Brennan Johnson explains Postecoglou plan for him and what he will improve on
The Tottenham Hotspur attacker has shown some glimpses of what is to come during an injury-fragmented start to life at the Premier League club
Johnson in action during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa
Brennan Johnson says Tottenham Hotspur and Ange Postecoglou have “good plans for me” and has admitted that as he continues to be involved under the Australian he will improve his finishing and movement.
The 22-year-old arrived at Spurs from Nottingham Forest on transfer deadline day in a £47.5m deal and after suffering a hamstring injury in the north London derby draw at Arsenal, the Wales international missed out on a month of football. However, since he returned he has scored his first goal for the club and provided an assist for Son Heung-min to score, and in the defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday he played his first full 90 minutes for the club.
Johnson has been delighted with his decision so far to make the big-money move from his boyhood club to north London.
“Spurs have such good plans for me, and it was the right decision to make this step,” he said in an interview in Tottenham’s recent matchday programme. “Being at Forest for that long, knowing so many people and having all my friends and family from there it was a hard decision to make.
“But it was the right time, especially coming to a club here that’s so forward-thinking and has such a great team, manager and staff. I had seen them play already this season and was so impressed, it suited me at this point in my career and it’s pleasing they were able to get it done – I’m so happy.”
The young forward can see similarities in his Forest manager Steve Cooper and his new boss Postecoglou and he believes he will continue to flourish under the Australian.
“They’re both similar in that they don’t think they’re anything they’re not,” he explained. “They’re really nice guys as well as great managers and I have full respect for both of them. Steve gave lots of trust to me, especially in the final third, he wanted me to express myself and show my ability.
“Ange speaks so well. I don’t think he wanted to over complicate things. He knew me and told me I’d fit into the system well and what he wants me to do isn’t too different to Forest.
“Under him it’s about trusting yourself, believing in yourself and playing to the system because there are different things I need to adapt to. As everyone sees it’s a refreshing place to be, with the manager, new players and the ones that were already here and everyone getting behind it.
“Once I’m fully involved, I’ll know where to be – I’m developing now and he told me it was the right thing to do, and the team suits the way I play, it’s a perfect match.”
Often playing through the centre or down the right flank at Forest, until the Villa match last weekend Johnson had mostly been utilised down the left by Postecoglou and he has enjoyed working among some top players on the pitch.
“I’m loving it – having players that achieved so much is so eye-opening and a confidence boost. For me it’s only a benefit, Sonny being the main one as he is such a good player and has done so much,” he said. “I play for the side but there are lots of bits to pick up on such as finishing and movement. There are similarities and differences to learn, for now I’m just learning as much as I can.”
On that hamstring injury, he added: “It was frustrating. Especially after getting my teeth into things, playing against Sheffield United and Arsenal and unfortunately picking up the injury which put me out for about a month.
“It felt like it was staggered in terms of settling in but it’s really nice to be back with the team, back playing and the football we’ve been playing has been positive on the whole.”
Despite the defeat, it was a special moment for the Wales international to grab his first goal for the club at Molineux before the recent international break.
“It was a really proud moment to score for the club,” he said. “I’ve wanted to do that since I arrived so it was nice to get the goal.”
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