[TheJacko2000]

Some people moaning about him but i thought he was unlucky with the goal. Nobody mentioned the Wigan goalie!.

Wigan keeper isn't our problem, terrible mistake. He is the first opposition keeper I've seen this season who I wouldn't prefer to SJ.

[johnnyg]

Wigan keeper isn't our problem, terrible mistake. He is the first opposition keeper I've seen this season who I wouldn't prefer to SJ.

I now know why I quickly skip past your posts.

[caravanc58]

Disappointing 2nd goal to concede, I would expect most goalkeepers to get to that.

[AlbionFan]

Disappointing 2nd goal to concede, I would expect most goalkeepers to get to that.

I have defended SJ, but I have to say today, I thought he could have done better with both their goals

[TheJacko2000]

Very poor again today. Won in spite of him, 2nd goal looks particularly bad.

[wodenson46]

Not just his inconsistent shot stopping nor his poor catching and judgement from distance, but the total lack of presence in his area. He is a nightmare for defenders who have not got a clue if he is going to come or if he has a shot covered or not. It then becomes the defenders responsibility to deal with situations the keeper should be taking charge of, and mistakes are never far away.  I am not saying he is useless, he does make some excellent saves, but a steady keeper who can develop and work as a team wth his defenders would I am sure result in far more clean sheets than we are getting at present and would make us far more difficult to scor against generally

[Adder]

I thought he could have done more for the 2nd goal. I think it took a bit of a funny trajectory though as I think Townsend got something on it which seemed to give it more of a looping trajectory plus Ferguson was jumping for the ball just in front of him.

Sometimes I wish he had a bit more urgency in his body language.

[baggie82]

Not just his inconsistent shot stopping nor his poor catching and judgement from distance, but the total lack of presence in his area. He is a nightmare for defenders who have not got a clue if he is going to come or if he has a shot covered or not. It then becomes the defenders responsibility to deal with situations the keeper should be taking charge of, and mistakes are never far away.  I am not saying he is useless, he does make some excellent saves, but a steady keeper who can develop and work as a team wth his defenders would I am sure result in far more clean sheets than we are getting at present and would make us far more difficult to scor against generally

Agree with all of this. His distribution is very good but everything else is very poor. He's a nightmare and we have to replace him in the summer if we are in the PL.

[seteefeet]

Both goals today, rather than coming and commanding his box, he backed off so much he was in his own net. Doesn't have the guts or presence to be a top keeper.
Good save first half though.
We need better.

[Droitwich Baggie]

This is a recurring theme on this board.
Hean have good games and then blows it completely by making absolute howlers.
Hes a bog standard Championship goalkeeper.
We must look to replace him.
The defence don't seem to understand what he wants.

[Atomic]

Should've saved the second goal for me. Townsend was awful today and was beaten to the header but it was from far enough out, not overly powerful, Sam has to get across and stop that.

[wbastrollers]

Johnstone is a shot stopper, he has made some incredible saves, particularly from close range, both recent games I went to Preston and Wigan he saved us points.However, he does appear to have a problem with long shots. Whether it’s because the ball is moving I don’t know.
Also, we are particularly suspect at set pieces. That may be because we appear to zonal mark for corners etc (which I find great difficulty in understanding) why we don’t match up there most dangerous players at set pieces with ours - instead we end up, like today with Blues exploiting a total mismatch with Townsend marking there best player at set pieces and the ball ends up in the back of the net?

[boinging_along]

Livermore was picking up Jutowic at corners today. 

[Droitwich Baggie]

Livermore was picking up Jutowic at corners today.

Why? Had Jutowic fell over?     Soz.

[AlbionFan]

I know somebody who's been on the cooking sherry again 

[Droitwich Baggie]

I know somebody who's been on the cooking sherry again 

You can actually cook with it?
Now there's an idea.
Sprouts tossed in sherry.

[geoff]

Very poor again today. Won in spite of him, 2nd goal looks particularly bad.

VAR would have disallowed the 2nd goal surely has from the 1st corner there player used his hands on Livamores shoulders to win the header but i must agree SJ should have saved the goal.
SJ has made some big strides this season but he needs to controll cross's in his 6yd box & not just stand on his line.

[TheJacko2000]

VAR would have disallowed the 2nd goal surely has from the 1st corner there player used his hands on Livamores shoulders to win the header but i must agree SJ should have saved the goal.
SJ has made some big strides this season but he needs to controll cross's in his 6yd box & not just stand on his line.

We're not subject to VAR and by the time we are, with any luck, Sam Johnstone will be a distant memory.

[johnny Cash]

Not that it really matters, but I don’t think VAR would have ruled it out. I suspect a new corner is a new phase of play and so they wouldn’t even look.

[mulliganstired]

Johnstone is a shot stopper, he has made some incredible saves, particularly from close range, both recent games I went to Preston and Wigan he saved us points.However, he does appear to have a problem with long shots. Whether it’s because the ball is moving I don’t know.
Also, we are particularly suspect at set pieces. That may be because we appear to zonal mark for corners etc (which I find great difficulty in understanding) why we don’t match up there most dangerous players at set pieces with ours - instead we end up, like today with Blues exploiting a total mismatch with Townsend marking there best player at set pieces and the ball ends up in the back of the net?

I think Bilic said earlier that the zonal marking makes it easier to break forward if/when we get the ball with players in their "regular" positions

[wodenson46]

Our problem with zonal marking is that SJ does not control his zone. Except perhaps the bit along the white line between the sticks, and sometimes not even all of that bit

[ronnie_allen]

VAR would have disallowed the 2nd goal surely has from the 1st corner there player used his hands on Livamores shoulders to win the header but i must agree SJ should have saved the goal.
SJ has made some big strides this season but he needs to controll cross's in his 6yd box & not just stand on his line.

Don't think VAR would have changed the outcome of the 2nd goal. The foul occurred led to a corner whichnisn't reviewable and as this is a new phase or reset, we can't go back to review it once the goal is scored.

[geoff]

Don't think VAR would have changed the outcome of the 2nd goal. The foul occurred led to a corner whichnisn't reviewable and as this is a new phase or reset, we can't go back to review it once the goal is scored.

Not 100% sure of the phase 1 or 2 thing works if im being honest but surley there wouldnt have been a phase 2 if the foul in phase 1 had been seen by the ref.

[chipperclark]

Both goals today, rather than coming and commanding his box, he backed off so much he was in his own net. Doesn't have the guts or presence to be a top keeper.
Good save first half though.
We need better.

Yes I have the same feeling...you have to command your 6 yard area and let your defenders know this. I felt the 2nd goal he was backing into his own net making a save impossible. I think he is a good keeper,but needs to get a few of those balls in the 6 yard area.

[KN22]

I am constantly torn about the guy. There is absolutely no doubt he has made vital point winning saves (several away games) this season. Equally so the poor displays continue to haunt him; Birmingham on Saturday being a prime example.