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Zach Mitchell - Jan 2026 recalled from Hibernian (p29)

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Comments

  • Sword65pf
    Sword65pf Posts: 1,078
    fenaddick said:
    Sword65pf said:
    They might put him somewhere else, so he gets games.
    He can't play for another club
    Oh ok.
  • limeygent said:
    I would have thought than if he'd been good enough he'd have been given some game time, after all, managers want to win, don't they?
    Managers also get it wrong though, look at the impact we've seen from Costello for example
  • valleynick66
    valleynick66 Posts: 5,156
    One of the most pointless and unproductive loans imaginable. Due diligence on this one was majorly lacking. 

    What a waste of five months
    But our back room set up is all good now?

    Its just unfortunate I imagine. The manager there didn’t see him as an upgrade I guess. 

    We too have been guilty the other way around of not using signings. 

    No conspiracy / no great problem. Just didn’t pan out. 
    There's no conspiracy but a total lack of due dilligence. This move only happened on the very last day of the window and because we signed Bree that day. Hibs even had to go to FIFA to get it approved because the paperwork wasn't competed in time. Mitchell was signed on a "just in case" basis by the Hibs' manager as they already had five CBs, all of which were on permanent contracts and who were always likely to be picked in front of a loanee. 

    As a one off, it would be a lot easier for Mitchell to swallow but this is the second time in three years that he has missed half a season because of a poor loan. He made his debut for us over three years ago and in the last two years he has only started seven league games for anyone. Loans are meant to be for development purposes and it is really poor that he hasn't been afforded that opportunity to do so.

    It's a bit too easy for people to say "it's just one of those things" when you're not in the shoes of a youngster who is desperate to do what he is meant to be doing - play football. That is where he should be making any mistakes and learning from them and what makes things even worse is that in those two loans I believe he's played just one game in total for the respective U21s.     





    If true who are you blaming then?

    Surely we and he knew what  loan for him we were seeking and as we are told it’s a domino thing it’s just the way it was. No one could make him go there. 
  • limeygent
    limeygent Posts: 3,224
    limeygent said:
    I would have thought than if he'd been good enough he'd have been given some game time, after all, managers want to win, don't they?
    Managers also get it wrong though, look at the impact we've seen from Costello for example
    One would hope that managers would see enough during a week of practice sessions that they'd see their best eleven. Enough managers have seen Mitchell play that if he were good enough he'd have been playing. My issue with him is his lack of creativity and his back-passing.
  • cantersaddick
    cantersaddick Posts: 17,631
    One of the most pointless and unproductive loans imaginable. Due diligence on this one was majorly lacking. 

    What a waste of five months
    But our back room set up is all good now?

    Its just unfortunate I imagine. The manager there didn’t see him as an upgrade I guess. 

    We too have been guilty the other way around of not using signings. 

    No conspiracy / no great problem. Just didn’t pan out. 
    There's no conspiracy but a total lack of due dilligence. This move only happened on the very last day of the window and because we signed Bree that day. Hibs even had to go to FIFA to get it approved because the paperwork wasn't competed in time. Mitchell was signed on a "just in case" basis by the Hibs' manager as they already had five CBs, all of which were on permanent contracts and who were always likely to be picked in front of a loanee. 

    As a one off, it would be a lot easier for Mitchell to swallow but this is the second time in three years that he has missed half a season because of a poor loan. He made his debut for us over three years ago and in the last two years he has only started seven league games for anyone. Loans are meant to be for development purposes and it is really poor that he hasn't been afforded that opportunity to do so.

    It's a bit too easy for people to say "it's just one of those things" when you're not in the shoes of a youngster who is desperate to do what he is meant to be doing - play football. That is where he should be making any mistakes and learning from them and what makes things even worse is that in those two loans I believe he's played just one game in total for the respective U21s.     





    I agree for the most part. But weren't we told at one of the club meetings and and repeated on here that the plan was to keep Zach around here once Alex Mitchell had gone out on loan. But he wanted minutes and was pushing for the move so the club allowed it to happen. 

    Aligns with NJ's comments in his pre-Sheff U meeting that said something like we were kind to people in the first half of the season letting them go an get opportunities, but we left ourselves short at the back and we wont be doing that again. Or words to that effect.
  • Addick Addict
    Addick Addict Posts: 40,714
    limeygent said:
    I would have thought than if he'd been good enough he'd have been given some game time, after all, managers want to win, don't they?
    Not when they have five other CBs on permanent contracts and are doing OK in the league. It's like saying we would take on a sixth CB on loan and then play that person instead of those that are doing well.

    We sent him out on loan because, in signing Bree, we thought we had too many CBs. It was only because of injuries that Gough got some game time and had Mitchell stayed he might have got some game time AND played for our U21s. At Hibs he got to do neither. For the second time in three seasons. 
  • cantersaddick
    cantersaddick Posts: 17,631
    limeygent said:
    limeygent said:
    I would have thought than if he'd been good enough he'd have been given some game time, after all, managers want to win, don't they?
    Managers also get it wrong though, look at the impact we've seen from Costello for example
    One would hope that managers would see enough during a week of practice sessions that they'd see their best eleven. Enough managers have seen Mitchell play that if he were good enough he'd have been playing. My issue with him is his lack of creativity and his back-passing.
    Creativity? Hes a CB not a No10. A NJ side doesnt have any creativity as it is. Even our attackers are grafters rather than creative players. Expecting a CB to have creativity is madness.
  • limeygent
    limeygent Posts: 3,224
    edited January 19
    limeygent said:
    limeygent said:
    I would have thought than if he'd been good enough he'd have been given some game time, after all, managers want to win, don't they?
    Managers also get it wrong though, look at the impact we've seen from Costello for example
    One would hope that managers would see enough during a week of practice sessions that they'd see their best eleven. Enough managers have seen Mitchell play that if he were good enough he'd have been playing. My issue with him is his lack of creativity and his back-passing.
    Creativity? Hes a CB not a No10. A NJ side doesnt have any creativity as it is. Even our attackers are grafters rather than creative players. Expecting a CB to have creativity is madness.
    Agree to a point, but when there's  thirty yards of empty pitch in front of him, he still chooses to pass the ball backwards. I'd love to see him do well now that he's back, but I just can't imagine it.
  • Addick Addict
    Addick Addict Posts: 40,714
    One of the most pointless and unproductive loans imaginable. Due diligence on this one was majorly lacking. 

    What a waste of five months
    But our back room set up is all good now?

    Its just unfortunate I imagine. The manager there didn’t see him as an upgrade I guess. 

    We too have been guilty the other way around of not using signings. 

    No conspiracy / no great problem. Just didn’t pan out. 
    There's no conspiracy but a total lack of due dilligence. This move only happened on the very last day of the window and because we signed Bree that day. Hibs even had to go to FIFA to get it approved because the paperwork wasn't competed in time. Mitchell was signed on a "just in case" basis by the Hibs' manager as they already had five CBs, all of which were on permanent contracts and who were always likely to be picked in front of a loanee. 

    As a one off, it would be a lot easier for Mitchell to swallow but this is the second time in three years that he has missed half a season because of a poor loan. He made his debut for us over three years ago and in the last two years he has only started seven league games for anyone. Loans are meant to be for development purposes and it is really poor that he hasn't been afforded that opportunity to do so.

    It's a bit too easy for people to say "it's just one of those things" when you're not in the shoes of a youngster who is desperate to do what he is meant to be doing - play football. That is where he should be making any mistakes and learning from them and what makes things even worse is that in those two loans I believe he's played just one game in total for the respective U21s.     





    I agree for the most part. But weren't we told at one of the club meetings and and repeated on here that the plan was to keep Zach around here once Alex Mitchell had gone out on loan. But he wanted minutes and was pushing for the move so the club allowed it to happen. 

    Aligns with NJ's comments in his pre-Sheff U meeting that said something like we were kind to people in the first half of the season letting them go an get opportunities, but we left ourselves short at the back and we wont be doing that again. Or words to that effect.
    It's little wonder he wanted to play given he'd done so little of that in the last three seasons. The key point is that we signed Bree at the last knockings and would not have let Mitchell go if we hadn't. Mitchell was left with no choice whatsoever as to where he was going or for anyone to actually assess whether he was likely to get game time. We sent him to a club that already had five CBs which is exactly what we had. At what point did we actually do that due diligence?  
  • cantersaddick
    cantersaddick Posts: 17,631
    limeygent said:
    limeygent said:
    limeygent said:
    I would have thought than if he'd been good enough he'd have been given some game time, after all, managers want to win, don't they?
    Managers also get it wrong though, look at the impact we've seen from Costello for example
    One would hope that managers would see enough during a week of practice sessions that they'd see their best eleven. Enough managers have seen Mitchell play that if he were good enough he'd have been playing. My issue with him is his lack of creativity and his back-passing.
    Creativity? Hes a CB not a No10. A NJ side doesnt have any creativity as it is. Even our attackers are grafters rather than creative players. Expecting a CB to have creativity is madness.
    Agree to a point, but when there's  thirty yards of empty pitch in front of him, he still chooses to pass the ball backwards.
    Yeah agreed. he certainly has the ability in those situations but maybe not the options making the run to pass to, or maybe lacking the confidence to try it at first team level. He is good on the ball and has decent vision imo.

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  • Sword65pf
    Sword65pf Posts: 1,078
    Sword65pf said:
    They might put him somewhere else, so he gets games.
    So because I didn’t know he couldn’t play for someone else, it’s funny!!, some strange ones on here.😂
  • Addickhead86
    Addickhead86 Posts: 1,159
    That Hibs manager is an absolute disgrace imo. 
    Please forgive him.
  • fenaddick said:
    Never loan to that lot again 
    I'd go further, lets loan them Roussillon
    And lets recall Ahadme from Stevenage and also pack him of to Hibs with Roussillion in a two for the price of one deal. 
  • limeygent
    limeygent Posts: 3,224
    limeygent said:
    limeygent said:
    limeygent said:
    I would have thought than if he'd been good enough he'd have been given some game time, after all, managers want to win, don't they?
    Managers also get it wrong though, look at the impact we've seen from Costello for example
    One would hope that managers would see enough during a week of practice sessions that they'd see their best eleven. Enough managers have seen Mitchell play that if he were good enough he'd have been playing. My issue with him is his lack of creativity and his back-passing.
    Creativity? Hes a CB not a No10. A NJ side doesnt have any creativity as it is. Even our attackers are grafters rather than creative players. Expecting a CB to have creativity is madness.
    Agree to a point, but when there's  thirty yards of empty pitch in front of him, he still chooses to pass the ball backwards.
    Yeah agreed. he certainly has the ability in those situations but maybe not the options making the run to pass to, or maybe lacking the confidence to try it at first team level. He is good on the ball and has decent vision imo.
    Given the lack of playing time it's probably a confidence issue.
  • mendonca
    mendonca Posts: 9,518
    He now needs to show that he's better and slightly more advanced in the game than Gough.

    The latter is ahead for me based on viewing their handful of games for Charlton.
  • Feel he will go the way of Ness,  Barker and Elerewe. Will get sold to a lower league side and carve out a decent career away from Charlton 
  • cantersaddick
    cantersaddick Posts: 17,631
    One of the most pointless and unproductive loans imaginable. Due diligence on this one was majorly lacking. 

    What a waste of five months
    But our back room set up is all good now?

    Its just unfortunate I imagine. The manager there didn’t see him as an upgrade I guess. 

    We too have been guilty the other way around of not using signings. 

    No conspiracy / no great problem. Just didn’t pan out. 
    There's no conspiracy but a total lack of due dilligence. This move only happened on the very last day of the window and because we signed Bree that day. Hibs even had to go to FIFA to get it approved because the paperwork wasn't competed in time. Mitchell was signed on a "just in case" basis by the Hibs' manager as they already had five CBs, all of which were on permanent contracts and who were always likely to be picked in front of a loanee. 

    As a one off, it would be a lot easier for Mitchell to swallow but this is the second time in three years that he has missed half a season because of a poor loan. He made his debut for us over three years ago and in the last two years he has only started seven league games for anyone. Loans are meant to be for development purposes and it is really poor that he hasn't been afforded that opportunity to do so.

    It's a bit too easy for people to say "it's just one of those things" when you're not in the shoes of a youngster who is desperate to do what he is meant to be doing - play football. That is where he should be making any mistakes and learning from them and what makes things even worse is that in those two loans I believe he's played just one game in total for the respective U21s.     





    I agree for the most part. But weren't we told at one of the club meetings and and repeated on here that the plan was to keep Zach around here once Alex Mitchell had gone out on loan. But he wanted minutes and was pushing for the move so the club allowed it to happen. 

    Aligns with NJ's comments in his pre-Sheff U meeting that said something like we were kind to people in the first half of the season letting them go an get opportunities, but we left ourselves short at the back and we wont be doing that again. Or words to that effect.
    It's little wonder he wanted to play given he'd done so little of that in the last three seasons. The key point is that we signed Bree at the last knockings and would not have let Mitchell go if we hadn't. Mitchell was left with no choice whatsoever as to where he was going or for anyone to actually assess whether he was likely to get game time. We sent him to a club that already had five CBs which is exactly what we had. At what point did we actually do that due diligence?  
    I get why he wanted to play but putting all the blame on the club, when they were apparently quite happy to keep him around even after Bree signed and it was him pushing for the move, is probably a little unfair.
  • Crusty54
    Crusty54 Posts: 3,299
    Yellow cards are adding up in defence. Cover for a suspension or two is sensbile.
  • Addick Addict
    Addick Addict Posts: 40,714
    edited January 19
    One of the most pointless and unproductive loans imaginable. Due diligence on this one was majorly lacking. 

    What a waste of five months
    But our back room set up is all good now?

    Its just unfortunate I imagine. The manager there didn’t see him as an upgrade I guess. 

    We too have been guilty the other way around of not using signings. 

    No conspiracy / no great problem. Just didn’t pan out. 
    There's no conspiracy but a total lack of due dilligence. This move only happened on the very last day of the window and because we signed Bree that day. Hibs even had to go to FIFA to get it approved because the paperwork wasn't competed in time. Mitchell was signed on a "just in case" basis by the Hibs' manager as they already had five CBs, all of which were on permanent contracts and who were always likely to be picked in front of a loanee. 

    As a one off, it would be a lot easier for Mitchell to swallow but this is the second time in three years that he has missed half a season because of a poor loan. He made his debut for us over three years ago and in the last two years he has only started seven league games for anyone. Loans are meant to be for development purposes and it is really poor that he hasn't been afforded that opportunity to do so.

    It's a bit too easy for people to say "it's just one of those things" when you're not in the shoes of a youngster who is desperate to do what he is meant to be doing - play football. That is where he should be making any mistakes and learning from them and what makes things even worse is that in those two loans I believe he's played just one game in total for the respective U21s.     





    I agree for the most part. But weren't we told at one of the club meetings and and repeated on here that the plan was to keep Zach around here once Alex Mitchell had gone out on loan. But he wanted minutes and was pushing for the move so the club allowed it to happen. 

    Aligns with NJ's comments in his pre-Sheff U meeting that said something like we were kind to people in the first half of the season letting them go an get opportunities, but we left ourselves short at the back and we wont be doing that again. Or words to that effect.
    It's little wonder he wanted to play given he'd done so little of that in the last three seasons. The key point is that we signed Bree at the last knockings and would not have let Mitchell go if we hadn't. Mitchell was left with no choice whatsoever as to where he was going or for anyone to actually assess whether he was likely to get game time. We sent him to a club that already had five CBs which is exactly what we had. At what point did we actually do that due diligence?  
    I get why he wanted to play but putting all the blame on the club, when they were apparently quite happy to keep him around even after Bree signed and it was him pushing for the move, is probably a little unfair.

    I didn't put all the blame on the Club. I specifically said that the Hibs manager had a massive part in this because he didn't really need Mitchell. 

    As for us, Bree signed on deadline day, 1st September. The paperwork for Mitchell to go wasn't completed in time because it was so late in the day. As I say, I would ask at what point did we actually do any groundwork or was the choice, literally, it's Hibs or nowhere because we only have a few hours to get this through? Groundwork that would have established that Hibs had as many CBs as we did and the likelihood of him getting regular was going to be as limited there as it was with us. 

    We can't blame a lad for wanting to play football especially one that has only started seven games in two years and one who was stranded for half a season at Colchester. Or for the situation we find ourselves in, injury wise, when one of the defenders we signed had a known history of being unfit, namely Burke - he averaged 15 league starts in the three seasons prior to signing for us. Perhaps that's the the real reason why NJ was so reluctant to let Mitchell go? 
  • Sage
    Sage Posts: 7,330
    Crusty54 said:
    Yellow cards are adding up in defence. Cover for a suspension or two is sensbile.
    Now Bree is back at Saints, the next highest is Jones who has 6. He still would need 4 yellows in 10 games to be suspended for 2. I would be surprised, personally, if that were to happen.

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  • sam3110
    sam3110 Posts: 22,137
    fenaddick said:
    Sword65pf said:
    They might put him somewhere else, so he gets games.
    He can't play for another club
    Unless it's non-league, I think? 
  • AndyG
    AndyG Posts: 6,148
    I can only imagine the effort Zak will be putting in during training this week realising our issues in defence I’m sure he sees it as an opportunity 
  • sam3110 said:
    fenaddick said:
    Sword65pf said:
    They might put him somewhere else, so he gets games.
    He can't play for another club
    Unless it's non-league, I think? 
    Could he go to a conference team on loan? If he did I would say that would be pretty damning in our faith in him. As others have said (and myself) the hibs loan isnt a good look for the manager or him tbh, I stand by what I have always said that if he was better than the CBs they have and was proving it day in day out in training he would have started. Managers are paid to win football matches and that typicaly means playing your best players regardless of if they are perms or loans. I know I will get some pelters from some on here with personal connections to the young man but I see this as purely logical.

    Now he is home we arent exactly blessed with CBs and I believe he can play RWB or CDM as well, with our injuries he should get his chance here and then its up to him to take it and prove the hibs manager (and myself/others) wrong and if he does I will be incredibly happy for him and Charlton. I am not "writing him off" but I am saying football is typically a 15/16 year career at senior level and potential/promise can only take you so far, eventually you do need to deliver the goods.
  • Stu_of_Kunming
    Stu_of_Kunming Posts: 17,198
    limeygent said:
    I would have thought than if he'd been good enough he'd have been given some game time, after all, managers want to win, don't they?
    I know I’ll get pelters from a few, but it’s hard to avoid the thought there must be other issues going on, perhaps attitude, ability, both, or something else entirely but there has to be a reason he’s barely played at two different clubs that are hardly pulling up trees themselves. 

    Hopefully I’m totally wrong, it’s just back and he can go on to prove his worth with us this season, but I won’t be holding my breath and I seriously hope NJ isn’t banking on it. 
  • limeygent said:
    I would have thought than if he'd been good enough he'd have been given some game time, after all, managers want to win, don't they?
    I know I’ll get pelters from a few, but it’s hard to avoid the thought there must be other issues going on, perhaps attitude, ability, both, or something else entirely but there has to be a reason he’s barely played at two different clubs that are hardly pulling up trees themselves. 

    Hopefully I’m totally wrong, it’s just back and he can go on to prove his worth with us this season, but I won’t be holding my breath and I seriously hope NJ isn’t banking on it. 
    I tend to agree tbh and you (we) will 100% get pelters but as said if he proves me wrong id be very very happy for the young man. A lot seems to have been amde about how good he was at youth/u21 level but the history of football is littered with players who showed incredible prowess at junior level and then cpuldnt make that step up. For instance it very much looks like Casey is out the door soo  but not long ago Brighton were keen on him.
  • fenaddick
    fenaddick Posts: 14,944
    limeygent said:
    I would have thought than if he'd been good enough he'd have been given some game time, after all, managers want to win, don't they?
    I know I’ll get pelters from a few, but it’s hard to avoid the thought there must be other issues going on, perhaps attitude, ability, both, or something else entirely but there has to be a reason he’s barely played at two different clubs that are hardly pulling up trees themselves. 

    Hopefully I’m totally wrong, it’s just back and he can go on to prove his worth with us this season, but I won’t be holding my breath and I seriously hope NJ isn’t banking on it. 
    The impression I get is he might be too nice. He seems like a model pro who won’t kick up a fuss if he’s missing out on opportunities and will get his head down and train. Maybe he needs to learn to go and knock on the managers door more
  • NabySarr
    NabySarr Posts: 5,033
    fenaddick said:
    limeygent said:
    I would have thought than if he'd been good enough he'd have been given some game time, after all, managers want to win, don't they?
    I know I’ll get pelters from a few, but it’s hard to avoid the thought there must be other issues going on, perhaps attitude, ability, both, or something else entirely but there has to be a reason he’s barely played at two different clubs that are hardly pulling up trees themselves. 

    Hopefully I’m totally wrong, it’s just back and he can go on to prove his worth with us this season, but I won’t be holding my breath and I seriously hope NJ isn’t banking on it. 
    The impression I get is he might be too nice. He seems like a model pro who won’t kick up a fuss if he’s missing out on opportunities and will get his head down and train. Maybe he needs to learn to go and knock on the managers door more
    I think he’s too nice on the field too. Think 5 months with Nathan Jones isn’t the worst thing for him, saw last season that Jones made Gillesphey a lot more aggressive by the end of the season. I think Mitchell needs to make a similar development. Only 21 which for a CB is still very young, I’ve still got faith he becomes a good player for us 
  • cafcsinger
    cafcsinger Posts: 5,644
    fenaddick said:
    limeygent said:
    I would have thought than if he'd been good enough he'd have been given some game time, after all, managers want to win, don't they?
    I know I’ll get pelters from a few, but it’s hard to avoid the thought there must be other issues going on, perhaps attitude, ability, both, or something else entirely but there has to be a reason he’s barely played at two different clubs that are hardly pulling up trees themselves. 

    Hopefully I’m totally wrong, it’s just back and he can go on to prove his worth with us this season, but I won’t be holding my breath and I seriously hope NJ isn’t banking on it. 
    The impression I get is he might be too nice. He seems like a model pro who won’t kick up a fuss if he’s missing out on opportunities and will get his head down and train. Maybe he needs to learn to go and knock on the managers door more
    How on earth do you know that? Hibs fans think it's bizarre he's not got more minutes as he was their best player in the only full game he played. St Johnstone fans were raving about his performances too and in the game i watched against Celtic he was excellent. I personally think he'll have a role in the play in the last half of this season, and may surprise a few people. 
  • fenaddick
    fenaddick Posts: 14,944
    fenaddick said:
    limeygent said:
    I would have thought than if he'd been good enough he'd have been given some game time, after all, managers want to win, don't they?
    I know I’ll get pelters from a few, but it’s hard to avoid the thought there must be other issues going on, perhaps attitude, ability, both, or something else entirely but there has to be a reason he’s barely played at two different clubs that are hardly pulling up trees themselves. 

    Hopefully I’m totally wrong, it’s just back and he can go on to prove his worth with us this season, but I won’t be holding my breath and I seriously hope NJ isn’t banking on it. 
    The impression I get is he might be too nice. He seems like a model pro who won’t kick up a fuss if he’s missing out on opportunities and will get his head down and train. Maybe he needs to learn to go and knock on the managers door more
    How on earth do you know that? Hibs fans think it's bizarre he's not got more minutes as he was their best player in the only full game he played. St Johnstone fans were raving about his performances too and in the game i watched against Celtic he was excellent. I personally think he'll have a role in the play in the last half of this season, and may surprise a few people. 
    I don't, it's a hunch. I think it's more ridiculous to suggest he has an attitude issue which is what I was responding to. I know they can just be plattitudes but I'd say he's received higher than usual positive comments about his attitude from the managers of loan clubs and he always comes across as quite a mild mannered man. Nothing wrong with that at all. I think it fits with the idea he didn't get the minutes he desrerved because he wasn't moaning about his lack of minutes. It wasn't a criticism at all. I really hope he carves out a career here because I like him!
  • cafcsinger
    cafcsinger Posts: 5,644
    fenaddick said:
    fenaddick said:
    limeygent said:
    I would have thought than if he'd been good enough he'd have been given some game time, after all, managers want to win, don't they?
    I know I’ll get pelters from a few, but it’s hard to avoid the thought there must be other issues going on, perhaps attitude, ability, both, or something else entirely but there has to be a reason he’s barely played at two different clubs that are hardly pulling up trees themselves. 

    Hopefully I’m totally wrong, it’s just back and he can go on to prove his worth with us this season, but I won’t be holding my breath and I seriously hope NJ isn’t banking on it. 
    The impression I get is he might be too nice. He seems like a model pro who won’t kick up a fuss if he’s missing out on opportunities and will get his head down and train. Maybe he needs to learn to go and knock on the managers door more
    How on earth do you know that? Hibs fans think it's bizarre he's not got more minutes as he was their best player in the only full game he played. St Johnstone fans were raving about his performances too and in the game i watched against Celtic he was excellent. I personally think he'll have a role in the play in the last half of this season, and may surprise a few people. 
    I don't, it's a hunch. I think it's more ridiculous to suggest he has an attitude issue which is what I was responding to. I know they can just be plattitudes but I'd say he's received higher than usual positive comments about his attitude from the managers of loan clubs and he always comes across as quite a mild mannered man. Nothing wrong with that at all. I think it fits with the idea he didn't get the minutes he desrerved because he wasn't moaning about his lack of minutes. It wasn't a criticism at all. I really hope he carves out a career here because I like him!
    Apologies, i read it as a criticism which i may have got wrong.