Roy singles out Johnno for bad performances???

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson not impressed with defender Glen Johnson

Glen Johnson is facing an uncertain Liverpool future after having his England credent ial s called into question by his club manager Roy Hodgson.

In a blunt assessment of his performances so far this season, Johnson was told he may not warrant a place in Liverpool's starting line-up, let alone England's, after returning to training this week and hoping for a recall at Stoke today.


Hodgson admitted fitness should be the only issue over Johnson's inclusion but pointedly added that form was also a consideration and that the 26-year-old right back had struggled to justify his England status at club level this season.

Risking the wrath of the £18million signing, who may take exception to such stinging criticism after six weeks on the sidelines, the Liverpool boss said: 'The big thing with Glen Johnson is whether he is fit enough to play any part at Stoke. That is the major question, rather than the selection process, because he is England's right back, and if he plays like an England right back, you would expect him to get his place back.

'But he would have to be playing like an England right back for that to happen, and up to now this season, to be quite frank, he has not performed at the level you would expect. Not very often, anyway.

'The reasons? You would have to ask him that. Perhaps you should ask him, "Do you think you are playing at the top of your form? Do you think you are really performing like the best right back in the country when you play for your club?" If the answer is "yes", then we will have to agree to differ. If it is "no", you could ask him why not.'

Juventus have added Johnson to their list of new year targets and could step up their interest in the wake of comments intended to galvanise the former Portsmouth defender but which may alienate him instead.


After establishing himself for England with his attacking forays down the right, he is unlikely to take kindly to being told he faces a battle to dislodge 20-year-old rookie Martin Kelly from Liverpool's starting line-up.

Liverpool-born Kelly made only his second Barclays Premier League start of the season in Wednesday's 1-1 draw at Wigan at the DW Stadium, but still came in for glowing praise for the way he handled his first, against Chelsea three days earlier.

'If you asked me if anyone has surprised me this season, Kelly would be the first name I would mention,' said Hodgson.

'Chelsea was a really tough fixture to throw him into, because they are at their best when they attack down the left, and there is many a right back who would not relish a test like that. But he came through really well and played his part in an excellent win.'

Christian Poulsen is pressing for a starting place at the Britannia, in a selection that would give Steven Gerrard more freedom to support Fernando Torres up front.

'When I sent on Poulsen for the last 15 minutes or so against Wigan, it enabled Steven to push forward more and add a bit to our attacking endeavours,' said Hodgson. 'It almost won the game for us, because Steven was very unlucky with a shot that came back off the underside of the bar.'




WDF!!

Johnson hasn't been that good tbf. Poulsen meh he might do well against a slow team like Stoke.

There's your arm around the shoulder treatment, Rafa bashers.

Granted Johnson isn't the best right back in the world and in various occasions, has been caught off easily for us but a manager should never go out publicly with a statement like this.

Already nursing and injury and he himself probably knows he hasn't been at a good form and the manager comes out to say this, how will Glen feel and react?

How will other players feel knowing they are susceptible to public criticisms from their manager?

So much for Roy Hodgson being that man-manager we desperately wanted. IMO, I think Rafa handled his players better. He knew how to motivate them and get the best out of them.

Great man-management.

Awful, just awful

The manager tells the press to ask his player why his form has dipped. I've heard it all now.

IMO, I think Rafa handled his players better. He knew how to motivate them and get the best out of them.

Motivate them? No. Get the best out of them? Yes. Roy seems to fail fatally at both.

Motivate them? No. Get the best out of them? Yes. Roy seems to fail fatally at both.

There has to be motivation there to get the best out of someone otherwise they wouldn't try to perform at their best.

Btw., before everyone jumps to their guns, any link or source Chico? Who wrote this? Anyone else care about a source btw.?

Woo. Game time for Kelly and Poulson How about you give Glen a run at RM and stop deflecting blame from yourself in interviews. Is it a sign of pressure that Roy comes out with so many of these interviews or should we presume he was like that at Fulham

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/nov/13/glen-johnson-liverpool-roy-hodgson

There has to be motivation there to get the best out of someone otherwise they wouldn't try to perform at their best.

Fair enough, might have formulated things a bit too black/white. I dont think we disagree here anyways, we looked unmotivated at times under Rafa, but he could surely teach players how make the most out of their talents and skills. Rafa was just not known to be a great motivator.

No one agrees about the Poulsen statement but the truth hurts about the Johnson comment. For over a year that guy has hampered the way we defend and needs to know that he is doing a lot wrong.

Good  and deserving news for Martin Kelly!!

Maybe criticise your bum chum Poulsen, Woy?

Make your F***ing mind up you either want an attacking RB or a defensive RB you cant have both.

There's your arm around the shoulder treatment, Rafa bashers.

Couldnt of put it better myself.

'But he would have to be playing like an England right back for that to happen, and up to now this season, to be quite frank, he has not performed at the level you would expect. Not very often, anyway.

'The reasons? You would have to ask him that. Perhaps you should ask him, "Do you think you are playing at the top of your form? Do you think you are really performing like the best right back in the country when you play for your club?" If the answer is "yes", then we will have to agree to differ. If it is "no", you could ask him why not.'

From the Guardian:

"He's the England right-back and if he plays like that one would expect him to come back in. But then he'd have to play like the England right-back and up to now, to be quite frank, he's not performed – very often at least – to the level I'd expect of him.

"You would have to ask him the question: 'Do you think you're playing at top form and are you playing like the best right-back in the country for your club?' If he says yes obviously we will have to agree to differ and if he says no, then you'd have to ask the question: 'Why not?'"


Read the two quotes, no very important differences but still, direct quotes that are quite differently formulated. Just to illustrate, journalists take some freedom in how they "quote" people. Small rethorical changes can change the sound of things a lot.

Anyways, didnt want to go off topic. No matter how he formulated it, not smart to single a player out to the media like that.

Some people argue that Roy was wrong to go public like this, but to be fair, he's right in what he said. He's been a fairly sh*te defender since we signed him. It was still a daft thing to do though

Martin Kelly is our first choice right back every day of the week and twice on Sundays for me.

Said it before & I'll say it again, Roy should be gagged, it's like with every press conference, Roy promises a F**k-up.

Seriously bad management, please NESV take note of this F***ing sh*te talk. A game V Stoke is hard enough without this bollox.

Some people argue that Roy was wrong to go public like this, but to be fair, he's right in what he said. He's been a fairly sh*te defender since we signed him. It was still a daft thing to do though

Martin Kelly is our first choice right back every day of the week and twice on Sundays for me.

Ive always said it mate, Kelly is a must for me but Johnson is an England INT so....

This is why Roy is not the right man!