Hi

 

I'm a Sunderland fan and I'm interested, how is Zac Johnson getting on at your club? He's been quite highly rated at our academy for a while 

Thanks in advance, good luck for the rest of the season 

@SAFC lad Welcome. We are a passing team with a back 3 and former Sunderland keeper Bass, used as a pivot.

Defensively sound but I do have cause to question his passing ability, with some loose passes. Was he being played in a back 4 in Sunderland teams?

Zak Johnson still needs time, and although he's had some minutes, we haven't quite seen him settle into his position. I thought he looked decent once he got up to speed in the recent home game against Colchester. He did struggle at times, mind, but with his age and the fact that we have centre-backs in demand, to play will be difficult. Johnson does look promising though, as he improved largely in the second half (same game where he struggled and started slowly against Colchester).

Unfortunately, I haven't seen him play for Notts away from home, and I think this is where he's seen more time. Hopefully, someone like @ARLukomski can shed some insight into Johnson as he goes to all home and away games.

For a young player who is experiencing his first matches in the EFL he’s doing ok. Generally, he defends pretty well but he does have a tendency to switch off at times and he can get outpaced quite easily. I think he’s more exposed playing in a back three as a RCB for us because it means he’s usually defending against wide players/wingers. Maybe he would be more suited to playing as one of the CBs in a back four.

I think after us I’d expect him to go out on loan again, probably to another League 2 club to be honest. I can't see him getting into your squad in the Championship (or Prem!) next season.

I think that Zak does a reasonable job at League 2 level, but he hasn't really stood out in the Notts team quite yet 

As @menzinho as said he has a tendency to switch off which has at least cost us a couple of goals. 

If all our defensive players were fit I think he would struggle to get into the first team 

I do think that he would be very good at National League level. Maybe he could be loaned out to a NL team next season.

He's a young player still learning his trade & I'm sure he's learning quite a lot at Notts & is getting the experience he needs.

5 hours ago, menzinho said:

For a young player who is experiencing his first matches in the EFL he’s doing ok. Generally, he defends pretty well but he does have a tendency to switch off at times and he can get outpaced quite easily. I think he’s more exposed playing in a back three as a RCB for us because it means he’s usually defending against wide players/wingers. Maybe he would be more suited to playing as one of the CBs in a back four.

I think after us I’d expect him to go out on loan again, probably to another League 2 club to be honest. I can't see him getting into your squad in the Championship (or Prem!) next season.

Spot on mate. He impressed for our under 21s in a back 4 and his lack of pace would be exposed in a back 3

 

It's always good to see a local lad do well so hopefully he continues to improve. He's only 19 so the experience will do him the world of good. We already have 5 CBs on the books so his opportunities will be very limited with us next season, whatever division we are in

 

I appreciate everybody making the effort to reply

@SAFC lad I wish to retract my statement "defensively sound"... Really shown up today

22 minutes ago, Piethagoram said:

@SAFC lad I wish to retract my statement "defensively sound"... Really shown up today

I agree, Maynard was quick to see he was struggling and subbed him at half time.

I think I thought he was much better than I thought to start with, not to say he is bad but perhaps give a little too much space, does get out paced and can be slower to react and gets caught out by a yard or two and then it's difficult to recover from. But I am sure these are all things that experience will bring.