Joe Allen [Sold]

[Shaggy]

We need this guy further forward, he's doing a great job where he is but I feel his decision making and intelligent play can really help us near the box. We're missing that player who can do the right thing with the ball in the final third.

Thought exactly the same thing during the game.

Today's middle three was a bit all over the shop. We had Allen's attributes negated a little bit by having to play so deep, Gerrard's not in what I think is his best position, and likewise Shelvey - who IMO might end up off the front but isn't ready yet and is better for now as a centre circle midfield player so he can get on the ball more often.

Obviously the key to the whole thing is Lucas coming back...and also, to an extent, Sahin getting up to speed.

[Red_Polo]

Yeah, it's a big blow missing Lucas. Rodgers should consider another alternative in the meantime. Maybe playing Henderson as the deep lying midfielder, though he doesn't seem to trust him at all. Maybe Sahin.

It's difficult - Hendo's single biggest weakness is his tackling and really I think it's only Lucas and Allen that can play that role particularly well. Not sure what the solution is really.

[DeanoUK]

Was it Shearer on MOTD banging on about Allen not passing forward? Can't remember, anyway, I felt it's quite true, there are quite a few times where he could be a bit more positive instead of pushing the ball horizontally. Still love him though, maybe that will come with time/confidence.

[Shaggy]

Completely disagree. Think it's been discussed in the post-match thread.

Each example Shearer showed was an example of Allen keeping the ball, and the people Shearer wanted Allen to pass the ball to were always surrounded. I think the idea long term is for every player to be happy to receive the ball no matter if they're surrounded - like Barca do - but our players aren't there yet. In fact Allen is one of the few who doesn't mind taking the ball when under pressure. Shearer implied Allen played it safe but as Rodgers said Joe is as brave as they come.

It annoyed me that he used two admittedly excellent passes from Gerrard as examples, but of course they never showed all those other times when Gerrard whacked it out of play or gave it straight to the opposition.

Allen isn't playing in his best role at the moment and yet he's still been our best player so far.

[Alex]

That MOTD peice annoyed me. They selected about 4% of the passes he made all game to try and make a point.

Anyway, the day anyone takes Shearers opinion as valid, is the day I give up football.

[Chris]

It was the most appalling piece of analysis I've ever seen on English tv and theres been some over the years! He conveniently ignored his quality forward pass in our goal aswell. Summed up everything wrong with the English game really. A player mocked for keeping the ball and being patient, laughable.

[Tee]

Was it Shearer on MOTD banging on about Allen not passing forward? Can't remember, anyway, I felt it's quite true, there are quite a few times where he could be a bit more positive instead of pushing the ball horizontally. Still love him though, maybe that will come with time/confidence.

Controversial I know, and whilst he has been good I think we have a bit OTT on him.

[RedReet]

IIRC, Allen played the ball forward 30 yards, starting the move that lead to the goal. I could be wrong though and the pass I'm thinking of just lead to a good opportunity.

Can't belive his passing is even being discussed as an issue though.

[RedReet]

It was the most appalling piece of analysis I've ever seen on English tv and theres been some over the years! He conveniently ignored his quality forward pass in our goal aswell. Summed up everything wrong with the English game really. A player mocked for keeping the ball and being patient, laughable.

I guess i did recall properly.

[JohnDoe]

And he's freaking 22! His game is just so mature, which really caught me off guard. The way he bosses the game reminds me of how impressed I was with Alonso when he came in.

I love the way he "plays" the game. It's very similar to Xavi. If we put him further forward, we might have an assist machine in our hands.

[barnes10]

he's class. don't see shearer getting offered many leading managerial roles. he's a bellend.

allen is fantastic and hopefully the team around him becomes good enough soon.

[Tee]

I would like to see him push forward but then without Lucas to cover we will be exposed too easily. I think when he is pushed a further 10 yards up the pitch we wil benefit from his ability to release the ball very quickly and in tight spaces.

[Shaggy]

It was the most appalling piece of analysis I've ever seen on English tv and theres been some over the years! He conveniently ignored his quality forward pass in our goal aswell. Summed up everything wrong with the English game really. A player mocked for keeping the ball and being patient, laughable.

And he's freaking 22! His game is just so mature, which really caught me off guard. The way he bosses the game reminds me of how impressed I was with Alonso when he came in.

I love the way he "plays" the game. It's very similar to Xavi. If we put him further forward, we might have an assist machine in our hands.

[DeanoUK]

I'm not posting anymore.

I do agree with almost everyone's comments after my post, that it was sloppy analysis to not include other contradictory clips, but I do honestly feel he could do with pushing the ball forwards a bit more. As someone called me before, I'm the anti-Craig, I need to stop agreeing with everyone.

[Red_Polo]

I think he can and does play plenty of good forward passes. Just he only does so when they are on. He plays the right ball. If we are not set up to receive in forward positions there is no point pinging it there.