15 Jul 2015 13:03:52
All this talk of bringing in more attacking midfielders is ridiculous. What we really need is a PASSING midfielder. Surprisingly, Harry is one of the only ones that recognises this.
Regardless of ability, Allen is the only PASSING central midfielder we have. Henderson throughout his career has always been an attacking midfielder, but does a decent job in central midfield and Lucas specialises in breaking up opposition attacks.
One glaring problem last season was the lack of options in midfield when our defenders were looking for the pass. Quite often there was no one dropping deep to collect the ball and start the passing. That became even more apparent when Lucas was injured.
Remember when we played City and Allen bossed the midfield? He dropped deep for the ball and ran the show in midfield. Remember against United when Gerrard came on and in the 30 seconds he was on (before being sent off) he was the best player on the pitch, trying to get the play going in midfield? Allen only performs like he did once in a blue moon (no pun intended) and Gerrard is gone. He was only shoe horned in central midfield anyway.
It is glaringly obvious that we need a specialist central midfielder. It has been an issue since the 5th August 2009. Almost 6 years! I'm sick of reading about how we are going to replace Sterling. How about we replace Alonso!
Red Rum
15 Jul 2015 13:17:37
That is why we placed an offer for Kovacic.
15 Jul 2015 13:26:37
People often slate Allen for sideways and backways. Yet they wouldn't want a CM at all.
All they fear of loosing lucas if Kovacic comes in.
I could assure you, Kovacic in all honesty would replace Allen. They are comparinng scholes to Lallana.
The reason we went 3 at the back was to stop conceeding goals, Our midfield has been poor from ages, except Milner we had a full squad last year and Milner is a static midfielder a programmed professional who is good off the ball and high pressing, Ask him to pick a player and he would just stand still.
15 Jul 2015 13:32:39
Exactly Indianscouser, Kovacic is exactly the type of player we need. Reus, Pedro, etc, as good as they are, we don't NEED them.
Red Rum
15 Jul 2015 13:37:46
You don't half talk some rubbish Harry
15 Jul 2015 13:47:05
My only issue with Allen is his confidence, character and self belief. He has the ability to be a top passing midfielder, but as a playmaker you need to be a leader. You need to show that you always want the ball. Sometimes Allen looks like he's scared of the ball. He'll pass and run as if to say, 'I don't want the ball back'. He needs to be the one the players look to, to dictate the pace of the game. He needs to pass the ball and demand it back. If he is to succeed he needs to come out of his shell. Maybe with Gerrard gone he might be able to finally do that.
Red Rum
15 Jul 2015 13:56:39
Red Rum
I loved Verratti when he was running the show against the whole Chelsea squad at Bridge. The kid was top class. I am not sure what's his goal scoring to assist ratio, But would it matter?
Kovacic as much I have seen at inter drop back and collects the ball from the defender and then move forward, pick the gaps and at times goes long forard. He is really good defensively and his passing ratio is the best in Italy.
We have seen whole last season Countinho dropping as deep in our own half to pick the ball.
15 Jul 2015 14:03:54
I'd like to also add that Allen is 25 now and is one of the senior members of the squad. This season is make or break for him. I have a strong feeling that with Gerrard gone, he will step it up and prove he has what it takes. I really hope he does succeed as he's a top professional and a nice lad.
Red Rum
15 Jul 2015 14:14:37
Since day one it has looked like Allen is just trying to hard and is constantly nervous.
I like Allen and think he is a intelligent, professional footballer who is a valuable member of the squad.
{Ed001's Note - he is just not being used correctly. He needs to go for the sake of his career, he will never fit in with us. Allen could go somewhere else and be a central figure instead.}
15 Jul 2015 14:19:54
I think with Rodgers situation being in a fix he would definitely give priority to a striker.Allen is really a curious case.If people don't pressure him he does really well,but when he has to come across more physical midfielders like Fellaini he goes missing.Also he didn't come regularly to collect the ball from defence.Especially Sakho was struggling to find a passing option because of this opposition started pressing our centre backs and caused problems which lead to most goals in the last part of the season.I didn't watch Serie A regularly but If what EG says is true than Kovacic will be a good signing.
15 Jul 2015 14:32:51
The thing is Harry, Kovacic wouldn't have to play cdm. He could play alongside Lucas as Alonso did with Mascherano.
A midfield diamond of Lucas, Kovacic, Henderson, and Coutinho would be a very good passing midfield. Or Lucas, Illarramendi, Henderson and Coutinho.
Look at Barcelona. They have/had Busquets, Xavi, Rakitic and Iniesta. All very good passers with different traits. Busquets sits in front of defence breaking up play and picking out simple passes, as does Lucas. Xavi excels at passing and linking up with his team mates, as does Coutinho (albeit in a more advanced role). Rakitic is a hard working box to box player like Henderson and Iniesta plays everywhere getting on the ball and running the show, as does Kovacic.
That is the kind of midfield we should be hoping for.
Red Rum
15 Jul 2015 14:44:08
Dont shoot me down, But we should have gone for a top class CM earlier in the window than Milner. Apart from Pressing off the ball, What eles could Milner offer us is something I couldn't unerstand.
Ed01, Could you elighten
{Ed001's Note - experience, quality delivery, good attitude, high workrate, ability to cover multiple positions. I can understand the Milner signing, it was just that it was not the best use of our resources when he had Henderson already.}
15 Jul 2015 15:02:06
Milner doesn't improve the team in the way we need to improve. He's a very good attacking midfielder with all the qualities Ed1 just mentioned, but where is he going to play? We have Coutinho, Firmino, Markovic, Lallana, Ibe and Teixeira who are all attacking midfielders.
And why shoehorn him into central midfield when what we need is a specialist? Good player but an unnecessary signing in my opinion.
Red Rum
15 Jul 2015 16:03:52
Milner is a specialist central midfielder. He was shoehorned into a wide role. He started his career as a central player and he was bloody good there. Don't you remember the Villa midfield of Barry and Milner with Young and Downing on the flanks? They consistently finished in the top 7 for about 3 years.
15 Jul 2015 16:23:52
For me Allen just doesn't dominate. Unfortunately he is a fish out of water at Liverpool. For the position he plays he doesn't demand the ball enough for me. Seems a nice bloke, quite unassuming. Maybe that's part of the problem.
15 Jul 2015 14:58:04
Thanks Ed01, But it would block Can the player we all want to see.
Redrum
Spot on, People want their fav names on the sheet than a compelete team. Look at chelsea, they have one specialist player for each position. If Matic gets inured Mikel gets the spot.
We buy shell loads of players, majority on the same position over and over again, then try experimenting.
A midfeield should consist of three players, One to break up the play, One to control the game, the other to contribute as an ACM.
Lucas would break up the play, We have no good CM, instead we buy 10 b2b players and 20 Attacking players.
Man UTD would look like a complete team with Carrick and Shniderlin in their midfield.
15 Jul 2015 16:55:55
why are we still talking about kovacic? It's not going to happen!
15 Jul 2015 16:28:36
Adam, he's an attacking midfielder. Whether he plays better centrally or wide is a different topic. My point is he shouldn't be shoehorned into a TYPE of player that he isn't. We saw that with Gerrard over the past couple of seasons. As Harry said earlier, there is a massive difference between a technically gifted playmaker and an attacking midfielder.
Red Rum
15 Jul 2015 17:17:45
Downing and Barry never played in the same villa team
15 Jul 2015 17:44:45
Its true what EMS said about Milner.He was really good in the CM position,but a midfield can have any mix of players.And a team can have any no. of midfielders.We exactly don't know the plans for Milner but surely he is a good addition.We have 7 midfielders with many games to play next season Can and Teixeira will get a good chance.Thing we can do is swap Allen with Kovacic,In that way we have 3 really talented players,without any pressure they can develop into good players.
{Ed002's Note - You are living in an absolute fantasy world.}
15 Jul 2015 18:22:14
Ed002 do u think we need anymore midfielders and how do our midfield compare to other top 5 teams?
Thanks.
{Ed002's Note - Taking Firmino, as a forward the club currently has (off the top of my head) Henderson, Coutinho, Milner, Leiva, Can, Lallana, Allen, Ibe and Markovic contesting probably three places. I think they are pretty well set unless some leave. If you are looking for numerical comparisons, Chelsea has more midfield players and will one or two more but has already plans for a number to go on loan and three, perhaps even four, will be sold. Arsenal have less senior players but need to make a decision whether or not the add another DM player or wait for the one they want. I suspect they will wait. Spurs are in the midst of ins and outs so it is hard to say. Stoke may cause a surprise or two this season. Manchester City are still looking to add two or, perhaps, three midfield players/wingers/wide forwards.}
15 Jul 2015 19:32:01
Ed 2, I think you are right about Stoke there