We need to talk about Reda

[ThePrinceofBenin]

Hi Spitfires Sheffield Wednesday fan here, 

I probably should have come on earlier, when I heard you signed the legend that is Reda Johnson I was very excited for you! Firstly, it's no exaggeration to say that during the time he played for us he was not just mine but many others favourite player at the time. He's one of the most ridiculous footballers I've ever seen. The lad will physically kick half the opposition off the pitch, be in the opposition box for every attack, score goal after goal and still have time to take players on with his amazingly gangly frame... all from left back. In league one Dave Jones was asked where we actually play Reda because his presence and positioning used to cover about 9 out of 11 positions. Jones replied that we 'let him go where he wants'. Honestly, can't stress enough how much I love the guy, he always had a huge connection and appreciation with our fans and still attends some away games with us. Also I think he's scored more than some of our strikers have in recent years, 20 in 90. I LOVE REDA. 

Moving subject slightly, I regularly follow Vanarama football and have seen your recent rise and understand your ambitions. Also, we know Ronnie Moore as he's been around the South Yorkshire football scene a lot. I hope you lot have a good season and fulfil your ambitions in what is an extremely competitive league! My adopted team is Gateshead from my days at Newcastle Uni and I still look out for them now but will definitely be following the Reda and hoping that you do well. I see he's already scored a couple for you, where are you playing him? 



Just posted this video in case you hadn't seen it! 

[ThePrinceofBenin]

I'll just leave you with my favourite Reda moment. Away at Derby on the first game of the season 2012/13 and we were 2-1 down. In the 90th minute in front of 6500 wednesdayites Reda pokes one in with his noggin, which just about brought the stadium down!

[nobadspitfire]

Thanks for the post, POB. Interesting stuff. 2 goals in 2 games, both with the head & a towering presence at the back, the Big Man's already becoming a real hero at the Silverlake. We're very wary of his injury problems & don't want him to overdo it early on with us. Looks like Ronnie is using him as a centre back, but it's clear that if we need a late goal in a game he's just the man to stick hp front for the last 10 mins.

[taylov]

Where are we playing him? If yesterday (when he was Man of the Match) was anything to go by, it seemed Dave Jones had it correct - Wherever he wants to go!!

[ThePrinceofBenin]

Just let Ronnie play him wherever. He will be a beast I'm sure!

[theduck]

Brilliant, brilliant contribution to this forum.

I loved him the minute we signed him, fingers cross he stays fit!

[tenacres]

Although he has only just arrived I think almost all of us are big Reda Johnson fans!

Could well see him getting 10+ goals this season.

[ThePrinceofBenin]

Think he could definitely play league one or higher if he could manage more than 35 games a season but seems he can only do 20 or so sadly but again, you guys have benefited from that!

At least when he signed for you he wasn't, at the time, undergoing a court case for falsely chaining a woman to his radiator. Yes, what happened when he first joined us. He was found not guilty of course.

[upthespitfires]

Hi swfcsam. I'm an Eastleigh season ticket holder but also an exiled Blade!! Really appreciate your thoughts on Reda. The first time we saw him play we couldn't believe we had signed such a hugely talented footballer. As for where he plays, he just seems to read the game so well he positions himself accordingly and is all over the pitch. Defensively he's like a fortress and when he goes up front for set pieces he always looks a threat! He's already bagged himself a couple of points and I'm sure he'll go on to score more!

As others have said, our priority is to keep him injury free. Do that and he'll be helping us to promotion. After 3 (??) matches, he already looks the best player I've seen play for Eastleigh!!

[michaelefc]

Competing with Mark Barratt as the biggest player to ever don the EFC shirt. Any other contenders?

[hantslondoner]

Reminds me a bit of Sol Campbell.

We need to play him like Ledley King (i.e. pick the games we really need him in).

In loyalty terms let's hope he turns out like the latter and not the former.

Ross Bottomley was big but I think Reda beats him.

[tenacres]

I think Wayne shaw wins the biggest player, hands down!

[upthespitfires]

Sept 6, 2016 6:09:31 GMT upthespitfires said:

Hi swfcsam. I'm an Eastleigh season ticket holder but also an exiled Blade!! Really appreciate your thoughts on Reda. The first time we saw him play we couldn't believe we had signed such a hugely talented footballer. As for where he plays, he just seems to read the game so well he positions himself accordingly and is all over the pitch. Defensively he's like a fortress and when he goes up front for set pieces he always looks a threat! He's already bagged himself a couple of points and I'm sure he'll go on to score more!

As others have said, our priority is to keep him injury free. Do that and he'll be helping us to promotion. After 3 (??) matches, he already looks the best player I've seen play for Eastleigh!!

Just to clarify I mean the best player I've seen in my four years of watching Eastleigh!