Source: Team_Talk
Johnson desperate for action
England midfielder Adam Johnson has admitted he is finding life on the bench at Manchester City tough going.[LNB] Although he has made 16 appearances for the Blues so far this term in a season that only extends to 19 matches, only half of them have been as a member of Roberto Mancini's starting line-up.[LNB]His only Premier League start since the beginning of September came at Blackpool last month and he was restricted to a 20-minute cameo in Wednesday's Manchester derby.[LNB]For a player who made such a positive impact following his arrival from Middlesbrough, his fall from grace has been hard to comprehend, particularly as he played a starring role against Liverpool in August and subsequently scored in both matches as England made a flying start to their Euro 2012 qualification campaign by beating Bulgaria and Switzerland.[LNB]"I wouldn't say I was great with it," the 23-year-old told Key 103.[LNB]"I am the type of person that wants to play football all the time, so it is hard to watch.[LNB]"I will still do my best and try to get back into the team but it is a little bit frustrating because I started the season well and my form was really good.[LNB]"But I have still tended to find myself on the bench."[LNB]Johnson appears to be the major loser following David Silva's £24million summer arrival from Valencia.[LNB]Part of Spain's triumphant World Cup-winning squad this summer, Silva's late return for pre-season training probably explains why Johnson - a £6million arrival from Middlesbrough - was eased out by Mancini after starting the year in his team.[LNB]"Last season I was playing from the start every game and I had the same impact," he said.[LNB]"The game against Liverpool at the beginning of the season was great for me.[LNB]"Now I have to get my head down now and try to get back into the team."[LNB]Johnson at least knows he has support from the stands, with the Blues fans chanting for his arrival on Wednesday long before James Milner finally made way.[LNB]"The fans were brilliant when I was warming up," he said.[LNB]"They wanted me to come on and were singing my name.[LNB]"They were trying to get me on as much as they could. It was great to hear that."
