Saturday, November 20, 2010

Roy Hodgson Rubbishes Glen Johnson Exit Talk

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has played down speculation linking Glen Johnson with an Anfield exit and insisted he is the Reds' first choice right-back.

Hodgson has been critical of the England international’s form of late, but the manager is eager for the defender to come back into the team following a spell on the sidelines.

"As far as I'm concerned he has, and I think as far as he's concerned he has. Once again we're talking storms in tea cups and people trying to make something out of nothing," Hodgson told reporters.

"My relationship with Johnson has been very good since I came to the club, and he's always played in the team when he's fit.

"As far as I'm concerned he's the Liverpool right-back and the England right-back and we're very happy to welcome him back into the team now that he's fit again."

Johnson is set to feature against West Ham United on Saturday after a groin injury prevented him from playing against Stoke City last week.

1 comment:

Dolly said...

Wouldn't be the least surprised if Johnson left. What Hodgson said was well beyond the pail. I cannot recall another time I've heard a coach of any sporting team attack one of his/her players in this manner. If the player needs a wake-up call, a professional manager would do it in private, face to face, and leave it there. Hodgson is such an insecure and small-minded individual and this episode simply underlines that fact. Besides this stupidity, Hodgson's defensive tactics misuse Johnson's skills and those of most of his players. It's high time the LFC owners took heed of what fan's want and get rid of this under-whelming and out of depth manager.