Stewart Downing - West Hahahaham player

[Chazza]

Sky Sports Mobile @SkySportsMobile

England and Liverpool star Stewart Downing will not face charges after he his arrest last month on suspicion of assault. #Reds #LFC

To slow FFS sake

[danperkins]

Thank christ for that, really need to stop making these headlines.

Prison might have toughened him up though

[Kenneth]

Like Ben from Eastenders.

[danperkins]

Like Ben from Eastenders.

exactly!

[Kenneth]

Might also have involved him coming back as literally a different person, which could have been a bonus

[danperkins]

Aye very true a few tattoos, a shaved head, prison focus & some football sock shivs!! Could have been a bonus alright

[ric.williams]

call me a liar but im sure he actually tried to take a player on last night

[danperkins]

He did once and then seen Walker was quicker and stronger than him.... so he just stopped trying

[BigChief]

Seemed like he was under instructions to use his fresh legs against a tired Walker. Almost worked if Downing hadn't gave up and gone back into the middle.

[el matador]

He did once and then seen Walker was quicker and stronger than him.... so he just stopped trying

not many are going to get past walker so you have to give him credit for trying. I played fullback when i was younger and the worst thing for a defender is to face a winger who can do it all. he'll try and stretch you on the outside and can cut in and force you to follow him leaving space for others.

downing has to mix things up a bit so the defender keeps guessing. once youve got the defender guessing its much easier to make a yard and whip in a good ball or run past him.

but hes got to do it all and not be so predictable. thats why it was good to see him take on walker even if he didnt quite manage it. also youve got to realise that he had only just come on so he wasnt even properly warm, if he had tried that again after 10 mins he might have had more success.

[Mostar]

He did once and then seen Walker was quicker and stronger than him.... so he just stopped trying

He tried twice but he at least tried. I'd rather see him try and fail than not try at all.

That said, a very few will pass by Walker and even Bellamy had no luck against him last night.

[danperkins]

not many are going to get past walker so you have to give him credit for trying. I played fullback when i was younger and the worst thing for a defender is to face a winger who can do it all. he'll try and stretch you on the outside and can cut in and force you to follow him leaving space for others.

downing has to mix things up a bit so the defender keeps guessing. once youve got the defender guessing its much easier to make a yard and whip in a good ball or run past him.

but hes got to do it all and not be so predictable. thats why it was good to see him take on walker even if he didnt quite manage it. also youve got to realise that he had only just come on so he wasnt even properly warm, if he had tried that again after 10 mins he might have had more success.

Walker looks a superb talent no doubts, pace and power

As regards Downing, watched him recently against likes of Richards too, it's like he is beaten before he even tries, so he stops, plays the ball back and lets someone else take responsibility. That just isn't going to cut it, and big part of the reason why he has failed to impress at LFC.

For me, not going to make it at LFC, and never was. Pretty harsh i know but i just never seen it with Stuart Downing. IMO he just doesn't have the mentality to make it a big club.

[Exiled_red]

I thought he did alright last night when he came on - I didn't really notice him doing anything wrong at least.

[el matador]

I thought he did alright last night when he came on - I didn't really notice him doing anything wrong at least.

i dont think he did anything wrong but we need a bit more from him. kewell at his best was awesome and he would have dismantled walker last night, even riera would have given him a tough test.

downing has the tools but he needs the belief.

[danperkins]

I thought he did alright last night when he came on - I didn't really notice him doing anything wrong at least.

I agree he didn't do anything wrong but then again he didn't do anything right either.. he was just there. IMO that's the problem he takes zero responsibility or risks and leaves it to others to try and do something.

No confidence, aggression or self belief, everything is just so half hearted. Unfortunately there's only so long you can persist with a player before he becomes a bit of a liability to the team IMO.