What stuck with me is Rodger's reply to Shearer's comments about Allen passing sideways. He lambasts him for not understanding the role Allen is playing and not seeing what Allen actually offers; ring any bells? I really think the issue is people don't understand his role in the side properly.

Allen is there to provide a reliable pivot moving forward and is expected and instructed specifically not to take unnecessary risks by attempting long piercing balls (Gerrard) or bombing forward to join the attack (Hendo) but instead to recycle possession in order to facilitate other more creative members of the side. I hear all the time people asking why would we have someone in the side merely to facilitate, and whilst that is massively unfair to Allen since he does offer much more, it is vital to our style of play. He is an excellent presser. He does the simple things marvellously well (easy said than done, just look at Gerrard and Henderson when they are asked to play the Allen/Lucas role). He is very intelligent footballer who reads the game well and has very good technique, movement, pace (for his position) and agility. He wins the balls back more times than most realize through reading the play and intercepting or literally poking the ball away from a opposition player (hard to describe, but if you've seen it you'll appreciate it - there aren't many i've seen who do this quite as effectively as Allen) but his defensive contribution is often judged purely on specific short-comings like his vulnerability when an opposition player is allowed a free run at him or in a physical battle.

I think he's a great player in the right system. Yes, he has short-comings, but so do many. I'm sure I'll be mauled for saying this but I actually prefer him to Lucas in this role. Lucas offers more of a shield defensively in most situations, but with our dynamic back three and their license to press high we don't need a 'natural' DM, as long as we have two deeper midfielders to share any defensive responsibilities and also offer more in other areas.