Joe Allen [Sold]

[Tee]

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.

I would, because quite frankly I am yet to see this passing ability. I am sure Mascher was quite adept at passing sideways and backwards, however he also had the natural instinct to try and play forward. No comparison IMO, different class was Mascher.

[Sarb]

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.

Pretty strange how someone can think and imply that Mascherano and Allen are similar players. They quite clearly aren't

[Fredo]

I would, because quite frankly I am yet to see this passing ability. I am sure Mascher was quite adept at passing sideways and backwards, however he also had the natural instinct to try and play forward. No comparison IMO, different class was Mascher.

Well he keeps the ball, that's the whole point. If you've got the ball most of the time you wouldn't need to win it as much.

[danperkins]

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.

I would take Mascherano over Allen any day

[Tee]

I would take Mascherano over Allen any day

All day any day, infact if someone even asked me which player I would prefer I would take it as an insult.

[danperkins]

Pretty strange how someone can think and imply that Mascherano and Allen are similar players. They quite clearly aren't

Don't think anyone said they similar players mate, in fact they are polar opposite

[Lecter]

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.

I'd take Mascherano all day long over Allen

And yes you are right its not just about aggression but also timing and winning possession and positional play all of which I see little or none of in Allens game

Hamann, Alonso, Mascherano were not just aggressive and strong, they werent just good at timing their tackles, they were all good positionally and tactically which is equally as important

[Alex]

Joe Allen is not a DM though. I dont think he has ever been thought of as such. Just did it to cover.

I dont get the comparison.

[danperkins]

All day any day, infact if someone even asked me which player I would prefer I would take it as an insult.

And i think few posters are mistaking us taking about aggression in small players, and somehow misinterpreting it...that we are sating that Allen and Masch are similar players.

[Sarb]

Joe Allen is not a DM though. I dont think he has ever been thought of as such. Just did it to cover.

I dont get the comparison.

Neither do I.

Funnily enough, a lot of people singing the praises of Alonso now thought he was absolutely pants when Rafa wanted to sell him. Funny how the tunes change to suit the flavour of the month attitude.

Remember a lot of fans saying Alonso was poor, couldn't tackle, too slow on the ball etc.

[danperkins]

Joe Allen is not a DM though. I dont think he has ever been thought of as such. Just did it to cover.

I dont get the comparison.

That's why i said DM role

The original comparison is aggression in small players. The fact that the 2 are small, play a "DM role" and have played it for LFC means it's pretty much a valid comparison for the discussion we were having

[Tee]

The comparison I make is that Allen appears to be doing his utmost to be a quick pressing and ball winning player, breaking up play and quickly starting attacks. Nothing of the sort in reality, but Mascher was that kind of player. So there is the comparison I made and I am sure I will be corrected.

[Lecter]

Joe Allen is not a DM though. I dont think he has ever been thought of as such. Just did it to cover.

I dont get the comparison.

The comparison was about size and stature and thats where it ends

Incidentally what do people think Allens best position actually is

[Tee]

The comparison was about size and stature and thats where it ends

Incidentally what do people think Allens best position actually is

CM apparently, not DM or AM, just CM.

[Alex]

Neither do I.

Funnily enough, a lot of people singing the praises of Alonso now thought he was absolutely pants when Rafa wanted to sell him. Funny how the tunes change to suit the flavour of the month attitude.

Remember a lot of fans saying Alonso was poor, couldn't tackle, too slow on the ball etc.

That's why i said DM role

The original comparison is aggression in small players. The fact that the 2 are small, play a "DM role" and have played it for LFC means it's pretty much a valid comparison for the discussion we were having

Fair enough, didnt catch the start of the discussion.

Good point on Alonso. I think there is a slight case of rose tinted specs when it comes to his whole time here. His first and last years with us he was phenomenal. But the 2 years in the middle he was average at best. Some good games, some terrible. No real form. He only really kicked on again after Barry was talked about.

I love Alonso. But lets not put him up on some pedestal. Then again an average Alonso is better than most.