Ryan thinks Allen is boss

[the_khl]

Allen needs a DM and an AM around him. That's at least what I've gained from watching him so far. He's not strong enough to the DM position and not dangerous/creative enough going forward to the AM position.

He's got a great engine in him and I like his vision (when he's not playing blind back passes at least), movement and agility. He strikes me as a clever player but it's obvious he's finding it very difficult to cope with the pressure/our style of play/teammates/something.

I'm not too worried about him as he looks a proper footballer, if he indeed should fail here, we'd recoup most of what spend I believe.

The biggest question-mark is IF rumours are true that we are looking for a proper AM and perhaps a new DM too, how will he fit in? I mean in a few years when Gerrard's hanging up his boots there'll be less competition but if a new AM is being brought in come Summer you'll expect Rodgers to accomodate Gerrard in the CM role and Lucas/Hendo/new DM in the third spot.

 

[mark1975]

He's not been a scapegoat at all, he's been poor for most of the season. You can argue he hasn't played his favourite role too much, but then when he has he's looked short of the required spark and let's face it, you've either got clear, standout attacking instincts and blatant qualities or you haven't. It's like Henderson last year, Lucas a few years before. Hopefully the year of bedding in will stand him in good stead, but I think it's fair for most people to be feeling a bit short changed at the moment and it IS baffling that while we brought in two central midfielders in the Summer (one of whom has already been sent packing), we were left so criminally short of options in attack.

Would we have faired any worse relying on what we already had? Debatable, I don't think it would have had a catastrophically negative impact on results. Will we benefit from this investment in the longterm? We can only hope, but the initial assessment from BR that we were going to 'love' this player seems blinded a bit by his knowledge of the lad and his importance to a lesser side, the notion that he'll play for us for "10 years" is looking an equally unfavorable prospect too. Like with the manager though, he needs time to show he's upto the task, but labeling him a scapegoat was undone in the first paragraph of that article:

He combines composure, vision and well-rooted experience and all this at the tender age of just 22

Where? When? He might have shown it for Swansea, but we're yet to see it, so questions will rightfully be asked. If he starts showing one ounce of that ability then we might have something to cling on to, as it is he's looked physically out of his depth with not a smidgeon of ability to compensate.

 

[Piedro]

Mark that's excellent, you've been tearing up these boards lately sir.

 

[Ryan]

Yes Mors. I don't understand what he's there to do. As I said in my other Joe Sideways thread, you have one DM in a team (which is Lucas) so the other 5 attacking players should be contributing with goals.

And I can't see Allen scoring. EVER.

Yes he passes it around nicely and yadda yadda yadda but it's not enough for me. At least Xabi offered goals. You know, the things that win games?

The same Xabi who scored 15 goals in 5 years for us, 7 of which were penalties.

 

[Dahuge]

What is Allen's favoured postion? Actually scrap that what position will he play well in?

Sunday he played as the furthest forward in the first half and was SHITE, previous games he was playing in the deep lying role and he was SHITE.

It does beg the question where should he play, he can't play DM as he can't tackle, he can't play as AM as he can't score.

For the next few games I would bench him and go with SG, LL, JH that way Allen can have a break along with Sterling and then in Feb he can comeback and hopefully show us what all the fuss is about.

 

[MomoWASright]

What is Allen's favoured postion? Actually scrap that what position will he play well in?

Sunday he played as the furthest forward in the first half and was SHITE, previous games he was playing in the deep lying role and he was SHITE.

It does beg the question where should he play, he can't play DM as he can't tackle, he can't play as AM as he can't score.

For the next few games I would bench him and go with SG, LL, GH that way Allen can have a break along with Sterling and then in Feb he can comeback and hopefully show us what all the fuss is about.

I'd rather play Allen than Houllier

 

[Dahuge]

I'd rather play Allen than Houllier

You Sure?

 

[gkmacca]

I still have faith in him. He's shattered, clearly, and needs a good rest, but on form he's the one who can see all the options and pick the right pass, which, once Suarez, Borini and Sturridge are all criss-crossing at pace and interchanging positions, will be crucial.

 

[Squiggles]

I'm a big fan of Allen and in a few years time I think this thread will be bumped up and laughed at.

 

[FoxForceFive]

I still have faith in him. He's shattered, clearly, and needs a good rest, but on form he's the one who can see all the options and pick the right pass, which, once Suarez, Borini and Sturridge are all criss-crossing at pace and interchanging positions, will be crucial.

This is my opinion. Very much so.

 

[Insignificance]

I still have faith in him. He's shattered, clearly, and needs a good rest, but on form he's the one who can see all the options and pick the right pass, which, once Suarez, Borini and Sturridge are all criss-crossing at pace and interchanging positions, will be crucial.

It could be. But let us hope a good rest is more than starting on the bench next game and to be i troduced after an hour tk gain much needed confidence.

 

[Mors]

The same Xabi who scored 15 goals in 5 years for us, 7 of which were penalties.

Yes, but he lobbed the geordies from the halfway line, that's worth 25goals alone. Never mind his peno in Istanbul, that's another 50.

 

[Oncy]

All they do is pass.

 

[Insignificance]

Yes, but he lobbed the geordies from the halfway line, that's worth 25goals alone. Never mind his peno in Istanbul, that's another 50.

He missed the peno.

 

[Red_Water]

Allen was ace against UTD at Anfield and against City. That gives me some hope. He has been mostly shit for the last 10-15 games.

 

[Halmeister]

To be honest, if he's shit for longer than he's good we should be prepared for the possibility that that's his true form. I'm well and truly on the fence when it comes to Allen. But as it stands the money could have been spent more productively elsewhere.

 

[nealmac]

At present, I want Henderson a lot more than Allen.

 

[Ryan]

I'll admit, Allen was terrible against Norwich. This is getting really worrying now.

 

[Oncy]

Lol.