Player Watch Player Watch: Brennan Johnson

[Timberwolf]

That’s literally what Johnson does. Faces up a defender, nudges ball past him and he’s round him with his pace. And more often than not his next touch, having generated his own space, is a progressive pass/cross.

Well if that's the case, great.

 

[Thenewcat]

The idea of being able to sub on Solomon and Johnson against a couple of flagging fullbacks is pretty tasty, to be fair. I don't see what other RW we're going to be bringing in for similar money, especially not HG, and especially especially not allowing us to move one or two in the other direction. If the cash outlay is right, for me this makes a lot of sense.

I agree the swap deal sounds good as obviously I’d rather pay £20m and shift a couple than £40-50m straight up, but we should only be buying him if there is conviction he can be a real contributor. Doing a deal because it’s neat and tidy sounds great but is the sort of thinking that leads you to the kind of squad we have now - it’s the sort of approach that leads to buying people like Rodon and spence

 

[chriswhitespurs]

Whilst I don’t hate the idea of Johnson, the reported price does put me off a little. I do think it’s wise to get some more homegrown players in. And if it’s the only way to get rid of a few deadwood players that we otherwise get stuck with for another year then I guess I’m for it. However think there are better players out there that would be cheaper - even someone homegrown like Marcus Edwards if he’s sorted his alleged attitude problems would probably cost the same with our sell on clause.

 

[Tucker]

Interesting that Forest are allegedly looking to sign Hudson-Odoi.

They must want something to keep their physios busy.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

Aren’t the majority of reports saying the price would be closer to £40 though? So judging a player against a value over 20% higher than what we might get him for seems a bit redundant anyway.

I guess it’s in comparison to who else is out there for a similar price. Nico Williams, who in my mind has significantly more potential and looks tailor made for an Ange winger, has a release clause of £45ish mil supposedly. For an extra 5 mil it would be more than worth it

I think a big appeal of any potential move for Johnson is the prospect of loosing some deadweight in the process. To me that does sort of push this potential deal into the “opportunistic” realm but if Ange really does want him that somewhat negates that fear.

In isolation buying Johnson for £25 mil and getting rid of some players we are struggling to shift seems on paper at least like a good deal. The issue comes when you look at it in relation to the overall squad and how + where it’s lacking. I just don’t see Johnson improving on what we already have and that is my concern regardless how much money he costs. Fair enough if our front line didn’t need improving but for me personally, and after loosing the best striker in the world, it does.

 

[KingNick]

I guess it’s in comparison to who else is out there for a similar price. Nico Williams, who in my mind has significantly more potential and looks tailor made for an Ange winger, has a release clause of £45ish mil supposedly. For an extra 5 mil it would be more than worth it

I think a big appeal of any potential move for Johnson is the prospect of loosing some deadweight in the process. To me that does sort of push this potential deal into the “opportunistic” realm but if Ange really does want him that somewhat negates that fear.

In isolation buying Johnson for £25 mil and getting rid of some players we are struggling to shift seems on paper at least like a good deal. The issue comes when you look at it in relation to the overall squad and how + where it’s lacking. I just don’t see Johnson improving on what we already have and that is my concern regardless how much money he costs. Fair enough if our front line didn’t need improving but for me personally, and after loosing the best striker in the world, it does.

I think he would get Deki’s position very quickly so would be an overall improvement. But can see why others would disagree.

I find it hard to believe that we haven’t explored a Williams deal. As you say, it’s a very obvious fit. The fact we are not pursuing suggests to me that there is an obstacle. Whether that is the HG issue or being told he has no interest in coming, I just don’t know but I don’t believe we are not going after him because of the extra 5m.

 

[Mr Pink]

One thing I will say is I'm not going to pre judge how any player is going to fit into Ange's way of playing once he's had time with them. Personally I'd rather we swerved this one and I think he's way overpriced for what he's produced, but he does tick a few boxes.

So are most young players from the PL.

Look, he's a younger player who appears to fit the profile of what we're looking for.

I think it's over simplistic to say he's overrated for that size of fee.

If he improves the overall collective and contributes more to the team being greater than the sum of its individual parts then it will be a successful signing regardless of the fee.

As long as it Ange who wants the player, and its not being pushed on him, then I'm fully behind it and I'll let the Club worry about the 'value' of the deal.

Ange appears to have such a clear identity of playing I'll trust his judgement over anyone else's.

 

[JonnySpurs]

I've had a watch of some YT compilations because I didn't watch enough of Forest last season to know the finer points - not that a compilation can do that, but it's all I've got.

What I see is a speedy, wing forward that is good with either foot and most importantly, I notice that he loves a tackle and works his arse off. That alone makes him a good fit for Ange's high pressing system and whilst I appreciate he isn't a tricky winger that wants to beat his man off the dribble, he has other qualities which make him valuable. He's a good finisher, can seemingly play on either flank or through the middle.

I'd also argue that outside of Solomon, our wingers are not the tricky type that want to take on their man - unless someone can prove otherwise - but Johnson is certainly no slouch and appears skilful enough to have this coached into his game.

Lastly I just think we desperately need some good competition/alternative for Kulusevski, who if I'm honest, is starting to really frustrate me. He was absolutely electric in his first 6 months but it does seem like he's either low on confidence, been figured out/predictable or both.

 

[BENNO]

So our most young players from the PL.

Look, he's a younger player who appears to fit the profile of what we're looking for.

I think it's over simplistic to say he's overrated for that size of fee.

If he improves the overall collective and contributes more to the team being greater than the sum of its individual parts then it will be a successful signing regardless of the fee.

As long as it Ange who wants the player, and its not being pushed on him, then I'm fully behind it and I'll let the Club worry about the 'value' of the deal.

Ange appears to have such a clear identity of playing I'll trust his judgement over anyone else's.

You've hit the nail on the head there, i've always liked Brennan fwiw but i also think he's rather expensive and that i haven't seen the side of his game that makes him a fit for our new manager.

However, that doesn't mean that he doesn't have the required skillset for our team, it just means i haven't seen it.....but obviously Ange has, and that is all that matters really.

 

[Stoof]

We have a lot of players who are good at progressing the ball forward. Maddison has surprised me with just how good he is. Deki and Son are out of form but are both excellent at it. Bissouma is giving Dembele vibes right now.

What I think we lack is pace in that transition so I do see a gap for Johnson there...

Exactly this.

 

[KILLA_SIN]

I've had a watch of some YT compilations because I didn't watch enough of Forest last season to know the finer points - not that a compilation can do that, but it's all I've got.

What I see is a speedy, wing forward that is good with either foot and most importantly, I notice that he loves a tackle and works his arse off. That alone makes him a good fit for Ange's high pressing system and whilst I appreciate he isn't a tricky winger that wants to beat his man off the dribble, he has other qualities which make him valuable. He's a good finisher, can seemingly play on either flank or through the middle.

I'd also argue that outside of Solomon, our wingers are not the tricky type that want to take on their man - unless someone can prove otherwise - but Johnson is certainly no slouch and appears skilful enough to have this coached into his game.

Lastly I just think we desperately need some good competition/alternative for Kulusevski, who if I'm honest, is starting to really frustrate me. He was absolutely electric in his first 6 months but it does seem like he's either low on confidence, been figured out/predictable or both.

In his Championship highlights, he is actually pretty tricky

 

[KingNick]

You've hit the nail on the head there, i've always liked Brennan fwiw but i also think he's rather expensive and that i haven't seen the side of his game that makes him a fit for our new manager.

However, that doesn't mean that he doesn't have the required skillset for our team, it just means i haven't seen it.....but obviously Ange has, and that is all that matters really.

Genuinely, out of interest, what within Ange’s system is it that you haven’t seen from Johnson doing?

 

[0-Tibsy-0]

Exactly this.

Oooooh, Mod friends.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

I think he would get Deki’s position very quickly so would be an overall improvement. But can see why others would disagree.

I find it hard to believe that we haven’t explored a Williams deal. As you say, it’s a very obvious fit. The fact we are not pursuing suggests to me that there is an obstacle. Whether that is the HG issue or being told he has no interest in coming, I just don’t know but I don’t believe we are not going after him because of the extra 5m.

I honestly think it’s because they will only sell for the release clause and Levy doesn’t want to pay it. He’s started the season very well and they don’t want to loose him. Obviously if we triggered the clause there’s not much they can do but we would need to pay £45 mil in one chunk which is pretty much half the Kane fee. I can completely see why Levy wouldn’t like the terms of that deal. I can’t really think of a better wing option under 50 mil tho. I’d be very surprised if he doesn’t end up at an elite club next season.

 

[Nick-TopSpursMan]

Johnson is a straight line runner/dribbler. He isn't going to beat players in tighter spaces with close control, fluid movement and quick, sharp high agility turns with close control.

Honestly just watch some footage of players like Doku, Nico Williams etc and then watch Brennan Johnson. You will see what I mean about the difference in dribbling style.

Of course transitions are important and Johnson would definitely be useful in those but we want a player who is good in transition AND against a low block. Due to his dribbling style Johnson will struggle to be effective against low blocks which will hinder us.

Doku and Williams can do what Johnson does but he can't do what they can do and that's proven by the dribbling data too.

 

[Nick-TopSpursMan]

Genuinely, out of interest, what within Ange’s system is it that you haven’t seen from Johnson doing?

3 pretty major things:
- High volume take ons (proven by the data) with 2 way dribbling.
- Close control dribbling in tight areas against a low block.
- Tight space passing combination play against high level opponents

 

[Nick-TopSpursMan]

I honestly think it’s because they will only sell for the release clause and Levy doesn’t want to pay it. He’s started the season very well and they don’t want to loose him. Obviously if we triggered the clause there’s not much they can do but we would need to pay £45 mil in one chunk which is pretty much half the Kane fee. I can completely see why Levy wouldn’t like the terms of that deal. I can’t really think of a better wing option under 50 mil tho. I’d be very surprised if he doesn’t end up at an elite club next season.

Yep. We should use the Kane money we got and just activate his £42 million release clause. We'd be getting an elite talent who is pretty much the ultimate profile fit for Ange.

 

[KingNick]

3 pretty major things:
- High volume take ons (proven by the data) with 2 way dribbling.
- Close control dribbling in tight areas against a low block.
- Tight space passing combination play against high level opponents

Are you relying on FBref for data?

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

Solomon ?

Solomon is quick over 5-10 yards but doesn't have that explosive power and pace like say a Bale used to have to run over longer distances, Johnson is more that, Solomon is more Aaron Lennon or Hazard although Lennon could carry it quickly over fairly long distances also to be fair.

 

[Nick-TopSpursMan]

Are you relying of FBref for data?

Fbref, DataMB, whatever you want to use.

And I'm not just using data, the eye test backs it up.