The thing I like about Joe Allen is, when he’s on the pitch he doesn’t look docile. He doesn’t look vacant. Some players seem to be so naturalistic in their play, like they’re acrobats or dancers or something. Just moving from one position to the next without thinking, all muscle memory. Allen always has this stern concentration. Like he’s thinking all the time. constantly analyzing the game on a higher level. A strategists and a master tactician. Look at the way he watched Bale’s free kick. And the way he celebrated when it goes in. He’s anxious, he can immediately sense the flight of the ball is good, but he also knows that if it rebounds or is deflected, there’s a whole other plan to enact. A new set of conditions that he’s going to have to solve. You never really see him explode with delight. When a goal is scored, no matter how amazing the shot, he always looks more relieved than elated. Because he knows the job is done and the whole process is starting over. I’d be hard-pressed not to put Wee Joe in my All-Time XI. I think he represents my favorite footballing archetype: the professor, the architect. The guy who’s running the whole goddamn show.