I caught up with a friend yesterday who works for Man Utd (I know but he’s an old school friend...), he’s always good for a bit of info. I should caveat and say he works for the business side rather than the footballing side but he’s been pretty accurate in the past. I guess I’d see it as informed gossip!
It’s been in all the papers but apparently the Gaitan deal has been all but done for quite some time and the chat around OT is more whether one of the senior wide players (Valencia, Nani or Young) will be moved on in the summer. For the record he thinks all 4 will be there next year.
Anyway, the piece of info I found most interesting is that he seems to think that it’s relatively accepted within footballing circles that City would listen to offers for Adam Johnson. Apparently they’re not desperate to get rid (ala Tevez & Adebayor) but if the right offer was made and he wanted to go then they would be willing to talk.
The question I wanted to ask is firstly would you want him at Anfield and second what kind of offer would be ‘right’ in your mind?
Rumour from Manchester
posted on 17/4/12
If Milner is picked ahead of Johnson....maybe that says something about the player we don't know about.
On paper, you'd think Johnson is probably better than Milner.
City play narrow, through the middle with full backs that provide the width.....this is the reason why Johnson does not get pciked as he is an out and out winger.
Downing is an out n out winger but the way we play makes him come into the middle of the park to pick the ball up deep and dictate play from there. This does not suit Downing and I don't think it would suit Johnson.
(AM NOT COMPARING DOWNING AND JOHNSON)
posted on 17/4/12
comment by rejliverpool (U9088)
posted 37 seconds ago
If Milner is picked ahead of Johnson....maybe that says something about the player we don't know about.
On paper, you'd think Johnson is probably better than Milner.
City play narrow, through the middle with full backs that provide the width.....this is the reason why Johnson does not get pciked as he is an out and out winger.
Downing is an out n out winger but the way we play makes him come into the middle of the park to pick the ball up deep and dictate play from there. This does not suit Downing and I don't think it would suit Johnson.
(AM NOT COMPARING DOWNING AND JOHNSON)
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Good points.
posted on 17/4/12
"Downing is an out n out winger but the way we play makes him come into the middle of the park to pick the ball up deep and dictate play from there. This does not suit Downing and I don't think it would suit Johnson."
I would have given you that in previous seasons with our wide players but definitely not this season. This season, all we've seen is crosses from everywhere with no-one attacking through the centre.
The fact that Downing is involved in the build-up is what is the problem with us.
At Villa he was used as the outlet, not involved in the build up.
posted on 17/4/12
good point,
when we have Lucas and Gerrard as a middle pair we could see if Downing and Johnson work on both wings providing width.
hope we do anyway, maybe because we don't have proper width on both wings that's why we don't do that at the moment.
posted on 17/4/12
"The fact that Downing is involved in the build-up is what is the problem with us."
this indicates that as he is involved in the build up, his coming inside to get involved and therefore he is not hugging or staying out wide, he has delivered good crosses but we need to use him as an outlet rather than player who gets involved.
posted on 17/4/12
comment by rejliverpool (U9088)
posted 2 minutes ago
"The fact that Downing is involved in the build-up is what is the problem with us."
this indicates that as he is involved in the build up, his coming inside to get involved and therefore he is not hugging or staying out wide, he has delivered good crosses but we need to use him as an outlet rather than player who gets involved.
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Exactly and that is why we work better this season in a 4-4-2.
posted on 17/4/12
My bad. I didnt word my comment properly.
Also he doesnt come into the middle, like you state.
He receives it on the flank, just too far out from the opposition's box that he then has to run with the ball and beat the fullback and RCB. Which he is not very good at.
Also there's been alot of times that when he does turn to run to the by-line, Enrique is already there occupying his space and then he just looks lost. I think thats why he sometimes comes to the right because he doesnt get any joy on the left at all.
posted on 17/4/12
Our tactics don't Downing, they suit a Mata or a Silva. Bringing Johnson may not be the answer to Liverpool playing they way we play.
posted on 17/4/12
Its stupid.
Why have so attacking fullbacks and proper wingers???
Even Utd have Evra attacking with Young cutting inside.
There was a thread called "Moneyball or just balls"
It explains alot regarding our change in tactics from last season to this season
posted on 17/4/12
I'm quite fond of Johnson and with the right team and manager he could be phenomenal.
That rules you guys out then