Joe Allen [Sold]

[Mattshark]

was just kidding dude.

I always thought Meireles wouldn't cut it in the premier league, he was okish playing in a more forward role but he's very timid and really didn't make an impact in his 2 seasons , apart from 4 game purple patch at LFC. The shaved head and tattoo's don't fool anyone, he is a windbag. Allen & Henderson IMO are average,as is Meireles if slightly better... then again we're kind of average too. (I'd start Henderson ahead of Allen at moment).

Been saying for awhile that we need better than Allen and Henderson.. which is fairly obvious. Whether or not it will be address.. only Rodgers knows, i hope so.

His link up play with Suarez was excellent.

[Neil Young]

FFS, Dane, does MrM now have to change your title to Windbag detector?

[Sarb]

People being a bit harsh on Allen I feel. Half way through a season at a new team. Not really appropriate to judge yet. Did the same with Henderson and Lucas.

[danperkins]

His link up play with Suarez was excellent.

As i said i though he was better in a more forward role but IMO just couldn't cut it in the premier league. better than Henderson and Allen? Probably, but sure that's hardly an achievement at this moment in time.

Allen and Henderson have to show huge improvement..... and grow some balls too. For me Allen needs a rest too ain't doing him much favours playing at moment.

[danperkins]

FFS, Dane, does MrM now have to change your title to Windbag detector?

I can only but dream Neil...only but dream.... fade out.........

[Mostar]

I've repeatedly said this recently. He is shattered, his game awareness is slower then at the start of the season.

I see it the same way.

It looks like it's going to be one or the other then in the first team. Not too unhappy about that as long as we keep both players

I think he and Lucas can play together but they need time.

What makes things worse is that one is not presently in form and other one is coming back from the injury and at the moment they look very incompatible

[Lee]

People being a bit harsh on Allen I feel. Half way through a season at a new team. Not really appropriate to judge yet. Did the same with Henderson and Lucas.

He's going through a blip, but if you look at his time with Swansea and his first few months here then it's clear to see that he's a good player.

Meireles was completely average who had a purple patch between that January-April. Decent / okay player but hardly missed.

[Sarb]

He's going through a blip, but if you look at his time with Swansea and his first few months here then it's clear to see that he's a good player.

Meireles was completely average who had a purple patch between that January-April. Decent / okay player but hardly missed.

Allen was brilliant in the first couple of months, but he carried the midfield in that time too. I think he is shattered too. He definitely needs to be taken out of the firing line for a few games. Still only young, he's going to be quality for us.

Raul had a purple patch of 4 games rather than 4 months. He was pretty average for the rest. People need to stop re-writing history when it comes to him (not a dig at you mate). Mediocre at best

[danperkins]

He's going through a blip, but if you look at his time with Swansea and his first few months here then it's clear to see that he's a good player.

Meireles was completely average who had a purple patch between that January-April. Decent / okay player but hardly missed.

I think everyone can see Allen is shattered, still not sure about him for LFC... but he definitely does need a break asap for him and for LFC

[Lecter]

When Alonso first came over here at 22 he most definitely was not "tough in the tackle" and took some time to develop into the world class midfielder he became. And he played with Hamman, Sissoko and Mascherano, whether he needed an enforcer or not he definitely had one. Not saying that article is spot on but its also easy to forget Alonso was not at his peak for us for his entire time at Anfield

I disagree on Alonso

He was quality when he arrived and that was obvious, yes he became a better player but he was already top class

As for him not being tough in the tackle, well he certainly became more aggressive but he was no shrinking violet when he arrived and he also had a decent physique that allowed him to shrug off / hold off opponents

Allens problem as I see it is two fold, hes small physically and secondly he isnt aggressive / strong enough

Look at players like Messi & Xavi and although they are only small in stature they are strong and aggressive

[danperkins]

I disagree on Alonso

He was quality when he arrived and that was obvious, yes he became a better player but he was already top class

As for him not being tough in the tackle, well he certainly became more aggressive but he was no shrinking violet when he arrived and he also had a decent physique that allowed him to shrug off / hold off opponents

Allens problem as I see it is two fold, hes small physically and secondly he isnt aggressive / strong enough

Look at players like Messi & Xavi and although they are only small in stature they are strong and aggressive

Mascherano for me would be a perfect comparison to Allen and the difference in aggression is ridiculous.

[Tee]

Mascherano for me would be a perfect comparison to Allen and the difference in aggression is ridiculous.

Not even in the same league as Mascher, who IIRC was not much older than Allen when he arrived.

[Fredo]

Again, different type of players so I don't understand why you'd compare both. Mascherano wasn't a particularly great passer of the ball (Allen is a much better passer). So, it depends on our needs at this point in time not that Allen isn't good enough.

[danperkins]

Again, different type of players so I don't understand why you'd compare both. Mascherano wasn't a particularly great passer of the ball (Allen is a much better passer). So, it depends on our needs at this point in time not that Allen isn't good enough.

They are both small,played DM roles & played for LFC.

The comparison was about aggression in small players, nobody was talking about passing

[Fredo]

They are both small,played DM roles & played for LFC.

The comparison was about aggression in small players, nobody was talking about passing

Okay. Would you take Mascherano's aggression over Allen's better passing ability?

And maybe it isn't about just aggression but about timing and winning possession.