Allen Resurrection (14 Viewers)

[WestEndAgro]

good today and good against Wednesday,, credit where credits due.

 

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[Saddlebrains]

Hes been fantastic since he came in

 

[SBT]

It seems that Lampard doesn’t really care for Eccles at all.

 

[Grendel]

Was very good today - again.

Don’t think he was fancied by Lampard at first as he was getting zero game time. I reckon he’s one of the first on the team sheet currently.

He is limited on the ball, there was a point today when a long through ball to BTA was on down the right and he opted for the easy short ball as he likely felt he couldn’t make the pass.

But his energy, positional sense and willingness to receive the ball have had a big impact.

He was getting zero game time as Sheaf - and also under Robins - Eccles - were always preferred.

 

[Ian1779]

Hoping he can be that experienced head we need. Kelly didn’t always play very game unless he needed to.

 

[Ccfcisparks]

He was getting zero game time as Sheaf - and also under Robins - Eccles - were always preferred.

 

[covcity4life]

It seems that Lampard doesn’t really care for Eccles at all.

I dunno if it's that he doesn't care but he clearly can see he's not as good as the fanboys on here think he is.

But he will work with him and I'm sure he will get game time still. It's up to him to improve himself.

 

[Hobo]

Another new contract needed. Great today.

He has always been decent for us when fully fit. He gives us options.

 

[ajsccfc]

Was really impressed by him today, there was one moment in particular where we weren't doing much of anything and a fairly simple turn by him suddenly put us on the attack, he offers that more than I realised previously.

 

[Great_Expectations]

He was getting zero game time as Sheaf - and also under Robins - Eccles - were always preferred.

Yes - this is why I said ‘he was getting zero game time’.

Not sure if you’re agreeing with me or I’m missing some sort of point you’re trying to make

If the former, great, if the latter please explain!

 

[junglej13]

Genuinely the best midfielder at the club in my opinion. He was really good today. Knits things together. At throw ins he the only player who ever provides any movement.

 

[Brylowes]

I’ve always liked Allen, think he offers more than people think & always fully committed.

I’m sure I commented ‘on a pre-season thread’ saying I thought he’d play a big part in our season & received pelters for it.

Really pleased to see him getting the credit he’s due.

 

[SBTasha]

I’ve always liked Allen, think he offers more than people think & always fully committed.

I’m sure I commented ‘on a pre-season thread’ saying I thought he’d play a big part in our season & received pelters for it.

Really pleased to see him getting the credit he’s due.

Alle

I was not exactly overwhelmed by the decision to extend Allen’s contract

He was instrumental in League 1 but looked lost in the championship

He’s been something of a revelation this season

Essential cog in the team, high work rate, goals assists and excellent coverage all over the pitch

Picked every week and you can see why.

This is still so relevant now

 

[pusbccfc]

Fair play to Lampard for turning Allen into Ngolo Kante

 

[Frostie]

Seemingly just me that's not convinced about him in that deeper midfield role?

He's had a good few games & definitely brings something we've been missing with his energy in midfield. I just don't think he's good enough as a ball winner or progressive enough with his passing to play that role longer term.

 

[SBTasha]

So is Allen still ok for our fit and style or not? I think yes but only for remaining season. 2 inches taller and he’s prem quality surely?

 

[fernandopartridge]

Seemingly just me that's not convinced about him in that deeper midfield role?

He's had a good few games & definitely brings something we've been missing with his energy in midfield. I just don't think he's good enough as a ball winner or progressive enough with his passing to play that role longer term.

Agree that I think he's best advanced and running beyond the strikers, but as an experienced head he is performing a useful role currently even if it's not what he's best at.

 

[skyblu3sk]

Allen is a decent option, Eccles is the better player. But a team needs what it needs when it needs it...

 

[Frostie]

Agree that I think he's best advanced and running beyond the strikers, but as an experienced head he is performing a useful role currently even if it's not what he's best at.

Yeah, agreed. 1st half he was a bit of a bomb scare but much better in the 2nd (like most of the team tbf). Thought it was doubly odd that when Eccles came on he didn't switch those 2 over - meant neither was particularly comfortable.

 

[ajsccfc]

At throw ins he the only player who ever provides any movement.

Find that so frustrating, other teams teams quickly get in back into play and their possession but we get a throw and everyone just seems to slowly walk away allowing the opposition to gather and crowd us out.

 

[djr8369]

Dreadful.

The first 2 are classics, the 3rd was a misstep but this one was just awful.

Ah damn I’m 3 years too late

 

[pusbccfc]

Allen is a decent option, Eccles is the better player. But a team needs what it needs when it needs it...

Not much in it.

 

[Cally Fedora]

I’d offer him a new contract. Energy levels and speed of thought that we need.

 

[skyblu3sk]

Not much in it.

There really is when Eccles is on form...

 

[mmttww]

I’d offer him a new contract...

Think we have an option to extend him for a year.

 

[skyblue_55]

He is showing the consistency that we expect from all our players, but sadly aren’t getting

 

[Captain Dart]

Think we have an option to extend him for a year.

Isn't 5' 8" tall enough?

 

[mmttww]

Isn't 5' 8" tall enough?

Depends on whether I'm catching or pitching, m8.

 

[Pusb1]

It seems that Lampard doesn’t really care for Eccles at all.

Eccles was strolling around blowing within 2 seconds of coming today. Clearly doesn’t fancy it, and unfortunately probably is at his ceiling already. Think Lampard has sussed that and Eccles will be a backup squad option for us mmoving forwards

 

[Balli001]

Think we have an option to extend him for a year.

Nothing about an option on the original announcement

https://www.ccfc.co.uk/news/2023/april/contract-jamie-allen-signs-new-deal/

 

[SBT]

I’ll be honest, bombing out Josh Eccles and extending Jamie Allen feels like a BIT of an over-reaction to the last few games, but let’s see how the rest of the season goes.

 

[Terry_dactyl]

Looks good in a congested midfield with 3 central defenders behind him.

Play him CM in a 442 or 4411 and he looks lightweight and lost.

Horses for courses I guess.
Fair play to him though, he's looked good since returning, and has taken the opportunity with both hands, and deserves to hold onto the starting place.

To beat a decent(ish) side like Brizzle with no Sheaf, Eccles, Sakamoto, Wright, EMC or Thomas in the starting line up is a good sign.

I hadn’t thought of that. Great point.

 

[JoeCCFCPUSB]

Disagree about Allen stepping with a contract in mind. I think he steps up every time he plays. Can never fault his endeavour. He leaves everything on the pitch.

I agree, he works hard and I would be giving him a 2 year deal. His ability, he isn't a top player by any means, but his experience and desire is important at this stage of our clubs development.

 

[The Philosopher]

He had a great game yesterday, but I think talk of a big contracts on the back of one decent performance is a bit premature.

Before his latest lay off he was often exposed as a player who lacked the raw physicality sometimes needed.

He’s been out a while, and he’s maybe missed the latest long term coaching which seemed to be “receive ball, slow game down, pass backwards no matter what and your passing success stat will look good”.

It was refreshing yesterday to see him run forward into space and actually attempt passes that might progress the play.

He also ran and read the game well, nipping in to intercept or block or close down passes. His movement to find space was also good which drew players away from our other players.

I’ve been critical of him in the past. Yesterday highlighted where our team on the whole has been lacking; movement, reading of play, progressive passing. Sheaf doesn’t do this naturally, neither does Eccles or Torp. O’Hare and Gus did. It’s clear to me that we need a player in the midfield to actually find the pockets of space. Don’t get me started on our totally gormless lack of historical ability to receive a throw in; our players just standing still.

Overall, great from Allen yesterday, but it just shows up where we were so badly lacking.

 

[rexo87]

Seemingly just me that's not convinced about him in that deeper midfield role?

He's had a good few games & definitely brings something we've been missing with his energy in midfield. I just don't think he's good enough as a ball winner or progressive enough with his passing to play that role longer term.

I agree. Hes been ok for a couple of games but he’s far too lightweight for me in there long term. Fair play to him though, sort of player who gets the very most out of his ability