Will Hughes

[Lee]

Is Allen fit again now?

I still think there's room for one more midfielder. An injury or suspension to Gerrard, Lucas, Henderson or Allen would still leave us light in the middle.

Perhaps buying Hughes and loaning him back to Derby for a season isn't a bad idea.

[RedReet]

I think if we do sign him in January, he definitely will be loaned back.

Allen was on the bench against WB, so must be fit again.

[el matador]

if he comes and sits on our bench for the next 12 months his development will stall. if we do sign him he should be loaned out for another 12-18 months - some of it in the premiership to get the experience he needs.

[Norbs]

I just can't see where Allen improves us at the moment. He's not strong enough and lacks determination IMO

[Pablo]

I just can't see where Allen improves us at the moment. He's not strong enough and lacks determination IMO

I think he's still got something to offer in terms of energy and mobility, something we badly lack in a midfield two of Gerrard and Lucas IMO.

[Mike]

I think he's still got something to offer in terms of energy and mobility, something we badly lack in a midfield two of Gerrard and Lucas IMO.

Ball retention as well

[danperkins]

Ball retention as well

we are terrible in possession... so uncomfortable and panicked.

[Mike]

we are terrible in possession... so uncomfortable and panicked.

Only when pressed high up, which a lot of teams seem to be implementing against us now after watching Southampton.

I still think given a run of games Allen will be an important player for us like the start of last season, he's just been unlucky with injuries etc.

[BigChief]

Only when pressed high up, which a lot of teams seem to be implementing against us now after watching Southampton.

I still think given a run of games Allen will be an important player for us like the start of last season, he's just been unlucky with injuries etc.

[danperkins]

Only when pressed high up, which a lot of teams seem to be implementing against us now after watching Southampton.

I still think given a run of games Allen will be an important player for us like the start of last season, he's just been unlucky with injuries etc.

capable teams are pin pointing this and it's an obvious weakness for us.. was last season too.

I'm just not convinced of Allen.. but as i said will be more than happy to be proven wrong.

[Mike]

capable teams are pin pointing this and it's an obvious weakness for us.. was last season too.

I'm just not convinced of Allen.. but as i said will be more than happy to be proven wrong.

Said in the Stevie thread, I think Allen is actually our best passer in midfield out of him, Lucas, Stevie and Henderson - think he'd cope with being pressed better than most

[danperkins]

Said in the Stevie thread, I think Allen is actually our best passer in midfield out of him, Lucas, Stevie and Henderson - think he'd cope with being pressed better than most

Was delighted when we signed him & I thought Allen would have been a super signing but apart from first 5 games... he seems to panic like others when pressed high which i was very surprised about. Physically is getting bounced around too... maybe he would be more effective if we had any dominant out and out DM behind or beside him... but unfortunately we don't & any combination we have tried doesn't seem to work.

Personally i think we have a major personnel issue at CM & disappointed we didn't sort it out in the summer. I'm just praying that we can ride it out until we can get reinforcements in January. Allen .. much like Henderson IMO are decent squad players but never first teasers for a team with any ambitions of pushing for 4th.

[Mike]

He still has the ability to turn things around, and will if given the chance imo.

As for his build, I mentioned that we need to sign a defensive mid with a bit more of a physicality to break up play, similar to Mascherano, and then Allen can start off the plays. He ran the games at the start of last season and I see no reason why he can't recapture that form.

Personally, I'd like to see him play on the weekend.

[Alex]

Can we move this discussion to the Allen thread please chaps. Keep this for Will Hughes.

[danperkins]

He still has the ability to turn things around, and will if given the chance imo.

As for his build, I mentioned that we need to sign a defensive mid with a bit more of a physicality to break up play, similar to Mascherano, and then Allen can start off the plays. He ran the games at the start of last season and I see no reason why he can't recapture that form.

Personally, I'd like to see him play on the weekend.

I wouldn't be adverse to him starting vs Fulham... as things at CM midfield aren't right. Anyone of Lucas/Gerrard/Hendo could be dropped on recent performances.

Will Hughes might very well be good buy but i 'd rather we concentrate on getting in established players to effect the now.