Stewart Downing - West Hahahaham player

[Rich]

I think Rodgers is trying to be all clever that or he underestimated Villa by thinking he could get away with playing a winger as a fullback.

He didn't even have to play Robinson, isn't Wisdom back? He could have switched Johnson to the left.

[Neil Young]

I am even more worried based on that then

He thinks Downing is a better fullback than Robinson - wow

Of course he could be wrong despite seeing them both in training every day, knowing a lot more about football than any of us and understanding what he wants the left back to do in the way he sets up his team.

[Neil Young]

I think Rodgers is trying to be all clever that or he underestimated Villa by thinking he could get away with playing a winger as a fullback.

He didn't even have to play Robinson, isn't Wisdom back? He could have switched Johnson to the left.

I think a tactical calculation may have been part or even all of it.

By the way, at least one newspaper report said Downing was our best player. They may be wrong too. Or perhaps there's a tendency among our supporters to pick on him even when he isn't to blame, ignoring some other preferred players at the same time.

I'm not sure I'd call it an attempt to be clever because that's clearly an implicit criticism, a rhetorical slip of the tongue if you like. Maybe it was just a tactical plan that didn't work out (if you ignore the possibility Downing actually did ok).

[Lecter]

Of course he could be wrong despite seeing them both in training every day, knowing a lot more about football than any of us and understanding what he wants the left back to do in the way he sets up his team.

Roy Hodgson knew a lot more about football than me also

Didnt stop him epic failing at our club though did it

[Dr-Gonzo]

Hasn't Downing also played left back on at least one occasion, possibly more, with Enrique fit and on the field? So he's not just being played there infront of a kid, but also infront of an experienced seasoned pro. He's making big cock ups on nearly a game by game basis yet Rodgers persists in sticking the failed winger on the team sheet. (although he did have a semi-decent game against Villa)

Square pegs in round holes for me. There's other options then burning out a kid and playing a left back on the wing too. And when Rodgers has bought one of those players (Assaidi) and he hardly makes the team sheet, it's baffling to say the least.

[Lecter]

Hasn't Downing also played left back on at least one occasion, possibly more, with Enrique fit and on the field? So he's not just being played there infront of a kid, but also infront of an experienced seasoned pro. He's making big cock ups on nearly a game by game basis yet Rodgers persists in sticking the failed winger on the team sheet. (although he did have a semi-decent game against Villa)

Square pegs in round holes for me. There's other options then burning out a kid and playing a left back on the wing too. And when Rodgers has bought one of those players (Assaidi) and he hardly makes the team sheet, it's baffling to say the least.

[Neil Young]

Roy Hodgson knew a lot more about football than me also

Didnt stop him epic failing at our club though did it

No, indeed. I did say Rodgers could be wrong.

It's just that it's more likely to be you.

[Neil Young]

A lot of people here were criticising Enrique at the beginning of this season as well as last. When Rodgers moved him to left midfield and played Downing behind him then suddenly he was getting MoM nominations. We also don't know whether or not Enrique has been carrying an injury that hampered him earlier in the season. But go with the Rodgers is thick argument if you like.

Maybe Downing's problem on Saturday (and I still haven't read any convincing argument that he had a bad game compared to others) is that he had Sterling ahead of him. So when Enrique and Downing play together then the latter has cover from an experienced partner and that makes him look all right. So if Enrique is injured, then Downing looks weaker at left back.

And your answer to that is to drop him and play a 19 year old with about 5 first team games at left back with an 18 year old who is supposedly knackered just ahead of him.

Of course, that makes a lot of sense.

[Lecter]

If you are good enough, you are old enough

[Lecter]

Or you could always keep peddling the "you win nothing with kids" line

[Neil Young]

If you are good enough, you are old enough

That's a cliché, not an argument.

[Neil Young]

Or you could always keep peddling the "you win nothing with kids" line

But that isn't what I was saying.

Is that really the best you can come back with?

[Lecter]

That's a cliché, not an argument.

Its a reasonable point when you are discussing the qualities of Downing (or lack thereof )

[Neil Young]

In fact, Hansen's inaccurate prediction is a perfect illustration of what happens when you rely on lazy but convenient axioms instead of data and analysis.

[Lecter]

But that isn't what I was saying.

Is that really the best you can come back with?

Well we watched Downing last year and its hard to make a case that in any way hes good enough for us nevermind at leftback

Whereas Robinson seemed a decent enough prospect

Fast forward to now, we have a manager who is willing to let Downing go (because he clearly doesnt rate him) yet prefers to play him at leftback ahead of Enrique and Robinson

Why is he letting him go in January if he prefers him at leftback over Enrique & Robinson?