BroadstairsR 2,093 Posted July 5, 2019 Bradley Johnson has just been released by Derby "City" and has moved to Blackburn Rovers on a two year deal. I suppose it's an age thing as he seemed to have become a fixture in the Derby squad after a bit of a disappointing start. £6m fee plus a decent enough wage to lure him away from Carrow Road (or was he pushed?) for four years service then.Is that considered a decent return nowadays? Probably although not for Derby County as they remain a Championship fixture. Never the most cultured of performers and how we laughed at that fee, but of the many more celebrated midfielders who have moved on in recent years, such as Snodgrass, Fer and even Howson, Johnson was the one player who I have often wanted back more during some of the worst periods since he left. I'm a bit surprised that Lambert didn't snap him up again. Or not, as1p5swich couldn't even afford the wages of a 32 years old journeyman I guess. Apparently he first came to Norfolk as the top man in a motorcycle pyramid act. As far as the Rams go then it's once again a case of 'on yer bike Bradley.' 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
splendidrush 698 Posted July 5, 2019 I must be getting old, 6 million, seems a lot for a 32 year old in the Championship. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crab man 161 Posted July 5, 2019 He moved to Blackburn on a free which is a great bit of business even at 32. Looks like Elliott Bennett is pleased Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
It's Character Forming 1,156 Posted July 5, 2019 At the time £6m looked good business, but it seemed to be forgotten how many key goals he was able to score by arriving late and score with a shot from the edge of the box ("who put the ball in the 1p5wich net ?"). We missed those goals the following season in the Prem and sometimes we missed his more combative approach as well. I am still unconvinced that it was better to sell him and have the £6m, but Alex Neil was always more interested in signing attacking midfielders... I'm not surprised he's moved to another Champs club, don't think he'd need to move to a lower league side... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Man 3,703 Posted July 5, 2019 I think he was shipped out pretty quickly for non-footballing reasons in the end if rumours are to be believed, but even from a footballing sense, £6m was good business. OK, he was brilliant in 14/15, but I don't think he was ever good enough to hold down a regular place in the Premier League either as a central midfielder or on the left. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
king canary 7,456 Posted July 5, 2019 2 minutes ago, Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Man said: I think he was shipped out pretty quickly for non-footballing reasons in the end if rumours are to be believed, but even from a footballing sense, £6m was good business. OK, he was brilliant in 14/15, but I don't think he was ever good enough to hold down a regular place in the Premier League either as a central midfielder or on the left. There was a sense we lost a lot in terms of dressing room character when he left. I think at times we missed someone who'd bed in and scrap a bit in the midfield. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
splendidrush 698 Posted July 5, 2019 I completely misread that 🙁😁 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Man 3,703 Posted July 5, 2019 5 minutes ago, king canary said: There was a sense we lost a lot in terms of dressing room character when he left. I think at times we missed someone who'd bed in and scrap a bit in the midfield. But if, IF, rumours are to be believed then he had already caused serious damage to squad harmony and needed to be shipped out to salvage it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KeiranShikari 1,354 Posted July 5, 2019 Got it at the time. Had Jarvis not been injured his whole career here it would have been different. Thankfully it seems that this regime really do place attitude and work rate as highly as they do ability. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
king canary 7,456 Posted July 5, 2019 (edited) 1 minute ago, Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Man said: But if, IF, rumours are to be believed then he had already caused serious damage to squad harmony and needed to be shipped out to salvage it. Don't know about these rumours- what we're they? Edited July 5, 2019 by king canary Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KeiranShikari 1,354 Posted July 5, 2019 Supposedly banged Grabban's missus. Up there with Shackell/Ashton rumour for me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
king canary 7,456 Posted July 5, 2019 1 minute ago, KeiranShikari said: Supposedly banged Grabban's missus. Up there with Shackell/Ashton rumour for me. Oh yeah I do remember hearing about this- supposedly the reason Grabban forced his way out also. Francis/McKenzie was the other big one I remember. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Man 3,703 Posted July 5, 2019 OK, this thread is probably now going to get pulled. Of those rumours, I think the Johnson/Grabban is the only one I believe. The Ashton/Shackell one is particularly ridiculous. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
birchfest 397 Posted July 5, 2019 I think it was the biggest mistake to move him on, he was a key player that season and we ended up with nowhere near as an effective midfield the following season. This might sound harsh, but if that rumour is true (and with the hindsight of Grabban went on to do by way of disruption) we picked the wrong person to send away. I think Blackburn could be playoff challengers for next year! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alfie54 75 Posted July 5, 2019 5 hours ago, KeiranShikari said: Supposedly banged Grabban's missus. Up there with Shackell/Ashton rumour for me. I suspect Grabban kept missing! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites