Don't get this selecting Johnson in front of Bowden and Green. I missed the Saints away game when he was apparantly MOM but for me Johnson offers nothing except for enthuisism (sp?). Yet to see him win a hit in either attack or defence whereas Bowden and Green both bend the line regulary and in the case of Green has broken the line several times this year.

Horses for courses.
Johnson is a bit like Dowes IMO, very good defensive engine and work rate but little yardage. Green is much more impactful going forwards with greater potential. Depends what mix you want with Ogre, Lynch and Watts self-selecting. I said last night Green was unlucky, but he did go off injured last week so could have been unavailable.

As I said on another thread this is the big contest in the forwards at the minute. As an aside I thought Andy Lynch was immense last night and turned our fortunes around when he came off the bench first half.

Completely agree, he was outstanding. Game changing effort, his best game this season IMO.

I don't know - but it's great that we have such a selection headache in several positions.

Looking at our squad I think we have too much depth and not enough quality. Although players listed above are decent players, they lack quality, skill and aren't really game changers. Sometimes it's good to have a player like "dowes" who is a work house but I just think we have too many similar players that lack that cutting edge. Just my opinion of course.

Personally I like Johnson. He appears to have little regard for his own self preservation and doesn't mind taking a hit when he runs the ball in. There should never be any doubting his commitment. He is a workhorse and will rarely stand out. But as has been pointed out, it's difficult to fit a team full of world Beaters into the cap.

Gentle said in the after match press conference that there is now real competition for places, especially the forwards, something which had been lacking in the recent past. He pointed out that either Green or Bowden had done nothing wrong, but neither had Johnson. With the injuries we have had over the last few seasons, depth was needed. With the continued improvement of Green and Bowden, the quality will come.

Johnson got smashed taking it up after one kick off, then on the next kick off just ran harder at the same bloke. Can't doubt his effort or enthusiasm.

I think the club will have him putting on a bit of upper body mass.

It's great to finally have options available, we now have the opportunity to rotate these guys and keep them fresh.

Johnston makes decent yards to be fair, doesn't scatter or drag defenders but gets a quick play of the ball and his defence is textbook brilliant most the time and has a tremendous engine. Bowden could imo turn out better than both but really like green.
Thing I like about all our props is the balance of attributes among them. All bring something a little different to each other.

I like the Dowes comparison. Always thought we needed a solid workhorse prop who does the little things well like he did, leaving the smashing through the line to others. Johnson fits the bill for me at the moment, but I can see Green and Bowden being stars for us in the future too.

See Green as a future Peacock and Bowden, Sam Moa - Mark O'Meley style

Would have both Green and Bowden infront of Johnson just not impressed me at all

I started this thread last week as Johnson had done little to impress me. Take it all back on last nights showing. His work rate was exceptional. Actually bent their line at times and defended as though his life depended upon it.
Hope he can keep it up.

Credit were its due had good game last night . Seems to have best games against his former teams

Best game so far, against his former club. Thought Green looked the part again too. Bowden might get a shot next week with Watts injured.

Well all 3 of them will play next week

It's only a matter of time before we pick up a couple if injuries, ain't it nice to be squabbling about who should be playing. Don't agree with the not enough quality, every player can't be a superstar and I think we have a lot of young raw talent to back up our first choice 13. Apart from a quality seven and a big dirty prop I am really happy with our squad.

Not necessarily if Whiting's fit.

Johnson looks better when he plays more game time. Coming off the bench doesn't really suit his style IMO

I though Johnson's last spell last night was particularly good. The chavs who sit a few rows behind me and slag him off all game, every game even shut up for 5 minutes.

Next week, presuming Watts isn't fit we can go with Lynch, O'Meley, Johnson and Bowden so Pitts can play out wider again.

pitts will be back at LF and playing down the middle