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Joe Allen

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mxtravs

mxtravs

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Is he ready to fill the void left by Lucas?

Sometimes he can come into a game and really help us hold onto possession despite being under immense pressure. He never scores though, isn't a great tackler, and doesn't create a lot of opportunities.

I'm wondering if Rodgers is going to move Can to midfield and put Johnson at RCB (which terrifies me). I personally want Allen replaced this summer but I think he deserves a run out alongside Hendo for the next game.
 
I'd prefer to see Can take over defensive midfield duties if Lucas isn't fit tomorrow night.
 
Frogfish said:
I'd prefer to see Can take over defensive midfield duties if Lucas isn't fit tomorrow night.
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Not for me. I see the possible options as follows:

We could keep a stable back three against an attack that's on form and that has scored 15 goals in their last 5 league games. This keeps the back three solid but the central midfield is suspect, though it's not a competence issue but one of sharpness and form.

Or we could shift Can up, and then:
(a) play a suspect Johnson, who hasn't played for a few games, at RCB (where he isn't really good at... actually what's he good at nowadays?)
(b) play Lovren either on the right or centre of the back three; shifting Skrtel to the right if it's the latter (Lovren hasn't played for ages though)
(c) play the versatile but young and inexperienced Williams on the right of the back three (strangely enough, this is actually a more attractive option than the other two!)

I think the benefits of shifting Can up are offset by the potential (but very likely) stability, confidence and competence issues of changing at the back (and experience, in Williams' case). So I'm going with Allen in CM, and hope that playing in the last 2 games has helped him shake off his rust and find his sharpness again.

The good news is that Eriksen and Lamela aren't physical players whom Allen struggles to cope with, so he should be able to do his job. Besides, our CMs need to press and harry, Allen is always up to the job for that. Allen and Henderson have played together in midfield for quite a lot of games so the familiarity is a plus as well. We just need to be careful with fouls in front of the box as Eriksen's pretty nasty at direct free kicks.
 
He's not really a defensive midfielder and I don't think he can be favourably compared to Lucas in that position. I'd agree with FF. If Lucas is injured I'd sooner bring Lovren into the side and move Can up to DM. That said, I'm not keen on changing the back three and would revert back to normal when Lucas returned.
 
@Frogfish - okay saw your other post in the Spurs match thread. Okay, Henderson at RWB is another possibility, but I'd rather he stayed home in CM to hassle Eriksen.

This thread and the Spurs thread will converge (or already does)...
 
Bring Lovren in and move Can to DM. Until Allen proves that he can do anything useful he stays on the bench.
 
He really is a bang average player who shouldn't be in our team. The sooner he's gone the better.
 
Makes more sense to play Allen next to Lucas and let our defence continue like it is at the moment.
No point in shifting around the entire team.

We all know Rodgers will play Gerrard next to Hendo aswell.
 
Lucas out for for a month with a thigh injury

Can in DM.. Lovren recalled..

Do not want Allen.. Do not want Gerrard..
 
I think some aren't appreciating how much Can's ability on the ball has helped this three-man defence work. Skrtel or Lovren at RCB would be ugly.

I'd continue with the current set-up. Allen is well capable of filling in for Lucas.
 
dmishra said:
I think some aren't appreciating how much Can's ability on the ball has helped this three-man defence work. Skrtel or Lovren at RCB would be ugly.

I'd continue with the current set-up. Allen is well capable of filling in for Lucas.
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How is he well capable?

He ALWAYS gets overrun in the midfield and never seems to have any positive influence on the game.
 
superchimp said:
How is he well capable?

He ALWAYS gets overrun in the midfield and never seems to have any positive influence on the game.
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He's not been in the best of form, but your post is way OTT. Even at his worst, he's an intelligent player with a good work-ethic.

Ideally I'd like a DM who's more physically assertive too, but it isn't absolutely necessary if he knows how to play the position. Lucas himself is hardly the strongest player in the world.

Besides, he has a three-CB defense to protect. He'll do fine. He also does much better when given a run of games in one position.
 
dmishra said:
He's not been in the best of form, but your post is way OTT. Even at his worst, he's an intelligent player with a good work-ethic.

Ideally I'd like a DM who's more physically assertive too, but it isn't absolutely necessary if he knows how to play the position. Lucas himself is hardly the strongest player in the world.

Besides, he has a three-CB defense to protect. He'll do fine. He also does much better when given a run of games in one position.
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Why not just put Can DM, and move Lovren into defence.

Yeh he's not as assured as Can but Brendan has to give him a chance at some point, especially paying 20m for him!

Allen's an ok player, and yes you are right he works hard but does he EVER do anything positive in the final third, his final ball is wayward and doesn't ever look like he's going to assist or score a goal.

I'm done with having 'tidy' players who have no real meaningful influence on the game.
 
Why do people want Lovren back in?
He's a fucking travesty so far.
Did he suddenly get better whilst sitting on his arse the past month?
 
Zlate Nikolovski said:
Need to get rid and cut out losses, he's not worthy of wearing the shirt.
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I won't be so hasty to do that unless his attitude is poor or he's lost his skills / abilities. Some of our current regulars have responded very well to setbacks or confidence issues in their career here. As long as his attitude is great and he really has the skills/abilities we require, then he still has a chance to bounce back. It's a case of working hard and convincing Rodgers during training and then waiting for an opportunity to open up for him now.
 
Joe Allen's a good player. He's not as good a DM as Lucas, but he's a capable fucking footballer and he'll do a fine job in there.

Having Gerrard alongside him in CM doesn't help him. Or anyone for that matter.
 
That was better from Allen today.. Best I've seen him pay for a long while..

Hopefully he can push on..
 
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