Michael Johnson

[Freo2012]

I appreciate that this forum allows armcair pundits to shoot the sh1t on footy topics but by continually lambasting MJ as lazy or incompetent we insult Mark Harvey.

From what I've seen from Harvs, he doesn't tolerate incompetence and definately not laziness.

1. Harvey has done wonders for Freo but that doesn't mean he never makes mistakes or allows too much time for someone to find form - true supporters aren't "blind faithful followers" but want the best for their team

2. We all realise the skills and capabilities of Mr 33% - what we want is some consistency - we want to see it often, not once in a blue-moon. We want fair contribution that makes him a part of the team, not a passenger collecting his paycheck and only putting in for the occasional big match. You don't get true champion teams without everyone putting in most of the time - no room for passengers.

3. You do realise that there are many different types of personalities and different approaches required to get the best out of each. Some do not respond to direct criticism from their manager at all and "sulk - go into themselves" - these are "high maintenance" and require a lot of attention to get the best from. There are two ways to get these types to see their pitfalls, from their peers and the even more reclusive types require it from outside the direct organisation - to get the message across.

4. The question comes down to how much time and energy devoted to an individual is too much when it could be better used elsewhere. Additionally there is the downside cultural aspect on the rest of the team seeing automatic selection for non-performers and thus de-motivating effect on those not selected. I am sure Harvey is weighing up the possible upside with the amount of time, attention and motivation loss elsewhere that continuing with Mr 33% entails.

5. Many professional sportsman have the "champion attitude" that generally self-corrects and very rarely requires correction/attention from elsewhere, but responds accordingly when necessary. Don't presume all professional sportsman have that attitude - especially in Oz footy. It is no different to any team - work or sport - there are always the passengers and high maintenance types - the real skill is determining which are worth carrying and putting the time into - and which are actually doing more damage overall to the team culture than what they actually provide (they are cancers to the organisation and should be cut out).

 

[Boppo]

1. Harvey has done wonders for Freo but that doesn't mean he never makes mistakes or allows too much time for someone to find form - true supporters aren't "blind faithful followers" but want the best for their team

2. We all realise the skills and capabilities of Mr 33% - what we want is some consistency - we want to see it often, not once in a blue-moon. We want fair contribution that makes him a part of the team, not a passenger collecting his paycheck and only putting in for the occasional big match. You don't get true champion teams without everyone putting in most of the time - no room for passengers.

3. You do realise that there are many different types of personalities and different approaches required to get the best out of each. Some do not respond to direct criticism from their manager at all and "sulk - go into themselves" - these are "high maintenance" and require a lot of attention to get the best from. There are two ways to get these types to see their pitfalls, from their peers and the even more reclusive types require it from outside the direct organisation - to get the message across.

4. The question comes down to how much time and energy devoted to an individual is too much when it could be better used elsewhere. Additionally there is the downside cultural aspect on the rest of the team seeing automatic selection for non-performers and thus de-motivating effect on those not selected. I am sure Harvey is weighing up the possible upside with the amount of time, attention and motivation loss elsewhere that continuing with Mr 33% entails.

5. Many professional sportsman have the "champion attitude" that generally self-corrects and very rarely requires correction/attention from elsewhere, but responds accordingly when necessary. Don't presume all professional sportsman have that attitude - especially in Oz footy. It is no different to any team - work or sport - there are always the passengers and high maintenance types - the real skill is determining which are worth carrying and putting the time into - and which are actually doing more damage overall to the team culture than what they actually provide (they are cancers to the organisation and should be cut out).

My point is we're not as qualified to judge whether he is performing occasionally. I think that he must be otherwise Harvs wouldn't have him. You especially cant tell watching TV. Once in a blue moon wouldn't make the cut.

 

[salim malik]

People have short memories or choose to only see what they perceive as a poor game from there favoured scapegoat
Johnson wasnt in the best players but certainly wasnt the worst
He was reasonable as the third tall defender and was part of two valuable plays that were important in the win
He out positioned Roughead in a critical one on one, kept his feet when Roughead went down, took a bounce kicked long into the forward half causing a boundary throw in and Pitt to gain possession out of the spillage and kick that point.
He was then part of that centre scrimmage when he took a hot handball from Pav, got the ball through the pack to De Boer in the clear who then got the ball to Fyfe and Lower who kicked the goal.Game over.
I,m not a Johnno lover but he is not performing as badly as some of you are making out
and who takes his place as that tall third defender?

 

[Clay Davis]

No one does. He stays in the team because of injuries and lack of KPP depth.

 

[Shadow Man]

He's in the team because of his versatility, can't think of to many others that could play the number of positions or range of opponents that he can. He hasn't had a great start to the year but suggesting he is not trying is just absolute bullshit.

Harvey has set performance criteria and expectations of MJ and if he's happy to have him in there, then I'd say his judgement counts for something.

 

[surfsup]

People have short memories or choose to only see what they perceive as a poor game from there favoured scapegoat
Johnson wasnt in the best players but certainly wasnt the worst
He was reasonable as the third tall defender and was part of two valuable plays that were important in the win
He out positioned Roughead in a critical one on one, kept his feet when Roughead went down, took a bounce kicked long into the forward half causing a boundary throw in and Pitt to gain possession out of the spillage and kick that point.
He was then part of that centre scrimmage when he took a hot handball from Pav, got the ball through the pack to De Boer in the clear who then got the ball to Fyfe and Lower who kicked the goal.Game over.
I,m not a Johnno lover but he is not performing as badly as some of you are making out
and who takes his place as that tall third defender?

Not that I bag Johnno, but it wasn't until you mentioned it - I can't remember Johnno going to ground too often. He is a player who does seem to keep his feet.

 

[paul8241]

1. Harvey has done wonders for Freo but that doesn't mean he never makes mistakes or allows too much time for someone to find form - true supporters aren't "blind faithful followers" but want the best for their team

2. We all realise the skills and capabilities of Mr 33% - what we want is some consistency - we want to see it often, not once in a blue-moon. We want fair contribution that makes him a part of the team, not a passenger collecting his paycheck and only putting in for the occasional big match. You don't get true champion teams without everyone putting in most of the time - no room for passengers.

we gonna have ourselves a hanging in the town square.

 

[Nothing]

I thought he did nothing wrong on the weekend. I'm sure some will find fault though.

 

[Chops_a_must]

I thought he did nothing wrong on the weekend. I'm sure some will find fault though.

Some things never change.

Easy to do nothing wrong when you're kind of doing nothing.

What we really need is a Michael Johnson on drugs. Only seems to play well stimulated, in big games and so on.

 

[sabre_ac]

Michael Johnson is a good example of our lack of real depth (When it comes to players capable of holding down KPP). We are unable to drop him for under performing or coasting.

There simply isn't enough coming through the ranks, I realise we have focused heavily on skillful midfielders and it's paying dividends, but something had to suffer in the rapid turnaround of our club.

 

[Stronzo]

Crowley is worse.

 

[malpaso]

Crowley is worse.

This. He seems only capable of occasionally stopping a defensive rebounder. He's not getting any goals, not tackling and not able to back up in the midfield anymore..

 

[Stronzo]

This. He seems only capable of occasionally stopping a defensive rebounder. He's not getting any goals, not tackling and not able to back up in the midfield anymore..

Yep, he is also the slowest in the team.

 

[CakeEater]

Hands up all those who have actually seen Sibosado play for Perth. Anyone who has and is actually suggesting a swap for Johnson must have seen something that I am missing. He has neither the skills nor the tank to step up to AFL and probably never will. He is not the great white hope and in my view falls into a basket which includes fellow Perth players Ruffles and Bollenhagen (and Ash Smith for good measure) as players who won't make the grade at AFL level.

quote]

This I would have to agree with.
Saw Sibo on Anzac day, he was ok without being nothing too special.
If I was going for a Perth Defender, would sign up Zucconi to the Dockers, however he doesnt have much of a heart as evidenced by him walking out the season before.
Fact is Johnson is here to stay as the coachs love him and the fact that there is no depth to the KPD's.

 

[E Shed]

Sibo is not in any shape or form ready to replace someone like MJ in the team. That isn't to say he is without talent. I've seen him do some very nice things. Like really above average, wow things. He may well not make it but you can't say he doesn't have some x-factor about him. Bollenhagen is extremely disappointing thus far. Has a ton of talent but can't seem to stay involved in games.

 

[Man of Men]

Sibo is not in any shape or form ready to replace someone like MJ in the team. That isn't to say he is without talent. I've seen him do some very nice things. Like really above average, wow things. He may well not make it but you can't say he doesn't have some x-factor about him.

do you think its worth persevering with him after this year? Maybe an afl at the end of the season like hawks last year just to show him where hes got to get to?

 

[IAMJUNGLEMUFFIN]

Crowley is worse.

But at least he can kick a bag, and against good teams.

Some things never change.

Easy to do nothing wrong when you're kind of doing nothing.

What we really need is a Michael Johnson on drugs. Only seems to play well stimulated, in big games and so on.

Perhaps you would like to see MJ off his Chops?

 

[Frigate]

MJ has been doing his role quite well. It is that simple. His disposal efficiency has been good for the most part and he has started to show a bit of dare I say it...courage and ticker on occasion.

I predict a good finish to the year for MJ and I am rarely wrong about these things

 

[Seppo]

MJ has been doing his role quite well. It is that simple. His disposal efficiency has been good for the most part and he has started to show a bit of dare I say it...courage and ticker on occasion.

I predict a good finish to the year for MJ and I am rarely wrong about these things

The bolded part being the main gripe of most of us on here. The main reason MJ is the scapegoat of 2011 is the inconsistancy of heart and effort for the 4 qtrs. We have seen his best of Johno in the last 3 games of last season and almost the complete opposite from the first 3 this year.

We know he has the skill, he just needs the hunger.

He needs to take a leaf out of DeBoer's book when it comes to putting in the effort.

DeBoer = Mr 110%
MJ = Mr 33%

Id expect an improve this week from him, if not im predicting the Freo BF page will crash after the amount of rants to this thread after the game.

 

[straw]

I'm not an MJ fan but have heard he has been playing with injections in his ankles so far this season. Sure that would explain some of the deplorable efforts if true.

 

[Sman-21]

So your saying we are carrying him because of what he CAN provide.
Not what he is currently doing.

That is my whole argument on why i want him dropped.
We are carrying him because he can be very good, he can play anywhere.

He is cruising through his career living off what he can do.
What he is currently offering is nothing any replacement couldnt do.
What he CAN do when he sets his mind to it is much greater than any replacement could do.
An that is why they wont drop him not because of how hes playing.
Its because of how he CAN play and if needed CAN play elsewhere.

What hes offered so far is easily replaced.
Dropping him could force him to pull his finger out.
Hes been with us through the bad years, he will surely want to play an be part of our good years.
So drop him an he may start to put in an effort every week.

 

[yakamoto]

If MJ puts in only an average performance for him tomorrow, it will still be better than the absolute blinders half his team mates will be credited with - should we win.

 

[kp junior]

If MJ puts in only an average performance for him tomorrow, it will still be better than the absolute blinders half his team mates will be credited with - should we win.

Could you name one occasion this has happened this year?

 

[Clay Davis]

If MJ puts in only an average performance for him tomorrow, it will still be better than the absolute blinders half his team mates will be credited with - should we win.

More muppetry from you. Remember when you said MJ was better than Sandilands? You must be Johnson's dealer.

 

[IAMJUNGLEMUFFIN]

If MJ puts in only an average performance for him tomorrow, it will still be better than the absolute blinders half his team mates will be credited with - should we win.

Run that by me again mate?