Chris Johnson

[MattB]

saw this article on the cfc website

http://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/4311/newsid/93501/default.aspx

what piqued my curiosity was mention that Chris Johnson was one of the guys vying for a spot. I know he is much maligned here on bigfooty but was wondering if those who watch the ants think he deserves a second chance or not. Personally as much as i cringe when i think of his previous efforts i think it would be good to give him another chance. If he did who would it be at the expense of?

 

[Team Mo']

I still remember the Bulldogs game last year.

 

[Fervy]

Johnson is carving it up in the reserves. I still believe that he could quite easily force himself into the best twentytwo on a Finals team.

His biggest problem from what I have seen in his games transitioning to AFL is that he mentally psyches himself up too much for it at the AFL level rather than letting the game come to him, which he does at the VFL level -- it's clearly much more psychological than it is anything else.

It's become an issue of "If I mess things up I'm screwed" and when you go into it with that sort of philosophy you're bound to fail.

I'm hoping that he gets a look in in the next few weeks and can carry his VFL form along with him. If he does I believe many of his doubters will be quietly surprised even if they don't say so here.

 

[ESKIE]

I hear what you;re saying Fervy, but like Team Mo I remember that bulldogs game last year....I can't help but cringe when I see Chris Johnson, just doesn't instill any confidence, better options surely

 

[Fervy]

It's all mental.

It was the same thing for a long time with Jordan Russell until late last season.

For most AFL players it is a matter of psychology. Most players are loaded with talent but for one reason or another are either able to excel or fail miserably and most of it comes down to their psychology.

I understand that in European and American sports psychology is one of the prime criterium when it comes down to player assessment / scouting. However, while our game has vastly improved over the past decade or so scouting is still in a position of relative weakness (by comparison).

It's why you hear a number of Laurence Angwin's and Darren Oliver's (two completely different stories) but both psychologically based.

 

[Tony Lynn 15]

It's all mental.

It was the same thing for a long time with Jordan Russell until late last season.

For most AFL players it is a matter of psychology. Most players are loaded with talent but for one reason or another are either able to excel or fail miserably and most of it comes down to their psychology.

I understand that in European and American sports psychology is one of the prime criterium when it comes down to player assessment / scouting. However, while our game has vastly improved over the past decade or so scouting is still in a position of relative weakness (by comparison).

It's why you hear a number of Laurence Angwin's and Darren Oliver's (two completely different stories) but both psychologically based.

Stephen Oliver perhaps......

 

[HBF]

Whilst I take into consideration what BIB has said, I reckon he's coming from a long way back. I personally don't think he's up to AFL footy, and reckon he'll be one of the players cut at years end.

 

[gbatman]

I haven't written him off, not sure why the MC see him as a defender though. Perhaps there are good reasons.

 

[Fervy]

Stephen Oliver perhaps......

This is what happens when you post on a horse racing forum as well as a footy forum and browse both at the same time.

 

[thylacine60]

Great, let's have 2 ex-Demons we can bag. One for being slow and soft the other slow and hard.

 

[Gibbs_09]

It's been mentioned on this board before, but if he can find any sort of confidence/form, would it be too much of a stretch to suggest him coming off a HFF and using him like the Crows use Knights? He is a beautiful kick of the footy (under no pressure that is...) and maybe he can use those footskills to kick some long goals or spot up Setanta/Lachie/Waite etc.

Just a suggestion.

 

[agro]

It's become an issue of "If I mess things up I'm screwed" and when you go into it with that sort of philosophy you're bound to fail.

Well 70 AFL games in a row without being dropped should sort that out - ask Jordan Russell.

 

[Sin City]

While everyone on here dislikes Johnson and the way he goes about it, ill tell you right now the MC still rate him.

You know your stuff BIB and he has performed well in the Bullants but I thought it didn't look good that he was the only injury free player on the entire Carlton list including rookies that didn't get a run in any pre-season games.

 

[Mister Carlton]

If an injury was to occur to JR and Army or something similiar, CJ would be in very quickly.

Army has already been injured... and no call up.

 

[OldBlueFan]

There is no doubt that he's had some good moments. I can remember cheering him quite a bit. But man, those clangers of his cost us big time last year. He almost single handedly lost us a game (v Bulldogs) when the rest of the team were kicking beautifully. If he hadn't been injured in that game, I hate to think what would have happened.

If it is just a confidence thing, then how do you let him back in without potentially costing us games? At the moment, there are just too many players giving up the ball too easily in certain games and yes, against the bombers it was a team-wide brain fade and against the lions/pies a team-wide inability to cope with the pressure, but can they afford to carry a player who does that when the rest of the team are doing well?

It's a real shame, cos he obviously can kick the ball beautifully at times.

 

[Team Mo']

Johnson made simple errors in his last match under little pressure. He was taking kick outs and still made it look like he was being gang tackled by Stephen Milne and Leigh Montagna...

Imagine if he came up against pressure like the magpies put on us on the weekend???

 

[carlton09]

I think we will need to take risks and break lines this week if we are to beat the Saints. Wouldn't mind giving Johnson a go this week, he is a very good kick and that can come in handy trying to get through the Saints tight zones

 

[pumped]

Johnson is carving it up in the reserves. I still believe that he could quite easily force himself into the best twentytwo on a Finals team.

His biggest problem from what I have seen in his games transitioning to AFL is that he mentally psyches himself up too much for it at the AFL level rather than letting the game come to him, which he does at the VFL level -- it's clearly much more psychological than it is anything else.

It's become an issue of "If I mess things up I'm screwed" and when you go into it with that sort of philosophy you're bound to fail.

I'm hoping that he gets a look in in the next few weeks and can carry his VFL form along with him. If he does I believe many of his doubters will be quietly surprised even if they don't say so here.

Really value what you have written here. I am one of the ones who cringes when he is mentioned. However it is for the very reason you have outlined here. I think a few on our list are similar to Chris in this aspect. If Carlton could come up with a cure for the psychological deficiencies then we could perform to the Geelong game level more consistently. As for Chris I believe that he will always be long term sub standard for AFL until he goes deep enough to find inner stability and composure.

 

[Bluebear]

To those that have seen him (I've only seen a little on ABC), is his actual defending any better?

IIRC his disposal under pressure was suspect, especially by hand, and his foot was only good on the run with little pressure.
He played way to loose for a defender, but even when he was "in the vicintiy" he didn't show great body strength or conviction to stop his man.

The sort of footy that gets you a game in the Hawks backline right now.

I think, much like the former Bomber McPhee.......this guy looks like he should be a good footballer, but I'm just not sure all the ingredients are there, and I'm not sure, given the talent on our list now that he is going to get time to work through his issues.

Again, I stand to be corrected if he has done this and is actually doing well in the two's as opposed to just racking up some numbers and hitting targets with "VFL pressure".

Any thoughts on his progression?

 

[Jeremias]

We certainly do need some precise skills coming out of the backline & Johnson does have very good skills when under little or no pressure.

Johnson's problem is that he panics when put under pressure from the opposition which can result in a heap of turnovers.

I think he will be given another opportunity to prove himself at some stage throughout the course of the season but I very much doubt it will be this week against the Saints, who pressure the opposition better than any other side running around at the moment.

 

[Bluebear]

I think he will be given another opportunity to prove himself at some stage throughout the course of the season but I very much doubt it will be this week against the Saints, who pressure the opposition better than any other side running around at the moment.

Hawks or Tigers games.

 

[Fervy]

I agree with that assessment that Johnson shouldn't be included in the game on Monday.

Definitely doesn't need to be thrown into a pressurised game with a fair amount riding on it with the team already under the pump by losing by almost ten goals to an arch rival and sitting precariously with a 3-3 record on the season.

He needs to come back against a team that plays a free flowing style game. In hindsight, I'd have played him in the Essendon game. Considering how badly the team used the ball he couldn't have been much worse and his style actually fit that matchup more than it does against St Kilda.

 

[WeninRome]

surely it's a backward step if Johnson, Wiggins, Hadley and co are included at all this year?

 

[goreds]

I agree with that assessment that Johnson shouldn't be included in the game on Monday.

Definitely doesn't need to be thrown into a pressurised game with a fair amount riding on it with the team already under the pump by losing by almost ten goals to an arch rival and sitting precariously with a 3-3 record on the season.

He needs to come back against a team that plays a free flowing style game. In hindsight, I'd have played him in the Essendon game. Considering how badly the team used the ball he couldn't have been much worse and his style actually fit that matchup more than it does against St Kilda.

Hmmm...

I could see why he would be included...

Lond accurate kick who can pin point targets inside 50...

If the Saints play their defensive inside 50 game style I could see how he would be useful...

Worth the discussion by the MC...

 

[Azul]

Given his lack of defensive mettle, his ideal position is on a HFF. Can't see him displacing Houlihan though.