Why is he back? What improvement and maturity JM was talking about?

It's mind boggling that the gaffer still believes Johno can present a reliable option on the right.

They say 'you are what you do'. GJ is a defender first and foremost and he is average at it to put it mildly. Every time the opposition attacks our right side my heart skips a bit. I hope and pray Paulo or even Diarra will feature at the RB position at Scouserpool on Sunday or we'll be very very sorry.

I have the same feeling toward him. I haven't seen any improvement on his defensive game from the first year and each time he is picked I start to feel nervous. He dosen't seem to feel confortable in his position and seems to take much more advanced roles. I would really like to see Paulo maintain the starter role for the rest of the season and maybe Diarra taking his place from time to time.

Oh please. Let me guess - everyone is going to start attacking him now? When there were first talks about him moving back to Chelsea and when I said that we need way better than him, I was getting attacked with "have you seen him lately at Pompey". Well now you have him. And you don't need to blame Jose for it, use your eyes and brain and try to put him into a squad that's aiming for the Premiership title and more.

Sorry, but I was not here long enough to catch your posts, but from the games I've seen of him in Pompey I'd say there was absolutly no change. If we are to replace Paulo we should find someone much better then Glen.

Off-topic: BosnianFanatiC.F.C. what part of Sarajevo are you from? I have a couple of friends from there (I'm from Mostar)

In the 1990's we would have loved him, but a side that aims for the title and the CL... I can't believe that this is starting to ring bells now and not before.

Off-topic: BosnianFanatiC.F.C. what part of Sarajevo are you from? I have a couple of friends from there (I'm from Mostar)

Off-topic: Dobrinja. Welcome friend from a wonderful city of Mostar.

GJ defending looked clumsy, but he was really good in attack. He made one small mistake in defence and Capo made the best shot in the world. Goal. Not all of it is GJ's fault. It should be put in perspective.

I think Paulo will start against Reading since he still should be number 1 in RB.

Regarding GJ, I believe that he has matured...I remember him playing 2-3 years ago...he was a joke for us (remember that miss against Man U when he was alone in the box?)...But, looking at him now, I think that he looks promissing....not the No.1 option, though!

Off the topic: Nice to see more and more of my countryman on this forum....Go Bosnians, go...."Kol'ko nas ima, jebote kol'ko nas ima!!!!" :)

Why is he back? What improvement and maturity JM was talking about?

It's mind boggling that the gaffer still believes Johno can present a reliable option on the right.

They say 'you are what you do'. GJ is a defender first and foremost and he is average at it to put it mildly. Every time the opposition attacks our right side my heart skips a bit. I hope and pray Paulo or even Diarra will feature at the RB position at Scouserpool on Sunday or we'll be very very sorry.

(at least from what I've seen so far)

I re-watched the game (the first half at least) and I have to say, watching the game again I thought the some of the flack Glen Johnsen copped went a little overboard. Yes, his stuff up for the goal was an absolute school boy error on his part, it was a shocker. But I think it needs to be pointed out that besides that schoolboy error that he made he was quite solid defensively and was very good going forward. Most people said Ashley Cole had a pretty good game but I beleive that Johnsen's error aside he had a better game both offensively and defensively.

Let's not forget that he was up against Olivier Kapo ie. Birmingham's best player.

No, actually Kapo wasn't his direct opponent, it was that ex-Coventry player.

I'm actually suprised how little Glen Johnsen did get caught out given he was right to the opposition byline at times.

His timing (of tackling) and his positioning are what is generally described as rubbish.

I repeat what I've said on another thread.

Imagine him against Ronaldinho, Cristiano or the likes....

Kapo ? A decent player. Nothing more then that.

He's one player I would really love to succeed, not sure why apart from the fact that he's got all the attributes (physical) to be a top player, he's got lots of potential and he's pretty good on the ball. Unfortunately he scares the sh*t out of me every time he squares up to an attacker. He's just not sound defensively. I hope it's not too late for him to learn but I think we might just see him develop into the new Mario Melchoitt (a decent pro admittedly but one without a position).

No, actually Kapo wasn't his direct opponent, it was that ex-Coventry player.

I'm actually suprised how little Glen Johnsen did get caught out given he was right to the opposition byline at times.

wrongo, they switched positions.

he made a mistake and was a bit unlucky that the ball bounced right in front of kapo, but that happens. he brought a lot to us going forward... he can, and given the opportunity, will defend better than that though.

p.s. why do people who have little tolerance for glen want to see alves at the club?

Because he will cost over ?20m and therefore, by default, will be stunning.

While GJ had a stinker of a game defending on Sunday, its a little early to be jumping on him. There were times when he was out on loan last season, that we really needed him back IMO.

While GJ had a stinker of a game defending on Sunday, its a little early to be jumping on him. There were times when he was out on loan last season, that we really needed him back IMO.

Totally agree Mod. IMO he had a very good game going forward on Sunday but still had a few defensive lapses thatMUST be ironed out for him to be a regular starter at RB for us.

I think it may well be a case of nerves for the boy. I think he's probably trying too hard. He knows this is probably his last shot at the big-time with us, and all the Alves speculation is only heaping more pressure on his shoulders. He needs to relax and play with more confidence and belief, which is easier said than done for a young player in his circumstances.

For me he has all the natural physical attributes you could want in a defender. Pacy, strong, athletic and skilful. But he does need to sort out his positioning and decision making at times. He has he got the footballing brain and awareness to do that? I hope so.

Can someone here tell me when Glen Johnsen had a defensive lapse besides the one obvious moment when he let Kapo get that goal?

I still have the game saved on my dvd recorder hard drive so if u tell me when it was I will go back and find it. I don't recall any defensive mistakes from bar that one schoolboy error.

Can someone here tell me when Glen Johnsen had a defensive lapse besides the one obvious moment when he let Kapo get that goal?

I still have the game saved on my dvd recorder hard drive so if u tell me when it was I will go back and find it. I don't recall any defensive mistakes from bar that one schoolboy error.

Shortly after there second goal a ball was played over to him, he was stood on the half way line, it was oibveuse the ball was lacking pace and was never going to reach him. the whole world could see i think it was kapo again running in, glen just stood and ball watched. Interception comes in, we have men comited forwards, sudenly glen finds him self making up yards.. not good play from any position on the pitch... there were other moments later on in the second half where he seemed to strugle.

p.s. why do people who have little tolerance for glen want to see alves at the club?

Because he will cost over ?20m and therefore, by default, will be stunning.

Because Alves is unique as well as Lampard is.

I think you should agree - I can watch the whole match which would consists of Lampard`s shots and it would be amazing match for me.

Though you can disagree about Alves` uniqueness, but at least he would add something special, what Johnson would never add.

Of course, he will cost more than Johnson....

His timing (of tackling) and his positioning are what is generally described as rubbish.

I repeat what I've said on another thread.

Imagine him against Ronaldinho, Cristiano or the likes....

Kapo ? A decent player. Nothing more then that.

I seem to remember that Paulo was subbed off and replaced by Glen when we beat Barca at the Bridge 3 years ago. And I think we will see that

Kapo is a bit better than just decent. He had a really good game on Sunday. I was very impressed with him.

p.s. why do people who have little tolerance for glen want to see alves at the club?

Because he will cost over ?20m and therefore, by default, will be stunning.

Because Alves is unique as well as Lampard is.

I think you should agree - I can watch the whole match which would consists of Lampard`s shots and it would be amazing match for me.

Though you can disagree about Alves` uniqueness, but at least he would add something special, what Johnson would never add.

Of course, he will cost more than Johnson....

my point is that johnno is great going forward, but an average defender- and it seems that people don't want that. so why spend ?20m on a player with similar strengths and weaknesses (plus, of course, the possible issues with settling in)?

my point is that johnno is great going forward, but an average defender- and it seems that people don't want that. so why spend ?20m on a player with similar strengths and weaknesses (plus, of course, the possible issues with settling in)?

Maybe because people want better version of Glen and not a better version of Paulo.

I got to watch the whole game and Johnno played well tonight when he came on. And he spent most of the time at the centre of our defence!

he looked good in what was not confortable circumstances.