I don't buy this. Anyone will look half decent with those kind of players around him, even I'd be able to knock the ball around to my CB's all day with that much space. My question is, when the chips are down and we need a big performance from someone to take the game by the scruff of the neck, what will he do? At least with players like Hendo, he'll pass it forward and make a run into space to try and open the game up or create something. I want players who can do something irrespective of who's playing next to them, not someone who needs better players around them to look average. Even Lucas, a quality defensive midfielder in his own right, regularly puts in forward passes to start attacks! Why the fook can't Allen do that? Why must the ball always go back or sidewards to keep possession? The lad has ALOT to prove next season if he wants to stay, especially when Lucas can do his role whilst tackling and Hendo can do his role whilst making forward runs or scoring goals. I'd even have Shelvey in the team ahead of him (and of course Spearing ).
He reads the game well and is very good at dictating tempo and moving opposition players around with his quick and accurate passing, he needs to improve by understanding when to be more incisive and to look for that killer ball and has to improve his goal tally if he's to pay further forward as he did at Swansea. I understand that some are not keen on him but I see a lot of potential in Joe Allen and I think he'll be another Lucas and prove a lot of people wrong. I also know that everyone will be happy if I'm right.
I disagree that he'll get more space/time on the ball. Any manager worth his salt will do the easy thing and get their midfield to press Allen constantly. Every team from Udinese onwards identified him as our weak link and got a lot of joy against him. When every manager you face can see it then it becomes a serious issue. If his standards don't increase dramatically then Suarez, Sturridge and Coutinho will just see less of the ball as a result. If Spearing had ever played as badly as Allen did he'd have been absolutely slaughtered on here. A massive improvement required next season. If we get that improvement then good on him.
When he started he was making plenty of forward passes, he's very comfortable in possession, that doesn't necessarily mean he'll just pass it forwards and backwards and I feel he got burdened with that tag before he even joined us. He's a very slight player who finds pockets of space and links the play up, he still has a lot to improve in his game and I'm sure he'll be the first to tell you that. Rapidly became a scape goat last season but in the few little cameos he player as a sub he looked pretty handy, notably the one against Sunderland (I think). Look, I'm not going to try and make out he's been amazing when he hasn't, he looked good in first dozen matches but from there on in he hasn't shown nowhere near the same quality, but it is there. I see the same qualities mentally that Lucas and Henderson have. If he works hard at his game he'll be a good player for us. For the record I agree with you in a sense that I don't quite know where he fits in. Lucas is a nailed on starter in DM, Henderson is certainly a better AM so that leaves him as a partner for Lucas, which Gerrard has nailed down with potentially more signings coming in the Summer, perhaps he moved to early in his career I guess time will tell.
That's true Billy, all the lad can do next season is prove to everyone that he's not the weak link, I know most of us agree he has plenty of potential but fulfilling is a completely different matter and I'll admit myself some of his performances were unacceptable last season. But the way he had Yaya in his pocket in our first match against City gives me a lot of hope for him and I really hope he goes on to be a success
Mate Yaya had a stinker that day though. He was definitely still on a beach somewhere. As is always the case we all want him to come good and prove his worth. I said earlier in the season he's got decent basics to his game and he is better than current form but that's simply not enough at the level we should be aspiring to. Yes he can improve but can he improve enough to be a top 4 player? He needs to toughen up, work harder and show he's got some big cahoonas
This is a good point, let not forget that we had a very tough few months where we were playing crap and that's not all down to Allen. (we seem to love a scape goat) But during in that spell, there was one player who always had his head up and was working hard to help others out to retrieve the ball - that's a good thing to build upon as even if he is playing **** and giving the ball away he doesn't just shrug responsibly and go missing - this is what separates him from Shelvey imo
Not a scapegoat because that implies he's being blamed for the losses. We didn't lose because of him directly, he just played so bad he didn't deserve to start. There's a difference
A scapegoat for what? It's not scapegoating to say he played terribly for large parts of last season. He did. It's not scapegoating to say he needs to improve massively. That's just the truth. He's been **** and I'm sure he will be the first to admit it. It doesn't mean he'll stay ****, it means he has to get better. We need very good players in every position. At the moment Allen's a passenger and doesn't deserve a place. If he earns a place then great but this isn't a charity. He gets well paid to produce a certain standard of football. Fail to do it and you will (and should) get criticism. Simple. Football can be a brutal business...some make it, some don't...that's not scapegoating that's just life. Hopefully Joe will come good and be a success.
Can I pull an MFG and just call it like I see it early doors? Don't think he is good enough and think we wasted money. Hope he proves me wrong, doubt he will.
Only 22 but has a good foundation to build up on - just like Lucas and now Henderson have done. I think we're in all agreement that he was good initially before a drastic change in form. I thought he was one of our best players during that early period - his ball control, retention and passing were all spot on, and he would win the ball quickly and efficiently. He may be lightweight but he does try and I respect him for that. He would always be in a position to receive the ball and relieve pressure. If we can re-discover this form, then he will be an asset.
I'm not quite sure what he is. He's not strong enough in the challenge to be a defensive mid, & he's not creative enough in the final 3rd to be described as an attacking mid, he's just tidy in possession & keeps the ball moving. With Lucas as a first pick in your midfield, I just don't see where this lad fits in & given what you paid for him, he should be a first choice not a bench warmer. He has to go down as a poor buy given the evidence to this point.
I think Allen would be good sitting alongside Lucas as another holding midfielder - unfortunately for Allen, BR doesn't play that formation. Agree with BB - Rodgers spoke highly of Allen in terms of his ability in the final 3rd but he has failed to impress me in that area of the pitch. I think he is best suited in a deeper role where he won't be under much pressure in terms of time and space.
