Source: Telegraph
Middlesbrough's Adam Johnson ready for life without Stewart Downing
The England U21 international will aim to fill the void created by Downing's £12-million move to Aston Villa to help Boro bounce straight back into the Premier League.
Johnson has spent most of his career on Teesside in Downing's shadow but now the Sunderland-born player is out to secure regular first-team football.
"I have had a bit of craich with Stewy and I'm glad he's gone - only joking," Johnson told the Boro matchday programme ahead of tonight's season opener against Sheffield United at the Riverside.
"I wish him all the best at Villa. It's a fantastic move for him and it's only going to make him a better player.
"I don't want to be labelled as the next Stewart Downing. I am not anything like him as a player as we have totally different styles.
"But if I achieve as much for Middlesbrough FC as Stewy has done I will be doing very well. I'm feeling sharp and raring to go."
Johnson has already had a taste of life in the Championship having been sent out on loan at Watford two seasons ago when he scored five goals in 12 games for the Hornets before being recalled to Boro by manager Gareth Southgate
"We were knocked off the top only once when I was there and if we can repeat that feat at Middlesbrough this season it will be fantastic," Johnson said.
"Make no mistake, the Championship is a tough league. There are a lot of good teams in there. The football is often not pretty and it is more physical.
"We will have to grind out results, put the foot in and battle very hard. We'll play two matches a week for long periods with some long and tiring away trips.
"But we go into it without fear. We have played really well in pre-season and have knocked in a lot of goals.
"I've scored a couple but I would gladly trade those in for one against Sheffield United. I really want to make goals more part of my game."
Johnson has had a hectic summer having played for the England U21s in the European Championship where Stuart Pearce's side reached the final before being beaten 4-0 by Germany.
"It was a double blow after relegation," Johnson said. "Put together they were both bad moments in my career.
"But overall it was a very enjoyable tournament. I was playing in massive games alongside great players and we got to a major final. It was just a shame the way it ended.
"We were missing key players in the final but I'm not making excuses. We still had lots of talent. Germany had a game plan in which they set out to frustrate us and it worked, unfortunately."
