- Aug 21, 2008
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Off the bench against heavy legs only, for me. Kulusevski's form is an issue, but at least he commands the ball. Johnson just doesn't want it.
Not sure this is fair on Werner. His hold up play has been good, insofar as he always looks to take on his man. As for end product, well...we knew that when we took him on.You simply can’t control games when you’ve got 2 wide players who are so limited on the ball.
Yeah, noticed that too. He was caught on his heels and ball watching a bit. He's young and playing a new system. Hopefully it clicks for him soon. He has some really good qualitiesCouple of moments today where Porro and Maddison were clearly frustrated when they played the ball for Johnson to run onto but didn't seem as though he anticipated it and was caught on his heals.
Early days and maybe a lack of confidence comes into play but does feel as through there's a fair bit of work to be done with him in order for him to get him where he needs to be.
Harsh on Timo, 2 assists in 3 games isn't a bad start to his time here in terms of end product.As for end product, well...we knew that when we took him on.
Would love to see him learn a bit of the movement Lennon had in his prime. He'd come short and then put the burners on and dart behind the defender. Johnson has the speed, and we've got players who can pass the ball in tight spaces but find team mates.Yeah, noticed that too. He was caught on his heels and ball watching a bit. He's young and playing a new system. Hopefully it clicks for him soon. He has some really good qualities
In terms of his development and learning arc, I'm reminded a little of Emerson's early struggles with his lack of confidence and conviction, issues with link-up play etc., He became a far better player than he showed initially, but it took a while.Yeah, noticed that too. He was caught on his heels and ball watching a bit. He's young and playing a new system. Hopefully it clicks for him soon. He has some really good qualities
Yes agree, I should have specified finishing.Harsh on Timo, 2 assists in 3 games isn't a bad start to his time here in terms of end product.
This. If he can just snap out of this, he has all the tools to become great.Treats the ball like a hot potato too much currently.
Was on his heels constantly and the few times he did receive the ball he tried an instant flick and gave it away, instead of absorbing pressure, taking touches, drawing his fullback on to him etc. He just wants to run in behind and away from the ball.
You simply can’t control games when you’ve got 2 wide players who are so limited on the ball.
Not sure this is fair on Werner. His hold up play has been good, insofar as he always looks to take on his man. As for end product, well...we knew that when we took him on.
Would love to see him learn a bit of the movement Lennon had in his prime. He'd come short and then put the burners on and dart behind the defender. Johnson has the speed, and we've got players who can pass the ball in tight spaces but find team mates.
Lennon though wasn’t just fast, he was brilliant with the ball at his feet and blessed with a superb first touch. Not sure that can be learnt.
Agree.Yeah, noticed that too. He was caught on his heels and ball watching a bit. He's young and playing a new system. Hopefully it clicks for him soon. He has some really good qualities
And just as importantly Lennon was a natural dribbler. He didn’t need to think about doing it, he just did it and was aggressive taking people on even as a 17/18 year old.
Same with Bale, he was taking people on and running at them when he was a 16 year old left back.
You can’t really teach someone to be a dribbler.
He touched the ball 20 times today and gave it away 9 times. He's just not ready yet.
He's got pace, can finish (based on YT videos) and is still young, so there is something to work with. His pace means he can be a good sub, as there is nothing worse for tired defenders than fast attackers coming off the bench. But he shouldn't be starting for us as this stage in his career.
Watching Neto today vs what we see from our wingers was really stark. Neto wasn’t perfect, but he was a constant danger - he put them on the back foot and, provided a threat and kept the ball at his feetTo put these stats in perspecitve, Neto gave the ball away twice today from 36 touches, playing away at Chelsea, for a Wolves team that only had 36% of the possession. As I said above, Johnson has some potential to work with, but there is such a big difference between players ready to challenge at the very top of the league and those who might have tools to do so, if given the time and guidance to develop. But it's so hard to get out of that top 4 challenging/Europa League level and start challenging for the title when you regularly start players who are so clearly still in a development stage of their career. And let's cut the shit, I don't think any of us are waiting for a Gareth Bale like metamorphosis here.
Perisic was too before his injury. Always running at the fullback. I thought Son did it well against Newcastle as well, skinned Trippier a number of times. Hopefully Werner can be a bit more direct more especially if he plays on the right.Solomon is the only winger we seem to have who likes to take a player on and he's been injured most of the season.
If he does come back soon, Werner on the right and him on the left might give us more joy in running at and behind defences and causing problems.