Pretty excited by this move. He is the perfect complement to Lucas and can provide the link Gerrard and the front 4. Can also play deeper and be cover for Lucas if need be. Swap him for Shelvy in last nights lineup and that is a pretty good starting 11.
Great signing. Really didn't know much about him until he was linked with us, then watched him play for GB during the Olympics and loved what I saw - he's a tenacious, fiery little bastard. His tidiness in possession makes him perfect in Rodgers' system (duh) and alongside Lucas, they are the perfect foil for Gerrard. Perhaps a bit high on the fee, but Swansea lost their manager and now their most pivotal player. We were always going to pay a bit over the odds and he's still cheaper than two of the players we bought last summer. Welcome Joe!
a great signing. a little high on the price-tag, sure. after last summer, a lot of fans are sure to be wary of history repeating with dowining, carroll and henderson (who i still think will be a star) and over-paying for mediorce mid-table players. that is understandable. however, a key difference with the two scenarios is that allen is a player that rodgers really wanted and knows in and out. he is a round peg in a round hole and fits rodgers system perfectly, and can hit the ground running with little bedding in time. remember that henderson and downing were unknowns for kenny and comolli. and by some accounts, were purchased simply because comolli was trying out his convoluted sabermetrics and targeted those two due to their "chances created" stats and who knows how much else. and it didn't work out for them last season.
http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/joe-allen-medical-photos Steamy Joe Allen medical photos. Why does the website do this? Pleased to have him on the team. We now have a decent core of midfielders.
Looking forward to Allen playing alongside Lucas and giving Gerrard the attacking freedom he hasn't had since the departure of Alonso.
One Welshman goes home and another one comes into the fold. He almost looks related to Borini. Hope to watch him play w/ a Liverbird upon his chest for many years to come.
Another good signing. And I'm one of the posters who get facial ticks when mid table British players are touted. This guy looks the real deal so I'm looking forward to Little Joe being a beast for us in midfield.
OK, now I believe it. I don't really give a hairy rats arse what he costs, that not my problem. I just want a man who can fit with the system, with Lucas so they can boss the middle, slow the oppo down in defence and back the forward line up in attack. Suarez and Gerrard were looking like they were getting a good understanding the other day, this 'should' give them even more freedom. Boney looks like he'll be coming inside a lot for a asymetrical attack with the new and improved Downing! on the right. It'll take a bit of weight off the CB's as well letting Danny move up and scare their defence. Getting carried away, let's see how it goes a week from Saturday. Away to WBA. Did I mention attacking fulbacks. Welcome Joey bach!
Ok I'm officially excited about this now. As I said elsewhere - its not sexy but Allen and Lucas are going to frikken dominate the midfield for the next say 5+ years. Teams are going to be so pissed off when they play us.
Welcome to Anfield. May you one day reach 500 or more appearances, achieve legendary status, and hear the Kop singing your name for your midfield exploits.
I still remember when Lucas was frustrating Man City by destroying everything Silva and Aguero tried to create. Good luck handing Lucas AND Allen now, Dubai.
The annoying part of this move is the fact that it took 8 years. We paid what we were going to pay and Swansea sold like expected. Why not get it done 3 weeks ago and get more training in?
It's probably tough to take a physical and negotiate personal terms when you are training for or competing in the Olympics.