02 Mar 2015 13:23:02
What I found impressive yesterday about Allen was that he brought a level of composure to his play that I haven't seen before. He's always been full of running and energy but yesterday he seemed to be more controlled and measured in his passing, which initiated a lot of our attacks through the middle. I'd always considered him to be a bit of a headless chicken but I'm glad he proved me wrong. I don't know if his performance was down to the space City left us in midfield or whether he is improving, Time will tell I suppose.
02 Mar 2015 13:27:24
His game yesterday was very similar to West Ham at home last season where he absolutely bossed Diame. It's a shame his injuries tend to keep him from maintaining that level
02 Mar 2015 15:37:54
I don't think it has anything to do with injuries tbh. It is more to do with managing him better. He has too often been played as a more attacking midfielder where he has to close down the opposition and get into attacking areas. He is at his best when he plays a more disciplined Alonso type role. Always making himself available for the ball and being comfortable in possession. I just hope when Lucas or Gerrard return it doesn't mean Allen will be pushed further up the pitch in a more advanced role.
Red Rum
02 Mar 2015 18:10:42
I was very impressed with Allen. He seemed composed on the ball, moving everything on with 2 touches. He's no defensive monster, but when you need to control possession in the middle of the park, he's probably our best player at doing just that. I just hope that the vast majority of fans will see his performance against City and stop moaning everytime he gets on the pitch. When fit and given a few games to prove himself, he's actually quite good and can be excellent.
02 Mar 2015 20:27:30
Never really had a prob with him because he has had several great perfs from him since he`s been here. I just felt that BR was using him in a system that doesn`t suit him nor the team hence, made him look bad. As for the game, what impressed me the most was that regardless of the amount of people around him, he wriggled out of them w/ confidence and ease. He also had the uncanny ability to pass with either feet with complete ease and non chalance. He is no coutinho BUT IMO, I don`t know if any of our midfielders are that comfortable on the ball in central midfield w/ bodies around him bar maybe Can. He`s been great the past few games and to me, he is a good player who we need in certain games and I would not mind keeping him.
02 Mar 2015 22:19:53
redohio
that's a good point. i remember back in the day we had a player called Ray Houghton who did exactly that, broke up play and started our attacks. he was a similar size to allen, wasn't anything special to watch, but just did his job quietly and effectively. one thing i remember about him was that he rarely lost the ball. he played alongside beardsley, barnes, molby, rush and didn't look at all out of place.
03 Mar 2015 04:34:29
The last game I saw Houghton play was vs Italy where he scored the winning goal at the 1994 World Cup in the U.S in one of the biggest upsets in WC history. Awesome!