Joe Allen [Sold]

[Fredo]

Another one of these players who was deemed not good enough a few months ago.

[danperkins]

Another one of these players who was deemed not good enough a few months ago.

That's because he wasn't

[Lecter]

Do people think he played well today??

[kubrickscube]

Yes. He was integral to our pressing and harrying game that kept Newcastle quiet in the first half, he didn't seem to waste any passes, and was always looking to move the ball round. Disappointed he came off rather than Stewart, who didn't exactly cover himself in glory.

[Fosterbloke]

Do people think he played well today??

Yep, was bullied but didn't lose the ball like he used to. Kept things ticking well and made several good tackles. Almost scored with a header too!

[Maxiedge]

Thought he was very good first half but not sure what happened to the team, as a whole, in the second.

[danperkins]

He was excellent in the first half but yeah everyone decided to not bother in the second, which was a bit ****.

[Liverpool]

he's off and the mignolet gets a 5 year deal

[frank the tank]

it is a little bit crackers alright. Allen seems to only get a game in midfield if Emre Can, Henderson and Milner are all not available (i wouldnt be surprised to see a Milner / Lucas partnership on Thursday night). For me, i think Joe Allen keeps everything ticking along nicely in midfield and when you have Can, Hendo and Milner all on the pitch at the same time, then it doesn't really work......i think allen positioning is much better and he seems to be able to spot the right passes all the time.....

[Lecter]

it is a little bit crackers alright. Allen seems to only get a game in midfield if Emre Can, Henderson and Milner are all not available (i wouldnt be surprised to see a Milner / Lucas partnership on Thursday night). For me, i think Joe Allen keeps everything ticking along nicely in midfield and when you have Can, Hendo and Milner all on the pitch at the same time, then it doesn't really work......i think allen positioning is much better and he seems to be able to spot the right passes all the time.....

I bet his contribution in comparison to Henderson, Can & Milner is considerably less than you think when you look at the stats

Allen has played well recently but Saturday he didnt, he went back to the player that was easily shrugged off the ball and played laterally or backwards (just as the rest of the team did)

[Kenneth]

i.e. stats about a game like football are often bull**** oversimplifications that fail to measure the important things accurately.

[The_weatherman]

I could see a decision on Allen being taken in the summer in relation to who we can get in.

[Lecter]

i.e. stats about a game like football are often bull**** oversimplifications that fail to measure the important things accurately.

But so are things like "he keeps things ticking over"

[kubrickscube]

I could see a decision on Allen being taken in the summer in relation to who we can get in.

Definitely. He's a good player, but like a few others in the team, he could be upgraded depending on who we could attract.

[BootRoom]

I'm not his biggest fan, and never have been, but at least Allen doesn't treat the ball like it's a bomb about to go off, unlike Henderson and his instantaneous sideways and backwards 'passing'.