This guy has been fantstic and has really grown into the Premier League this seson (more than last). With his contract being up next year and an upcoming World Cup where he could catch the eye, hopefully we are in negotiations in giving Johann an improved, extended contract ASAP. This time last year some supporters were worried about evolving and losing the industry that Boyd and Arfield gave us out wide but I think JBG has taken this on and shown that he can offer so much more with the ball whilst still having the work rate to cover back.

Get him signed up!!

Er ok; consider it done.

I'm sure him and the club are talking about a new deal, and I'm sure other clubs are sniffing around.

Hopefully we can persuade him to stay as he's been brilliant.

Like Defour he is a joy to watch when he is on song. Superb player

Doubtless the Ginger Messiah and our great board will have all such matters in hand.

And yes, great player.

He's in his best form of his time with us right now. Which works out well for him, as it'll either be a pay rise this summer, a big money move or a whopping great signing on fee somewhere next summer on a freebie. I doubt his agent will be encouraging him to sign anything before he goes in the World Cup shop window.

His best form now is pretty obviously tied in with him not playing as a right winger now, something that always baffled me. Considering he is a left sided player he did a pretty good job on the right wing but Bradys injury and the arrival of Lennon has lead to him playing in his natural role and boy what a difference it has made. I would be devastated if we lost him now, along with Defour he is a true touch of class and if we had a team of similar ability all over the park we wouldn't be chasing Arsenal, they'd be behind us lost in the dust.

houseboy wrote:His best form now is pretty obviously tied in with him not playing as a right winger now, something that always baffled me. Considering he is a left sided player he did a pretty good job on the right wing but Bradys injury and the arrival of Lennon has lead to him playing in his natural role and boy what a difference it has made. I would be devastated if we lost him now, along with Defour he is a true touch of class and if we had a team of similar ability all over the park we wouldn't be chasing Arsenal, they'd be behind us lost in the dust.

I think he's a left footed right winger who can play left side when required, is he not? Shows how good a player he actually is that he can play a number of positions to a very high standard.

He can play with both feet and strikes a mean ball.Our best creative wide player since Super Glen

Jakubs Tash wrote:I think he's a left footed right winger who can play left side when required, is he not? Shows how good a player he actually is that he can play a number of positions to a very high standard.

I would say, given the change since he's played more left, that he is far more effective on the left side. He is that diverse though I swear he could play in goal if we wanted him to.
When you look at our team in general now it is fair to say I think that whoever we bring in during the Summer they would have to be better than what we have got, otherwise there is no point (unless you want journeymen for cover), so it is quite scary just how good we could be next season. A couple more of the quality of JBG and Defour and I don't think we'll be worrying about relegation next season. Here's a thought: assuming we are in it (and it's ours to lose out on really) could we actually win the Europa League?

Jakubs Tash wrote:With his contract being up next year and an upcoming World Cup where he could catch the eye, hopefully we are in negotiations in giving Johann an improved, extended contract ASAP

We have an option until 2020

ClaretTony wrote:We have an option until 2020

DONE.

Now I’m not knocking Boyd and Arfield but wow - JBG, Lennon & Brady are an amazing upgrade in no time at all

I adore him! Get him signed up long term.

It's between JBG and Nick Pope for my player of the season.

Even though I voted for Matt Lowton, I don't think thats a bad shout Ringo

Lancasterclaret wrote:Even though I voted for Matt Lowton, I don't think thats a bad shout Ringo

The player of the season could be anyone from around 10 players and you could not grumble about it. I had Defour before his injury but now even though he has not been at his best last two games have to give it Tarks just ahead of JBG.

He's great, I love him. Sickener that we lost him through injury for so long, thanks to those dirty Lincoln bastards.

For POTY Defour was running away with it for me, until his injury, but JBG and Pope are the 2 standouts.

I voted for Pope, just because of how unexpectedly good he's been.

....don't forget how impressive Jack Cork was for the first 3-4 months of the season too. I thought he was easily our best player during those early months.

claretcarrot93 wrote:The player of the season could be anyone from around 10 players and you could not grumble about it. I had Defour before his injury but now even though he has not been at his best last two games have to give it Tarks just ahead of JBG.

You see, I had Defour down for mine. But he's not lasted the season (sadly) Brady too was a potential candidate. But for being one of the first on the team sheet on a Saturday, I don't think there'd be many in front the Iceman.

He has consistency and quality in equal measure.

Lancasterclaret wrote:Even though I voted for Matt Lowton, I don't think thats a bad shout Ringo

Say it quietly lancs but we do have an embaressmmt of riches.

I think everybody had Defour down before his injury. He made us tick so well and has been missed.

I'm pretty sure we'd have been even further up the table if he'd been fit. He is that good.

Lancasterclaret wrote:I think everybody had Defour down before his injury. He made us tick so well and has been missed.

I'm pretty sure we'd have been even further up the table if he'd been fit. He is that good.

Bob on.

These were UTC's Player of the Year ratings this time last week:

UP THE CLARETS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
93: Steven Defour
92: Ben Mee
91: Nick Pope
85: James Tarkowski
80: Jόhann Berg Guðmundsson
69: Jack Cork
60: Ashley Barnes
36: Charlie Taylor
34: Robbie Brady
32: Ashley Westwood
27: Phil Bardsley
18: Kevin Long & Matt Lowton
17: Chris Wood
16: Stephen Ward
12: Sam Vokes
11: Aaron Lennon
8: Scott Arfield
5: Tom Heaton
3: Georges-Kévin NKoudou
2: Jeff Hendrick

Crazy that Defour is still top despite not playing for months.

http://www.uptheclarets.com/pope-launch ... f-the-year

Jakubs Tash wrote:This guy has been fantstic and has really grown into the Premier League this seson (more than last). With his contract being up next year and an upcoming World Cup where he could catch the eye, hopefully we are in negotiations in giving Johann an improved, extended contract ASAP. This time last year some supporters were worried about evolving and losing the industry that Boyd and Arfield gave us out wide but I think JBG has taken this on and shown that he can offer so much more with the ball whilst still having the work rate to cover back.

Get him signed up!!

I never once felt we would miss the industry of Boyd or Arfield. I always felt that if we were going to progress we needed better players than them two. Both gave great service but have limitations.
POTY Got to be Barnes for me. He's virtually dragged us into Europe through sheer guts and determination and with a decent amount of skill thrown in with some truly stunning goals.

JBG very good for me, however Pope my player of the year so far and given where we are I think it will stay that way.

The changes over the last 4 - 3 seasons beyond belief for me and so happy with where we are, long may it continue