Wales coach Chris Coleman has defended the playing style of Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen.
Coleman believes that while Allen, 22, will have a battle to win over the Kop faithful, the pint-sized midfielder, who faces Manchester City today, is in the same mould as Michael Carrick.
Wales boss Coleman said: "Joe is a terrific little player at what he does, keeping possession, retaining the ball and keeping the rhythm. He's brilliant at that.
"He's not a Steven Gerrard who will hit a 60 or 70-yard killer pass. He will pass through the opposition's units and move them about. It's his strength.
"It's a really good point to associate him with Michael Carrick. People have started going, 'Carrick's doing really well this year'. But I don't think it's any different to what he has always been doing.
"People say he's lazy but he's a big boy and what he does is think quickly and puts himself in a good position. Then he gets the ball and gives it to someone else like Paul Scholes or Giggsy or whoever to hit that killer pass.
"Carrick is doing well but I've always thought he's a good player. He does the quiet jobs. Just like Joe."