He said: "Stevie is a fantastic example for anyone - he has been a shining light. When you get yourself into a good physical condition like he has, it shows what you can achieve with a consistent run of games.
"Johnno can't afford to have the whole five or six weeks off completely. He is going to have to work really hard in the summer to make sure that he is fit, well and raring to go on that first day back.
"We have to hit the ground running when we come back. We're not going to ease people in, because with the base of the work we have done this year, we are looking to up the work we do in pre-season. Everybody has to come back in good shape."
If Johnson can make as much improvement over this summer as Ireland did over last summer, we won't need Miguel Veloso, or anyone else in central midfield.
7 comments:
Ireland & Jonno in the middle is the pairing the fans dream of, and if we are to believe what Hughes has said, is what he strives for too.
A base of home grown academy raised players with a sprinkling of international stars.
Ireland and Jonno in the middle is the dream.
Stevie Ireland is already right up there with the besy and will get better. If Jonno applies himself with the same dedication he would make an immense midfield fulcrum for City. I can just picture a De Jong Ireland johnson midfield diamond dominating matches for a good ten years!! I remember Gerrard suffered from growing pains at about Jonno's age.
Magic, Superman and The Terrier. El Guaje and La Pantera Negra up front. I like it.
With Johnson back to full fitness, we will have a very strong midfield. Kompany, De Jong and Zabaleta all being able to play defensively, Johnson, Ireland and Elano being the attacking trio.
I'm glad to see that the speculation about Johnson's future and the rumours about his bad attitude have died down a little... although it remains to be seen whether he has the commitment and consistency of Stevie.
The other thing that worries me is whether playing Johnson and Ireland might leave us with a Lampard/Gerrard problem. Ireland is now a very similar player to Johnson - both box-to-box who like to get forward.
Most improved player of the year appears to be michael Johnson. He's taken on some sort of mythical status while he's been out.
He was good, but only for a short time and never that great. I think he's good, but he's no Gerrard.
I hope I'm wrong.
Gav, I don't think this is over the top. He's only just 21. Some of his performances at 19 told of enormous potential that, for all his larking about, is still there. He'll be desperate for a place in City's midfield and with players of the attitude of Ireland, Kompany, SWP, Petrov and training animal De Jong to get past, he'll know he's got to spend every hour of his summer on the Kryton Factor assault course.
Post a Comment