Portsmouth News 24/7Writer: pompeyrug 
Date:Sunday October 21 2007
Time: 10:51AM
UK time is: 20:15:07
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Glen Johnson proving his worth
Glen Johnson's return to Pompey was met with a fair degree of cynicism - and I think it would be fair to say rightly so.
His returning after his loan last season, which did begin very well but tailed off into what appeared complete complacency at the fact that he as virtually an assured starter when fit meant this return would raise a few eyebrows - it more than raised mine!
But he has come back and done very well - and I am not just talking about yesterday and a fine goal against Wigan, russellm and I had been speaking about him recently and we both agreed that this could be a big season for him and he is proving many doubters wrong - but then so too are others!
The thing that appears apparent is the fact that he now looks like a fella that knows he is playing to impress Harry Redknapp and the Pompey fans, no one else. He is now a full time Pompey player so if he does not play well he will not play full stop.
His attacking play has never been called into question, he can attack with the very best, it has just been his defensive side of the game which lets him down at times, but this also seems to have improved greatly, non more so than against Fulham recently when I think myself that he covered the central defenders very well from his right back position.
If you want to be ultra critical of him you can look at his part in the 3rd Reading goal in the 7-4 win, his lack of concentration when taking his time to get out played on Shane Long - the goalscorer - and one other who would have otherwise been a mile off, but as said this is being ultra critical.
Yep, Johnson has impressed me since returning so he has certainly won me over, with it being my thinking that Redknapp's thinking that he could even force himself back into the England squad is certainly not as far fetched as it might have seemed.
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Your Comments
He is a decent young player who will prove to be a good buy for us, sometimes he is a bit laid back, but playing in this team week and week out will only improve him, so lets just give him a chance, and didnt he take his goal well, GET IN!!
Owenspompey
yep as Rug says i think if there was a most improved player Glen Johnson would be up for it. He seems to try a lot harder and knows he has something to prove. As for England ambitions i think Sol is a fine examples to him and with Adam's work ethic an international return is only a couple of seasons away. i think the biggest issue will be keeping him if we don't get a UEFA spot by then.
russellm
I like him, but if he comes round my house I'm taking the seat off the toilet before he gets there.
Pompeyscum
I tell you what, I'm really glad someone higlighted how well hes been playing this season....to be honest, Ive been so busy being focused on the newbies Utaka, Munter & Diop etc Ive totally over looked GJ!.....I still feel he'd make a good right-midfielder & little runs like yesterday, granted the latics defending was dyer, back that up!....lets hope he's finally found that consistency hes never really had!!
CharlieChimes
the fella deserves it doesnt he - in all fairness most of us were quick to get on his back werent we, he deserves all the credit he will get as at this moment in time he has been fantastic since he came back...
pompeyrug
I agree, he was excellent yesterday and has been since he has been back. Like PompeyRug said, it must of be difficult to be a player out on loan, as you do not really have the passion and committment as the other players, this year, he is OUR player and wants to get europe and bring pompey success, i truly believe that he is our number 1 rb, and can only get better, with players like sol, distin, and harry and tony!!!!! ( my dads considering getting him on his shirt, and thats saying a hell of a lot!!!)
PompeyGleamer
Yep, eating my words at the moment and long may it continue!! IF he keeps this form up all season, it will have been a good buy for us.
pompey4me
Credit where credit is due. He has got his head down, is learning from the top people around him & is maturing. HR keeps banging on about him getting into the England team which builds up his confidence & Man Utd will pay £20m for him soon to replace Gary Neville.
storagematt
Like Pompey4me I'm having to hold my hands up and admit I may have been wrong, but the Glen Johnson we saw at the back end of last season isn't the one playing for us now - He's a different player altogehter and to quote 4me again 'Long may it continue'. I'm not sure if his future is as a right midfielder or a centre half, he may even stay as an attacking full back, who knows? but at the moment he is impressing hs doubters no end. As for an England call up I think it's too soon to comment but who ever knows what's around the corner. keep up the good work Johno and ignore all the rubbish about a big money move to Man Utd (sorry storage) you are on a four year deal and no matter how good you get you aint going nowhere - Pompey should not be considering selling any of our best players
Chix
I can see Johnson at right back for England with Richards at Centre Back and that useless prima donna Ferdinand where he belongs on the bench.
When we talk about attitudes look at Rio, he likes to be so cool and the emergence of Vidic is partly down to the fact that Rio is not as good as he thinks he is.
Owenspompey
looks like we pre-empted the glen johnson situation didnt we russ when we were speaking about him back along... since his goal he has been all over the media hasnt he, got this article in before anyone else too :-)
pompeyrug
i love him,great player to have, pace, strength, and speed
PompeyGleamer
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