That was my view as well. Strange decision; did it come from coach or captain?

I also am surprised no-one has mentioned the shocking game by Johnson. Look at his positioning for the last try and the poor attempt at a simple tackle earlier. Note Leeds took the obvious option to keep kicking it behind him as well; he has the turning circle of the QE2.

I have Mark, MOM thread.

Johnson is hurting my eyes at present.

Saints at home didn't ground the ball at a key moment, Huddersfield - overlap early doors, really bad decision. Friday, he stank, both defensively and when he made a break his decison making again was woeful.

Thankfully, it looks like he'll be offski.

Ahh sorry been away for a few days and catching up. Johnson is bloody awful at the minute, doesn't deserve a shirt.

Said it myself as well on a couple of threads he was abysmal against Leeds. I find it strange that an astute coach like Smith has played him in the threequarters when we've had other options available.

Barring injury I don't want to see him in the 17 again, not even in the forwards as youngsters like Mitchell can do a much better job. At least his contract is up at the end of the season.

When Bridge took Gleeson's right centre position, WOTT was tring to argue that Paul Johnson was more of a winger than Bridge is a centre. I wonder if he is still sticking to this viewpoint.

What about them Andersons ?? Are they instructed to constantly jump out of the defensive line ?? Great when it comes off and they meet the attacker as he receives the ball (Vinny put one shuddering shot on I forget who) but when it doesn't work, the likes of Burrow and McGuire just nip through the hole.

That is Penny's fault.

Johnson is a weird one, I used to think that the problem was his fitness, when he was fit, we had a cracker, who offered versatility but didn't play enough.

Now, It's probably for the best when he's injured.

In saying that, as an interchange back rower, I still like what he does, so I guess the message is loud & clear, keep him in the pack or not at all.

I know it was Leeds away, I know we're not big on playing folk for the sake of it, and I know that kids aren't the answer, but I'd rather see a centre from the reserves, Alex Hurst or whatever get a go than Johnson play the way he did the other night. His performance on the wing, and that partnership with Anderson, it reminded me so much of that Bracek/Penny problem we had at Saints that was quite clearly a target for the oppostition.

Agreed, as I said earlier would prefer it if he doesn't play for us again this season as he's a liablity. There's no way he should be anywhere near the back line and I would rather see Mitchell or one of the other young second rowers ahead of him.

Its baffled me seeing Smith play him in the centres or one the wing before. Going off his track record at Leeds I would have expected a youngster to be promoted to the first team instead. Like you mention Hurst, or someone like Rhys Williams who is a natural three quarter.

Me