Lallana is so Frustrating

[derry]

If you want to blame anybody for Lallana's drop in form blame Pardew and the coaches. The boy is trying to play the way he is instructed and it is not helping him or the team.

 

He played really well wide left, tracking back wide, stopping the full back getting forward and stealing in on the blind side, off the wing to cause problems and score goals.

 

The next thing that happened was that he was instructed to come into a more central position which denied him the space and freedom he needed and also opened up our left side. From that point we started to play hoofball up to Lambert and looked a lot worse for it.

[Andy_Porter]

Can't believe people are knocking Lallana, it really is ridiculous.

 

I don't know what people expect from him, I swear some people can't look past last seasons performance and that's why Schneiderlin, Lallana and James still get stick despite being three of our better players.

 

Anyone who thinks we should drop Lallana is mental, he'll go and score next week and the moaners will move onto their next target...

[alpine_saint]

Lallana in "not being to the same standard as three of the best players these islands have produced in the last twenty years" SHOCK!

 

 

Ah, so you agree its ability rather than age that counts ?

 

Splendid.

[alpine_saint]

Can't believe people are knocking Lallana, it really is ridiculous.

 

I don't know what people expect from him, I swear some people can't look past last seasons performance and that's why Schneiderlin, Lallana and James still get stick despite being three of our better players.

 

Anyone who thinks we should drop Lallana is mental, he'll go and score next week and the moaners will move onto their next target...

 

Cool, maybe Mr. Next Target will score the second

[John B]

Can't believe people are knocking Lallana, it really is ridiculous.

 

I don't know what people expect from him, I swear some people can't look past last seasons performance and that's why Schneiderlin, Lallana and James still get stick despite being three of our better players.

 

Anyone who thinks we should drop Lallana is mental, he'll go and score next week and the moaners will move onto their next target...

 

So you suggest that if he does not play well that is OK because he played well in November.

 

He did not play well last night thats all as one of the more skilfull players he should be having more affect on games week in week out

[Thedelldays]

I think he is at his level in league 1

[Andy_Porter]

So you suggest that if he does not play well that is OK because he played well in November.

 

He did not play well last night thats all as one of the more skilfull players he should be having more affect on games week in week out

 

He's not going to play well every game, even the very best players have poor games. He wasn't at his best yesterday but to single him out isn't fair on the lad. 12 goals all from open play, if we where linked with a midfielder who had scored 12 goals by Christmas everyone would be going mental.

 

Instead we single out a poor performance from a player who has been one of our star performers over the season. Much in the same way Antonio, James, Schniederlin etc get singled out after one or two poor performances.

 

His form over the last three months is enough to warrant him a starting place all season. The only problem I have with Lallana is the way he's used, Pardew doesn't seem to know how to get the best out of him.

[Andy_Porter]

I think he is at his level in league 1

 

Could do a job for the majority of teams in the league above.

[alpine_saint]

I think he is at his level in league 1

 

At this stage, I am inclined to agree.

[Thedelldays]

Could do a job for the majority of teams in the league above.

so can ryan smith..and he does...

 

lallana is better than smith...but he scores a few and rarely dominates a game at league 1....

 

lallana has plenty of skill but drifts too much in and out of form.....

[John B]

He's not going to play well every game, even the very best players have poor games. He wasn't at his best yesterday but to single him out isn't fair on the lad. 12 goals all from open play, if we where linked with a midfielder who had scored 12 goals by Christmas everyone would be going mental.

 

Instead we single out a poor performance from a player who has been one of our star performers over the season. Much in the same way Antonio, James, Schniederlin etc get singled out after one or two poor performances.

 

His form over the last three months is enough to warrant him a starting place all season. The only problem I have with Lallana is the way he's used, Pardew doesn't seem to know how to get the best out of him.

 

Of course it is fair if he is not playing well it has to be mentioned I would have thought.

 

I totally agree with Delldays above who seems in a more sensible mood today

 

If he had plyed well last night perhaps we would have won by more and be on our way to Wembley.

[Andy_Porter]

so can ryan smith..and he does...

 

lallana is better than smith...but he scores a few and rarely dominates a game at league 1....

 

lallana has plenty of skill but drifts too much in and out of form.....

 

Hopefully he will find a bit of consitency to his game, It's usually the problem with flair players that they drift in and out of matches and form. Even the very best players in his mould do that, Joe Cole, Luca Modric, Andrei Arshavin etc all capable of a bit of magic one game and then totally missing the next.

 

He's a frustrating player at times but I'd much rather be watching a team with Lallana in than a team without. We're negative enough as it is without taking out one of our flair players.

[Andy_Porter]

Of course it is fair if he is not playing well it has to be mentioned I would have thought.

 

I totally agree with Delldays above who seems in a more sensible mood today

 

If he had plyed well last night perhaps we would have won by more and be on our way to Wembley.

 

We played 4-5-1 last night in obvious attempt to control the first leg and just make sure we don't conceed. Everything went to plan, got the away goal and kept a clean sheet, Pardew has been fairly negative lately so I wouldn't be suprised if he told Lallana to play more centrally and help the central midfielders after we'd gone a goal up.

[Thedelldays]

Hopefully he will find a bit of consitency to his game, It's usually the problem with flair players that they drift in and out of matches and form. Even the very best players in his mould do that, Joe Cole, Luca Modric, Andrei Arshavin etc all capable of a bit of magic one game and then totally missing the next.

 

He's a frustrating player at times but I'd much rather be watching a team with Lallana in than a team without. We're negative enough as it is without taking out one of our flair players.

but they dont....

how unfair is it to compare lallana with players like that..

 

I am watching the game again on Sky and he tried too many flicks and turns when around the box....not needed..

 

has has the skill but seems (last night) to trying the fancy stuff again..

 

in contrast, seeing morgan again, he has added (or adding) a new dimension to his game...he was all over the place last night, covering all parts of the ground..shame he got a harsh red

[The Kraken]

so can ryan smith..and he does...

 

lallana is better than smith...but he scores a few and rarely dominates a game at league 1....

 

lallana has plenty of skill but drifts too much in and out of form.....

 

What a bizarre comparison; Ryan Smith has not started one game for Palace this season, has only come on as sub in a handful, and has scored the grand total of zero goals.

 

Lallana is now and will be in future capable of better than League 1. Not sure if he'll ever cut it at Premier level but he has more than enough about him now to be a consistently decent performer in the Championship.

[Andy_Porter]

but they dont....

how unfair is it to compare lallana with players like that..

 

I am watching the game again on Sky and he tried too many flicks and turns when around the box....not needed..

 

has has the skill but seems (last night) to trying the fancy stuff again..

 

He's been doing the fancy stuff all season, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, he's not going to stop doing it, it's just the way he plays.

 

Those players I mentioned have plenty of bad games, I don't really see why it's unfair to compare him with other players who play a similar position and role for their clubs. The only midfielder in our league who's comparable is Wes Hoolahan, no one else at his level imo.

[Thedelldays]

What a bizarre comparison; Ryan Smith has not started one game for Palace this season, has only come on as sub in a handful, and has scored the grand total of zero goals.

 

Lallana is now and will be in future capable of better than League 1. Not sure if he'll ever cut it at Premier level but he has more than enough about him now to be a consistently decent performer in the Championship.

so, he does a job in the CCC...?

[Thedelldays]

He's been doing the fancy stuff all season, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, he's not going to stop doing it, it's just the way he plays.

 

Those players I mentioned have plenty of bad games, I don't really see why it's unfair to compare him with other players who play a similar position and role for their clubs. The only midfielder in our league who's comparable is Wes Hoolahan, no one else at his level imo.

then, imo..he will have to be as good as Le Tissier, Joe Cole and Arshavin to be known as a prem player...

[Andy_Porter]

 

in contrast, seeing morgan again, he has added (or adding) a new dimension to his game...he was all over the place last night, covering all parts of the ground..shame he got a harsh red

 

Schneiderlin is another player I rate, in total agreement. Doing the dirty stuff well and getting the results. Just hope pardew starts playing him further forward when we play 4-4-2, if he could get 4-5 goals a season he'd be the complete midfielder we've lacked since Oakley picked up his injury.

[Andy_Porter]

then, imo..he will have to be as good as Le Tissier, Joe Cole and Arshavin to be known as a prem player...

 

I don't think he will ever be a premiership player, I don't think he is or ever will be as good as those players.

 

Was just comparing how similar flair players aren't on top of their game week in week out.

 

You just have to put up with the frustating moment from Lallana and hope the next time he gets the ball he works his magic.

[Thedelldays]

I don't think he will ever be a premiership player, I don't think he is or ever will be as good as those players.

 

Was just comparing how similar flair players aren't on top of their game week in week out.

 

You just have to put up with the frustating moment from Lallana and hope the next time he gets the ball he works his magic.

agree....I too think he is frustrating as he has real natural talent..but watching him again right now on sky, he made real poor choices last night.

 

hopefully, the next leg, the pitch at SMS will be to his advantage

[The Kraken]

so, he does a job in the CCC...?

 

Yes mate, he clearly does a great job in the CCC. His 6 substitute appearances are testament to that, my mistake. Carry on.

[Gemmel]

I think he is at his level in league 1

 

absolute rubbish

[Avenue Saint]

wasnt fully fit yesterday, nearly missed game..

[S-Clarke]

#Saintsfc Boss Alan Pardew tells BBC Radio Solent Adam Lallana needs to fluff his wings up a bit and show a little more belief in himself

[Channon's Sideburns]

Haha...oh look - even the manager thinks he needs to 'fluff up his wings a bit' - which translates into 'pull your finger out' to me. (in a nice management way of course).

[The Kraken]

Haha...oh look - even the manager thinks he needs to 'fluff up his wings a bit' - which translates into 'pull your finger out' to me. (in a nice management way of course).

 

And he's certainly right; as most have suggested on this thread his performances of late have fallen short of the high standards he set for himself earlier in the season.

 

But I'm pretty sure Pardew is suggesting that he's a much better player than we've seen of late, and is capable of playing a good deal better (and higher) than we're seeing now.

[Smirking_Saint]

FFS, it's simple, he is being played out of games. Coaches aren't stupid, they are a damn sight more intelligent than you lot and me (though with some comments on here thats not hard)

 

Its a constant sh*t flinging exercise on this forum isn't it ?? First James, then spiderman now lallana, all are very much our better performers this year.

 

Watch the f*cking game people, when lallana has the ball he is penned in by 2-3 players and same with lambert when he has the ball and has a player behind and infront when the ball is hoofed.

 

Lallana is a player that can make things happen, only one piece of skill needs to come off to for a goal. And when he is in the game defenders are pre-occupied with nulliufying his threat. Why do you think they started to come at us when he was off the pitch ?? Releasing their full back ??

 

Get a grip people.

[Thedelldays]

FFS, it's simple, he is being played out of games. Coaches aren't stupid, they are a damn sight more intelligent than you lot and me (though with some comments on here thats not hard)

 

Its a constant sh*t flinging exercise on this forum isn't it ?? First James, then spiderman now lallana, all are very much our better performers this year.

 

Watch the f*cking game people, when lallana has the ball he is penned in by 2-3 players and same with lambert when he has the ball and has a player behind and infront when the ball is hoofed.

 

Lallana is a player that can make things happen, only one piece of skill needs to come off to for a goal. And when he is in the game defenders are pre-occupied with nulliufying his threat. Why do you think they started to come at us when he was off the pitch ?? Releasing their full back ??

 

Get a grip people.

 

 

I just have re watched it on sky...a few times he was not penned in..one time in particular he had a one-on-one and fluffed the shot...then he had another shooting chance in the 2nd half and started to do famcy turns in the box for no reason and lost the ball...

 

he is a decent player with lots of skill..but needs to up his consistance rate if he is going to stay with us up the leagues..

 

even pards said the only players he thinks right now can play at a higher level Fonte and Lambert

[Smirking_Saint]

I just have re watched it on sky...a few times he was not penned in..one time in particular he had a one-on-one and fluffed the shot...then he had another shooting chance in the 2nd half and started to do famcy turns in the box for no reason and lost the ball...

 

he is a decent player with lots of skill..but needs to up his consistance rate if he is going to stay with us up the leagues..

 

even pards said the only players he thinks right now can play at a higher level Fonte and Lambert

 

Lambert will never make a premier league striker

[Channon's Sideburns]

FFS, it's simple, he is being played out of games. Coaches aren't stupid, they are a damn sight more intelligent than you lot and me (though with some comments on here thats not hard)

 

Its a constant sh*t flinging exercise on this forum isn't it ?? First James, then spiderman now lallana, all are very much our better performers this year.

 

Watch the f*cking game people, when lallana has the ball he is penned in by 2-3 players and same with lambert when he has the ball and has a player behind and infront when the ball is hoofed.

 

Lallana is a player that can make things happen, only one piece of skill needs to come off to for a goal. And when he is in the game defenders are pre-occupied with nulliufying his threat. Why do you think they started to come at us when he was off the pitch ?? Releasing their full back ??

 

Get a grip people.

 

So what were you alluding to this morning about his 'head being turned in Dec' then?

 

Kind of p1sses on a lot of theories on here about (tiredness/played out of position/can't perform for 90mins *delete as appropriate) doesn't it if that were the case??

 

Care to elaborate?

 

 

I'm sick of people making excuses for him. His performances are down to HIM - not Pardew, not even Edna the Tea Lady...although a few would rather blame her than the player.....

[Smirking_Saint]

So what were you alluding to this morning about his 'head being turned in Dec' then?

 

Kind of p1sses on a lot of theories on here about (tiredness/played out of position/can't perform for 90mins *delete as appropriate) doesn't it if that were the case??

 

Care to elaborate?

 

 

I'm sick of people making excuses for him. His performances are down to HIM - not Pardew, not even Edna the Tea Lady...although a few would rather blame her than the player.....

 

Yeah i agree he is not at his full game at the moment, but it is not all down to him and although not at the top of his game he still helps out the team an aweful lot and i would hazard a guess we would have been in a lot more trouble last night without him.

[adelfas31]

If you look at most fan opinion, it is based on very short term views, yet all players come and go. Even Matty had his quiet periods - everyone does. But no-one who has seen all games last year and this, can deny that Adam has progressed. He was terrific until Hartlepool this season and has been relatively quiet since. But doesn't the form of all young players come and go to some extent? Give him some time and he'll be back. His touch is top 4 of the Prem good, he reads the game well, he retains possession better than anyone else in the team. If he had pace, he wouldn't be here. But he'll be back - just give him some time.

[JustMike]

Complex b*ll*cks written by a total tool.

 

There are other types of fatigue than just running around a picth kicking a ball.

 

You get a grip Mrs. Lallana.

 

Barry the badger was right, its not comparable, complete different thing. As for the total tool remark, mirror and look into spring to mind

[AndyNorthernSaints]

I see the usual two posters are here again slagging off one our best young payers who has had a dip in form.

 

GBTTFFS!!!!!!!!

[John B]

Lambert will never make a premier league striker

 

I have to agree

[suewhistle]

Perhaps some of the criticism is due to disappoint in not always seeing what we know he can do, but some of the criticism is excessive. I'm sure he could do a job in a higher division: for starters he'd be surrounded by better players and wouldn't lose the ball by over-elaborating as he waits for support or off-the ball movement.

 

I didn't see the second half but on my dodgy internet feed it was fairly obvious in the first half that we were concentrating on stopping MK, but how different would our opinions be if Antonio had squared the ball to his great and unmarked late run and he'd tucked the ball away. Shame about his grub kick in front of goal, but right place and time, and another day he might have had two.

 

He recently doesn't look as fresh going forward, but he's added defensive strength to his game. For all the criticism, who would we want - and get - as an alternative? He'd be very difficult to replace, in my opinion.

 

Finally, do people really need to make comments such as "complete b*ll*cks written by a total tool"? Express your opinions by all means but personally I think it reflects more on the poster. Completely unnecessary.

[Channon's Sideburns]

I see the usual two posters are here again slagging off one our best young payers who has had a dip in form.

 

GBTTFFS!!!!!!!!

 

I for one am behind the team.

 

But, as I'm sure you will agree, we cannot yet be in the situation at the club where players get picked because of reputation over their form.

 

Our options are greater than they were this time last year, so with that in mind I'm sure that is what Pardew is on about with his 'fluff his wings' routine.

 

Nice to see you judge me as one of the 'usual two posters'...I'm honoured.

 

I just happen to think it's a little over the top to consider AL in the same category as MLT. What is wrong with that??

 

We seem to be putting him on a pedestal as if he's untouchable team selection wise.

 

Everyone has to EARN their place. Some are too quick to forget that.

[Chez]

wasnt fully fit yesterday, nearly missed game..

 

typifies the guy. Works his socks off on saturday then plays Wednesday despite being injured. I pity the supporters that don't understand the game enough to see what he offers both now and potentially in the future. You have to have patience with young players learning their trade. Just look at Le Tiss and his career at Southampton. You won't see a better player in a Saints shirt ever, but even he had his ups and down in the early years.

Edited 21 January, 2010 by Chez

[AndyNorthernSaints]

I for one am behind the team.

 

But, as I'm sure you will agree, we cannot yet be in the situation at the club where players get picked because of reputation over their form.

 

Our options are greater than they were this time last year, so with that in mind I'm sure that is what Pardew is on about with his 'fluff his wings' routine.

 

Nice to see you judge me as one of the 'usual two posters'...I'm honoured.

 

I just happen to think it's a little over the top to consider AL in the same category as MLT. What is wrong with that??

 

We seem to be putting him on a pedestal as if he's untouchable team selection wise.

 

Everyone has to EARN their place. Some are too quick to forget that.

 

I didn't mean you. I was talking about the two most known posters on here who have previously/constantly slagged off Lallana on many occassions earlier in the season. They went uet when he was scoring fo fun for a period an have nw returned folwing a dip in form.

 

Lallana has scored 12 goals from midfield this season. I think only Hoolahan at Norwich has more from midfield? young players always have dips in form.

[The Kraken]

I just happen to think it's a little over the top to consider AL in the same category as MLT. What is wrong with that??

 

It seems that the only person comparing Lallana to MLT in this thread is you.

[John B]

We played 4-5-1 last night in obvious attempt to control the first leg and just make sure we don't conceed. Everything went to plan, got the away goal and kept a clean sheet, Pardew has been fairly negative lately so I wouldn't be suprised if he told Lallana to play more centrally and help the central midfielders after we'd gone a goal up.

 

So Lallana played badly last night because we were 1 0 up and Pardew did not want us to score anymore - appears a little far fetched to me.

[Thedelldays]

I didn't mean you. I was talking about the two most known posters on here who have previously/constantly slagged off Lallana on many occassions earlier in the season. They went uet when he was scoring fo fun for a period an have nw returned folwing a dip in form.

 

Lallana has scored 12 goals from midfield this season. I think only Hoolahan at Norwich has more from midfield? young players always have dips in form.

I dont know how many times I have to mention in a post that I think Lallana is a good player..just that he was shyte last night..and rightly subbed...

 

thankfully pardew does not seem to keep a player on the pitch who is not performing..and now has given him a public gesture to up his game..

 

nothing wrong with that...when lallana is on form he is a cracking player..but STILL too inconsistant really

[david in sweden]

Why is it the boy continues to frustrate me whenever he has a purple patch he then follows it with months of in all honesty very average performances. Last season the final 4 months he was really poor and on last nights evidence he is going the same way.

 

 

The lad is a good talent, but with his (lack of) experience, you can't expect goals every week or any consistancy.

 

Those of us with longer memories can recall that young players like Chivers, Channon and even Shearer took 1-2 seasons to really hit form and all three had to wait almost 18 months after debut to be a regular on the team sheet.

 

Players like Trevor Francis (a super sub at 16) for Birmingham, and Wayne Rooney at Everton weren't rushed into the first team directly and were given a chance to "play themselves in ". I think AL is a good talent - he needs time and patience from the fans.

[Toadhall Saint]

To me, he's look knackered for the last few games and is in desperate need of a rest.

 

Thats exactly how I see it - he needs a game off. I think AP will start to rotate the players more if and when we sign two more.

[alpine_saint]

I see the usual two posters are here again slagging off one our best young payers who has had a dip in form.

 

GBTTFFS!!!!!!!!

 

And the usual foot-stampers are screetching at anyone who dares to question a player, the manager, the team or the club.

 

I was harsh in calling Lallana a f**ker. But the orginal post is correct: he is a reasonable yet frustrating player, has potential to play at a higher level, but is woefully inconsistent and not dependable.

 

We cannot afford the luxury of him and Schneiderlin in our midfield, imo.

[gary r]

got in some great positions last night but then tried to be ****y and last it to manner times

[modern matron]

And the usual foot-stampers are screetching at anyone who dares to question a player, the manager, the team or the club.

 

I was harsh in calling Lallana a f**ker. But the orginal post is correct: he is a reasonable yet frustrating player, has potential to play at a higher level, but is woefully inconsistent and not dependable.

 

We cannot afford the luxury of him and Schneiderlin in our midfield, imo.

 

What a weird poster you are. I genuinely think you ENJOY thinking up some negative crap to post on here. AL is a fantastic player who is key to our success or failure. If he leaves who do you want to replace him? Perhaps you should think about that before you call him a ****er.

 

Sorry you are an idiot who presumably never watches any games anyway...sickening!!!!

[Andy_Porter]

And the usual foot-stampers are screetching at anyone who dares to question a player, the manager, the team or the club.

 

I was harsh in calling Lallana a f**ker. But the orginal post is correct: he is a reasonable yet frustrating player, has potential to play at a higher level, but is woefully inconsistent and not dependable.

 

We cannot afford the luxury of him and Schneiderlin in our midfield, imo.

 

Yeah lets get rid of Lallana and Schneiderlin and bring in Holmes and Wotton, we'd win loads.

 

I can sort of understand the twisted logic in dropping Lallana even though he's scored 12 goals all from open play but Scheniderlin? Why drop him? he's head and shoulders above Hammond in nearly every department he isn't what i'd consider a luxury player at all. Maybe last season he could be seen as such but he's added a lot to his game over the last 12 months.

[Andy_Porter]

So Lallana played badly last night because we were 1 0 up and Pardew did not want us to score anymore - appears a little far fetched to me.

 

It's clear as day that Pardew has asked Adam over recent weeks to play more centrally when he plays on the left to help out the central midfielders. He's far more effective when he stay out wide.

 

Why Pardew's asked him to play like that's beyond me, we've got the players to go out and attack every team in this league but we're playing quite negative stuff at the moment.