[Slick_Footwork]

Sorry but I have to disagree on Johnstone. Been good  behind a crap defence. He had no chance with the first, it was struck early and he could not see it till late. Read the reports . It’s only the Johnstone haters who say he should have saved it.
I notice no defenders or midfielders are copping out for not closing mount down.
Just my opinion

I admit, I probably fall into the Johnstone "hater" category, if that is someone who thinks he's useless. I just don't rate the guy at all. He's crap on crosses, crap at long range shots, crap decision maker.

He's a reasonable kicker and decent at getting out in 1 on 1 situations but that's about it.

That said, I think I could justify my stance and find at least 10 goals that he should've stopped over the last 2 years. I'm talking simple errors here. The thing is, we often won games where he made basic cock ups in the Championship last season so they are forgotten. But at this level you expect your keeper to make 2 or 3 errors per season and Johnstone will certainly make at least 5x that amount, it's in his genetic make up. The get out of jail free card we had in the Championship will not exist.

After watching match of the day last night to catch a second viewing, I think the 1st was a good shot and so maybe I was harsh giving him blame. That said, it wasn't particularly powerful, so I'm not sure why he hasn't even got down to make an attempt for it? There's no excuse for him being so flat footed. The 3rd however I 100% believe is his fault. He should've threw his cap on that trickler. He just never attempts to bring anything into his body. He's a robot who is programmed to parry everything regardless of how weak it is. The worst of all, he's got limp wrists that never get any purchases on his parries.

I agree the defence are crap at getting out to shots, but that still doesn't excuse him for getting beat by shots he should throw his cap on. He's way out of his depth at this level IMO. Should've been one of the first to be replaced this season along with Bartley as they were both poor at the lower level.

[Blue Baggie]

I think it would be harsh to overly criticise Johnstone for yesterday, although he seemed pretty leaden footed for the first, accepting being was possibly unsighted.
However, I don’t think it’s just this game where issues lie with him. I’ve always felt pretty positive about him but he just doesn’t command his area, either physically or verbally. I know we were spoiled by having Fozzie, who was excellent at both but, in the EPL, there is little  room for error and I feel he’s not making the step up that the defence needs. I would give him time but I think he also needs some coaching and positive encouragement

Fozzie was a super hero for us, but tbh he dropped some awful Clangers at times. All I ever heard was he was in credit for the points he saved us. Johnstone can do no right no matter what he does. In my opinion he is our best keeper, yes he makes mistakes, sometimes he does wonder saves. Let's not forget he is human and this is a TEAM sport.

[wba13]

Sorry but I have to disagree on Johnstone. Been good  behind a crap defence. He had no chance with the first, it was struck early and he could not see it till late. Read the reports . It’s only the Johnstone haters who say he should have saved it.
I notice no defenders or midfielders are copping out for not closing mount down.
Just my opinion

I admit, I probably fall into the Johnstone "hater" category, if that is someone who thinks he's useless. I just don't rate the guy at all. He's crap on crosses, crap at long range shots, crap decision maker.  

He's a reasonable kicker and decent at getting out in 1 on 1 situations but that's about it.

That said, I think I could justify my stance and find at least 10 goals that he should've stopped over the last 2 years. I'm talking simple errors here. The thing is, we often won games where he made basic cock ups in the Championship last season so they are forgotten. But at this level you expect your keeper to make 2 or 3 errors per season and Johnstone will certainly make at least 5x that amount, it's in his genetic make up. The get out of jail free card we had in the Championship will not exist.

After watching match of the day last night to catch a second viewing, I think the 1st was a good shot and so maybe I was harsh giving him blame. That said, it wasn't particularly powerful, so I'm not sure why he hasn't even got down to make an attempt for it? There's no excuse for him being so flat footed. The 3rd however I 100% believe is his fault. He should've threw his cap on that trickler. He just never attempts to bring anything into his body. He's a robot who is programmed to parry everything regardless of how weak it is. The worst of all, he's got limp wrists that never get any purchases on his parries.

I agree the defence are crap at getting out to shots, but that still doesn't excuse him for getting beat by shots he should throw his cap on. He's way out of his depth at this level IMO. Should've been one of the first to be replaced this season along with Bartley as they were both poor at the lower level.

Sorry still cannot agree he was not at fault with any of the goals yesterday. Bartley for all his faults was man of the match yesterday.  This is what Forums are about opinions.

[BaggieSteve]

I think it would be harsh to overly criticise Johnstone for yesterday, although he seemed pretty leaden footed for the first, accepting being was possibly unsighted.
However, I don’t think it’s just this game where issues lie with him. I’ve always felt pretty positive about him but he just doesn’t command his area, either physically or verbally. I know we were spoiled by having Fozzie, who was excellent at both but, in the EPL, there is little  room for error and I feel he’s not making the step up that the defence needs. I would give him time but I think he also needs some coaching and positive encouragement

Fozzie was a super hero for us, but tbh he dropped some awful Clangers at times. All I ever heard was he was in credit for the points he saved us. Johnstone can do no right no matter what he does. In my opinion he is our best keeper, yes he makes mistakes, sometimes he does wonder saves. Let's not forget he is human and this is a TEAM sport.

Bluebaggie, I agree with you that Ben had a few shockers for us but in the seven years he played for the Baggies - all in the Premier League - he undoubtedly won us more points than he lost us. But, whilst accepting he undoubtedly made mistakes, he was always prepared to take charge (sometimes too much, Villa away and the last minute penalty come to mind) whereas Johnstone seems both mute and immobile. As I said, I’m not clamouring for us to get shot of him because I think there is a good keeper in there but, right now, he’s not inspiring much confidence

[Blue Baggie]

I think it would be harsh to overly criticise Johnstone for yesterday, although he seemed pretty leaden footed for the first, accepting being was possibly unsighted.
However, I don’t think it’s just this game where issues lie with him. I’ve always felt pretty positive about him but he just doesn’t command his area, either physically or verbally. I know we were spoiled by having Fozzie, who was excellent at both but, in the EPL, there is little  room for error and I feel he’s not making the step up that the defence needs. I would give him time but I think he also needs some coaching and positive encouragement

Fozzie was a super hero for us, but tbh he dropped some awful Clangers at times. All I ever heard was he was in credit for the points he saved us. Johnstone can do no right no matter what he does. In my opinion he is our best keeper, yes he makes mistakes, sometimes he does wonder saves. Let's not forget he is human and this is a TEAM sport.

Bluebaggie, I agree with you that Ben had a few shockers for us but in the seven years he played for the Baggies - all in the Premier League - he undoubtedly won us more points than he lost us. But, whilst accepting he undoubtedly made mistakes, he was always prepared to take charge (sometimes too much, Villa away and the last minute penalty come to mind) whereas Johnstone seems both mute and immobile. As I said, I’m not clamouring for us to get shot of him because I think there is a good keeper in there but, right now, he’s not inspiring much confidence

I agree 100% - I certainly wouldn't knock anyone's opinion. It's what makes the forum interesting. Hate him or love him he is our number 1 . I do believe when he had JT Marshalling the Seals defence it helped him no end. Hopefully Ivanovic can do a job for us. Time will tell.

[Slick_Footwork]

I think it's a bit unfair on Foster's legacy to compare him to Johnstone. It's touch and go if Johnstone would be good enough to lace Foster's boots!

Granted, Foster had some errors in his locker the odd rush of blood to the head. But for probably 6 of the 7 years he was here, he was solid and worthy of his place.

Johnstone has never looked confident or in control. He makes simple goalkeeping look difficult.

This isn't just based on yesterday's game, where I thought he made multiple errors including a terrible decision to come and punch Bartley in he head when he had it the situation well under control. Or his limp wrist push away of the trickling shot that resulted in Abraham's tap in. It's based on his performances since we signed him, which have been littered with unforced errors and poor judgements.

It's fairly unanimous that he's crap at crosses because he's glued to his line and always flat footed if people run across him. However, what people often fail to see is how poor he is from long range shots. I only got to 3 away games last season because of work and lockdown but in all 3 he made an error which lead to a goal. All of them limp wrists from long range shots that he should've easily saved. See Wigan away for what was probably the worst one, where he gets his hands to a 35 yard pot shot it but his wrists are so limp that he can't parry it wide.

He's a big game bottler and a liability.

Why a bottler? He made cock ups in every must win game. Look at his performances at the end of last season in our 'must win' period. Look at the error he made for Hull's first goal against us (albeit we won 4-2). Look at the pathetic attempt at goalkeeping for Huddersfield's first in the 2-1 loss. Look at his positioning for both of QPR's goals against us. Eze strikes right down his throat and he's flat footed.

His performances almost cost us promotion. The fact we have started a Premier League campaign with him shows our naivety.

Did the same for Villa in the playoffs. Big game and he loses his head and handles it outside the box. Again forgotten because the ref failed to send him off.

Honestly surprised how much support he gets on here because for me it's not even debatable. He really is that bad.

I don't know if Button is an improvement as he's not someone I've seen prior to signing for us. But if he's not, we shouldn't have signed him.

[Worldclassalbion]

Sorry but I have to disagree on Johnstone. Been good  behind a crap defence. He had no chance with the first, it was struck early and he could not see it till late. Read the reports . It’s only the Johnstone haters who say he should have saved it.
I notice no defenders or midfielders are copping out for not closing mount down.
Just my opinion

I appreciate your comments and opinion mate but I don’t ‘hate’ Johnstone by any means. It’s just my opinion buddy. I just don’t think he’s any good I never have. If you look back over posts I’ve given him credit when I thought it was due. Sadly that’s been about 3 times since he’s been here.

I’d put Button in next game and whatever happens give him a run of 4 or 5 games to prove himself. Bilic obviously thinks he’s good enough otherwise what was the point of bringing him in.

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I think it's a bit unfair on Foster's legacy to compare him to Johnstone. It's touch and go if Johnstone would be good enough to lace Foster's boots!

Granted, Foster had some errors in his locker the odd rush of blood to the head. But for probably 6 of the 7 years he was here, he was solid and worthy of his place.

Johnstone has never looked confident or in control. He makes simple goalkeeping look difficult.

This isn't just based on yesterday's game, where I thought he made multiple errors including a terrible decision to come and punch Bartley in he head when he had it the situation well under control. Or his limp wrist push away of the trickling shot that resulted in Abraham's tap in. It's based on his performances since we signed him, which have been littered with unforced errors and poor judgements.

It's fairly unanimous that he's crap at crosses because he's glued to his line and always flat footed if people run across him. However, what people often fail to see is how poor he is from long range shots. I only got to 3 away games last season because of work and lockdown but in all 3 he made an error which lead to a goal. All of them limp wrists from long range shots that he should've easily saved. See Wigan away for what was probably the worst one, where he gets his hands to a 35 yard pot shot it but his wrists are so limp that he can't parry it wide.

He's a big game bottler and a liability.

Why a bottler? He made cock ups in every must win game. Look at his performances at the end of last season in our 'must win' period. Look at the error he made for Hull's first goal against us (albeit we won 4-2). Look at the pathetic attempt at goalkeeping for Huddersfield's first in the 2-1 loss. Look at his positioning for both of QPR's goals against us. Eze strikes right down his throat and he's flat footed.

His performances almost cost us promotion. The fact we have started a Premier League campaign with him shows our naivety.

Did the same for Villa in the playoffs. Big game and he loses his head and handles it outside the box. Again forgotten because the ref failed to send him off.

Honestly surprised how much support he gets on here because for me it's not even debatable. He really is that bad.

I don't know if Button is an improvement as he's not someone I've seen prior to signing for us. But if he's not, we shouldn't have signed him.

I agree 100%

[Blue Baggie]

Sorry but I have to disagree on Johnstone. Been good  behind a crap defence. He had no chance with the first, it was struck early and he could not see it till late. Read the reports . It’s only the Johnstone haters who say he should have saved it.
I notice no defenders or midfielders are copping out for not closing mount down.
Just my opinion

I admit, I probably fall into the Johnstone "hater" category, if that is someone who thinks he's useless. I just don't rate the guy at all. He's crap on crosses, crap at long range shots, crap decision maker.  

He's a reasonable kicker and decent at getting out in 1 on 1 situations but that's about it.

That said, I think I could justify my stance and find at least 10 goals that he should've stopped over the last 2 years. I'm talking simple errors here. The thing is, we often won games where he made basic cock ups in the Championship last season so they are forgotten. But at this level you expect your keeper to make 2 or 3 errors per season and Johnstone will certainly make at least 5x that amount, it's in his genetic make up. The get out of jail free card we had in the Championship will not exist.

After watching match of the day last night to catch a second viewing, I think the 1st was a good shot and so maybe I was harsh giving him blame. That said, it wasn't particularly powerful, so I'm not sure why he hasn't even got down to make an attempt for it? There's no excuse for him being so flat footed. The 3rd however I 100% believe is his fault. He should've threw his cap on that trickler. He just never attempts to bring anything into his body. He's a robot who is programmed to parry everything regardless of how weak it is. The worst of all, he's got limp wrists that never get any purchases on his parries.

I agree the defence are crap at getting out to shots, but that still doesn't excuse him for getting beat by shots he should throw his cap on. He's way out of his depth at this level IMO. Should've been one of the first to be replaced this season along with Bartley as they were both poor at the lower level.

I think Bartley was apparently useless most of the time, but yesterday was generally thought to be MOTM. This football is a strange game.

[valpayne]

Well well well currently it’s mr punch 3 man c 1 perhaps just maybe our slump against Leicester won’t look so bad after all. Agree about Biased Broadcasting Company it’s all about Chelski fight back. ? how many teams stick 3 up that lot in one half maybe they can run a poll on that ?

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4-1 ?

[wba13]

Are we as bad as the stat’s make out Man City 2 Leicester 5 we have played the top 2 and lost and one of the favourites Chelsea and took a point. Any doom and gloomers take stock now, we will get better and I am certain we will stop up.