i ask as i remember in 2008 the figures were given at 30k for torres and 29k for gerrard. so who knows today?
. Good point, I've been banned twice, I'll admit I deserved the first one but the 2nd one I did not. I didn't deserve my spuds ban I just picked apart NSIS and he got all personal and I get banned for some reason, that and apparently wumming on the mouser thread
If you are going to take the piss, at least quote it correctly my good man. He is 'The Welsh Xavi'. Equally as dreadful though (the nickname). I was thinking about getting Downing or Fowler on the back.
If I bought the Goalie top, I wouldn't be getting Jones #1 on the back, I like the lad and think he's a decent back up keeper but people would think it was my name, so Reina makes sense. Good to see Hendo in their, he's a grafter, just like us supporters, I can relate to him, I hope he holds a starting place this term, he's better than Allen.
TBF, he's been compared to both since joining us. BR said Xavi, the fans said Alonso and now we prefer Spearing
There's always added pressure on a player who follows his manager to another club to replicate the form that he was bought for and Allen wilted under the pressure, but he's young enough to become a very good Xavi/Alonso of the future. Maybe!!
Not only that but, no offence to Swansea, the difference in expectation from the two clubs is worlds apart too. Plus there is much more competition for a place and a manager picking /standing by you doesn't help if you're not performing as well as you think you should. Not to mention playing injured. Personally, I think he will be more Spearing then Alonso, hope I'm wrong though.
The club's do have different expectations but a club's expectations shouldn't affect a players ability, his performances maybe but not his ability, he either has it or he doesn't. I think Allen was possibly overwhelmed by the step up and added pressure. Out of interest would you have him ahead of Spearing?
I don't think it effects their ability but it does effect their impact when surrounded by better quality players. At present I would pick Spearing because of the heart, desire and passion. I love a player that is willing to bust a gut and run thought a brick wall for his team mates and manager. However, I can see that Allen is a better player and needs to learnt he tactical side of the game. He is not a big tackler so he needs to be able to read the game a learn to pick the gaps / spaces that the opposition want to exploit.
Allen was one of the best tacklers in the league before he came to us and actually his stats don't look too shabby. I think it's the lack of physical challenges that need to improve. http://www.eplindex.com/29389/a-defence-of-joe-allen-liverpool-fc-stats-analysis.html
But he also played for a team that where in the bottom half and needed to make more tackles than the Liverpool side he is now in. Both teams play keep ball before you point to Swansea's possession game. In addition, Allen wasn't in their side to be a DM, he was the Alonso rather than Mascherano in their midfield, Leon Britton played the Javier role.
http://www.eplindex.com/18616/joe-allen-leon-britton-lfc-get-right-man-stats-comparison.html This is a good site for meaningful stats. [Have a look at the form guide down the right hand side - pity we didn't manage it over the season - CL spot would have been ours]
