Johnson eager to stay at Wednesday

BY PAUL BURROWES Observer writer

Friday, February 10, 2012

SHEFFIELD Wednesday winger and Jamaican international Jermaine 'Teddy' Johnson is hoping for a new contract this summer with The Owls where he has been playing for the past five seasons.

The 31-year-old Johnson, who scored three goals in his last five matches, has long made public his liking for the club and high regard for coach Gary Megson.

"I'm really pleased with the way I'm playing," he told Sheffield Star.

"I just need to keep playing the same way and get more goals for the team. My training is going really well; I feel much fitter than before.

"The gaffer (coach) has given me more chances, more confidence, and it has helped me to play much better."

Johnson started in three of the 12 matches he has played so far for Wednesday in the English League One this season, providing one assist, taking nine shots and logging 532 minutes.

Megson has insisted that Johnson attend to his work rate and pitch in defensively, utilising his speed.

Thrilled with his time at The Owls than with previous clubs Oldham Athletic and Bolton Wanderers, 'JJ', as he is affectionately called at Hillsborough, noted that it would be "a pleasure" to renew his contract.

"The city is a good place for me and my Jamaican friends. I got used to the club, and the fans are really good; they always give me encouragement, and they are always behind us all the time, even when we are losing.

"I don't see myself playing in front of 5,000. I see myself at Sheffield Wednesday (in front of 40,000) for a long time, if the gaffer wants to give me a new contract.

"I'm enjoying my football big time. I just need to stay fit, keep working and hopefully I'll stay at Wednesday," he explained.

Johnson revealed that his family in Jamaica needed help "big time" and he was "the only one in the family who is doing something special that I really love".

"I really need to keep focusing on what I'm doing and do my best all the time so that I can get a new contract."

Wednesday, number two in their league table, will take on 19th-place Exeter City on Saturday at St James Park, Exeter. When the teams last met, on September 24, 2001, The Owls defeated The Grecians 3-0 at Hillsborough.