He need not have worried. Otago dominated Wellington at the University Oval to post a record win, by an innings and 240 runs.
It does not get much more comprehensive than that and Johnson took the opportunity to commend his side's professionalism.
''The problem we had this week was getting up after the HRV Cup final and to be fair, the guys have been pretty professional in the way they've done it.''
Otago won the twenty/20 final, beating Wellington by four wickets at the University Oval last Sunday. Both sides were back at the venue on Thursday but this time for a four-day match. It was a quick turnaround for the players.
Johnson opted to rest exciting fast bowler Jacob Duffy and asked James Fuller to consider playing. The Gloucestershire professional had not planned on playing any first-class cricket for Otago this summer but agreed, and claimed 10 wickets in the match.
The 23-year-old is considering staying on for this week's game against Northern Districts in Queenstown.
With six Otago players named in the New Zealand XI which will play England in two warm-up twenty/20 games on February 4 and February 6, Otago could use all the help it can get.
Otago's comprehensive win lifted it to 77 points and, with three games remaining, the team has an excellent chance of adding to its twenty/20 title.
''We're certainly not getting ahead of ourselves,'' Johnson said.
''We've got a real challenge in the next game, because we lose some players.''
He expects the players will be available for the first three days but he has put off worrying about finding replacements until the team has had a few days off.
''We'll regroup Tuesday and come up with a solution.''
Duffy is a likely starter, and contracted batsman Darren Broom is another potential replacement. James McMillan has been injured but, if fit, could also be a starter.
Central Districts is on top of the Plunket Shield standings after completing an 81-run win over Canterbury in Napier yesterday, APNZ reports.
After Otago temporarily went top, CD responded by successfully defending 332 runs on the fourth day.
CD (92 points) and Otago have now established a large lead in the competition, although they have both played a game more than the other four sides.
CD's triumph yesterday was set up by debutant spinner Ajaz Patel, who ripped through the Canterbury line-up to finish with figures of six for 57. Like Otago, Northern Districts wrapped up its match against Auckland in Hamilton inside three days, winning by an innings and 90 runs.
ND declared on 614 for seven after starting the day at 530 for five and Auckland could muster only 284 for nine in its second innings, with Dean Bartlett unable to bat. Jono Boult claimed four for 37 for ND.
