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Allen's key season – Chris hopes to build on solid foundations
WITH 10 senior appearances under his belt in his first season as a professional, Chris Allen can look back on 2007/08 with a great deal of pride.
But as Maurice Malpas's men relax in the sunshine over the summer months, Town youth product Allen is already plotting his assault on what he claims is his biggest season yet'.
Rather than reflect on what has gone, the 19-year-old is already setting his sights on the future - insisting all the hard work of the last nine months would have been for nothing if he fails to build on it next time round.
While another former youth team player at the County Ground, Michael Pook, continues to look for pastures new after being told he will not get regular football in Wiltshire, Allen is determined not to become the latest starlet to not make the grade in Swindon.
He said: "From a personal point of view I started nearly 10 games in my first season as a pro and that was good. I have to be pleased with that.
"I knew that once I got my chance it was down to me to take it and I did that at first. It was a shame I got the injury when I did and then I did not really get another chance until Saturday.
"But all in all I played nearly 10 games this season and I have to build on it for next season. This season will have been pointless if I don't kick on next time round.
"This is going to be the biggest season in my career so far because I need to kick on. I also need a new contract at the end of the year."
While Allen is planning on remaining a Robin for the long-term, this summer sees the likes of Andy Nicholas, Kaid Mohamed, Sofi Zaaboub and probably Pook waving goodbye to Town.
But Devizes-born Allen is determined to ensure he earns a new deal next summer, insisting good times are ahead for the often troubled club.
"I have seen what the lads are going through at the moment who have been released," he said. "It is never nice when someone has to find a new club especially when they are settled here.
"You don't get long to look for a club either and, although we have kept the core of the side together, one or two are leaving and you do feel for them.
"I have been a Swindon fan for a long time and this is the best position the club has been in for a long time. There is a real strong backbone to the club. They are financially very secure and are slowly improving as a club in the field.
"In the end we did not finish that far off the play-offs. When you think we went on a run with just one win in about 14 you do think what might have been."
9:18am Wednesday 14th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: RobD, Shaw on 9:56am Wed 14 May 08
Good Luck to Chris Allen, he's shown more already for me than Pook ever has. He's a ball player as well, which is a nice change from the more combative midfielders you usually get down here. Like a League One Xavi.
Good Luck to Chris Allen, he's shown more already for me than Pook ever has. He's a ball player as well, which is a nice change from the more combative midfielders you usually get down here. Like a League One Xavi.
Posted by: STFCHero, Swindon on 10:10am Wed 14 May 08
Pook is not good enough mate, some of Allens passing can be top quality mate! I think Pook is a better tackler but the back room boys can work on Allen
Pook is not good enough mate, some of Allens passing can be top quality mate! I think Pook is a better tackler but the back room boys can work on Allen
Posted by: s.lovesey, Swindon on 10:47am Wed 14 May 08
Pook is a swindon fan, for that he gets my respect, but as a league 1 player, no thank you !!! I haven't seen that much of Allen but what I have seen he looks promising for the future....
Pook is a swindon fan, for that he gets my respect, but as a league 1 player, no thank you !!! I haven't seen that much of Allen but what I have seen he looks promising for the future....
Posted by: STFCHero, Swindon on 11:03am Wed 14 May 08
I am a Swindon fan, do I get your respect?
I am a Swindon fan, do I get your respect?
Posted by: s.lovesey, Swindon on 11:17am Wed 14 May 08
[quote][bold]STFCHero[/bold] wrote:
I am a Swindon fan, do I get your respect?[/quote] Hero of course you do unless you start talking bllx like Red army does, LOL
STFCHero wrote:
I am a Swindon fan, do I get your respect?
Hero of course you do unless you start talking bllx like Red army does, LOL
Posted by: stuart randall, port de soller mallorca on 11:30am Wed 14 May 08
Wish the young player all the best for his career in the game, its nice to see after the doom and gloom over the last few years we have now manage to bring on several decent young players. Plus the 2 that got away for big $$$$
Looks as if he has a great future best of luck[bold]bold[/bold]
Wish the young player all the best for his career in the game, its nice to see after the doom and gloom over the last few years we have now manage to bring on several decent young players. Plus the 2 that got away for big $$$$
Looks as if he has a great future best of luck
Posted by: Hazzard......Genius, Witney on 2:41pm Wed 14 May 08
[quote][bold]RobD[/bold] wrote:
Good Luck to Chris Allen, he's shown more already for me than Pook ever has. He's a ball player as well, which is a nice change from the more combative midfielders you usually get down here. Like a League One Xavi.[/quote] Good shout RobD - he does have a style comparable to Xavi...and that's exactly what stood out when Allen first appeared on the park, and that was such a breath of fresh air to me.
Also, like you said RobD, it's easier to come in as a kid and just run about and tackle and close space, but it takes PROPER bottle to accept the responsibility of receiving the ball in the areas that Allen does and saying 'I'll be the one to try and make something happen, and I'm prepared to take the flak if I give it away sometimes'.
I love that Malpas and his staff have shown such encouragement to this type of player - it says a lot about the style of football he wants to entertain us with.
To anyone that is 'umming & aahing' - PLEASE SHOW YOUR SUPPORT TO WHAT IS GOING ON AT THE CLUB WE ALL LOVE AND BUY YOUR SEASON TICKET!!
RobD wrote:
Good Luck to Chris Allen, he's shown more already for me than Pook ever has. He's a ball player as well, which is a nice change from the more combative midfielders you usually get down here. Like a League One Xavi.
Good shout RobD - he does have a style comparable to Xavi...and that's exactly what stood out when Allen first appeared on the park, and that was such a breath of fresh air to me.
Also, like you said RobD, it's easier to come in as a kid and just run about and tackle and close space, but it takes PROPER bottle to accept the responsibility of receiving the ball in the areas that Allen does and saying 'I'll be the one to try and make something happen, and I'm prepared to take the flak if I give it away sometimes'.
I love that Malpas and his staff have shown such encouragement to this type of player - it says a lot about the style of football he wants to entertain us with.
To anyone that is 'umming & aahing' - PLEASE SHOW YOUR SUPPORT TO WHAT IS GOING ON AT THE CLUB WE ALL LOVE AND BUY YOUR SEASON TICKET!!
Posted by: danboyshearer, parksouth on 2:47pm Wed 14 May 08
definately better to get a few youth teamers come up through the system as long as there not **** and end up at marine ,chippenham , highworth etc. we need to start producing real class young talent
definately better to get a few youth teamers come up through the system as long as there not **** and end up at marine ,chippenham , highworth etc. we need to start producing real class young talent
Posted by: ih8oxford, Swindon on 3:16pm Wed 14 May 08
[quote][bold]s.lovesey[/bold] wrote:
Pook is a swindon fan, for that he gets my respect, but as a league 1 player, no thank you !!! I haven't seen that much of Allen but what I have seen he looks promising for the future....[/quote] I think he is a Swindon fan too!
I no he use to live in Devizes!
s.lovesey wrote:
Pook is a swindon fan, for that he gets my respect, but as a league 1 player, no thank you !!! I haven't seen that much of Allen but what I have seen he looks promising for the future....
I think he is a Swindon fan too!
I no he use to live in Devizes!
Posted by: adam, Swindon, Wiltshire on 3:21pm Wed 14 May 08
[quote][bold]Hazzard......Genius[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]RobD[/bold] wrote: Good Luck to Chris Allen, he's shown more already for me than Pook ever has. He's a ball player as well, which is a nice change from the more combative midfielders you usually get down here. Like a League One Xavi.[/quote] Good shout RobD - he does have a style comparable to Xavi...and that's exactly what stood out when Allen first appeared on the park, and that was such a breath of fresh air to me. Also, like you said RobD, it's easier to come in as a kid and just run about and tackle and close space, but it takes PROPER bottle to accept the responsibility of receiving the ball in the areas that Allen does and saying 'I'll be the one to try and make something happen, and I'm prepared to take the flak if I give it away sometimes'. I love that Malpas and his staff have shown such encouragement to this type of player - it says a lot about the style of football he wants to entertain us with. To anyone that is 'umming & aahing' - PLEASE SHOW YOUR SUPPORT TO WHAT IS GOING ON AT THE CLUB WE ALL LOVE AND BUY YOUR SEASON TICKET!![/quote] First ball player in the center of the park since Stefani Miglioranzi - I'll be looking forward to some good football next season.
Hazzard......Genius wrote:
RobD wrote: Good Luck to Chris Allen, he's shown more already for me than Pook ever has. He's a ball player as well, which is a nice change from the more combative midfielders you usually get down here. Like a League One Xavi.
Good shout RobD - he does have a style comparable to Xavi...and that's exactly what stood out when Allen first appeared on the park, and that was such a breath of fresh air to me. Also, like you said RobD, it's easier to come in as a kid and just run about and tackle and close space, but it takes PROPER bottle to accept the responsibility of receiving the ball in the areas that Allen does and saying 'I'll be the one to try and make something happen, and I'm prepared to take the flak if I give it away sometimes'. I love that Malpas and his staff have shown such encouragement to this type of player - it says a lot about the style of football he wants to entertain us with. To anyone that is 'umming & aahing' - PLEASE SHOW YOUR SUPPORT TO WHAT IS GOING ON AT THE CLUB WE ALL LOVE AND BUY YOUR SEASON TICKET!!
First ball player in the center of the park since Stefani Miglioranzi - I'll be looking forward to some good football next season.
Posted by: Stfc Romain, swindon on 8:45pm Wed 14 May 08
CHRIS ALLEN will be a vg player 4 use looking forward 2 watching him play. we still have got 2 get rid of ALJIFREE.He makes the back 4 look like donkeys. IFFIL IS NOT THE SAME PLAYER WITH HIM THERE.PS how the fu*k is he captain
CHRIS ALLEN will be a vg player 4 use looking forward 2 watching him play. we still have got 2 get rid of ALJIFREE.He makes the back 4 look like donkeys. IFFIL IS NOT THE SAME PLAYER WITH HIM THERE.PS how the fu*k is he captain
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