The wing wonder had an exceptional evening and was a constant thorn in The Owls’ side. He provided the cross for Darren Purse to nod into his own goal in the first half, before capping a fine night for Boro with a cool finish late on.
If any top division scouts were at Hillsborough on Tuesday, there can only have been one message to relay to their superiors: sign Adam Johnson.
The 22-year-old was a class apart and without doubt deserves to be strutting his stuff in the world’s best league come the start of next season whether it be in a Boro shirt or not.
Johnson representing England U-21s earlier this year
Let’s just hope his opportunity does not come as soon as January. Interested parties will hope the MFC hierarchy buckle under the pressure of a small bid bearing in mind Johnson’s contract runs out next summer.
But if we hold on to a player who is fast becoming our prize asset, the chances of a Premier League return are greater. And if promotion is realised, the club can then put Johnson’s future in his own hands.
He could easily take a big offer from a top seven club. But, by giving Johnson an option to stay, the club will avoid a fans’ backlash, which would be impossible if they accepted £3million bid from a Bolton or a Fulham in the next transfer window.
The last thing the club needs now, despite great back-to-back wins in the past week, is more disillusioned supporters.
Only 19,742 saw the 3-1 win at the Riverside against Ipswich. That figure will only grow if the club shows a willingness to hang on to academy stars such as Johnson. (And, of course, if the performances keep coming.)
Had it been David Wheater, for instance, who left for Stoke rather than Robert Huth, the outcry from fans a few of weeks ago would have been much worse than it was.
Wheater and Johnson offer the fans an identity on the pitch. These two will play crucial roles for the club this season: not only as footballers, but also as icons to what’s left of the Boro faithful.
If either were to leave before the promotion assault has run its course, MFC will have much more than just a first-team squad to re-build.
I think David Wheater is one of the best defenders outside of the Premier League - probably on the same level as Steven Taylor. But you're going to need to think about investing in a whole new defence after Saturday's horror show at home to West Brom!
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