Jonty the pro?
One of the best Blues resources on the internet for information and, er, intelligent debate (about all sorts really) is www.smallheathalliance.com.
But I have to take issue one of the posters on the forum in regard to Damien Johnson, described as 'unprofessional' amongst other things for volunteering to take a place on the substitutes bench because of the injury crisis
Johnson has probably sparked more debate than any other recent Blues player, R***** S***** apart.
Like him, loathe him or just simply respect him, he has never intentionally let Blues down.
Yes when that switch flicks inside his head, he has got himself stupidly sent-off and he should never have lobbed the captain's armband and shirt away that time.
But he's no Big Time Charlie concerned about himself and raking in pots of cash.
He put himself forward, got on a plane to Exeter, the coach to Plymouth Argyle and then back again, knowing it was unlikely he would be used (he wasn't), but he wanted to be there for his team, his manager, his club.
He has trained for four weeks, hard, and was due to play in a private friendly last week but fell to the virus that is doing the rounds at Wast Hills.
If he had only just come out of the treatment room following back surgery, of course he wouldn't have been involved.
Johnson has limitations as a footballer. He's no technician. But it's about a balance of styles and attitudes; the manager's job is to mould his team so that it functions properly and has a bit of everything.
Johnson felt it, badly, when Blues were relegated. In 2006, he was like a man possessed trying to drag less enthusiastic team mates out of the mire.
I remember at the awards dinner, when he scooped the lot, he could barely conceal his distaste for some of the people he shared a dressing room with that season.
Johnson is happier with the kind of characters Alex McLeish has got around the place now.
He recognises kindred spirits, not so much in style and ability, but attitude and will to win and do well. I can't see what's so wrong with that.
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Colin Tattum - Mail man Colin Tattum's view of what's going on at Birmingham City FC.
He is what Blues are about! Commitment, B***s and that never say die attitude. Respect
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See, I KNEW you copied my match reports.
What type of music do you like to make love too?
i agree 100% Tatty head.
In an age of dishonest footballers it amazes me that Blues fans (who would normally cherish DJ's attributes) give him a hard time.
PS there are some proper morons on SHA.
Ron, can you put them up before the game in future to give me a head start? Thanks . . .
what are you having for lunch?
I'll give you a clue...
Liam Ridgewell will make a mistake at Preston tomorrow.
What Blues need is more players from the local community............free coaching for Muslim kids and the like.
Thanks Ron. I guess he's playing then...? For me, Jaidi's due a goal, though he couldn't get it in either net from three yards on Tuesday
Anyone seen my car keys?
Thats him, thats him. It was that bloody IPF bloke Tatts, he's the one.
You have to excuse him though, he still hasn't got over the 1931 Cup Final.
Jonty is as honest as the day is long.The armband incident aside (which was down to his own personal frustration opposed to disrespecting the badge!!) He's the sort of guy you'd be happy to sit next to at your kids nativity (on the front row)!!! He will always give 110% for whoever pays his wages which in this modern era is unheard of.
However I feel he does have his critics which is a shame, however he is one of the players at St Andrews that falls into the category of; too good for the Championship but not good enough for the Premiership and I'm certain if we are lucky enough to go back into the promised land come May he may be a casualty but I for one would wish him well and hope he continues to do a job as the great professional he is.
Cheese sandwich, pickled onion space raiders and a bottle of iron brew
Cemetery Gates - The Smiths
i loike Dimian jonsun, i rekon i cud fit al ov hime in
vila vila
Commitment, Passion, Never say die attitude, B*lls, are what Jonty brings us, Yes he has had his issues, but when fans make a scapegoat of a player, they never let it go, as we see with Jonty,
KRO Jonty keep giving it your all
The above answers are exactly what 99% of threads on SHA are like. Read at your peril.
Good for getting close to real time score updates if you can't find a link anywhere.
Oh, and the sooner Jonty is back the better.
I lyk Jonty
Armchair Fan...
Jonty is a decent enough right sided midfielder and good fill in right back.
Captain and central midfield?. Not in month of Sundays. You mention the 2006 season. Well truth be told had Jonty been a *proper* captain no-one would have ever got a hint , in public, of his feelings towards his other squad members. Not only that, a true captain, has the power the motivate his team mates with just a look.
Jonty simply never could do that so what happened? Oh yes, Jonty gets the "red mist" and goes and gets himself booked or sent off.
Maybe Jonty is the scapegoat for Blues as a whole. That is, he, as a player, reflects the frustrations of the fans about the club as a whole. Doesn't have enough ball skills, so covers that with honest endeavour. Spends most of his time somewhere between the his own box and 20 yards inside the opponents area. Which is Blues all over. Championship to mid table Premiership, then it's nose bleed time. Like Blues, Jonty never quite has the head for heights or the confidence to go for broke.
Personally, i wish the guy well. I hope he manages to have a good second half of the season at right side midfield or right back. The truth is though, the moment he's picked in central midfield, the eyes will roll and the chuntering will start as that horrible feeling of deja vu hits the fans.
If Jonty wants to rehabilitate himself with a large number of fans it really is simple it goes something like this.
"Jerome breaks to the left of the defender hits the by line, puts in a low raking cross. Phillips drags two defenders out of position and its Johnson, breaking from midfield, who connects and scrambles it over the line."
You won't see me on that SmallHeathAlliance.com ...
Jonty is a better footballer than what some fans give him credit for. Part of the perception seems to come from our previous managers insistence on playing DJ wherever he could to keep him in the team. You can't blame a player for being good enough to play in numerous positions. Nafti was willing to deputise at right back at Wolves and I don't think he'll be playing there again!
Good footballers can play anywhere on the pitch. Fact End Of.
Any ideas on the best place to park??
I'm confused - where is the poll with the 'jaidi' option??
Bruce out.
Tattts for sky.
I'm not sure about Jonty flying down to get to Plymouth to get on the bench and not play but in the modern game what is it with a Managers obsession to play all 3 substitutes. I think tonight may have cost us a vital point. Would Jonty have made the same error as Mr Agustien...........we will never no. We can all be wise after the event but the substitution really does look like a fundmental basic mistake, a cold player coming on who did not pick up the pace of the game and a sumo wrestler leaps like a gazelle, takes it on his gut and buries it with the nonchelence of Barry Austin tackling his 9th Chicken balti. Also, must comment on what looked like a total lack of interest from Messrs Quedrue and Bent sat in the dugout after their substitution, feet dangling over the seats looking like they were more distraught at missing the X Factor Final than scoring the winning goal. I think Jonty would have been kicking every ball!!!
Anyone want some squash?
RIP shortbread