| McKenna talks about squad… and this season Taylor has emerged, now Johnson 19:24 - Mar 16 with 2605 views | unstableblue |
One trait of McKennas leadership has been keeping all the squad involved through the season, knowing even fringe players will have their chance
For me I was somewhat surprised at Taylor’s new deal, and I thought he’d be a squad player behind Hackney, Cajuste and Matusiwa (now Neil) but he has made a huge contribution to this season and the position we find ourselves in.
Now it’s Johnson’s time. Two more games to make a big difference to our season. Yes he was somewhat one footed Saturday, but he put in a shift and put in THAT CROSS.
Good luck to him.
Can’t help but feel Akpom will have a part to play.
Who else has emerged from the squad under McKenna and made a difference? |  |
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| McKenna talks about squad… and this season Taylor has emerged, now Johnson on 19:28 - Mar 16 with 2546 views | FrimleyBlue |
Walton
Basically became number 2 now our number 1 again. |  |
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| McKenna talks about squad… and this season Taylor has emerged, now Johnson on 19:43 - Mar 16 with 2472 views | Libero |
I think I'm in the minority, but I don't think Taylor is of sufficient standard to be playing for us these days. |  | | |
| Good shout… decided to stay and sign on 20:16 - Mar 16 with 2312 views | unstableblue |
| McKenna talks about squad… and this season Taylor has emerged, now Johnson on 19:28 - Mar 16 by FrimleyBlue |
Walton
Basically became number 2 now our number 1 again. |
Bide his time, be part of the project
Palmer seemed way ahead of him (remember those Villa Park saves)
But Walton completely owning the goalie shirt and I think has improved parts of his game | |
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| When he’s on it, he’s driven the team, and looks a top level champ player on 20:55 - Mar 16 with 2187 views | unstableblue |
| McKenna talks about squad… and this season Taylor has emerged, now Johnson on 19:43 - Mar 16 by Libero |
I think I'm in the minority, but I don't think Taylor is of sufficient standard to be playing for us these days. |
But I would agree he’s not consistent and we see the quality I’m talking about in halves and sometimes he can go missing
But compare him to Cajuste who has in reality been incredibly ineffective, then Taylor has been hugely important.
If we hadn’t had some of Taylor’s better performances this season our points tally would be much lower | |
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| McKenna talks about squad… and this season Taylor has emerged, now Johnson on 21:25 - Mar 16 with 2075 views | Garv |
| McKenna talks about squad… and this season Taylor has emerged, now Johnson on 19:43 - Mar 16 by Libero |
I think I'm in the minority, but I don't think Taylor is of sufficient standard to be playing for us these days. |
Surely the evidence suggests otherwise? |  |
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| McKenna talks about squad… and this season Taylor has emerged, now Johnson on 22:20 - Mar 16 with 1943 views | BlueForYou |
Will Baggott ever play for us..?? |  | | |
| McKenna talks about squad… and this season Taylor has emerged, now Johnson on 06:46 - Mar 17 with 1689 views | PioneerBlue |
I guess this is what helps differentiate supporters from fans and detractors. The latter two seem to live in the moment game by game, will continually point to those players not contributing not being good enough, and dare i say it thy are a bit inflexible in recognising form ebbs and flows and not all players can be at exactly the same level because its either not doable or not cost effective, whereas supporters have a bit more focus on longer term and outcomes!
Taylor contributed across ~20 premier league games! Ben Johnson has solid premier league experience. Neither might be considered first choice starter but they must be doing their work everyday in training, helping keep those around them sharp, and this is their time to shine.
Sorry if this offends its not intended that way, it is more that anyone should be surprised players in ITFC squad under KMcK should not be able to do a job! |  |
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| McKenna talks about squad… and this season Taylor has emerged, now Johnson on 14:10 - Mar 17 with 1376 views | Libero |
| McKenna talks about squad… and this season Taylor has emerged, now Johnson on 21:25 - Mar 16 by Garv |
Surely the evidence suggests otherwise? |
I don't know what everyone else is seeing, but I see an energetic liability who gets a fair shot away from outside the area but offers not much else positive.
I was very happy when Dan Neil signed, had hoped it meant the end for Taylor here, but Cajuste failing to deliver has kept him in the frame. | | | |
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| McKenna talks about squad… and this season Taylor has emerged, now Johnson on 08:46 - Mar 18 with 1117 views | franz_tyson |
Isn't that, not necessarily polishing a turd, but trying to gloss over the real truth.
Johnson has been a disappointment. He wasn't here to be a squad player. If he was anywhere near where we wanted .... we wouldn't have got Furlong. Young has even been played in front of him. Akpom has also been disappointing, too. Nunez wasn't signed tor that 10 role and if Akpom had done OK I can't see us signing Mehmeti.
So, if both Johnson and Akpom do well over the last 9 games, then great... and I'll support them. But this hasn't been part of the plan. We've had to sign extra players and re-jig the team to accommodate for these players not living up to expectations.
The Taylor new deal has worked well. He's kept going and earnt the contract.
Sorry, to be negative. Johnson and Akpom did well last game, but don't think they were signed to hardly ever play. | | | |
| McKenna talks about squad… and this season Taylor has emerged, now Johnson on 11:42 - Mar 18 with 947 views | BlueBlood90 |
I can understand your sentiment but Johnson wouldn't even be on the bench if Kipre, Davis and Young were available. He's only playing out of pure necessity.
Akpom was bright coming off the bench on Saturday albeit against a very poor side. |  |
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| McKenna talks about squad… and this season Taylor has emerged, now Johnson on 11:48 - Mar 18 with 914 views | unstableblue |
| McKenna talks about squad… and this season Taylor has emerged, now Johnson on 11:42 - Mar 18 by BlueBlood90 |
I can understand your sentiment but Johnson wouldn't even be on the bench if Kipre, Davis and Young were available. He's only playing out of pure necessity.
Akpom was bright coming off the bench on Saturday albeit against a very poor side. |
As I said and you confirm Johnson is a fringe player, not even matchday squad for much of the season.
But the point is he’s now needed to step up and he will be crucial to Town’s season fortunes with Leif out.
He’s delivered in the first game. Saturday will be much much tougher. Let’s see how he gets on.
I imagine his wages are high so overall he’s been a poor bit of business, until now where he has a huge part to play.
Similarly Young hasn’t really delivered, although we dont know his contribution to training and squad culture.
Akpom again hasn’t delivered, and with Hirts form he needed to, but as I said, I have a feeling he may have a big part of play in the big run in. | |
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| McKenna talks about squad… and this season Taylor has emerged, now Johnson on 12:36 - Mar 18 with 782 views | TRUE_BLUE123 |
| McKenna talks about squad… and this season Taylor has emerged, now Johnson on 19:43 - Mar 16 by Libero |
I think I'm in the minority, but I don't think Taylor is of sufficient standard to be playing for us these days. |
Taylor gives you a very safe floor. He is going to be present in the game off the ball, always willing to take the ball in tough areas, good presser. But he is certainly limited in possession in the most part.
A bit like Burns being our best RW it is not a great look on our recruitment team that Taylor is the best option alongside Azor in 2026. |  |
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| McKenna talks about squad… and this season Taylor has emerged, now Johnson on 14:04 - Mar 18 with 645 views | grow_our_own |
Johnson is limited defensively. Great on the ball, velvet touch. Quick, precise short-passing. But he's a snail athletically. Can't face pace at full-back. Was regularly skinned last season in the Prem, which is why we upgraded this season. I'll be really worried if he's selected at left-back one-on-one vs Azeez on Sat. | | | |
| McKenna talks about squad… and this season Taylor has emerged, now Johnson on 14:11 - Mar 18 with 622 views | Steve_M |
| McKenna talks about squad… and this season Taylor has emerged, now Johnson on 14:10 - Mar 17 by Libero |
I don't know what everyone else is seeing, but I see an energetic liability who gets a fair shot away from outside the area but offers not much else positive.
I was very happy when Dan Neil signed, had hoped it meant the end for Taylor here, but Cajuste failing to deliver has kept him in the frame. |
Taylor has been good enough for most of this season but, tellingly, the games where he looks below the required level are those like Leicester and Sheffield United where the opposition have players who are both physically strong and technically good.
I have seen nothing from Dan Neil yet to say he should be consistently ahead of Taylor at this point. [Post edited 18 Mar 15:45]
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| McKenna talks about squad… and this season Taylor has emerged, now Johnson on 14:47 - Mar 18 with 540 views | hype313 |
| McKenna talks about squad… and this season Taylor has emerged, now Johnson on 11:42 - Mar 18 by BlueBlood90 |
I can understand your sentiment but Johnson wouldn't even be on the bench if Kipre, Davis and Young were available. He's only playing out of pure necessity.
Akpom was bright coming off the bench on Saturday albeit against a very poor side. |
That's the rub, Johnson had a decent game on Saturday, but it was against the worst side in the division, who haven't won for months, I'd be really concerned if he came on and played badly.
He's a needs must player, but lets not forget the club were hoping to move him on last summer, but his wages put most clubs off.
And he's a jack of all trades, master of none.
One swallow doesn't make a summer, lets just hope he can play well enough against the stronger sides. |  |
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| McKenna talks about squad… and this season Taylor has emerged, now Johnson on 14:48 - Mar 18 with 539 views | hype313 |
| McKenna talks about squad… and this season Taylor has emerged, now Johnson on 14:11 - Mar 18 by Steve_M |
Taylor has been good enough for most of this season but, tellingly, the games where he looks below the required level are those like Leicester and Sheffield United where the opposition have players who are both physically strong and technically good.
I have seen nothing from Dan Neil yet to say he should be consistently ahead of Taylor at this point. [Post edited 18 Mar 15:45]
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So far, I've seen Dan Neil pass to the opposition more than his own team mates. | |
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| Azeez was Millwall MoTM Saturday and got an assist on 15:00 - Mar 18 with 503 views | unstableblue |
| McKenna talks about squad… and this season Taylor has emerged, now Johnson on 14:04 - Mar 18 by grow_our_own |
Johnson is limited defensively. Great on the ball, velvet touch. Quick, precise short-passing. But he's a snail athletically. Can't face pace at full-back. Was regularly skinned last season in the Prem, which is why we upgraded this season. I'll be really worried if he's selected at left-back one-on-one vs Azeez on Sat. |
So will be a real test for Johnson.
Can’t see how Johnson won’t be selected?
With Kipre and Davis out… only options would be Baggot at left CB and Greaves LB. Or Taylor at LB?!
As per the point of my thread Johnson needs to now step up out of the fringes and make his mark over three games and contribute to the automatic drive.
Note the Millwall left back is suspended… so Burns may have some joy. Don’t know the replacement. | |
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