Sheffield Utd and Ipswich after Johnson
By Ross • Sep 10th, 2008 • Category: Boro NewsReports in the papers are suggesting that Sheff Utd and Ipswich are “desperate” to land Adam Johnson.
Our jinky bucket of skill already had an amazing loan spell at Watford last season, mostly responsible for them being at the top of the league for his short spell there, so it’s only natural that the rest of the Championship clubs will want a slice of that pie.
Personally as a Boro fan, i think its a stupid idea. The kid obviously is Premiership quality, so i’d prefer to see him out on loan to a team like Hull, where he’s going to gain Premiership experience alongside some other quality players like Geovanni.
Johnson is however very much part of the first team fixture this season, but if he has to go i’d definately baulk at the Championship. We want him to get better, and that isn’t going to happen in lower leagues. At the end of the day though, it’s Johnson’s choice whether to leave or not, hopefully he’ll tell Soutgate; “Prem club or shove it”
Ross is A Redcar born Boro fan. Enjoys discussing and writing about all aspects of the club. Favourite players are Hignett, Juninho and Alves.
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Quote “The kid obviously is Premiership quality, so i’d prefer to see him out on loan to a team like Hull, where he’s going to gain Premiership experience alongside some other quality players like Geovani” …. Prem aside, hardly an expereince he’ll enjoy though is it Hull! - besides he’d learn more alongside the likes of Gary Speed at a club on the up. Hopefully he’ll tell your Gareth, let me go to a relatively exotic location like Sheffield where I will get a game and be part of something that’s not so dull.
I can see the merits of McMahon going on loan, he needed games after his long spells out. I can definately see the merits of sending Grounds out, he needs to play and the hurly burly Championship will toughen him up but Johnson has shown he is too good for that league with his spell at Watford. I personally think he needs to stay at Boro and fight for a place, it’s make or break time for Jinky now.
I just don’t see that he’s got anything else to learn from Championship football though prince. I don’t think loaning him to another Prem side is wise, he’ll get a chance this season and he needs to take it or he could well leave at the end of this season.
prince: why would he enjoy the Championship any more than he’d enjoy Hull, a Premiership team? He’d probably be guaranteed a first team place at Hull aswell.
Fair points and Ste Boro, can see you lot obviously think a lot of him and guess it all depends on how much of a part he is/will be in GS’s plans??? How many players are in front of him for that position? No doubt if he did join the Blades and plays a major part then he’d be getting pulled back to you anyway, or a big fee put on his head and another prem side stepping in … there again it’s down to GS
There is only really Downing keeping Johnson out of the team at the minute prince, and i rate him very highly. I think GS wants to keep him and try to get him more involved this season to give the lad a chance to prove he can perform on the big stage.
Well in that case unless he refuses to warm the bench on the count of Downing, he won’t be leaving will he… there again if he hates not playing so much then he’ll be off for 3 mths. Can see it from both sides
It’ll get increasingly difficult for Johnson to allow himself to be second fiddle to Downing.
Personally if i was in charge of team affairs, i wouldn’t send him into a lower league. No offense meant to those teams obviously, i just don’t think it’s beneficial for his career.
I’d keep Downing until the end of this season, and if any suitable offers came in, i’d offload him and let Johnson have the spot. We’ve too many decent left wingers coming through the academy and, IMHO they all have the potential to be better than Downing.. which also IMHO Johnson already is… Downings biggest asset is his cross, he lacks in most other areas.
Not sure you can say the younger lads like Porritt and Franks have potential to be better than Downing at this stage. They haven’t made a breakthrough to the first team squad yet and Downing is an England international. Johnson, as good as he is, is not in Downing’s league yet and i think he needs to be learning his trade in the Boro first team to get to that standard.
Go to some of the reserve games and watch them yourself, like i have
Franks is more accustomed to the right wing anyway so isn’t really competition for him… Downing is overrated.. i dont care what anyone says about that at all… If you pay close attention he stands out like a sore thumb, but a lot of people are blinded and only see the good things he does, like a lot of those deflected goals he scored last season… some were brilliant, but some were lucky to even go in… just because hes an England international doesnt mean he’s brilliant. He’s lacking in a lot of areas that Johnson for example excells at… his main strength is his cross, other than that he’s fairly average in every other department.