Lets hope we start to see the best of him now Lucas is back..... http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/with-lucas-back-joe-can-go-forward Colin Pascoe believes Joe Allen has all the raw tools to thrive in an advanced role for Liverpool now that Lucas Leiva has returned from injury to bolster the midfield. Lucas made an impressive return to action in Saturday's 1-0 win over Southampton - and Pascoe has given an insight into how the defensive steel the Brazilian brings back to the midfield will allow Allen to go forward and operate in a more natural, attacking position. "Lucas is the holding pivot of the three in the midfield and his presence just releases Joe a little bit further forward," Pascoe explained to Liverpoolfc.com. "On Saturday you could see this in the way Joe was pushed up 10, 15 or 20 yards further forward. "And I would say this [advanced position] is Joe's natural position because he likes to get forward. He can take players on, he's got a great shot and he can score goals. But if you ask him to play in the holding role, he'll do that as well. "Around the penalty area, Joe can dribble, he can shoot and he can play in that more advanced position, knowing he has the security of Lucas behind him.
Well, as I said before Allen, Gerrard et al have been hiding slightly behind this "when Lucas is back excuse". He's back. I'll give it a further couple if games because they'll have to allow Lucas to come up to speed (although I think I'm being generous as he's already showed in one match great recovery). After that I'll be expecting a lot more from the front 5 in regards to penetration.
Joes best game in 6 weeks v Soton. We havnt noticed how well he presses the opposition in the holding role, he was excellent at that on Saturday
I'd rather allen stay with play frankly... i read this sort of thing and kind of see midfielders just getting ahead of the ball and then trotting back while others do all the work. I'd rather allen be the guy the wingers pass it inside to who's ALREADY picked out suarez's next run and then can deliver.... he doesn't seem to have this next pass thing worked out. lets see what we do cos rhigth now i'd not write front 5 i'd write front 7 as both full backs are pushed right up as well. Allen needs to stay just goal side of the ball and track back quickly. lucas can do this just as well too.... gerrard? well he shuold be getting into the box i suppose. I'd rather he do a midfield job and then be subbed for suso. won't happen though
You've seen the best of him, what you've seen is what you get. Wish you'd stop pretending he's some world beater because he isn't, he's an average centre midfielder so best get used to it.
For me Allen has been a big let down and other than neat and tidy sideways/backwards passing I fail to see why he cost so much. He's like a slightly better version of Carrick imo.
Maybe, except I'm not on the wind up I'm saying what I believe to be the truth. I warned when you signed I didn't think he could take a massive leap on and he hasn't, he's pretty much the same as when he was at Swansea when he had the better Leon Britton alongside him and Mark Gower to take some of the strain. As it is, he hasn't been missed for a single second at Swansea which tells you the story. I was right on Borini too but him being injured means he hasn't fully been able to show just how average he really is. Oh how you all laughed at me having seen them both play counted for nothing.
I'm more comfortable sticking to the cricket with you at the mo Rufflad. I'm not in a very good mood as my unit was binned from her job last Monday. The twat who employed her will get nailed, but it's a cu.t's trick just before Christmas.
Yeah, not pleasant. I got laid off three years ago just as my second son was literally about to be born and we were going into Christmas. I had four months out of work, over winter, while she was on maternity. That company went into liquidation, the ****ers, and I am thriving mate so keep that in your thoughts. Karma will come good.
Slightly?!?!?! The turd I just flushed is slightly better than Carrick... If people want to rate him, put your money where your mouth is and put him in your fantasy football team, people!
I don't think Carrick is a bad player at all, he does a job, I just expected a bit more from Allen, the way Rodgers went on about him you would swear he was some sort of genius.
Be realistic, after all, Rodgers was probably replying to a press question. What manager is going to reply that he was spunking £15mil on an 'average player he didn't think would improve the squad...
