Johnson defends his team in face of criticism (From The Northern Echo)

Johnson defends his team in face of criticism

10:13am Thursday 19th November 2009

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MARTIN JOHNSON has defended England’s coaching team in the face of fierce criticism by declaring they remain the right men to lead the side.

The position of Johnson and his chief assistants Brian Smith, John Wells and Mike Ford are under intense scrutiny following dismal performances against Australia and Argentina.

World Cup winner Josh Lewsey has added his voice to the growing clamour for action to be taken by asking ‘‘what justifies these people keeping their jobs?’’ With New Zealand visiting Twickenham on Saturday, the prospect of a revival in England’s final autumn international looks very bleak.

Johnson admitted errors had been made in the tactical planning for the 16-9 victory over Argentina and understands the reaction to one of England’s worst displays in recent memory.

But the 39-year-old, who is a year into his job, insisted the players and coaching team are united as they prepare to face the All Blacks.

‘‘Criticism comes with the job and we critique everything we do,’’ he said.

‘‘We’ve put our hands up and said we made a mistake in the second half on Saturday because we could have taken on some more ball.

‘‘If you don’t perform you get criticised. Sure I still believe I’m up to it, we’re all up to it.

‘‘We’ve put a huge amount of work in and no-one is more disappointed when it doesn’t come off. It doesn’t happen quickly and easily.

‘‘We had a bad performance but let’s not forget we won the game. I think that’s been lost amid the reaction.

‘‘People will give their opinion but we just get on with what we’re doing.

‘‘We know we can make a big improvement so we take it with a pinch of salt.

‘‘This is a united group of players who are determined, but they know they have to play better.’’ Ayoola Erinle insists he is ready to lead England in a full-frontal physical assault on New Zealand after being selected to make his full Test debut.

The direct, powerful Biarritz centre was the one surprise inclusion in an England side shaped by Johnson to try and bludgeon New Zealand into submission rather than cut them to shreds.

Shane Geraghty, a footballing inside centre, has made way for Erinle while powerhouse lock Simon Shaw and combative flanker Joe Worsley both return to the starting line-up.

The one concession England have made to their apparent iron-fist approach is to include the exciting Mathew Tait on the bench for the first time this autumn.

England

M Cueto (Sale Sharks); M Banahan (Bath), D Hipkiss (Leicester), A Erinle (Biarritz), U Monye (Harlequins); J Wilkinson (Toulon), P Hodgson (London Irish); T Payne (Wasps), D Hartley (Northampton), D Bell (Bath), S Shaw (Wasps), S Borthwick (Saracens, capt), J Worsley (Wasps), L Moody (Leicester), J Haskell (Stade Francais).

Replacements: S Thompson (Brive), D Wilson (Bath), L Deacon (Leicester), T Croft (Leicester), D Care (Harlequins), S Geraghty (Northampton), M Tait (Sale Sharks).

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