League: Johnson vow: I'll play to my own rhythm

Shaun Johnson is getting a kick out the way he is playing despite not showing anything flashy in the opening rounds. Photo / Getty Images

Playmaker ignores the drums of discontent as he awaits his turn to guide the Warriors

Shaun Johnson can hear the drums of discontent beating, but he's happy with the pace he's keeping throughout the early stages of the Warriors' 2015 NRL campaign.

The 24-year-old halfback realises his form has been below par over the first three rounds and knows fans and critics alike are questioning his less-than-dynamic start to the season.

The upside for the Warriors is that they are still registering wins without relying on Johnson's bag of tricks and two victories from three games has provided their best start to a season since 2010.

Normally the attacking centrepiece of any side he plays in, Johnson has been forced to watch on from the right side of the park while his halves partner Chad Townsend enjoys a wealth of ball and attacking options on the left.

Rather than reaching for the panic button, Johnson is relaxed and confident his running instincts and game management skills will come to the fore over the coming weeks.

"It doesn't bother me," Johnson said of the barbs thrown his way.

"I know there's been a lot of talk about the way I'm going but I've been pretty happy with my development over the first few rounds.

"I haven't done anything flashy and got any run-aways and stepped many people and done the stuff the crowd wants to see but I think I've played my role in the side.

"I've had to play more of an underhand and there's been a lot of opportunity on the other side of the field, and I'm happy to do that.

"I know I'm going to get my turn at some point and Chad will be happy to do the same," he said.

Johnson was always going to have a lot to live up to this year after winning the Golden Boot award as the world's best player, following his starring role in the Kiwis' Four Nations success last October in Wellington.

Since debuting for the Warriors midway through 2011, Johnson has been under pressure to become the complete player and improve his tactical nous.

His individual brilliance is widely recognised but, like all halfbacks, his performances come under greater scrutiny than any of his teammates.

He's the kind of player who needs to get his hands on the ball regularly to work his way into a match.

Against the Parramatta Eels in Auckland last Saturday, Johnson felt targeted in defence and lacked time and space.

Still, he admits he could do more to improve his positional play.

"I've just got to keep putting myself in positions. Maybe that's one thing I haven't done so well, putting myself in a place to make a play but I'm just building every week."

If coach Andrew McFadden has concerns about Johnson's form, he wasn't giving anything away and backed his No7 to find his groove soon.

"He probably hasn't been his flamboyant best but there's been a lot to Shaun's game that he has been really good at and that's what we're continuing to work on," McFadden said.

"Shaun's just got to find his confidence with his running game. That's the message to him at the moment but the opportunities will still be there," he said.

"We've just got to be a little bit better co-ordinated as a group and I know Shaun will find his rhythm.

"He'll find his game, there's no doubt about that, and it's good we can win games without him playing his best," the coach added. "It's really important [being able to win despite the playmaker's poor form] because Shaun can't be at his best all the time."