Joe Allen [Sold]

[Buzzo]

Baio?

[rushscored4]

**** signing. Overrated. Extreme sarcasm.

Hope he's better than I think he is. I'll have no problem eating humble pie.

Too much money but happy to see him here. All the best Joe, we have the best utility squad in the league.

I must admit, Allen was average yesterday (not in a negative way), and it's not surprising given the lack of training sessions and understanding of his new teammates. He did the basics right and well. Nothing more, nothing less. He'll be much better in the next few weeks for sure.

Ah, amazing insight like that makes me feel like I'm back home...

[dww]

Such a shame Lucas is injured, I think Allen could do a lot of damage when further up the pitch linking the midfield and attack - something Gerrard isn't doing very well with at the moment.

That's my feeling too. It seems a shame that we have not managed to develop a single player who looks like they could play the DM role.

[Cormack74]

Ah, amazing insight like that makes me feel like I'm back home...

Yeah yeah, **** off back to ST, interloper

Tbf he's been great so far but still early days.

When he gets us through the relegation dogfight next May, then maybe I'll be convinced

[Phoenix07]

Ah, amazing insight like that makes me feel like I'm back home...

I take it you didn't see the white text in my inital post then?

[saj]

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

[Neil Young]

I think we're getting a little ahead of ourselves.

[Buzzo]

I think we're getting a little ahead of ourselves.

Wild and rampant positivity in this thread.

WTF **** is that all about?

Edit: I see that has been commented on already.

[baitman]

I'd be interested to see Agger play that role and play Coates at CB. Don't think it would be necessary, Allen I'm sure will do a fine job (much much better than Spearing) But If push came to shove I think Agger or even Coates could come in and do a job.

liking this option
this would mean we are not using allen as a dm, meaning we would benefit from his energy and short passing further up the pitch. he is essential in keeping the ball and always making himself available for a pass if a player is under pressure.
joe allen rules the centre third.

[Nick77]

It's a fair point but FFS Nick, this is the one positive thread in the whole LFC forum. Can't we leave it as a haven where we can all feel good about one thing to do with the club? Is that too much to ask? Is it? Is it?

Sorry Neil. *hangs head in shame*

[Gibbo]

Ah, amazing insight like that makes me feel like I'm back home...

Ey, to be fair I only said I thought we paid a little too much for him.

I have mentioned since how happy I am with him though. So there.

[el matador]

looks like a very good player but he isnt suited to the lucas role.

was just watching the rerun of the hearts game at anfield and when we're attacking he has this tendency to press the ball on the counter irrespective of where that player is on the pitch.

so against hearts, he left his central position when we were attacking and then chased this guy out to the left hand side which was great to see. But then there was this massive gap in the middle where neither gerrrad nor shelvey had bothered to get back. There was probably a 30m2 area which was wide open for them to attack right down the centre of our midfield.

For all his talents, i think he needs someone like lucas to sit in behind him to act as an insurance policy. His job isnt to shield the back four but to win back the ball as quickly as possible.

[Mostar]

looks like a very good player but he isnt suited to the lucas role.

was just watching the rerun of the hearts game at anfield and when we're attacking he has this tendency to press the ball on the counter irrespective of where that player is on the pitch.

so against hearts, he left his central position when we were attacking and then chased this guy out to the left hand side which was great to see. But then there was this massive gap in the middle where neither gerrrad nor shelvey had bothered to get back. There was probably a 30m2 area which was wide open for them to attack right down the centre of our midfield.

For all his talents, i think he needs someone like lucas to sit in behind him to act as an insurance policy. His job isnt to shield the back four but to win back the ball as quickly as possible.

I agree in general but he wasn't brought in to replace or be a cover for Lucas but to complement him and I thought he did pretty well in the given circumstances.

I thought we clearly overpaid for Allen as it is very difficult to gauge a player in his first season in PL but he is an excellent buy and Rodgers spent money wisely.

If he continues to play like this (He was MOTM imo in every match he played thus far) very soon other teams will start knocking on our door.

[Muddled]

looks like a very good player but he isnt suited to the lucas role.

was just watching the rerun of the hearts game at anfield and when we're attacking he has this tendency to press the ball on the counter irrespective of where that player is on the pitch.

so against hearts, he left his central position when we were attacking and then chased this guy out to the left hand side which was great to see. But then there was this massive gap in the middle where neither gerrrad nor shelvey had bothered to get back. There was probably a 30m2 area which was wide open for them to attack right down the centre of our midfield.

For all his talents, i think he needs someone like lucas to sit in behind him to act as an insurance policy. His job isnt to shield the back four but to win back the ball as quickly as possible.

Without seeing this passage of play, it would be hard to argue a point, but just because he's tracked his man, it doesn't mean it's his fault the midfield isn't covered by two other midfielders. If anything, it highlights the lack of cover provided by the attacking tendencies of Gerrard and Shelvey and the importance the right balance of attributes of the midfield three.

It would also depend on the player he has tracked and at what point he passed that player on. Out of curiousity, do you know from memory what section of play you are referring to?

I'd agree his talents lie in the harassment of the opposition and quick transitions to start our attacking play - he would certainly complement Lucas and his tactical nous - but I do think he's more than capable of playing that role in a fully functioning midfield.

[el matador]

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.