Stewart Downing - West Hahahaham player

[danperkins]

Perhaps we should change his shirt number to 57...may inspire some fight...

that or either tax evasion of 7 million squids and a 3 years prison sentence ala Mr. Snipes

[baitman]

doubtless the big fee does cloud the issue, but there is no excuse for playing a sub-standard/cant be arsed player in out team.

if he was brought in on a free transfer then we would still want to see more effort, so the fee is NOT the real issue.

the same goes for hendo and adam...

[danperkins]

doubtless the big fee does cloud the issue, but there is no excuse for playing a sub-standard/cant be arsed player in out team.

if he was brought in on a free transfer then we would still want to see more effort, so the fee is NOT the real issue.

the same goes for hendo and adam...

we do joke about the fee, but 20 million or 2 million his performances have been dreadful, bar first few games.

[ric.williams]

say what you want about adam but he has chipped in with goals and assists

[danperkins]

say what you want about adam but he has chipped in with goals and assists

Yup very much so

[Rich]

there cant be many worse things for a winger than a fullback who plays for himself.

Interesting comment this - I too aren't sold on Enrique.

He's defensively solid, pacy, and doesn't jump in, but he hasn't impressed me going forward particularly. Tries to do too much, dwells on the ball, and often plays the wrong ball.

Now I can't stand Downing so I'd prefer to bring someone in that can work well with Enrique than the other way round but it does make you wonder whether Stewie would perform better with Aurelio playing.

[ric.williams]

i like enrique. i think he does too much cos downing is constantly giving him the ball back cos he doesnt want it. you'll notice similar happens to johnson/kelly when stewie ends up on the right

[baitman]

Interesting comment this - I too aren't sold on Enrique.

He's defensively solid, pacy, and doesn't jump in, but he hasn't impressed me going forward particularly. Tries to do too much, dwells on the ball, and often plays the wrong ball.

Now I can't stand Downing so I'd prefer to bring someone in that can work well with Enrique than the other way round but it does make you wonder whether Stewie would perform better with Aurelio playing.

without wishing to take the thread off topic...

a similar comparison could be said about glenn johnson. his defending can be piss poor, but he is a great player once he crosses the half way line. i think he really plays like the right winger we have so desperately been searching for, and actually can pass defenders, cross a ball, and even follow up play into the box and score a few.

maybe the management could also identify these strengths/weaknesses, and better use the players to the best of their ability.

[danperkins]

without wishing to take the thread off topic...

a similar comparison could be said about glenn johnson. his defending can be piss poor, but he is a great player once he crosses the half way line. i think he really plays like the right winger we have so desperately been searching for, and actually can pass defenders, cross a ball, and even follow up play into the box and score a few.

maybe the management could also identify these strengths/weaknesses, and better use the players to the best of their ability.

i said the same about the way we play Charlie Adam, i think everyone can see he is a liability when asked to play any sort of defensive midfield role. He is slow,clumsy and can't tackle but he also has a cracking strike of a ball and can pick a pass long or short. Like Johnson his assets as a footballer IMO are much better suited to being in the attacking half and closer to the opposition goal.

[cannotmakeit]

Interesting comment this - I too aren't sold on Enrique.

He's defensively solid, pacy, and doesn't jump in, but he hasn't impressed me going forward particularly. Tries to do too much, dwells on the ball, and often plays the wrong ball.

Now I can't stand Downing so I'd prefer to bring someone in that can work well with Enrique than the other way round but it does make you wonder whether Stewie would perform better with Aurelio playing.

So Enrique is the problem with Downing's dismal performances He maybe all the above and not without fault but that doesn't take away that Downing don't run at opposition and get pass them enough, he don't put enough quality crosses in and he is a coward who hides in games.

[Rich]

So Enrique is the problem with Downing's dismal performances He maybe all the above and not without fault but that doesn't take away that Downing don't run at opposition and get pass them enough, he don't put enough quality crosses in and he is a coward who hides in games.

Where do I say Downing's dismal performances are down to Enrique?

[cannotmakeit]

sorry not your quote but the

there cant be many worse things for a .winger than a fullback who plays for himself

[Mostar]

I sometimes wonder whether playing for Liverpool has the same effect on some players as playing for England does.
So many players come here and play worse than they did previous to joining, is it the pressure, some just can't hack it, can't settle down and play their natural game ?

edit: Ok i'm not talking about players in the above posts list obviously, i'm talking players that were good before they came, and it just didn't work. We seem to have had our fair share.

Interesting you said that as I was thinking the same the other and as someone said before the mentality and winning attitude has lot to do if a player will be able to showcase his skills at our level or not.

I think the fee is the problem. Downing is a better player than all those on that list (not saying much admittedly) but the £20m price tag has a huge influence i.e. he is a considered a poor signing because he represents poor value for money, rather than being a woeful player like many on that list. Downing is an average player who we paid over the odds for. Most of the others were crap players that we paid over the odds for.

Consider that Diouf cost £10m 10 years ago that would be alot more in todays money...

[Kloppster]

Perhaps we should change his shirt number to 57...may inspire some fight...

nah more like Bruce Springsteens 57 channels and nothing on

[el matador]

So Enrique is the problem with Downing's dismal performances He maybe all the above and not without fault but that doesn't take away that Downing don't run at opposition and get pass them enough, he don't put enough quality crosses in and he is a coward who hides in games.

look enrique has been probably the best signing of the season and hes got more assists than downing but there are aspects to his game that need work. firstly his passing isnt great like say aurelios is. he tends to club the ball forward with a fair bit of weight as opposed to aurelios carresses.

aurelio and downing would work very well because fabio is first and foremost a full back and his secondary job is to get forward and support the attack. he would support downing and not detract from him.

enrique thinks his wide player should be playing for him and he should be the one getting forward while downing sits. really, enrique should play with kuyt and downing would be better off with johnson.

maxi and enrique would also work well because maxi isnt going to run down the flank amd whip it in, but he could find a penetrative pass for enrique.

but one things clear enrique wont play for downing.