Hopes that impressive under 23s defender Ben Johnson can step into the first team over the next four games have been dashed by David Moyes.
The youngster has been struck down by a hamstring injury and hasn’t been able to train leaving 35 year old Pablo Zabaleta as the manager’s only option.
And with four games coming up in rapid succession that could become a real problem, notably if we suffer any new injury issues in the position.
Johnson is seen as a bright prospect but despite reports that he could be on his way back the manager has made it clear he’s not even close.
He addressed the problem when talking to reporters today and he explained that the club may now be forced into the transfer window to solve the problem.
Moyes – talking after the main presser had been held gave reporters an update on the situation and explained the situation saying: “Ben Johnson hasn’t been training so at the moment, I don’t see him involved at all.
We are trying to get Ryan [Fredericks] out a bit quicker but obviously, it is a hamstring injury so we can’t rush it.
We hope [Pablo] Zabaleta can show his experience but also it might be that we have to go in to the market and try to pick up another right back, who can give us cover, experience youthfulness, whatever we think we need.”
Ffs more good news
It’s ok we have the transfer dynamos in the boardroom and management that got us jordan hughill and a 47 year old Patrice evra last time they did our transfers
What could go wrong?
Where is viv Anderson these days?
It never rains but it pours!! Give us a break Lord please
Yes this is a worry as we need cover, we might have to place Diop in this possie as cover but he is left footed. Actually most positions are a worry, RB, LB, CDM, ST. I understand we will probably just get cover til the Summer but it doesn’t me happy. We always seem be in this position around Jan. I want the board to have a long term plan and to progress but this will never happen under GSB. We just have to look at the brumies to see that.
Diop is right footed.
If only the transfer window had been open from couple of weeks… ffs they knew before 1st of January what was needed and here we are. Good one Sully!
I am bored. Other Teams buy what they need when they need them. David Moyes says it will be two weeks. Oh well bye bye Premiership. We need a Right Back, now, we need a Left Back now same for Midfield and a Forward.. However, Moyes doesn’t want to play our youngsters, so why the hell do we keep the damn Academies. Silva was bought he is quick and skilful, so we don’t play him, we get him injured in the Under 23’s and forget him. Ben Johnson, is a good young back and needs first team experience, but no we keep him in the Under 23’s and he gets injured. Do you notice a pattern. If the Under 23’s are not good enough, get rid of them and use the money saved to buy a first team. If they are good enough play some. Other teams manage to blood their youngsters.
Buy young says Mr Moyes, but I won’t play them in reality, because they are to young and inexperienced. I give in.
We definitely don’t need another right back. We already have Fredericks, Zaba and Johnson. I’m sure Diop can play right back as well if he needs to. That is four who can play right back. Yet another right back would be five who can fill that role.
We need a left back much more because we have only one left back in Cresswell. If he gets injured we have zero left backs. We are left with Masuaku who is a big liability defensively – he’s a left winger
Roger, that’s exactly why we need a right back Fredericks, Zabaletta, Johnson.( completely unproven) .. For pity sake…LOL..
juan foyth is for sale, market price is 15m… starts RB and CB for us every game
argentina international
22 years old
fast, technical, tall