingers... is there a need (or even a place) for another? we've barely seen zhirkov play there yet, and I'm looking forward to seeing more of him.

johnson is 22 with lots of first team experience so it's unfair to compare tore to him, but tore does have a lot of talent too.

anyway, johnson looked good yesterday, but if we could have one left footed player on show in that game, I'd take wilshere. that boy could be very special.

p.s. vieira- awful.

[Nibs]

we've two left footed left wingers with a manager who doesn't always play wingers... is there a need (or even a place) for another? we've barely seen zhirkov play there yet, and I'm looking forward to seeing more of him.

johnson is 22 with lots of first team experience so it's unfair to compare tore to him, but tore does have a lot of talent too.

anyway, johnson looked good yesterday, but if we could have one left footed player on show in that game, I'd take wilshere. that boy could be very special.

p.s. vieira- awful.

I spoke to a Man City fan earlier who was really enthusing over Vierra last night. I guess on the strength on the assist for the second goal.

That apart he looked like some old bloke puffing all the way through the game!

[dkw]

we've two left footed left wingers with a manager who doesn't always play wingers... is there a need (or even a place) for another? we've barely seen zhirkov play there yet, and I'm looking forward to seeing more of him.

johnson is 22 with lots of first team experience so it's unfair to compare tore to him, but tore does have a lot of talent too.

anyway, johnson looked good yesterday, but if we could have one left footed player on show in that game, I'd take wilshere. that boy could be very special.

p.s. vieira- awful.

Wilshere does look like a hell of a prospect, a sort of english Fabregas lite. plus with him being english we will almost certainly get a shot at signing him, what with Wengers seeming dislike of English players.

[SydneyChelsea]

The reason why I mentioned Tore is that technically and physically he is capable of playing Premiership football, but he needs game-time and experience. He's got the attitude as well, really determined, arrogant even.

It's because of this that i'd say the player he reminds me most of is Cristiano Ronaldo. The same flair and trickery but also an uncompromising physical strength. Ronaldo only developed that when he was 22/23- Tore is already as big and as fast as most Premiership players. He hasn't really shown an eye for goal though.

But the difference obviously is that Adam Johnson has been playing first-team football for four years now. I only hope Tore can get that kind of chance.

[bluemoon]

Johnson has done well so far. He caused Hull all types of problems when he finally got on and he was a long way clear for MOTM on Tuesday. I have been incredibly impressed by him and we are better off for having him. A player that can be direct and positive in attack is what we have been missing. He single handily took the game to Bolton and I pray he keeps it up. he looks a real prospect and in my opinion, much better than Downing. He can play on both flanks which is perfect and means no more Petrov on the right thank f**k.

[ethicalstrategy]

A player that can be direct and positive in attack is what we have been missing.

Craig Bellamy?

[dkw]

oh dear, looks like Mancini has gone and totally ruined Johnson already. hes said Johnson is the next Ryan Giggs, and the last one to get that was a certain Gabriel Ambrosetti. that didnt really work out too well though did it Luca....