Brennan Johnson

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I do also think this is why he is suited to our setup. We are best when we break at speed and get the ball into the box as fast as possible. It's possibly also why we're struggling at the moment. I agree about the low block concern, as Sarr also seems to struggle when he can't run in behind. However, Wharton's ability to break the lines means if there is any space behind the back line he can find it and hopefully Johnson can exploit that.
When Munoz plays on the right the opponents defence don’t know whether to cover their left or the middle with Wharton and an other in there. Even Clyne gets space as with our goal yesterday. If BJ is in that space and with his speed then we should get more crosses in or passes to the edge of the box for even more shots on goal.
Oh hang on 😁
If he listens to OG and runs back to cover our right back then I can only see positives. Eze fails with this protection of the defence hence he sits on arsenals bench.
 
Hopefully you are right, but I'm not sure running in behind is all the system requires of the No10s. As others have said, Sarr is great at it, but struggles a bit when teams sit back against us. I think that's why we are better on the break and have had a better away record than home for ages. Sometimes Sarr looks shabby when asked to create, as its not really his game. Johnson may find the same.

Moreover, whilst it worked well if both No10s collect the ball and create (Eze/Olise) and it ended up working well when one No10 collects and creates and the other runs behind (Eze/Sarr), we haven't seen it work with two No10s who both run behind. Perhaps it'll be great. Not sure.

Where I totally agree is that scoring must be part of the No10 role regardless. We have had a few games recently where we created little but still manged to make a couple of scruffy chances and a few half chances, almost all of which went begging. Seeing poor Deveney snatch at presentable opportunities just shows that he isn't a natural finisher, whilst Pino has a lot to do on that front too. Perhaps even if a front three of Johnson, Mateta, and Sarr were crap outside the box, we would still be better off overall?

I agree about Nketiah. I think there is a goal scorer there waiting to emerge, and where Mateta at his best allows us to go from back to front directly and to be a danger on crosses, his movement isn't always great, and he can't really swap positions with the other forwards at speed to good effect. Perhaps we will cash in on JPM this summer and use EN in a more fluid forward line thereafter, which might suit Johnson too?

Christ, I'm really overthinking this! Has this kid fecking signed yet, or what?!
I believe all the points you raise have validity where opposition teams sit deep, but wouldn't it be great to have options which we don't have now?
Sarr and Johnson could swap sides, either could have a spell down the middle or Nketiah could be used as an alternative to Mateta.
If we need something different there's the option of Pino.
Anything that avoids us having to try to win games with Devenny, Kamada or Nketiah in number 10 roles.
 
I believe all the points you raise have validity where opposition teams sit deep, but wouldn't it be great to have options which we don't have now?
Sarr and Johnson could swap sides, either could have a spell down the middle or Nketiah could be used as an alternative to Mateta.
If we need something different there's the option of Pino.
Anything that avoids us having to try to win games with Devenny, Kamada or Nketiah in number 10 roles.
Yes, it would surely be far better. I do worry that we will have three quick (or big) lads up top who can all score but almost nobody to create chances, but right now Pino, Kamada, Deveney, and Nketiah neither score nor make chances, so what would we lose?!

It does show just how hard it is to replace Eze/Olise though. They were capable of both scoring and creating. Pino may yet come good in at least the latter regard.
 
Frank sidelined him so If he wasn't good enough for Spurs, what makes him good enough for Palace?

His move has attracted plenty of positive comments so I just hope he can live up to the hype. We sure need someone to relight the bloomin' fuse.
 
Olise was signed in early July, the 'Window' closed at the end of August.

Agreed but with hindsight - we all know how Olise turned out but he didn't excite me as much as even Wharton, just because he was less proven at that stage.

The last signings I was totally gobsmacked by included Sakho from Liverpool and Cabaye because they were established heavy hitters who could make a difference from day one. I put Brennan Johnson in this category and it will be exciting to see how he fares.
 
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