Allen was THE one that Rodgers wanted. We also had to pay through the nose considering we weren't supposed to be able to poach their players as part of the compensation agreement for getting Rodgers off Swansea. I think Allen's done alright but he's definitely dropped his performance level from when he first joined. Those first few games he got 90%+ pass success (only misplaced one pass in first game) but I would imagine he is nowhere near that now. I think Sigurdson would have made a difference to our signing had we signed him, possibly Dempsey too but that is more to do with us not having strikers.
He's ok, the game goes by him too much at the moment where he doesn't do a lot. I don't think he has an assist to his name this season and definitely not a goal. The goal i'm not too bothered about, but to not have an assist to this 'passing genius' is really poor.
That's a little harsh because you can't earn an assist by yourself, you need someone else to help out by putting the ball in the net. Since our biggest problem this season (much like the last two years) is scoring goals. This is the only area that I have consistently defended Stewart Downing, he gets out wide and crosses the ball, he was doing it all last season too but we never have players in the bloody box! It takes two to make an assist! However, scoring or providing assists isn't part of Allen's game, it is not why he is in the side. He is there to help maintain possession, be an option for everyone else and pass it on to another red shirt. He did this very well in the first half a dozen games at the club but he's not been doing it for a few games now and needs dropping. And I don't mean from the starting line-up to be brought on after sixty minutes, aka - the Fulham games
I agree with most of that mate especially the Gerrard part. However remember that sometimes it isn't scapegoating it's just commenting on individuals performances so far and Allen hasn't been good enough. The reasons you give are probably a fair explanation but as fans we are bound to demand higher standards than Joe has delivered so far. I watched Yaya closely at the City game (because he's a beast of a player) and he had an absolute stinker, it didn't have much to do with Allen. Joes biggest problem is that he was our biggest signing of the summer, a summer where we should have been buying for the here and now as much as for the future. BR spent big on Joe because he thought he would come in and improve us straight awa but the Lucas injury forced him into a decision he got wrong in playing Allen deeper. That was always going to lead to problems for the team as it's such a difficult position to play at this level (ask Lucas). Will Allen get better? Undoubtedly in my mind. He's got great, solid basics for a young player. Good passing, decent vision and pretty quick feet. He looks ridiculously lightweight at times but that's no different to how Lucas used to be (remember how many free kicks he used to concede after players breezed past him?). I actually think Allens got traditional Liverpool player stamped all over him. He reminds of Ronnie Whelan a bit. The kind of guy who will just do a job almost unnoticed but do it well. He'll be fine given time.
I agree it takes two to make the assist, but can you remember a time where he has actually created a goal scoring opportunity for somebody? Maybe one or two but i can't honestly think of one. Lucas does what you labelled plus much more, for me he is a player who let's the game go past him.
Can't argue with that, Lucas is by far superior IMO and is clearly our best option in the middle. Gerrard is next purely based on the lack of competition for his place. One of Sahin, Henderson, Allen or Shelvey for the third spot, I'd probably opt for Henderson allowing him and Gerrard to get forward
correct me if i'm wrong but the only way you could've bid for him was that if another club put a bid in for him.
Good post that. Hendo and Allen with Gerrard playing as a quarter-back behind them seemed to work v QPR. Saying that, it was v QPR.
Where is your proof of that? I've heard that but nobody can ever back that up, and Swansea never raise the point.
