I'm a big Allen fan - his qualities are undervalued and aren't glamorous. However, he is our best midfielder from a defensive aspect - surprising considering everyone would have thought Henderson was but Allen is actually more efficient per minute. Our problem last season was controlling games - hence why we conceded so many goals. Players like Allen are vital when we have a 2 goal lead and need to retain possession. You can't have Gerrard who looks for a long ball all the time, or Henderson who is technically limited. You need players who can adapt to the situation and Allen is definitely one.
Re. our full backs - we need a first LB and a first RB. J Johnson is god awful and I rather take a chance on the young Manquillo. Kelly has had his chance and I think he should be sold. McLaughlin is still developing while Wisdom is out on loan. So all we have are Johnson and Flanno who can play and neither of them fill me with any confidence. At left back - physically (minus injuries), Enrique is a solid athlete. The problem is his game intelligence and technique. He is capable but just seems to lack the concentration and application required at the highest level. I've heard from a number of people now about his lifestyle and attitude off the pitch so I'm not surprised Rodgers wants to get rid. Flanno at left back is a solid option but he's still average. People will continue to hype him because he's a young local lad who rebuilt his career, but truth is, he's a poor defender.
Agree with this. Don't see Allen starting many games but he is desperately needed when we are leading after 60 minutes to come on and settle things down. He will have an important role to play like it or not so we might as well get behind him.
Eye for a pass, fantastic positional sense, enthusiasm for harrying and pressurising and decent in the tackle. Joe Allen is very much the jack of all trades in our midfield, can play in any position in midfield effectively. Interesting to see many on here get Excited about Can for having virtually the same attributes, the difference being him being "big and powerful" and German.
Don't get me wrong, Allen needs to improve and add more to his game if he wants to be a regular starter. I remember Rodgers saying his best position is further up field but I disagree. I think his skill sets are better in the centre or deeper because he really is top class defensively. What I love most about him is his ability to find space and provide an option for the man on the ball. This Rodgers's side is extremely exciting and I'm looking forward to the new season!
The problem is that his strengths are not as visible or as noticeable as others. For example - Gerrard can spray a 60 yard pass and people will remember it. Skrtel can come with a crunching tackle and people will remember. Henderson can sprint 60 yards to win a ball back. No one remembers the guy who stays on his feet and pressures an attacker into making a mistake or forcing the ball out of play, or finding space and providing his team mate with an option to pass and relieve pressure.
I've stood up for Joe since the start. Decent player. Not what is always needed but a good option to have. You joined Tinder or been on any dates yet?
he's average can't deny that lads but i've said about 100 times is not an insult merely a fact... just don't expect much from a squad filler (which was utds mistake after all in midfield)
ffs, no one is saying allen is ****e, just not good enough to start in most or all of every ones starting teams. so no more ****ing allen love in please he is a good squad player to have.
Have to strongly disagree that Allen is our best midfielder from a defensive aspect. Countless times he has played a deeper (more defensive) role, he has shown he can be rushed, hurried and often turns over possession. He can be a tidy player, true, but can also be bullied because of frame. For every good game he has, he has just as many poor games. Our midfield has much better options than him, both in an attacking and defensive aspect.
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Allen to me is Coutinho-light. His pros and cons are very similar to Coutinho... he's just not as good as Coutinho and never will be. He works hard. He is good at creating- but terrible at finishing. He looks much better playing further up the field than in a defensive role. (The way Rodgers is buying attacking players I think Coutinho and Lallana are going to be wasted as holding midfielders next season... and Allen is also going to play in that non-optimal role) Allen is a very capable fill-in or sub. He's definitely not starting material for us- but I don't grimace when he comes on.
