Smartin' Johnson

04 April 2009 17:53
Hull City 0-0 PortsmouthSoccer Saturday analysis[LNB] Phil Thompson feels Portsmouth defender Glen Johnson should have been substituted long before he was sent off in the goalless draw with Hull City.[LNB]Johnson's 80th-minute dismissal was the major talking point from an otherwise quiet game which saw both sides seemingly happy to take a point in their respective fights to avoid relegation.[LNB]The England man was booked in the first half and might have been dismissed moments later for another dangerous foul and Thompson feels Paul Hart should have identified the problem and withdrawn the full-back at half-time.[LNB]However, the England defender stayed on the field and Thompson felt he was ultimately unlucky to receive a second yellow for an innocuous challenge on Dean Marney.[LNB]"It's a difficult one," Thompson said, discussing the incident on Soccer Saturday.[LNB]"He deserved the first booking and then within about 30 seconds he committed another foul which really was a bookable offence. Nothing happened and the referee allowed it.[LNB]"Then he committed another few fouls and I said in the studio at half time that this boy was going to go off.[LNB]"Paul Hart should have took him off. Maybe he is an England international and Hart didn't want to make the decision about bringing him off.[LNB]"He is a good player, but it was a really frustrating afternoon for him. In the end, he didn't really commit a foul, but he was sent off."[LNB]Set upDespite Johnson's red card, Thompson felt both teams set up to play defensively and neither will be disappointed with a goalless draw.[LNB]However, he felt if either manager had been a little bit more adventurous then they could have walked away with all three points.[LNB]"It's a missed opportunity," he added.[LNB]The draw might suit Hull a little bit better, but both teams set up with a 4-5-1 and neither team was going for it at all.[LNB]"There was a lack of goalmouth incident and even when Johnson was sent off in the last 15 minutes of the game, Hull never looked like winning."[LNB]MixThe result leaves Portsmouth on 33 points, one behind Hull and the two clubs remain very much in the relegation mix.[LNB]However, Thompson saw enough from both sides to suggest they can retain their Premier League status.[LNB]"Neither of these two are in danger," he concluded.[LNB]"I tipped Portsmouth to be in the bottom three, but after this I still think they've got plenty left."[LNB]

Source: SKY_Sports