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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 671
Under 18 Player
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Under 18 Player
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 671 |
That simply isn't true! Allen very rarely loses the ball, that's one of his strengths, I can't think of many times when he been 'out-muscled' but he cant us strength to win balls back like Can, Allen is to week and too short, Allen simply doesn't belong in deep midfield
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,104
Under 23 Player
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Under 23 Player
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,104 |
I just don't think that you need massive strength to win balls back, it does help but it comes down to timing and positioning, and Allen has that. But he isn't a DM, he's more of a holding mid, there to take a pass and redistribute it.
I agree that Can will be better in that roll as he's shown already, but he's still young so it might take time to adjust and I'm not even too sure the BR likes using a DM.
We need players like Allen, we can't have a squad full of superstars, we need squad players that are there when needed.
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 671
Under 18 Player
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Under 18 Player
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 671 |
Only possible role for Allen is to cover for Steven, Hendo, Lallana and Can, he is way down the pecking order now.
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,104
Under 23 Player
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Under 23 Player
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,104 |
He offers something different, for games when we need to keep the ball and some calm in midfield. How can we say Can is in front of him when he hasn't even played a competitive game for us. I seem to remember when Allen came in everyone was raving about how good he was during pre-season and the start of the season. He's got a big role to play, but his style is suited to playing against certain teams.
My choice would be:
Gerrard-Hendo-Can
or
Gerrard-Hendo-Allen (dependant on who we're playing)
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,381
Under 23 Player
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Under 23 Player
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,381 |
Allen will always try hard but he is just not strong enough and gets out muscled almost every time, last season the team get put under pressure and concede goals because of it.
Lucas simply can't keep up with the pace anymore
Can is exactly the opposite, many times in pre-season he stopped opposition momentum with his strength, he should be a part to the solution to our defensive problems along with Lovren.
I notice Can is going forward less than in his early pre-season games, it's becoming clear he will be responsible for assisting Gerrard, and now Hendo can go forward more often.
That simply isn't true! Allen very rarely loses the ball, that's one of his strengths, I can't think of many times when he been 'out-muscled'. Allen's strengths are holding the ball and keeping it safe, whether he passes it backwards, sideways of forward. He also has very good positional sense and unlike Lucas, who has very average positional sense, he stops opposition from being able to just wander through our midfield. Well that simply isn't true! I agree with you on Allen, he's a very limited player but keeps the ball well. But lucas has brilliant positional sense, that's why he shielded our average back four so well for 2 or 3 years. You don't notice it cause it's the ugly job but his positional sense is sublime, he isn't just there so they can't wander through, he takes up the position to cut off the pass and the run, forcing them to play sideways or back or risk interception by himself or a team mate closing down. It is hard to notice unless you play regularly and watch him regularly but it's fantastic positional sense. It's other areas of his game that let him down.
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 7,291
1st Team Squad
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1st Team Squad
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 7,291 |
The best midfielder we have had positionally is Dietmar Hamann, the only player that ever came close to replacing him was Mascherano but in a more destructive way. I don't think Lucas has great positional sense at all, hence the amount of needless free kicks he concedes.
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 12,422
1st Team Regular
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1st Team Regular
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 12,422 |
The best midfielder we have had positionally is Dietmar Hamann, the only player that ever came close to replacing him was Mascherano but in a more destructive way. I don't think Lucas has great positional sense at all, hence the amount of needless free kicks he concedes. for me mascherano is the best mid in recent years. he was one of my fav players and seeing him in the line up would give me confidence when playing best teams in Europe
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 7,291
1st Team Squad
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1st Team Squad
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 7,291 |
Seeing him line up alongside Alonso and Gerrard was gave me confidence against anyone!
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,381
Under 23 Player
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Under 23 Player
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,381 |
The best midfielder we have had positionally is Dietmar Hamann, the only player that ever came close to replacing him was Mascherano but in a more destructive way. I don't think Lucas has great positional sense at all, hence the amount of needless free kicks he concedes. for me mascherano is the best mid in recent years. he was one of my fav players and seeing him in the line up would give me confidence when playing best teams in Europe Personally I think masc is the best in the world at what he does atm
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