✍ Welcome Vladimír Coufal

[goa127]

I agree, although harsh on Johnson as he's done nothing wrong, we do miss Coufal's attacking threat.

It's certainly true that johnson has done nothing wrong, but coufal adds more to the overall team. Both Souchek and Bowen benefit from his presence.

[Korea Hammer]

I wouldn't say that Johnson has done much wrong but his passing accuracy against Wolves was much lower than other players (around 50%, only Fornals close), and every time I watch him I notice the misplaced passes. His defending is good so it's a decision for Moyes, but I think Coufal makes the side better.

[Diogenes]

I wouldn't say that Johnson has done much wrong but his passing accuracy against Wolves was much lower than other players (around 50%, only Fornals close), and every time I watch him I notice the misplaced passes. His defending is good so it's a decision for Moyes, but I think Coufal makes the side better.

One of the only areas where we have a true competition for places.

[Turtlecharityracer]

Would like to see him back in the team.
Dip in form from last season, yes, but if he is to have any chance of gaining back his form of last season he needs to be in the starting team.
Also, Johnson needs to improve his distribution before being considered a regular.
Hopefully Coufal will face Man City.

[irving boleyn]

I don't think his form dipped.

Fluctuations in performance have a lot to do with the quality of the opposition.

[ageing hammer]

I don't think his form dipped.

Fluctuations in performance have a lot to do with the quality of the opposition.

Me neither, his form was fine it was that knee into his bollox from that manc **** Matic that injured him that cost him to miss games not form.

Coufal is missed down our right there is no doubt, he was one of the best right backs in the league last season and a major reason why we were so potent going forward linking with Soucek and Bowen.

For me it's harsh on Johnson but necessary to get Coufal back asap as the last few games it's all down the left and nothing on the right which makes it easier for teams to handle us,

Sooner he comes back the better imo

[My_Sobriquet]

Joint second in the assists charts last season for defenders tied with TAA and Robertson, how is he not a nailed on starter!?

[Estuary]

We miss Coufals directness, Johnson is more hesitant to run beyond the player he is supposed to be covering. Johnson hasnt done anything wrong at all but I think our style of counter attack misses Coufals charging runs forward.

[Ozza]

Joint second in the assists charts last season for defenders tied with TAA and Robertson, how is he not a nailed on starter!?

And one assist in 12 this season, defo off the pace, his crossing was poor before his injury and the kid has done really well this season and has a premier league goal to his name.
.
Moyes has a policy of if you're in the shirt and you do well you keep it, we should all be happy with that.

[hammers92]

I’ve got no issue seeing a 5 at the back on Sunday with Coufal and Johnson occupying RCB and RWB.

Could be the perfect game to see if it works too.

[HammerAl]

I’ve got no issue seeing a 5 at the back on Sunday with Coufal and Johnson occupying RCB and RWB.

Could be the perfect game to see if it works too.

I still think Johnson’s best position would be RCB. An excellent defender but just not quite good enough on the ball for RB or RWB, at the moment anyway.

[El brooko79]

I’ve got no issue seeing a 5 at the back on Sunday with Coufal and Johnson occupying RCB and RWB.

Could be the perfect game to see if it works too.

Who LWB?

[Shabu]

Who LWB?

I'm guessing it would be Johnson, Coufal, Zouma, Cresswell, Masuaku

[ironilunga]

I want Coufal back in the side. Johnson deputised admirably but we need Vladimir in the side.

[Burnley Hammer]

I'd like him back in too. He might not have had the assists this season compared to last, but defensively I don't think he's been any different to last season and I wouldn't have described him as being poor or out of form. I just think we look more comfortable when he's on the pitch.

[funky chicken]

I’d expect Coufal to start tomorrow night. Although I don’t get the desperation from some to throw Coufal straight back into the starting 11 permanently. He wasn’t playing that great even before his injury. Not awful, but not great.

I am sure he’ll get his chance again and I am optimistic the Coufal from last season will return. But let’s equally not pretend we have missed anything significant during his absence. In Coufal’s Premier League games he chipped in with 1 assist in 7 Premier League starts and we conceded 9 goals. With 5 of those goals being conceded even after Zouma was introduced into the starting 11. In Johnson’s 5 Premier League starts he chipped in with 1 goal, with us conceding 4 goals. In arguably a much harder run-in too, with 3 of those games against 3 of the current top 7 teams. 1 against mid table Everton.

[El brooko79]

I think Johnson may be needed to cover Cresswell for a few games in December so Vlad will get his chance to come back in, plus the 2 EL games.

[hammerman11]

starts tomorrow . its a squad game and we have two good RBs now. plenty of games coming up so whoever is best cant play them all !

the other side is the worry because if cress gets injured or suspended we have no other Left back . masuaka isnt a one, johnson can play there but is limited as hes a RB and longello hasnt made an appearance yet !

[Ozza]

I’d expect Coufal to start tomorrow night. Although I don’t get the desperation from some to throw Coufal straight back into the starting 11 permanently. He wasn’t playing that great even before his injury. Not awful, but not great.

I am sure he’ll get his chance again and I am optimistic the Coufal from last season will return. But let’s equally not pretend we have missed anything significant during his absence. In Coufal’s Premier League games he chipped in with 1 assist in 7 Premier League starts and we conceded 9 goals. With 5 of those goals being conceded even after Zouma was introduced into the starting 11. In Johnson’s 5 Premier League starts he chipped in with 1 goal, with us conceding 4 goals. In arguably a much harder run-in too, with 3 of those games against 3 of the current top 7 teams. 1 against mid table Everton.

Correct

[irving boleyn]

It's not just about assists.

His accurate passing out of defence, often first touch,to a player in space is what has been missed.