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Post by Pugsley on Jul 30, 2016 18:25:20 GMT
Is it only me that sees Allen as a niggly, dirty little ratter (in the best possible way...) in midfield that can more than play a bit? I think he's the perfect replacement and evolution from Whelan, and more than capable of playing in that midfield with Imbula. I agree, but we do need Ryan fit and playing all season behind them, ideally alongside a new bloke. We should be then quite solid with a shit load of attacking potential. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2016 18:29:16 GMT
SJW and Shaq will battle it out for right flank (SJW will win that battle with ease)  |
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Post by Paul Spencer on Jul 30, 2016 18:50:40 GMT
1. Allen didn't ever play the 'Whelan role' at Liverpool or Swansea. 2. Imbula has shown absolutely no signs whatsoever that he's interested in defending, indeed Porto got rid of him after six months because he seemed unable to play a deeper role. So taking both of those things into consideration then I think the OP's question is perfectly valid. Can Imbula up his game in this regard? We simply don't know, we'll have to wait and see? Can Allen learn to play the Whelan role? We simply don't know, we'll have to wait and see. Might Hughes decided to even ditch (or alter) the Whelan role? We simply don't know, we'll have to wait and see. Might Hughes (at times) play Whelan and Allen together and one of Imbula and Bojan will miss out? We simply don't know, we'll have to wait and see. What we do know, is that Allen is not a straight like for like swap for Whelan at this point. What role did he play then? I have always thought of him as a near carbon copy of Whelan. Intelligent footballer who keeps things simple and plugs the gaps others leave behind in the process. He isn't a goal scorer, I've never seen him as being particularly creative so if he isn't a Whelan upgrade at some point, you've got me wondering what the hell he actually is. In our formation, where Imbula/N'Zonzi plays/played. www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/joe-allen-liverpool-should-keep-11136084"No other Liverpool player wins as many balls on the edge of the OPPONENT'S box," Nothing like Whelan. |
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Post by davejohnno1 on Jul 30, 2016 19:29:53 GMT
What role did he play then? I have always thought of him as a near carbon copy of Whelan. Intelligent footballer who keeps things simple and plugs the gaps others leave behind in the process. He isn't a goal scorer, I've never seen him as being particularly creative so if he isn't a Whelan upgrade at some point, you've got me wondering what the hell he actually is. In our formation, where Imbula/N'Zonzi plays/played. www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/joe-allen-liverpool-should-keep-11136084"No other Liverpool player wins as many balls on the edge of the OPPONENT'S box," Nothing like Whelan. Well you've got me worried then because Steven n'zonzi he ain't. |
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Post by Paul Spencer on Jul 30, 2016 19:37:36 GMT
Well you've got me worried then because Steven n'zonzi he ain't. That's the POSITION he played. Can he play the Whelan position? We'll just have to wait and find out but people saying that they've seen him do it already at club level are imagining things. |
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Post by stokiejoe on Jul 30, 2016 19:40:47 GMT
Imbula has played in the premier league for half a season. Shaqiri has taken an entire season and has openly admitted he needed the entire season to settle in. Arnie was similar regarding defending.
Give the lad a chance, he may well surprise us
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Post by davejohnno1 on Jul 30, 2016 19:45:33 GMT
Well you've got me worried then because Steven n'zonzi he ain't. That's the POSITION he played. Can he play the Whelan position? We'll just have to wait and find out but people saying that they've seen him do it already at club level are imagining things. Fair enough mate. Has he ever scored or created a goal? Can't say I can recall either. He's always struck me as a "nuts and bolts" midfield player who does the unseen graft whilst keeping the game ticking over. Pretty much as onlooker described him further up the thread. Will be interesting to see how it pans out if he is as you describe positionally. |
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Post by riccyfuller93 on Jul 30, 2016 19:49:36 GMT
I think people may be underestimating aliens defensive abilities. He can put some cracking tackles in and his positioning is spot on. He won't be used to playing in a 2 man midfield though so I hope he doesn't ALIENate his team mates. |
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Post by stokiejoeofalsager on Jul 30, 2016 19:59:45 GMT
I think people may be underestimating aliens defensive abilities. He can put some cracking tackles in and his positioning is spot on. He won't be used to playing in a 2 man midfield though so I hope he doesn't ALIENate his team mates. Oh dear! I read that so many times and didn't see it! |
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Post by bayernoatcake on Jul 31, 2016 19:29:43 GMT
You don't spend £31,000,000 on two central midfielder and not play them in central midfield. He that can't be mentioned spent 18m on two centre forwards that couldn't play together! Hughes was going to spend 8 on one he later got for 'free' that he clearly doesn't trust to play up front on his own! |
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Post by themistocles on Jul 31, 2016 20:50:31 GMT
Butland ? Shawcross muniesa Johnson shaqiri Allen imbula Arnautovic Bojan Berahino/ Diouf/ sobhi. That team will get beat 4:3 every game |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2016 20:51:12 GMT
May be presumptuous or clever editing but he looked rather sharp in the training vid on YouTube.
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Post by march4 on Jul 31, 2016 21:35:56 GMT
Butland ? Shawcross muniesa Johnson shaqiri Allen imbula Arnautovic Bojan Berahino/ Diouf/ sobhi. That team will get beat 4:3 every game More like 8-3 Whelan and SJW simply have to start every single game when fit. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2016 21:38:21 GMT
I think Allen will play on the pitch alongside 10 other players
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Post by Fred Merger on Jul 31, 2016 21:59:59 GMT
I think Allen will play on the pitch alongside 10 other players  |
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Post by discokaraoke on Jul 31, 2016 22:03:25 GMT
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Post by bayernoatcake on Jul 31, 2016 22:05:31 GMT
So we ignore the last two years then? |
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Post by discokaraoke on Jul 31, 2016 22:13:44 GMT
So we ignore the last two years then? Bayern lad, no we don't, what Mark says applies to the last 2 years aswell. You keep saying that OUR MANAGER DOES NOT RATE HIM UP FRONT when clearly he does,  Just saying  |
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Post by bayernoatcake on Jul 31, 2016 22:15:07 GMT
So we ignore the last two years then? Bayern lad, no we don't, what Mark says applies to the last 2 years aswell. You keep saying that OUR MANAGER DOES NOT RATE HIM UP FRONT when clearly he does, Just saying He clearly doesn't as he has barely played him there. |
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Post by kustokie on Jul 31, 2016 22:23:38 GMT
Is it only me that sees Allen as a niggly, dirty little ratter (in the best possible way...) in midfield that can more than play a bit? I think he's the perfect replacement and evolution from Whelan, and more than capable of playing in that midfield with Imbula. I agree, but we do need Ryan fit and playing all season behind them, ideally alongside a new bloke. We should be then quite solid with a shit load of attacking potential. I agree and innot really sure we can assume Shawcross will be fit all season. Without him the defense is Swiss cheese. Job one is at least one CB. |
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Post by discokaraoke on Jul 31, 2016 22:25:28 GMT
Bayern lad, no we don't, what Mark says applies to the last 2 years aswell. You keep saying that OUR MANAGER DOES NOT RATE HIM UP FRONT when clearly he does, Just saying He clearly doesn't as he has barely played him there. Erm ok, i take it you haven't read what he said in the sentinal then. Bayern, i rest my case, you can not win this debate, based on our managers comments. Enough said |
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Post by ethers26 on Jul 31, 2016 22:26:14 GMT
Does any other Prem team have a player playing the 'Whelan role'? Or are we getting hung up on it too much?😴
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Post by bayernoatcake on Jul 31, 2016 22:28:03 GMT
He clearly doesn't as he has barely played him there. Erm ok, i take it you haven't read what he said in the sentinal then. Bayern, i rest my case, you can not win this debate, based on our managers comments. Enough said I have. It's wishy washy. Actions speak louder than words and his actions have been to misuse Diouf in his time here. |
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Post by kustokie on Aug 1, 2016 0:33:36 GMT
Does any other Prem team have a player playing the 'Whelan role'? Or are we getting hung up on it too much?😴 I've wondered that myself, Ethers, and while I don't know the answer I do know one thing. With dumbo on ice and a CB with a dodgy back covering the middle Stoke sure as hell needs one. |
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Post by elystokie on Aug 1, 2016 1:46:50 GMT
So we ignore the last two years then? You can certainly ignore a chunk of it. The chunk where Mame was grieving for his Mum. |
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Post by bayernoatcake on Aug 1, 2016 5:41:37 GMT
So we ignore the last two years then? You can certainly ignore a chunk of it. The chunk where Mame was grieving for his Mum. I disagree. He still played in that time, played well and was either on the wing or at right back. |
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Post by elystokie on Aug 1, 2016 6:52:24 GMT
You can certainly ignore a chunk of it. The chunk where Mame was grieving for his Mum. I disagree. He still played in that time, played well and was either on the wing or at right back. Pretty sure I remember him being away for a few games, also away for a month at a time due to ACON. I agree he should be given an extended run up front, I really like him and I think he'd shine, I just don't remember things the way you do it would seem. |
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Post by apb1 on Aug 1, 2016 7:05:17 GMT
May be presumptuous or clever editing but he looked rather sharp in the training vid on YouTube. What a life they have. I'm glad that when I came nowhere near being a professional footballer, they led a relatively normal existence and spent preseason running up sand dunes at a beach somewhere in England. 😊 |
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Post by bayernoatcake on Aug 1, 2016 8:17:00 GMT
I disagree. He still played in that time, played well and was either on the wing or at right back. Pretty sure I remember him being away for a few games, also away for a month at a time due to ACON. I agree he should be given an extended run up front, I really like him and I think he'd shine, I just don't remember things the way you do it would seem. He was away but when he was here he was barely played up front. When he wasn't here is neither here nor there! |
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Post by elystokie on Aug 1, 2016 11:03:38 GMT
Pretty sure I remember him being away for a few games, also away for a month at a time due to ACON. I agree he should be given an extended run up front, I really like him and I think he'd shine, I just don't remember things the way you do it would seem. He was away but when he was here he was barely played up front. When he wasn't here is neither here nor there! He played in 26 of last seasons games, 1269 mins in total, Glenn Whelan played the most minutes with 3174, so I'd say he missed a fair chunk of playing time due to whatever reasons. Your last sentence is a bit benjiesque for a thick fucker like me that's just done a night shift :) |
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