O'Leary on Johnson

'he will prove to be an excellent replacement for David (Batty) who is due to retire in TWO years time' Added to this is the fact that he can operate anywhere across the midfield and at left back, if we need him'

Long term planning for the retirement of a key ball winner in two bloody years. It seems our lot cannot plan for the imminent departure of our best midfielder, whether it be next week or next may.

Sorry, but I simply cannot beleive Bobby can contemplate going on much longer without addressing this issue which has been around for two years or more.

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2001

Answers

Well to be fair they signed Bassedas and Acuna as midfielders. Yeah I know they are not really up to the job. But he has been quoted on many occasions as saying they are in the market for a new mid field player. Who is to say they haven't been trying to get one.

Both BR and various scouts have been fixtures at Forest (Prutton) and at Balckburn (Dunn). I have a feeling that they just can't get the players they want. It's just not that easy.

Who do you think they should buy? And how easy do you think it would be to get him?

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2001

Acuna -1 million pounds - excellent value for a back up midfielder and that's what he is. Bassedas does eem to be a waste of money but not Acuna.

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2001

I know I wouldn't be going there if I was Johnson.....there's a fair chance he might have to wait 2 years to get a decent run in the first team! there's ambition to be in a winning team but surely the lad has to want to be playing?

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2001

Can't help smiling when I see Jeffers so far down the pecking order at the Arse. Surely these blokes would be better off playing first team football at 'lesser' clubs. Ouch that 'lesser' bit hurt.

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2001

DSS, SuperMac went in to orbit about Jeffers going to Arsenal: said he was a prat, would spend his life on the bench at best and would die in dismal mediocrity, thoughts of the famous black and white Number 9 shirt that he could have worn tormenting him.

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2001

This would be a great opportunity to start releasing comments in the press about how much we admire Daccourt and wish he'd signed for us instead of Leeds. You know the sort of thing, how with Batty, Johnson, Bowyer and Olivier they are totally sorted in the midfield holding department and just have to worry about which one is to play and how we would love to be so spoiled for choice with only a player due to leave in June available for an automatic first team spot. It's not like David O'Leary or his players would keep talking up Dyer in the press, would they?

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2001

Thing is Dougal I can't help feeling that toe-rag Jeffers did us a favour by blanking Bobby, he's certainly a good player, but a great player? I think not. We ended up with Bellamy instead @ a couple of million cheaper and he's proving a snip.

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2001

Johnson could well be in the first team very soon - if Bowyer gets sent down (and I reckon he will) then there'll be a gaping hole in the Leeds midfield.

-- Anonymous, October 17, 2001