Joe Allen [Sold]

[el matador]

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.

if we had played with two defensive cms that chasm wouldnt have opened up. If youve got two offensive minded fullbacks in the team, then you really need two midfielders who can defend very well in all areas of the pitch which the 4231 allows.

Instead because we are playing rodgers 433 only one midfield player plays the anchor role instead of two in the 4231. thats why we got caught out because the anchor - allen - left his position to win the ball when really it was someone else's role.

at swansea he had leon brittan behind him so he could roam around a bit more but against hearts, he was the insurance policy so really he had to sit and not move.

the 433 is quite attack minded or at least our players are interpreting it that way. the fullbacks push right on, the centre halves push up too. There's one sitting midfield player in front of them allowing the other two to move around and look to make the play.

this sole central midfield player could be one of the reasons we're being done on the counter. we've let in 7 goals in 3 epl games this season so its something to think about.

[el matador]

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.

i agree with dan.

allen's quality has been exceptional. he doesnt seem to panic in possession of the ball and his passing is superb. someone told me he's definitely a top four player and you can see that in his game.

pity we're not a top four club.

[destinydude]

Top investigating from Reece

[BigChief]

Anyone that saw Allen play last season would be crazy to think he was ONLY £15million. I was personally afraid someone might usurp him from us at his release clause price. I have played a lot of 5 a side football in 25 years and only occasionally do I see intelligence in a player that Allen shows/showed.

I'm one of the few others I can think of.

[danperkins]

Anyone that saw Allen play last season would be crazy to think he was ONLY £15million. I was personally afraid someone might usurp him from us at his release clause price. I have played a lot of 5 a side football in 25 years and only occasionally do I see intelligence in a player that Allen shows/showed.

I'm one of the few others I can think of.

people say self praise is no praise, but sure i do it all the time and i feel fantastic

[Mostar]

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.

As Kenneth said the transfer fee Milan paid is only part of package as we have to know what his wages are and it is clear that we don't want to overpay for the player that wouldn't likely be the first choice DM.

I like him but his age (will be 28 in couple of months) and wages don't make him attractive proposition for FSG.

[rushscored4]

Is the £3m fee accurate anyway? Reports last week suggested Citeh wanted €12.5m for De Jong but were likely to accept €10m. Perhaps, like many others, the transfer deal is in staged payments dependent upon appearances and other conditions?

[el matador]

Unfortunately large wages are a noose around the neck of selling teams. We got shafted because of aquilanis wages and most of the transfer fee we got for him would subsidise his wages over his new contract.

Something like this might have happened with de jong.

[Nick77]

Unfortunately large wages are a noose around the neck of selling teams. We got shafted because of aquilanis wages and most of the transfer fee we got for him would subsidise his wages over his new contract.

Something like this might have happened with de jong.

Unfortunately Aquilani, who so desperately wanted to go back to Italy, ****ed us over by wanting a pay off to leave so the transfer fee we received basically paid him off so net effect was zero. Unlike Kuyt, Bellers & Maxi who all agreed on non-payment when leaving...

[Deano]

Was Allen injured last night for Wales ?

[Assassin]

Was Allen injured last night for Wales ?

No, he did not play as he is ill

[danperkins]

Someone said he was stretchered off, that true... how bad? This would top off a truly horrific start to our prem league campaign.

[rudedog]

think they were having you on

[danperkins]

think they were having you on

PHEWWW!

The ****ers !

[destinydude]

6 million a year for De Jong. Absolutely not necessary considering the fact that we have Lucas and we can't be paying 6m for a 'back up'