Joe Allen [Sold]

[Fredo]

We need a water carrier.

[Tee]

We need a water carrier.

DeJong went to Milan for £3m. He could have done that job for us.

[Nicey]

DeJong went to Milan for £3m. He could have done that job for us.

Crazy .. he is avery decent player ... still dont think he is quite the type of player rodgers likes

[elrichio86]

It was in the second half around the 65 min mark. We have a corner I think and the ball gets cleared down towards our left hand side. Allen then chases his man all down the left hand side to try and win the ball back. instead of holding that central position he drifts out to the left and leaves an enormous gap down the middle. but hes only doing what he does best but it did show how we can get caught out very easily.

He is a quality player but ideally he does need someone else to shield the back four so he can chase down players anywhere on the pitch and win that ball back. We could try henderson there because I cant see sahin being that defensive type player and we need gerrard further up the pitch.

I got the impression that the 2 "holding" CMS were meant to cover for the fullbacks whenever they pushed up. So, in theory, when one CM has to drop back to cover the FB position, the other CM needs to make sure they are back to cover the DM position. So what Allen did was correct, it was the lack of follow-up cover of his position (by either Sahin or Gerrard) that was the fault.

[Pablo]

I don't think Xavi at 22 was as good as Allen is now

By the time he was 20 he'd already won La Liga, the FIFA World Youth Championship, and been named La Liga Breakthrough Player of the Year.

It's a close run thing but I'd say Xavi just sneaks it. Only just though!

[Muddled]

I got the impression that the 2 "holding" CMS were meant to cover for the fullbacks whenever they pushed up. So, in theory, when one CM has to drop back to cover the FB position, the other CM needs to make sure they are back to cover the DM position. So what Allen did was correct, it was the lack of follow-up cover of his position (by either Sahin or Gerrard) that was the fault.

[Reece]

By the time he was 20 he'd already won La Liga, the FIFA World Youth Championship, and been named La Liga Breakthrough Player of the Year.

It's a close run thing but I'd say Xavi just sneaks it. Only just though!

I've just read back through some of the original Joe Allen thread (before he signed) because I distinctly remember saj being against us signing him at the prices quoted, and also said:

"Allen is average. He may be amazing at Swansea but his performances for Team GB have been average which makes me think he may struggle in a different team/system."

And now he's saying he is better than Xavi was at that age

[rushscored4]

DeJong went to Milan for £3m. He could have done that job for us.

Crazy .. he is avery decent player ...

I agree but I guess his age and wages rule us out.

[saj]

I've just read back through some of the original Joe Allen thread (before he signed) because I distinctly remember saj being against us signing him at the prices quoted, and also said:

"Allen is average. He may be amazing at Swansea but his performances for Team GB have been average which makes me think he may struggle in a different team/system."

And now he's saying he is better than Xavi was at that age

His performances were average for Team GB and I said he MAY struggle in a new team or system. Never at any point did I say he was ****e or nor was I against him signing. My only gripe was the fee we paid for him and the fact we needed to strengthen in other areas. I'm glad we have got him but by signing him we have still not solved any of our problems. That money could still have been used towards purchasing a striker. But I don't care really as I'm sure Brendan Rogers will spend the season identifying a striker to sign for next season.

[Fosterbloke]

His performances were average for Team GB and I said he MAY struggle in a new team or system. Never at any point did I say he was ****e or nor was I against him signing. My only gripe was the fee we paid for him and the fact we needed to strengthen in other areas. I'm glad we have got him but by signing him we have still not solved any of our problems. That money could still have been used towards purchasing a striker. But I don't care really as I'm sure Brendan Rogers will spend the season identifying a striker to sign for next season.

If we hadn't signed him then we'd have Jay Spearing back in the first team again

[Neil Young]

But we'd have had enough money for a striker.

[DeanoUK]

Though I didn't comment much on Allen before he joined, I was also unimpressed with his Team GB performances.

Been fecking cracking for us though, and looks like a brilliant signing, even for £15m.

[saj]

If we hadn't signed him then we'd have Jay Spearing back in the first team again

We appear to have regressed though even with a better alternative to Spearing. This further illustrates we needed to strengthen in other areas, not that anyone will doubt that. It's all work in progress and I'm patient and understand the likelihood is this season will be a write off. But maybe Allen was a luxury signing that wasn't really needed? **** knows- he's here now and he is quality - onwards and upwards...

[RedReet]

I've just read back through some of the original Joe Allen thread (before he signed) because I distinctly remember saj being against us signing him at the prices quoted, and also said:

"Allen is average. He may be amazing at Swansea but his performances for Team GB have been average which makes me think he may struggle in a different team/system."

And now he's saying he is better than Xavi was at that age

[danperkins]

DeJong went to Milan for £3m. He could have done that job for us.

was saying this months back, and the fact he went for 3 million is absolutely incredible.

Likes of Arsenal or evens the Mancs should have been all over that! Would have been quality back up in midfield for us.

Allen has been superb but probably shouldn't be making comparisons between him and Xavi... he is nowhere near the even the vicinity of that level, but he really is a quality player.