Miguel Llera played the whole game at Morecambe in the 2-2 draw on Wednesday night and Lee Johnson is still hopeful that he will accept the contract currently offer. He is likely to be given until after the Barrow game on Saturday to sign, which will mean a drop in wages, or else Johnson will look elsewhere.
Johnson said, “We will see how it pans out. He has shown the commitment that he is coming on the trip and he played 90 minutes at Morecambe. We are not a charity. I certainly wouldn’t be just giving people fitness for no reason. Of course, there is an intent there. It is difficult for players and I was one myself, when you come down from a Championship club. On decent money, sometimes the market says you are not worth what you are in your own head and it can take time for players to adjust to that in their own heads. What I wouldn’t want to do is sign someone if they are not happy. I have to make sure, and he does too, that we are both happy. If he does sign, fantastic — we will have four centre-backs competing for two or three spots.”
Of the game Johnson added, “We tried a different formation and we will have to use that at times going into the season, particularly if we are a goal down at half-time. It is a very attacking one and in the first half we played some neat stuff with Carl Winchester popping up in the ‘hole.’ We looked like we can definitely play that system and we have the profiles of what is required within the squad.”
“We have got a few little knocks, so couldn’t make as many substitutions as we would have liked to but a few of them have got 90 minutes under their belt now and we will get stronger with each game. I was disappointed with both goals (conceded). We talked about engaging in the box and after goalkeeper Joel Coleman made a poor decision to come out and only got a little touch on it, from then on it is men that score goals and not space. You can squeeze up but you must engage. Miguel Llera squeezed up but didn’t engage. For the second one, there was no need to try to play offside. You have got to be brave and bold and defend. But I would rather it happen now, so we can talk about it, than August 9th.”