Joe Allen

[juniormember]

It's against teams with dominant midfielders and attackers that worry me when Allen plays deep.
He did very well yesterday, albeit against a side completely sat deep in their half, happy to allow us possession, and only looking to counter.

 

[Hansern]

Allen had a very good game yesterday. Maybe one of his better games in a red shirt.
He'll do fine.

We'll probably see Can moved forward in certain games.
As for Lovren. His two cameos now have been very good. Looked assured, focused and not overthinking it.
Think he lost his way a bit like Ming. Some time out may have rebooted him aswell.
Still time for him to salvage a Liverpool career. Hopefully he can step up if needed these last few months.

 

[Ryan]

Awkward.

Must be frustrating for everyone that he played well.

 

[doctor_mac]

Awkward.

Must be frustrating for everyone that he played well.

'Everyone'. By no means has everyone been slagging him, and there have been a good few who have criticised some poor performances whilst holding out hope for the player being important for us.

 

[tombrown]

How is he well capable?

He ALWAYS gets overrun in the midfield and never seems to have any positive influence on the game.

Hmmmmm

 

[FoxForceFive]

I think Allen is a tidy, capable, player.

The problem is in central midfield you need quite a bit of strength against a lot of teams in this league & he is pretty lightweight for a CM in the premiership, & it shows against a lot of teams, he gets shoved off the ball so often in games. I think he may be better in European games for this reason.

 

[cloggypop]

Awkward.

Must be frustrating for everyone that he played well.

He was decent enough but he would not make my best XI.

 

[red_maradona]

Allen is potentially the best heir to Xavi in EPL. However, he has not (so far) performed consistently a high level and is fair game for the criticism directed at him.

 

[Dahuge]

Awkward.

Must be frustrating for everyone that he played well.

Why, he played ok. Tell me did he dominate, the one time he looks like he was about to do something worthwhile he bottled it. He picked it up in the centre circle inside our half burst into theirs past a player - could have drove to the edge of their box and worried them, what did the Welsh xavi do, correct, bottled and passed sideways losing The momentum - that sums him up and why he will be no more than a squad player - no courage on the ball in the oppo half. For us he is a nothing player, not strong enough for DM and not clever enough or brave enough for AM.

As long as he is fourth or fifth choice for midfield I'll be happy as that's his level. He just doesn't fit in any of the midfield positions we need, somewhere else whose midfield is setup differently he might be better as he is tidy and can tick things over but lacks in too many areas to be a success for us.

 

[Dahuge]

Awkward.

Must be frustrating for everyone that he played well.

Oh and if you are using a game against crystal palace to prove how good he is then you know less than I first thought. Also as the deep lying midfielder they created a hell of a lot on the break, if that had been stEvie playing yesterday you would have crucified him for amount of counters they had, not that you have an agenda

 

[Insignificance]

Allen sometimes has helped us keep possesion and kill of games... But most of the time he offers nada both going forward and trying to track back.

 

[peterhague]

He's just an average midfielder. He'll never be more than a utility player to fill in as and when required.

He's nowhere near good enough on the ball to compensate for his physical deficiencies.

 

[Piedro]

Correct.

Credit where due, he did play well yesterday. But I think we all know he's not really good enough for where we want to get to.

 

[rurikbird]

Allen is potentially the best heir to Xavi in EPL. However, he has not (so far) performed consistently a high level and is fair game for the criticism directed at him.

I really don't get the Xavi comparison. The real Xavi does so much more than keep possession. Allen is not a lesser version of Xavi, but an entirely different type of player – a safe passer rather than attacking creator and playmaker. There are other players of Allen's type in Spain – not in Barca, but in teams like Atletico, Villareal, Valencia etc – humble, reliable midfield workhorses. Xavi is an entirely different species, he is a leader and innovator.

It's really incredible how someone's lazy comparison can follow a player for their entire career no matter how little merit it possesses.

 

[Fabio]

"ginger pirlo"

 

[red_maradona]

I really don't get the Xavi comparison. The real Xavi does so much more than keep possession. Allen is not a lesser version of Xavi, but an entirely different type of player – a safe passer rather than attacking creator and playmaker. There are other players of Allen's type in Spain – not in Barca, but in teams like Atletico, Villareal, Valencia etc – humble, reliable midfield workhorses. Xavi is an entirely different species, he is a leader and innovator.

It's really incredible how someone's lazy comparison can follow a player for their entire career no matter how little merit it possesses.

Within the EPL, there are few players who can argue to me like Xavi. Admittedly Allen is a long way from that, but dare I say it, he is probably the closest we have in the english league.

 

[rurikbird]

Within the EPL, there are few players who can argue to me like Xavi. Admittedly Allen is a long way from that, but dare I say it, he is probably the closest we have in the english league.

Fabregas, Wilshere, Arteta and our own Coutinho (who gravitates to this role, even though at the moment he plays more advanced) are probably the best deep-lying playmakers/AMs in the EPL. Allen has his strengths, but he doesn't even belong in this category with his 1 goal and 2 assists in 2-and-a-half seasons at LFC and chances-created-per-game hovering just above zero. For what it's worth, Henderson has more of a right to be compared to Xavi than Allen.

 

[Halmeister]

He's a decent player to have, but he's a squad player. Ideally we would want someone better starting the majority of games. My issues have always been paying £15m on him and labelling a Rolls Royce. Decent player, but we could replace him with someone who would do the same job tomorrow.

 

[Mamma Mia]

He's a decent player to have, but he's a squad player. Ideally we would want someone better starting the majority of games. My issues have always been paying £15m on him and labelling a Rolls Royce. Decent player, but we could replace him with someone who would do the same job tomorrow.

One of your main issues with him is what someone on the internet once said?

 

[Halmeister]

One of your main issues with him is what someone on the internet once said?

Well it's not an issue with HIM, it's not Joe Allen's fault he isn't that good. Perhaps it was poorly worded, it's not an issue with him. It's just something I don't agree with.

 

[Mamma Mia]

Well it's not an issue with HIM, it's not Joe Allen's fault he isn't that good. Perhaps it was poorly worded, it's not an issue with him. It's just something I don't agree with.

Fair enough. Joe is a good footballer but I'm sure even Ryan doesn't agree with the RR comment any more.

 

[rurikbird]

Can is the Rolls Royce now

 

[gene hughes]

Are Rolls Royce's any good?

 

[Mamma Mia]

Are Rolls Royce's any good?

If you can afford to have one without ever having to rely on it to get places, then yeah, it's nice to pull out the Rolls Royce every month or so when you know the road is going to be safe and you feel like being a little flash.

So I guess the comparison may yet be accurate.

 

[StevieM]

Whatever way you look at it - it's important that we have players line Allen in the squad that can come in and do a job.

He has his flaws - like all or midfielders, but I can't help thinking that an extended injury-free run in central midfield alongside Henderson will prove his importance.

 

[Dirty Sanchez]

Awkward.

Must be frustrating for everyone that he played well.

Didn't hear shit from you for the 100 or so previous games where Allen was a non-factor. The silence was deafening.
But when he pops up with a decent showing against one of the worst sides in the league, you come back to gloat. Congratulations for being a spanner.
Again - you're obviously one the site's best posters. Why spoil it by being eye-rollingly myopic about Allen? He's just okay. That's it. Nothing else. No Rolls Royce for you.

 

[Comical Aly]

Are Rolls Royce's any good?

Is xavi any good?

 

[Red Mullet]

Are Rolls Royce's any good?

The jet engines are, the cars used to be shoddy but better now.

 

[Dreambeliever]

Awkward.

Must be frustrating for everyone that he played well.

Was it awkward for you when Coutinho scored that late winner at Bolton?

I'm not sure why you think 'everyone' was hoping he would have a bad game or that they would be disappointed he had a good game.
Everyone wants Joe Allen to be a star for Liverpool. The problem is he was bought for 15m (5m more than Can, 6.5m more than Coutinho and 3m more than Sturridge)
For that kind of money you expect someone who will walk into the first team and command a start most weeks. His cause wasn't helped with hype like the 'Welsh Xavi' and you proclaiming him as a 'Rolls Royce' of a footballer. People expected a world beater that would instantly elevate the midfield. Injuries haven't helped but the bottom line is Joe Allen has not lived up to the hype or potential most saw in him before he signed.

He's been here almost three seasons now and he still isn't commanding a regular start even when fit.

So even you must see why many fans feel frustration above all else when it comes to Joe Allen.

 

[localny]

Was it awkward for you when Coutinho scored that late winner at Bolton?

I'm not sure why you think 'everyone' was hoping he would have a bad game or that they would be disappointed he had a good game.
Everyone wants Joe Allen to be a star for Liverpool. The problem is he was bought for 15m (5m more than Can, 6.5m more than Coutinho and 3m more than Sturridge)
For that kind of money you expect someone who will walk into the first team and command a start most weeks. His cause wasn't helped with hype like the 'Welsh Xavi' and you proclaiming him as a 'Rolls Royce' of a footballer. People expected a world beater that would instantly elevate the midfield. Injuries haven't helped but the bottom line is Joe Allen has not lived up to the hype or potential most saw in him before he signed.

He's been here almost three seasons now and he still isn't commanding a regular start even when fit.

So even you must see why many fans feel frustration above all else when it comes to Joe Allen.

This is Dreamys "facts" rant and he's kinda nailed it. 3 years later, still peripheral potential, sadly