He had a decent game against woeful opposition and he looked no better than decent even against ten men. We're all happy if he improves and proves his worth. If he rips Spurs a new arsehole next week no one's going to complain but do you fancy Joe to boss the game for us against Sandro, Dembele or Paulinho? I have my doubts.
Question On the back of 3 very good performances from Allen (the latter 2 being his best for us) has any one at least begun to change their stance on Allen regarding him not having a future with us?
Same here, he still has a long way to go but I think the last few games has at least shown us what he can bring to the table, he put in the perfect DM performance yesterday.
Not really mate as most peoples stance has usually been "stop playing **** and start playing well" He played well yesterday but a touch of perspective is required here too mate, that was the most disorganised spuds shambles I've ever seen at WHL. If he can produce that sort of game against what will be an infinitely more organised City or Chavski midfield then fair do's we can start to say maybe he's turned a corner (or if he can show a decent level of consistency over a ten/fifteen game period)
I agree to an extent. The games against Norwich and West Ham I held my hands up and said that Allen needed to replicate them performances against a midfield that is deemed better than ours. Spurs arguably had their first choice midfield playing; Dembele, Sandro and Paulinho are all great players, before the season kicked off many claimed that Spurs midfield was one of the best in the league, so it's hard to take much away from both him and Henderson, they both showed they can at least match one of the best midfields in the league.. Well I should say better them, as they were unplayable yesterday. The 3 mentioned were poor yesterday, but that was down to our three in the middle giving them absolutely nothing, but also showing great composure on the ball and using intelligently.
Although I agree we dominated midfield you have to accept that under a manager who actually COULD organise a piss up in a brewery we'd never have had it so easy. I'm not one for going overboard about 'Arry as a manager but with the midfielders the spuds have available a Redknapp team would never have been bossed like that (whoever the opposition). If our midfield looks so unplayable against Yaya's wrecking crew or the Chavs "park the bus" midfield then I will happily say wee Joe might just have turned a corner
But if he does would that be due to him having a stormer or them being awful? Like last season Allen bossed Yaya, for then many just to dismiss it by saying Yaya had a stinker. Just feel credit has to be given to each one of our midfield, man for man they should of had more than us, AVB is a good coach but I do agree he got it completely wrong yesterday. With Gerrard out many expected the worst, but they all stood up and came out of their shells.. Allen received the ball in some very tight areas of the pitch but never once lost the ball, it was a very mature performance from him and Lucas and it gave us the platform to do damage further up the field, as I said earlier, it was the perfect DM performance.
But it isn't hard being a defensive midfielder when they play with what is effectively one up front and 3 holding midfielders. Allens worst games have come when teams hit him hard and don't give him time to settle but yesterday he was strolling around like lord of the manor. No bad thing from our point of view but you and I both know he will rarely get that much time in a Prem game ever again. Hope he can crack on from here because lack of confidence has been his biggest issue since the minute he arrived but I just can't take yesterdays game as evidence he's the answer to our midfield ills. Just for the record the City game last year was the single worst performance by YYT that I've ever seen (a rarity in fairness).
Don't think anyone expects him to be the answer Billy, I think yesterday highlights that everyone has to work hard for each other for things to run like they did. It's just nice to see him string a few games together and not look like he's a lost boy - like at times last season. Long way to go yet but hopefully Allen, Lucas and Hendo can gel consistently and help us through our tough December.
agree with Billy, still unsure on him personally, if he can keep his form going over a harsh xmas fixture list then maybe we could be saying well where does Gerrard fit in rather than ffs Allen is playing again, as that's how i feel currently when i see his name on the team sheet. as good as he was yesterday, the whole team demolished Spurs, if he can replicate that form against the chavs and City, then i may take him a bit more seriously as a first team player.
I cannot believe that utd went into an away game with evans and jones at CB and cleverly and giggs in CM and actually won. Villa at home are utter dross. They gave the ball away for all 3 goals! You have to wonder... you really do... god knows what utd will do next.
