Think you're harsh on Coutinho, MITO. Thought he was one of the few that actually tried to create - an off form Coutinho is still better than most IMO. Rodgers has not been helped by the injuries to key players. I hope some fans now realise what Allen brings to this team. Support to Hendo and Gerrard, calmness in possession, intensity in the press. This allows us to play the diamond formation. Losing Sturridge meant we lose our movement and runs behind the defence. Balotelli was never meant to be the one who leads a line but he's done well. I think some fans are expecting him to be the leader and Suarez replacement. The lad is still only 24 but his game is more about holding up and linking. He will come good once he has Sturridge back but he's ineffective as a lone striker. That's not his fault - it's not his strength. Rodgers should have put Sterling up front as his partner. I despise the 4231 formation - Gerrard simply cannot play in a 2 man midfield and it then limits Hendo's contribution. All in all - I said our attack carried us last season. Now we are seeing exactly what we would have looked like had our attack wasn't world class. Now our weaknesses are truly exposed. Hopefully everyone now see's how sh*t Skrtel is. Not buying a DM was criminal but not buying a similar type of player to Suarez was the worse. As mentioned on other threads - we had a scattergun approach to signing a striker. For me, Rodgers is the one to blame this season. Playing the wrong formations and picking the wrong players. 4231 does not work. Just play 4-3-3 with Gerrard as the deep md, with Couthno and Hendo in front of him.
he tried a little when on the ball but off it he didn't do a thing... frankly when we are allen for average and lightweight lads like allen we should see the issue... coutinho should IN THEORY be a far superior play to allen but if allen work harder he is more effective... there lies the problem. the business of allen should be a given for most players.... the things you attribute to allen are all true but any good player shoudl deliver intensity in the press, not trotting, and should be supporting the other two as well... I agree but would nto say just DM but proper CM we were short all year at CM and we bought a 20 year old only who should have been for the future and then we bought lallana who BTW works as hard as allen but is as lightweight as him. thats a total waste... and then to buy markovic in the smae position as lallana and I do agree scattergun approach to stringing was poor. IMO just get workers on the pitch for now cos by christmas 4th will be long gone and so will CL.
Stick to the diamond and make it work. Stick Lucas in the base of the diamond and let him work his way through fitness. It is better than seeing Gerrard being overtaken after being given a massive head start Keep Sterling at the top of the diamond Win two in a row for a first then try 3
It's not just a case of being able to press constantly for 90 mins. It's about knowing when to press and who to press. This is why Allen is underrated because he has game intelligence - he will find space in attack, and he will occupy it in defence. Simple things like this will give us balance. I agree - you would expect most professionals to be able to do this, but you would also expect pros to be able to use both feet but it doesn't happen. Can is a good signing (potential wise) but Rodgers clearly needed another midfielder. He is hell bent on playing Stevie pretty all throughout the season, it's ridiculous.
yes jimmy you are correct about that. its not headless but it it urgent and aggressive and looking for that moment of a not perfect pass not a good control or back to play etc etc. Yes allen seems to know when... but he's still lightweight for where we want to be and made of glass too. In short YES allen is an improvement on today but thats right now saying bottom half performances back up to 7th. we were looking to crack on and maintain that CL slot but that looks a pipe dream so I'm personally disappointed to be looking at rather having allen in to what else we have. Urgency and workrate are not like game intelligence or two footedness. Every player should have it to earn their wages and slot in a team so i'm disappointed in that big time. ANd YES I am also annoyed by gerrard must play all games... Play v everton should not be out there last night... period. at least then come on for a wee lift of the team but thats even gone now... I reckon if we did bring him on now having seen the ****e set piece delivery and inability to turn on the ball the team would groan rather than get a lift. sad but its time.
