Mark Bright is a clueless c*nt

[Rafiagra]

Mark Bright: Johnson is England's weakest link

By MARK BRIGHT - Tuesday, September 8, 2009


Glen Johnson has started well at Liverpool, but struggled for England on Saturday

This summer Liverpool paid £18million to Portsmouth for Glen Johnson but come next July he could just cost England the World Cup.

Going forward he is great but as a defender he gets beaten too easily.

Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho thought Johnson would let him down against top-class ­opposition. At the moment, he looks to be right.

Slovenia were modest opponents at Wembley last weekend but it was ­amazing how easily Johnson was ­beaten and Slovenia's goal came from his poor defending.

If England are going to win the World Cup we need a rock-solid defence.

Fabio Capello says Johnson is one of the best right-backs in the world and he has the talent to be the best if he ­improves the defensive side of his game.

Johnson need look no further than his England team-mate Ashley Cole for inspiration. The Chelsea star has completed his ­transformation as a brilliant attacking and defending left-back.

Capello is getting the best out of his talented squad, there's no ­question about that. The Italian knows it takes sound, but not always ­brilliant, ­defences to win major trophies.

Take a look at the last two World Cup-winning defences. In 2006, Italy won the final with an excellent goalkeeper in Gianluigi Buffon and a back four of Gianluca Zambrotta, Fabio ­Cannavaro, Marco Materazzi and Fabio Grosso. I would say good, but not great. Brazil, in 2002, had a decent keeper in Marcos, two great wing-backs in Cafu (pictured) and Roberto Carlos, with Edmilson, Lucio and Roque Junior in defence. But what about further up the field? The argument on whether Jermain Defoe should start in place of Emile Heskey rumbles on and I ask if it isn't broke, why fix it?

Defoe is doing what he does best, scoring goals. The results are the ­important thing and we keep on ­winning. Defoe is piling the pressure on Capello but keep an eye on ­Carlton Cole. Should Capello not start with Heskey he might opt for the ever-improving West Ham forward.

If England beat Croatia they will join the eight other ­countries who have already qualified for South ­Africa next summer.

And I feel this World Cup will be our best since Italy in 1990 – when Sir Bobby Robson's side reached the semi-finals.

The weather in the South African winter is in our favour – it could be cold, damp and wet ­especially in Cape Town.

And after ­watching the ­Confederations Cup a couple of months ago I feel we have nothing to fear. We just need to sort out Johnson and that right-back position!

Whilst I did feel Johnson could have done better to stop the cross, Mark Bright's sensationalist bollocks just highlights what a massive bellend he is.

Its bad enough when he is commentating for the BBC - I think the tosser just tries to be controversial to distract everyone from the fact his opinions are worthless.

 

[spider-Neil]

I have absolutely no doubt a liverpool player fucked his wife in front of him at some point in his past. he doesn't even TRY to hide his hatred of liverpool.

 

[Loch Ness Monster]

What a massive fucking cock-end. He actually gives his old striking partner Wrighty a run for his money in the clueless stakes.

 

[mark1975]

I do think Johnson has defensive issues, but if anyone can sort them, I guess Rafa (and Capello) can.

I thought he had a good game on Saturday though.

 

[Judge Jules]

His defensive play is better than it was anyhow. Rafa of all managers wouldn't have bought him otherwise. The criticism of it from some pundits is little more than recycled old news.

 

[Rafiagra]

He's been our best player so far this season and has been a revelation for me.

He's no different to what Brazil had in Cafu or Roberto Carlos. For those 2, people would bang on about how amazing they are going forward and that you can afford to live with their defensive frailties as it was a price worth paying. However, with Johnson - it's that he's gonna cost us the World Cup! Typical bloody English media mentality.

I'd quite happily withdraw all Liverpool players from England duty. They never get the respect they deserve.

 

[Hamaan]

Theres been a long line of cunts having a go at GJ this week. Read an article by that dopey wanker Tony Cascarino where he said GJ wasn't world class and a weak link. Lawro of all people wrote an article in the Echo defending GJ.

Reading the crap this week you'd think GJ was the new Carlton Palmer!!

 

[Ryan]

I have no idea why people get so worked up about the opinions of pundits.

Who gives a fuck what Bright, Lawrenson, Cascarino and everyone else thinks?

 

[Roopy]

Yeah a right back who has scored 2 or 3 goals this season and assisted 2 or 3 goals is England's problem.

The goalkeepers are doing just fine :🙂

 

[gareth_thomas]

haha the British media...

other countries laugh at the way the English media unsettles their own team and then cry when miracles dont happen..

What are the other options England have at right back?? Reo Coker? Ryan Taylor? Micah Richards? Gary Neville?

Johnson is the best option and by some distance. What he offers as a whole is much more than what the others can offer.. Gary Neville can bearly walk these days. Coker is a midfielder filling in, Richards is still defensively wobbly and isnt exactly gifted with technical ability and going forward (maybe on corners).

Lescott..is he left or right footed?? last season i managed to miss the majority of Everton's games so other than the goals he scored i hardly saw him play.

 

[mark1975]

Ian Rush has welcomed the return to fitness of Fabio Aurelio and believes it is a huge boost for Rafael Benitez.

The legendary striker believes the Brazilian offers a lot to the team, particularly with his superb deliveries from set pieces.

"It's good to see that Aurelio is close to returning to action after injury," said Rush.

"Johnson has made the right sided role his own this season but the other side is still up for grabs.

"Aurelio offers a different option to Emiliano Insua and it's up to him to stake a claim for a regular spot.

"Burnley are the visitors to Anfield on Saturday and they have had a promising start with home wins against Manchester United and Everton.
"They will get men behind the ball and try to make it difficult for us but it's a game we have to win. After the home defeat against Villa we need a big performance at Anfield."

Meanwhile, the Kop legend has leapt to the defence of Glen Johnson and believes criticism for his England display on Saturday was so unfair.
The Kop hero is a big admirer of the Reds number two and said: "Glen came in for some unfair criticism after England's 2-1 win over Slovenia at Wembley.

"It reminded me of the stick John Barnes used to get when he played for the national side.

"People used to moan that he didn't perform for his country like he did for his club.

"In Barnes' case when he played for Liverpool he was allowed to do what he wanted, but when he played for England it was a much more restricted role.

"Maybe it's a similar situation with Glen because he has looked great for Liverpool so far.

"If you want your full-backs to attack then there's going to be space left at the back.

"In that situation you need help from your teammates, especially the player in front of you, and Johnson didn't get that on Saturday."

 

[gareth_thomas]

[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=35726.msg940470#msg940470 date=1252478523]
Ian Rush has welcomed the return to fitness of Fabio Aurelio and believes it is a huge boost for Rafael Benitez.

The legendary striker believes the Brazilian offers a lot to the team, particularly with his superb deliveries from set pieces.

"It's good to see that Aurelio is close to returning to action after injury," said Rush.

"Johnson has made the right sided role his own this season but the other side is still up for grabs.

"Aurelio offers a different option to Emiliano Insua and it's up to him to stake a claim for a regular spot.

"Burnley are the visitors to Anfield on Saturday and they have had a promising start with home wins against Manchester United and Everton.
"They will get men behind the ball and try to make it difficult for us but it's a game we have to win. After the home defeat against Villa we need a big performance at Anfield."

Meanwhile, the Kop legend has leapt to the defence of Glen Johnson and believes criticism for his England display on Saturday was so unfair.
The Kop hero is a big admirer of the Reds number two and said: "Glen came in for some unfair criticism after England's 2-1 win over Slovenia at Wembley.

"It reminded me of the stick John Barnes used to get when he played for the national side.

"People used to moan that he didn't perform for his country like he did for his club.

"In Barnes' case when he played for Liverpool he was allowed to do what he wanted, but when he played for England it was a much more restricted role.

"Maybe it's a similar situation with Glen because he has looked great for Liverpool so far.

"If you want your full-backs to attack then there's going to be space left at the back.

"In that situation you need help from your teammates, especially the player in front of you, and Johnson didn't get that on Saturday."
[/quote]


It takes a Welshman to logically defend an English player...

what is the world coming to eh!!

 

[rubans]

Yeah, a solid rightback and left back in the last 20 years has won them plenty of worldcups and european championships.
Take my chances with the attacking minded Johnson in the last 20 mins of a worldcup quaterfinal than a boring defender converted RB like Wes Brown.

 

[Squiggles]

Rush is spot on there.

I can understand the criticism Johnson's received for England though. He shines in our set-up but looks fragile defensively in a white shirt. 

Capelllo would do well to mirror our set up if he's to bring the best out of his fullbacks.

 

[gkmacca]

[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=35726.msg940470#msg940470 date=1252478523]
"If you want your full-backs to attack then there's going to be space left at the back.

"In that situation you need help from your teammates, especially the player in front of you, and Johnson didn't get that on Saturday."
[/quote]

We've all been saying that. Only some hacks and phone-in idiots seem to miss that basic point.

 

[cochyn]

[quote author=gkmacca link=topic=35726.msg940581#msg940581 date=1252492469]
[quote author=mark1975 link=topic=35726.msg940470#msg940470 date=1252478523]
"If you want your full-backs to attack then there's going to be space left at the back.

"In that situation you need help from your teammates, especially the player in front of you, and Johnson didn't get that on Saturday."
[/quote]

We've all been saying that. Only some hacks and phone-in idiots seem to miss that basic point.
[/quote]

why was there no criticism of the centre backs or the goalkeepers for not helping out. Did they not go missing?

 

[spider-Neil]

"It reminded me of the stick John Barnes used to get when he played for the national side.

"People used to moan that he didn't perform for his country like he did for his club.

"In Barnes' case when he played for Liverpool he was allowed to do what he wanted, but when he played for England it was a much more restricted role.

it annoys me when people forget this

 

[gkmacca]

Watching Digger play at Wembley was always agony. Part of it was racism, and part was sheer stupidity about football. Probably the dads of those idiots now who think they're a fecking brass band.

 

[The_Prof]

[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=35726.msg940343#msg940343 date=1252439297]
I have absolutely no doubt a liverpool player fucked his wife in front of him at some point in his past. he doesn't even TRY to hide his hatred of liverpool.
[/quote]

I'm guessing it's Alan Hansen - he probably made her remember the 9-0 raping as well.

 

[Peatcheo]

Hows Glen tonight Mark?

 

[Rafiagra]

Jim Beglin is just as bad.

Johnson makes goal-saving challenge = was a certain penalty. Johnson was all over him. I cant understand why Eduardo wasnt appealing for a penalty.

Croatian goal = Johnson could have stopped the cross.

Johnson skins their fullback with some great skill and picks out Fat Frank with a pinpoint cross = that was clever


Plus they started the commentary suggesting that Fabio was "sticking by" Johnson and that there was Wes Brown and Micah Richards who could come in.

Glen Johnson = the new John Barnes