Brennan Johnson

[Bedfordspurs]

Do you think Spence not being a left-footer was an issue here?

Yep
Appreciate it wasn’t me you asked
But we frequently have issues going left side when we have so few left footers in the team
We had 2 on Saturday and one was playing right wing

 

[Spur of the moment]

Lineker used to do very little except score. Ditto Clive Allen. So it is not impossible that Spurs could carry Johnson as some main goal threat if others are doing other jobs e.g. if Solanke/Richarlison put in this huge effort to fight and hassle and get the ball up the pitch and progress the team forwards and then Johnson taps the ball in.

.......but yeah, it is frustrating watching Johnson be so massively ineffective; when a player finally offers him the ball, he just passes it straight back. Thus he stops getting it.

Not forgetting a certain Jimmy G ... .

 

[thfcsteff]

That magic cash injection
Maybe it’s happened

as I hear things, that is indeed the case

 

[parklane1]

Not forgetting a certain Jimmy G ... .

The best of all of them.

 

[thfcsteff]

I counted 3 occasions when he was on the shoulder of the last defender and needing a ball played in behind by Spence in order to likely either have a one on one with the keeper or chance to put one across the box for a potential chance for our CF or right winger. On each occasion Spence didn't spot the pass.

Part of the reason that we are 'carrying him' as you say is because we'd not playing balls in behind that he relishes. I think a better full back would've spotted those runs at the weekend.

I absolutely think Udogie can play that pass because he's left-footed. Be interesting to watch Spence based on his vision for a moment. He is a dynamic, energetic and very good player, however he does sometimes seem to miss 'the pass'. Second-half he really should've squared to Kudus for a 5 yard tap in versus trying to score from an angle...feels mean to criticise but to your point on Johnson, we need to play to his strengths!

 

[Bedfordspurs]

I absolutely think Udogie can play that pass because he's left-footed. Be interesting to watch Spence based on his vision for a moment. He is a dynamic, energetic and very good player, however he does sometimes seem to miss 'the pass'. Second-half he really should've squared to Kudus for a 5 yard tap in versus trying to score from an angle...feels mean to criticise but to your point on Johnson, we need to play to his strengths!

He does
But he also had several times himself (Spence) where he was free and no one used him
Said it before but if we don’t use both sides we become predictable

 

[thfcsteff]

He does
But he also had several times himself (Spence) where he was free and no one used him
Said it before but if we don’t use both sides we become predictable

I think with regards to using Spence in such positions, that will come. The FBs are being used differently, so I think once that all clicks, we'll be golden there with regards to using all options.

 

[braineclipse]

It wasn't really our number 10 type player with the opportunity to play those balls, by the time Bergval got on the ball on Saturday Burnley had tended to get themselves deeper and closed that space off in behind. Interestingly enough though I did think that number 10 was our weakest position on Saturday with Bergval playing there but that's another story (and really due to a number 8 sized peg getting put in a number 10 sized hole). It was generally when Spence was on the ball that the chance was there for a ball in behind for Johnson.

Johnson needs to be released to be effective. For him to have more of an impact we need players who can release him.

A more natural 10 (including if Bergvall grows into that player over time) changes that somewhat at least.

 

[Spur of the moment]

I counted 3 occasions when he was on the shoulder of the last defender and needing a ball played in behind by Spence in order to likely either have a one on one with the keeper or chance to put one across the box for a potential chance for our CF or right winger. On each occasion Spence didn't spot the pass.

Part of the reason that we are 'carrying him' as you say is because we'd not playing balls in behind that he relishes. I think a better full back would've spotted those runs at the weekend.

I've noticed this a lot since he arrived. He hugs the touchline or makes a run inviting the ball over the top but is overlooked so often it's baffling.