Young midfielder impresses Adebayor

October 27, 2009

Emmanuel Adebayor

EMMANUEL Adebayor has revealed his admiration for Michael Johnson's style of play - even though the young midfielder has been largely restricted to training and reserve team football this season.

Johnson, recovering from a persistent abdominal injury, came off the bench for the last couple of minutes of the 3-1 home win against West Ham.

And given how little football Johnson has played over the last year, it is no surprise Adebayor hasn't seen much of the 21-year-old until now.

"I have been very pleased to see Michael Johnson back in action," Adebayor told www.mcfc.co.uk

"I did not really know about him before, but when I came here a few people told me that he was a great player.

"He's coming back from injury but now I have seen him in training, and I like his style of playing.

"He's very calm, even when it gets difficult he keeps calm, takes the ball and does what he think is the right thing. I've always admired that kind of player."

What do you think? Have your say.

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Joe pesh, Roe green (27/10/2009 at 20:36)

i like johnson hope he finds his form.him and elano(brazil international despite people's oppinions) had some excelent games under sven and took joey b role over with ease season before,

hope he can realise how lucky he is to be in his boots and grasp his oppertunity with both hands.eitherway if it goes belly up he can always labour on for me on min wage!

camp bleu, Prestwich (27/10/2009 at 23:40)

On paper there is only one winner, but football, especially cup football, is not played on paper.

I'd be inclined to play Tevez and Bellamy up front for this game. Scunny have some big lads, one who is 6'7", so it may prove a little fruitless knocking long balls to Ade or RSC. Besides, Tevez and Bellers did very well up front against West Ham. There was certainly a lot more movement and interplay than we've seen for the last few games. Tevez and Bellers are also great at defending from the front and should force Scunny to lose regular possession to our midfield.

If we don't have the option of knocking a long ball then we won't be tempted to do so. Keep it on the ground and let our movement and precision passing win us the game.

So, presuming Toure and Petrov are injured, my team for tomorrow is:-

Given, Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Bridge, Barry, De Jong, Ireland, SWP, Tevez, Bellers.

Bench: Ade, Weiss, RSC, Johnson, Silvinho, Zabs, Taylor

I know a few of you might think I'm mad for putting Richards in. I think Zabs is a much more cultured footballer and a better rightback but it is a case of horses for courses. Richards suffers with his positional sense but he is great in the box. He is powerful, can leap like a salmon and is very brave. Just the type of player we need in the box when we are defending Scunny's corners and free-kicks.

Keep believing blues.

maddogblue, Cheadle (28/10/2009 at 08:02)

Some may disagree, but for me, Johnson is an outstanding individual.
Even at his young age and level of experience, he has been sorely missed. A fully-fit Johnson, playing like he was under the early days of Sven, would totally transform even this current side. He's big, strong, has great touch, vision, fabulous stamina, and he gets beyond the forward players to score some marvellous goals coming from deep. If we can get him fully fit, and hopefully that is now just a matter of him losing that blubber he has gathered through his inactivity, and conditioning him, I believe we have a real potential world-class player at the Club, the type that would require forking out a real hefty slice of the Sheik's billons to bring in from outside, he's that good. If he doesn't make it, and this injury finally gets the better of him, then sadly, he'll turn out to be another Paul Lake.

J CROSSAN, Manchester UK (28/10/2009 at 08:24)

I wonder if Johnson is impressed by Adebayor?

frank clarke's guitar tutor, warrington (28/10/2009 at 09:15)

Come on Michael get really fit and show the PL you are true quality. Ability unquestioned. In my opinion commitment and attitude questionable.

tommybatess, Langley (28/10/2009 at 09:17)

I hope Johno has better luck with injuries,he's got the lot, a class player.

AlexC83, Manchester (28/10/2009 at 09:23)

I remember the pre-season friendly a few years' back against valencia when I started the game wondering where the hell they'd unearthed david silva from cos he was immense; to ending it thinking where the hell we'd unearthed michael johnson from cos he was even better?!

If he can get over his injury problems he can be a terrific player. The unfortunate thing is everyone seems to doubt whether he can ever be over them...

Chapman (28/10/2009 at 10:56)

Michael Johnson has the makings of a truly great player and I just hope to returns to full fitness and claims a regular place in the side.

j phil (28/10/2009 at 11:50)

If his injury issues have finally been resolved, and it sounds like they just may have been, then I can't wait to see him back in the team. I suppose it will be a case of easing him in and increasing his game time gradually but I think when he gts fully fit he could give us another great option in midfield.

A lot of people question his attitude but I'm not sure what they are basing this on, a few rumours about him visiting a few nightclubs maybe but I don't think that is a problem unless he's out every night or something. And considering he's not been able to run let alone play football I don't think its surprising he's put on a fair bit of weight, especially on the footballers pasta diet!

FATPHIL, LEEDS (28/10/2009 at 12:06)

Great to see Johnno nearly back, but more important to revert Stevie Ireland to a more attacking role - one of the top three premiership players last year we need to get more out of him.
FatPhil

Blue Moon..., Manchester (28/10/2009 at 13:07)

Johnson is pants

blue t, Radcliffe (28/10/2009 at 13:09)

Maddog - cheadle.
I agree absolutely. Johnson coming in to our midfield would be like signing fabregas, and more. He's got everything needed to be a top top midfielder. If he gets a run of games, there is every chance he could force his way into the world cup squad. Who knows, we might yet see Barry and Johnson pulling the strings for England in South Africa.

left wing rebel, Budapest (28/10/2009 at 13:33)

4-3-3- with de jong, johnson and ireland in midfield with an winger plus tevez and an striker upfront - anyone?

The Colin - Leeds, Over the hills and far away (Mancunian Reject) (28/10/2009 at 14:28)

Blue Moon - Another wonderfully argued and critically examined point from you.

Johnson is a good player who just happens to be vastly out of shape due to a very debilitating injury; if he can shed the weight and return to the form he showed under SGE then it's like having a new £8m midfielder signing for us.

Tipperary Blue (28/10/2009 at 14:46)

It would be brilliant if Johnson could quickly return to the form he displayed prior to that 'apocalyptic' Chel$ki game of two years ago; to be fair, although I was shocked by his Mr Blobbyesque appearance when he came on as a sub recently, he did display one or two neat touches; enough to suggest that he could.
Hopefully he WILL get significant game time against Scunthorpe to help him get up to Premier League speed before much longer

Tipperary Blue (28/10/2009 at 14:54)

Richards suffers with his positional sense but he is great in the box. He is powerful, can leap like a salmon and is very brave. Just the type of player we need in the box when we are defending Scunny's corners and free-kicks.

camp bleu, Prestwich
27/10/2009 at 23:40

Although I've been one of Micah Richards harshest critics since early last season, - which has led to me being attacked mercilessly on this site by a nasty vengeful troll who may or not be his mother, or granny, or girlfriend, - I must admit that his leap for his disallowed goal at least gave me some reason for hope; I don't think I've seen him leap as well since that legendary Villa goal.
Lets just hope that next stop will be working on preventing those crosses going in, and not putting his arms above his head like a basketball player to prevent a high cross going in!

Mickey Blue, Burnage (28/10/2009 at 17:25)

Johnson will be immense for city, he's a wonderfully gifted all round player. Some people slate him i rate him. Remember the font of football knowledge Sven falling over himself to complement the talent this lad has. He's also got the added bonus that he is a Manchester lad, he's one of ours too.
I think Adebayor has warmed to him because they both have similar personalities in that they are both pisces men. I'm sure when they play together we will see the great understanding they WILL have developed.

No doubt Adebayors comments will spur Michael's rehabilitation on. Good luck Mike. Looking forward to cheering you on once again

CTID

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