Player Watch Player Watch: Brennan Johnson

[fishhhandaricecake]

It’s not as if Danjuma and Spence are the only two examples, they are just the most recent. Explaining or justifying them in isolation doesn’t really do much imo.

Ultimately it comes down to how much you rate the player and that Will obviously colour where one stands on this potentially transfer. You rate him so you’re obviously going to see the positive side, im less enthusiastic so I’m obviously going to listen to the ITK when they say things like “club signing”. Ultimately it’s completely futile. Ether we will or won’t sign him and if we do I’ll be completely 100% behind him, until that point there are others I’d prefer. I don’t think Johnson is a bad player I just prefer others.

In the end of the day we all want what’s best for the club and no two people will universally have to same opinion. Furthermore neither you nor I actually know what exactly Ange is looking for so ultimately it’s all guesswork. Yes it might be more influenced by stats, reading reports, watching games of his and potential targets but unless one is professional scout or coach who’s worked with him, it’s still guesswork.

Anyway, going by Trix’s latest in the ITK thread it seems that he’s isn’t our top target but part of grand plan and most importantly Ange is behind the idea. If that’s true then that is excellent news and if we sign him then I look forward to seeing what he can do for us.

Great post especially the positive end part but I disagree with the start as by the poster explaining/justifying those 2 examples that is needed to show context.

Fwiw I hope we sign Johnson.

 

[Dannyspur]

Not that it changes the point of your post, but Dier isn't HG.

Was Rodon ?

 

[Timberwolf]

Regardless of how this turns out, one comment from Ange in a recent interview or presser gives me faith.

He basically said that when it comes to incoming signings he wouldn't accept a player he didn't want and that as the manager this is something he was final about.

I don't think he'll play political games like I suspect Conte did over Spence (reluctantly accept the deal then say fuck you to Levy by never playing him) - I think Ange would just straight up say yes/no to a signing.

In short: I don't think Ange would accept Johnson as a signing for that kind of outlay if he wasn't behind the deal and happy to use him.

 

[Steffen]

Was Rodon ?

I may be wrong, but I think he's HG in the Premier League, but not in European competitions? Due to Wales being a separate football association, UEFA doesn't consider him HG.

 

[mattspur1986]

Or because
1. He’s really quick and we need more speed in the front line (Maddison threading balls in behind a fullback and Johnson absolutely skinning them would happen…a lot)
2. He is a natural right forward and he offers something totally different to Kulusevski
3. He’s really good already, still young and could be great being developed by Ange.

i could get on board - as long as we get a striker in too, although Ali gold says he’s no1 target.

 

[golfspurs]

I may be wrong, but I think he's HG in the Premier League, but not in European competitions? Due to Wales being a separate football association, UEFA doesn't consider him HG.

Uefa just changed the rules in last year so Rodon & Davies will consider to be Associated trained quota in European football

 

[Scott Spur]

Whatever happens this is not the case. If he comes and does well it's one the board have got right. If he doesn't it's another they've got wrong.

I'm now 100% sure of this.

Let's see how it plays out, but Ange would prefer numerous others so there is some resistance from some including Gabannini, but everyone understands we need certain players out, and this might represent a significant chance of achieving this.

My opinion on this is it doesn't happen because there are too many moving parts for it to come off and there is interest in the players Forrest would take from other clubs.


*As I've said I'd be very clear what is itk and what isn't. The part in bold is ITK the rest is opinion.

So you’re saying that if he’s good, then the club have done well, but if not, they haven’t…….

Okaaay

Not sure how this isn’t any different to any other transfer of I’m honest.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

Yes and no, all due respect to ITK we are told to take it all with a pinch of salt, some clearly absolutely don’t do that.

Let’s see what happens.

Itk in the past has said we won’t sign certain players and we have gone on to do so and vice versa so I personally chose to not lose my shit about it the second I hear some itk and keep balanced either way about things.

The club is in a positive place right now no need to let itk like that bring everyone down.

Just my way of seeing it.

I mean I don’t think anyone is “loosing their shit” about it. I think people are concerned if it’s a club signing but I haven’t seen many, if any, post’s saying he’s a bad player. No more than any other thread for any other player linked. Yes there may be plenty saying they want others first or that they don’t quite understand why we are targeting him but considering the circumstances of selling Kane I think that is fair enough. Ultimately every single poster has said if Ange wants him then they will back the deal 100%.

I also don’t think the ITK is bringing everyone down, I think selling Kane brought everyone down. I think Conte after Jose brought everyone down. I don’t think signing Johnson is the straw that breaks the camels back. At the moment everyone is just hoping to have a good end of window and to potentially bring in at least one or two quality players to make up for the massive gap of Kane leaving.

As for ITK, of course you should never put 100% faith in it, it’s often 3rd hand info but that also goes for the majority of news in the press as well. I think everyone takes that as a given. I mean ultimately we are now being told that he is Ange’s top choice by one of the club’s mouthpieces. Everything should be taken with a big pinch of salt.

Idk, I guess personally I don’t see the need to call fellow spurs fans out for being emotional re wanting the best for the club and Ange when the Levy Out thread has been full of emotional posts all summer and even to this day. If people were being spiteful towards Johnson then I’d 100% agree with you but I haven’t seen that.

Ultimately I think many get far too wrapped up in other people’s opinions and it’s always good to have perspective. None of us are professional scouts, we are all just fanatics of the sport and the club in the end of the day. Ultimately we are all here for the same reason and that is to support the club we love!

That is just my way of seeing it

 

[coyspurs18]

So you’re saying that if he’s good, then the club have done well, but if not, they haven’t…….

Okaaay

Not sure how this isn’t any different to any other transfer of I’m honest.

You’re taking it out of context. @Trix was replying to a post that said Ange would get credit if the transfer worked and the board would get the blame if it failed.
Trix is saying this one is on the board, good or bad.

 

[SandroClegane]

If Brennan Johnson was valued at like 10m and we heard he was going to be a 'club signing' over some of the other options I could maybe see the gripes, as it would feel a lot like Rodon, Spence, etc. "Levy trying to get a deal"

But this is a major outlay on a player that is young, exciting, and homegrown.

I don't really see the downside here, especially if we can use some of the deadwood in the deal to get the price down. If we're able to get him for 20m + Sanchez, even if he doesn't live up to expectations it's worth it.

 

[G Ron]

I mean I don’t think anyone is “loosing their shit” about it. I think people are concerned if it’s a club signing but I haven’t seen many, if any, post’s saying he’s a bad player. No more than any other thread for any other player linked. Yes there may be plenty saying they want others first or that they don’t quite understand why we are targeting him but considering the circumstances of selling Kane I think that is fair enough. Ultimately every single poster has said if Ange wants him then they will back the deal 100%.

I also don’t think the ITK is bringing everyone down, I think selling Kane brought everyone down. I think Conte after Jose brought everyone down. I don’t think signing Johnson is the straw that breaks the camels back. At the moment everyone is just hoping to have a good end of window and to potentially bring in at least one or teo too quality players to make up for the massive gap of Kane leaving.

As for ITK, of course you should never put 100% faith in it, it’s often 3rd hand info but that also goes for the majority of news in the press as well. I think everyone knows that as a given. I mean ultimately we are now being told that he is Ange’s top choice by one of the club’s mouthpieces. Everything should be taken with a big pinch of salt.

Idk, I guess personally I don’t see the need to call fellow spurs fans out for being emotional re wanting the best for the club and Ange when the Levy Out thread has been full of emotional posts all summer and even to this day. If people were being spiteful towards Johnson then I’d 100% agree with you but I haven’t seen that.

Ultimately I think many get far too wrapped up in other people’s opinions and it’s always good to have perspective. Non of us are professional scouts, we are all just fanatics of the sport and the club in the end of the day. Ultimately we are all here for the same reason and that is to support the club we love!

That is just my way of seeing it

Fantastic post - bang on!

I see a lot of posts mentioning “hate” for Johnson and I’ve not seen anything of the sort. Yes many have exoressed concerns that he’s not up to it, but collectively agree that if Ange wants him then they are happy for the deal to be done. Everyone is fully behind Ange and the team right now and I’m sure we all want that to continue.

COYS!

 

[felmani26]

I'd summarise this as follows;
- Do I think Johnson has the skillset that we lack currently in the squad? Yes
- Do I think circa £50m is overpriced? Yes
- Do I think a deal which can involved sending out surplus squad members to Forest constitutes a good deal? Yes
- Do I think there are better alternatives than Johnson? Yes
- Do I trust the scouting and Ange's opinion? Absolutely Yes

The last point effectively overrides the other four.

 

[Mr Pink]

I'd summarise this as follows;
- Do I think Johnson has the skillset that we lack currently in the squad? Yes
- Do I think circa £50m is overpriced? Yes
- Do I think a deal which can involved sending out surplus squad members to Forest constitutes a good deal? Yes
- Do I think there are better alternatives than Johnson? Yes
- Do I trust the scouting and Ange's opinion? Absolutely Yes

The last point effectively overrides the other four.

Could of just mentioned the last one

 

[Fidget]

I guess people watched how instrumental he was in helping Sevilla getting to the final of the Europa league last season, putting in very good performances against the likes of Juventus along the way, and thinking it might be worth giving him a chance to actually adapt to the PL before writing him off. Considering how good Isak has looked for Newcastle despite being thin there’s no reason to think that Gil couldn’t adapt given time. Technically he is very good and from a skill set would suit the role of an Ange winger on paper. Maybe he ends up not making good on his potential but considering we have already paid the money he should be given a chance imo.

Also maybe Foden?

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

Regardless of how this turns out, one comment from Ange in a recent interview or presser gives me faith.

He basically said that when it comes to incoming signings he wouldn't accept a player he didn't want and that as the manager this is something he was final about.

I don't think he'll play political games like I suspect Conte did over Spence (reluctantly accept the deal then say fuck you to Levy by never playing him) - I think Ange would just straight up say yes/no to a signing.

In short: I don't think Ange would accept Johnson as a signing for that kind of outlay if he wasn't behind the deal and happy to use him.

100% this.

He was very very prickly with the Sky presenter who tried to suggest he wasn’t in full control of signings.

So whichever way Johnson has become a target I doubt Ange would just accept him for the sake of it.

 

[SandroClegane]

I think Lenglet illustrates Ange is in control.

 

[rebrab]

Ange has a lot more power over “club signings” as he has a 4 year contract. Conte had less than 12 months to run when Spence signed so whether conte liked him or not the club wanted him in.

 

[Indacupfortottenham]

Got to admit he has never caught my eye when watching Forest, but as others have said if Ange wants him that’s good enough for me too.

Interesting reading the ITK that mentions a winger is a priority for Ange above a striker for his system, that leads me to be believe he will use Sonny more as a striker and I’m happy with that if that’s the plan, he’s so much more effective centrally than wide left - Sonny and Richarlison as backup is pretty decent to be fair, he literally won the golden boot a couple of seasons ago and doubt we would be willing to spend the funds needed to bring in anyone seen as better than him.
Really hope he can get his goal scoring form back now he is pain free and fully fit again.

 

[Tucker]

I guess people watched how instrumental he was in helping Sevilla getting to the final of the Europa league last season, putting in very good performances against the likes of Juventus along the way, and thinking it might be worth giving him a chance to actually adapt to the PL before writing him off. Considering how good Isak has looked for Newcastle despite being thin there’s no reason to think that Gil couldn’t adapt given time. Technically he is very good and from a skill set would suit the role of an Ange winger on paper. Maybe he ends up not making good on his potential but considering we have already paid the money he should be given a chance imo.

There are plenty of small/slight players who’ve made a real impact in the premier league. It’s all about getting a little strength to ride challenges. Modric, Silva, etc etc all managed to do that quite well.

I keep thinking back to Gil’s performance against Palace last season where he was very very good. I’d like to see him given a chance too. I see him being more useful on the left than on the right though.

 

[amathews3416]

No disrespect to anyone who provides information but I certainly value Ali Gold more than most as his name is attached to his reporting and I doubt he is trying to pass on club propaganda and attaching Ange’s name to it as it would severely hurt his reputation with Ange. His job is dependent on having a good relationship with the manager.