by metalhead » Fri Oct 23, 2009 11:30 pm
Anyone read his interview on sky?
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Johnson on the defensive
Reds full-back refuses to pay attention to criticism of ability
By Peter Fraser Last updated: 23rd October 2009
Johnson: Ready for United
Liverpool and England defender Glen Johnson has delivered a fierce response to critics of his ability at club and international level.
The right-back, who is expected to have recovered from a groin injury to face Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday, has had his defensive performances questioned at times this season.
Reds boss Rafa Benitez signed Johnson from Portsmouth in a summer deal worth an estimated £17million as he aimed to give his rearguard an increased offensive edge in wide positions, and the 25-year-old's attacking attributes have been praised.
However, his defending for a struggling Liverpool side, who will aim end a worst run of results for 22 years when hosting bitter North West rivals United, and England has been scrutinised.
Johnson, though, insists he does not pay attention to media evaluations of his displays, saying at an event to promote EA SPORTS FIFA 10 when asked if he finds criticism difficult to accept: "Not if it's accurate, which it's not. It is ridiculous.
"The other day we were playing Chelsea. I got a cross in against Ashley Cole. Does that mean that he is rubbish and can't defend? No, it doesn't. He is the best left-back in the world.
Personal attack
"You can't stop everything. It is the same with every player, but obviously people just like to make a thing of it when it's me."
Asked if he thought media criticism was a personal attack, Johnson added: "I don't know. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but I don't have to listen to it and I choose not to.
"It is opinions. Opinions don't mean anything to me. It is someone's opinion that has no power in the game whatsoever so it doesn't matter."
The former West Ham and Chelsea player maintains that the only analysis he will take note of is that from England boss Fabio Capello and Benitez.
"If Capello tells me or Rafa tells me, then I'll pay attention. If it comes from someone writing an interview, then I'm not going to pay it attention," said Johnson.
"I have learnt that the press will have an opinion whether they are entitled to one or not. So it is not for me to worry about. I just worry about myself.
Luxury life
"If I feel like I am doing a job right, then I feel like I'm doing the job right.
"I don't need somebody in the papers to tell me that I'm playing five out of ten, or eight out of ten.
"Clearly some days you play brilliantly and you get four out of ten, then some days you play s**t and you get an eight out of ten. So I don't think people who do that watch the game. I don't worry about that at all.
"If Rafa was to say to me that I am the worst defender in the world, then I would be out there working on it.
"Obviously, I work hard at what I do everyday anyway. But, in terms of people saying that I can't defend, until it comes from Rafa or Fabio I won't worry about it."
Johnson added: "People just think that all we do is play football, go home, live the luxury life and not have a care in the world. It is not like that one bit."
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I think he has been really good with us, an upgrade from Arbeloa. Its really harsh criticising his defencive attributes as he has been solid throughout. Our defence has been shambles not because of Johnson, its because we just lack a dominant center half who can win first headers, etc...
I thought Johnson was our best player against Sunderland last weekend, so keep it up! very good signing