Kris Commons

I think Johansen allows the players behind him to go pressing though. We press more as a unit when Johansen is played in the number 10 role. I agree Brown makes a big difference, but the point about him pressing better than Johansen in the deeper role is a moot point really, because we know that isn't Johansen's best position. The midfield and forward we had on the park yesterday, is the best we have for me, no question about it. I think Bitton has improved us over Mulgrew as well.

 

Well, it's not really a moot point is it? If you're comparing how well we press the opposition, European opposition, as a team without Scott Brown to one with Broony in midfield against a team bottom of the SPFL. It makes a major difference, Johansen is far better at pressing than Commons but I think Brown's the best at it in the team.

 

It is a moot point because Johansen and Brown aren't battling to play the same position, so it's not really relevant. You asked me if I seen the difference between Brown and Johansen playing in a deeper position. The comparison is being made between Commons & Johansen, who's best position is the same one in the current system. Both are trying to get in the team in the number 10 role, and for me, we are much better with Johansen in there compared with Commons.

 

But as you said, we press as a team. So when you compare the difference between pressing as a team with Johansen as further forward in midfield or Commons in number 10 the players playing behind them will have a big effect in that, especially Scott Brown.

And I'm not disagreeing with your last point but it's not the pressing going forward that makes us better with Johanden there, it's his chasing back and slotting into 3 men in midfield so we don't get outnumbered that does it for me, something which Commons is unable to do.

 

I think it would be interesting to see Commons as a striker. He has the goalscoring ability and he wouldn't slow down play as much in that position.

 

As I've said in the match thread mate, we pressed the game in numbers though, and Johansen sets the tone for that I feel. If he doesn't do that well, then regardless of who is behind him, they cannot really go chasing, otherwise we would lose our whole shape. To play the way Deila wants, in my opinion, you need pretty much all of our midfield and forward closing down. Bitton perhaps less so, as he is in there to add some protection to the defence. Even forgetting about Brown on Thursday night, if we had gone with Bitton, Kayal & Johansen further forward, I think there would have been a difference to what we actually seen.

 

Opposition centre halfs would love to see that in my opinion.

 

Because of his lack of pace?

 

No doubt about that but Kayal is also better at pressing from a deeper position but as I've already said, I don't want Commons in for Johansen, I want him in the team instead of McGregor. I don't think he's worse at pressing the game than McGregor.

 

Not only that. However, his lack of pace wouldn't allow us to try and play in behind for him to run onto. His first touch is not great either, which is essential for me when playing as a lone striker, as whoever is up top, needs to take it in well and bring others into play. We wouldn't really have the option of knocking it long to him either, as he isn't really an aerial threat whatsoever. I just think opposition defenders would have a field day.

 

Aye, Kayal would have been played deeper mate, with Bitton. Then Johansen would have been played further up the park. Ahead of McGregor I don't have a problem with, however, McGregor is also behind Forrest. Why was Forrest take off yesterday, do you know? He was having a very good game, and causing all sorts of problems. Bagging himself a goal and an assist in the process.

 

Fair points all. It's just frustrating that someone who has the skills that he does is also so flawed that it's hard to find a spot for him in the team.

 

Migraine. Personally I don't count Forrest until the * can play at least 5 full games in a row.

 

Forrest was taken off because of a migraine. He really was brilliant, if we could have our right wing work as well as our left wing does with Izzy/Stokes we would really have something.

 

That is actually good to hear to be fair. If it was a muscle injury, then it would be a blow. If fit, he starts ahead of Commons wide right, surely you agree with that.

 

Unfortunately, that is football sometimes. A new manager will come in, change things up tactically, and it might just not suit a current player.

 

Don't think it's guarenteed. If he isn't scoring or setting up goals then he shouldn't be and we have a player in Commons, who had guarenteed goals and creativity waiting in the wings.

If Forrest gets injured again then he's the back up next time he's fit, as he can't be relied on.

 

If ronnys going to play him then he..
1. Has to start and 2. Has to get a run of games consecutively..

Commons i feel is a guy who needs to be constantly involved to be effective, he's been coming on as a sub and not getting into games because he's not sharp, the opposite to say a griffiths who's a good impact sub as shown of late..

He's proven and can be relied on for goals(something we're struggling to do or rather should be doing more of)..
Johansen has been excellent in commons place but at this moment in time we need to find a solution that puts both in i think..

 

Think it's over for Kris, a very decent player and a fantastic ambassador for our club.

 

This is the other problem though, i do think he's for the off in as early as January, so how do we shoehorn our best source of goals in when he's away..

Tough one for ronny..