So that's £26m spent so far, not to shabby. Still think we will sign another player for £10-£15m so we can't have to much complaints about the owners not spending.
Also the good thing with the 90% possesion stat with Allen at Swansea least season is that, he DIDNT play the holding role in midfield for them either he played further up the pitch where its easier to lose the ball
Lucas is staying 21, he said on twitter as he didn't want to change when fans had already bought the shirt with that printed
Thought he made a few mistakes last night and not just his tackling. TBH I was disappointed with him overall as I do have high hopes and think he can turn out to be a great player. As for Allen, looks good but lets see how he settles in.
I sense you are being sarcastic in saying "they haven't spent much because we've saved a load etc" however going to ignore that and say yes, they are very good business men. Getting rid of the older, high earners who would have drained the club for another year and bringing in more talented younger players (Borini & Allen) who are cheaper and offer more in terms of performance now and ability going forward. They've shown that if Rodgers wants someone they are willing to put their hands in their pockets (Borini, Allen & Siggy, even though we then pulled out over the amount he wanted in wages).
Not all that excited, would be happier to hear of Cole and Adams departure. Hope he is good and fits in.
Two quality players in each midfield position. -------------------Lucas/Spearing-------------------- ----Gerrard/Shelvey---------Henderson/Allen---- And they are all fairly versatile to. The same applies to our back 4 to, apart from left back. The squad is looking good.
I have to be honest: I'm not as excited about this signing as I perhaps should be. I'm sure that he will be a great player for us and will improve our midfield, but at the moment it just seems like a minor improvement rather than a major one (hope he proves me wrong though). I guess now that it's sorted though we can move on to the (in my opinion anyway) far more important task of bringing in a wideman and a Bellamy replacement.
Listening to BR last night talking about a floating attacking 4; how much do we actually need an out & out wide man as opposed to another direct & dynamic player that can interchange with Suarez, Borini & Gerrard? Not saying a good winger can't do that but are we looking for more in one player? Under suggested system I would also rather see back up/ competition for the full backs who will provide the width than a true winger. Suppose we'll see soon enough.
I was on the fence about Allen a few weeks ago, as I felt that perhaps our style wasn't ready for him and he would be a minor improvement (at the time we needed major improvement). If Brendan can keep our style of play similar to the one yesterday (high up the pitch, attack attack attack) then Allen will be a good signing. He's young and slightly more developed than Henderson (who I still think has a major role at the club). What was great to see yesterday was that the possesion we had wasn't wasted a la Barca (which proves to be their downfall sometimes) or Swansea, it wasn't a no penetration style game. We had players like Suarez and Borini playing neat one two's into the box, through the middle, attack attack attack. Allen will excel in this role as he isn't afraid to pass forward, to use through balls. Henderson last year started off with brilliant through balls but when Kenny started using wingers, he started passing sideways. Adam never played the simple forward pass, he prefered long diagonal balls or long range shots, and Downing only ever crossed. We missed the penetration through the middle that players such as Alonso brought, and that is a major part in our lack of goals. That is where I think Allen can excel, he can take the ball in the final third and pass straight through to the box, instead of moving around it (and lumping them in from the sides). It suits our technical players more and could be the key to unlocking Suarez and Borini's skills (and even Andy's skills). We do however still need a player to replace Downing, as I believe that Shelvey and Gerrard both provide more accurate crosses. Hopefully a Gaston Ramirez type player and not a Dempsey, though the best strengthening would be to offload at least 2 of Adam, Cole, or Downing.
Some people are unsure, but I bet after he has played a few games we will all love him. I hope so anyway
Keeping Kelly fit would be a massive bonus as Johnson can cover left back if needed. Looking forward to seeing Robinson start to push for a place soon enough. No issues with Enriques defending in general but his passing has to improve on last season. Seeing how they played last night (and I appreciate the opposition weren't up to much) the two full backs raided well at times so I see them producing a lot of our width this year. The front three more than likely will interchange a lot so as you say someone a bit more versatile than a traditional winger.
Lads, you have signed a fantastic player in young Joe Allen! Am not at all bitter and wish him all the best as I know the guy quite well - he is very unassuming, has no ego whatsoever and will absolutely work his socks off for you. I have read threads on both our boards the last couple of weeks and have been a bit dismayed at the disintegration of mutual respect that has resulted from posts from some of our more sensitive members! I wish Joey all the best - he has been a superb servant of SCFC and been instrumental in our rise through the leagues and I am absolutely convinced that he will become a LFC legend in years to come. He is only 22 but has a maturity and football brain that most so-called superstars can only dream of. I am absolutely gutted that he has left but am realistic enough to realise that the move was a 'no brainer'! He will be an integral part in the Liverpool revolution under Brenda; I can understand my fellow Jacks disappointment in Brenda’s refusal to honour his promise of not coming in for any of our players – but this is business, and business is cut throat, and the only thing that matters is doing the best for the club you are at now, not a faux sentimentality for the club you have left! If I was in Brenda’s shoes I would have done exactly the same – integrity will not get you to the top of the pile – it’s a dog eat dog world and the most ruthless will always win! Brenda is just doing the best he can for the club he is at now – it is the reason he is paid the big bucks! Mr Laudrup is doing the same for us; when Siggy’s demands were too high, Laudrup said that he could buy 3 players for the amount set aside for Gylfi – and he delivered – Michu, Chico and De Guzman! Quite happy with them – all fitted in beautifully pre-season! So please ignore the bitter snipers – they are not representative of all us Jacks – the more sensible of us recognise that football is a business, and realise that we have been well compensated for Brenda and Joey! We are the new boys in the PL and understand that a great first season does not necessarily lead to a successful second one. But we will compete as underdogs and hope to match the achievement of last season – we are a small club but our ambition is huge! It is a privilege to find ourselves where we are and long may it continue – but rest assured that we do not take it for granted! I have followed Swansea all my life and have reveled in the many highs and numerous lows – just a decade ago we nearly went out of business – but I have always enjoyed our ‘special’ relationship with Liverpool FC – please don’t let that proud history be denigrated by a few small minded idiots! So look after Brenda and Joey – they will serve you well! And please keep up the relationship with us and you – you Scouser’s and us Welsh got a lot in common and it would be a shame if the attitude of a few ‘numpties’ threatened that bond!
