Stewart Downing - West Hahahaham player

[kingfunk]

On here.

[kingfunk]

After watching that celebration over and over again there is no doubt in my mind that that "shhhh" was directed towards the LFC fans, and anyone that says different is fanciful or attentively weird.

[slaine]

After watching that celebration over and over again there is no doubt in my my mind that that "shhhh" was directed towards the LFC fans, and anyone that says different is fanciful or attentively weird.

It wasn't a shush, he was merely kissing his ongoing goal tally... unfortunately that limits his contribution to 10 goals a season, unless he gets his toes out

[el matador]

he can do a lot better and imo has been very unlucky.

talksport were saying that in the past 15 months or so he's created sixty clear cut chances which is more than most players in the barclays premership. Its just that we havent taken those chances and thats not his fault.

[Rowan]

he can do a lot better and imo has been very unlucky.

talksport were saying that in the past 15 months or so he's created sixty clear cut chances which is more than most players in the barclays premership. Its just that we havent taken those chances and thats not his fault.

it must be canny demoralising to think you've stuck a clear chance on a plate for someone only to then look up to see big Andy lumbering towards your throughball.

[Norbs]

A chance to no one isn't a chance. He might've put in the crosses but the timing and accuracy of them can't have been good enough.

Anyways, today is a time to forgive and that even includes Stewie

[el matador]

A chance to no one isn't a chance. He might've put in the crosses but the timing and accuracy of them can't have been good enough.

Anyways, today is a time to forgive and that even includes Stewie

I respectfully don't agree with this.

He has put goals on a plate for others only for them to **** up monumentally. Of course this will affect his confidence because no matter how well you have done zero goals and zero assists will bring a lot of unwanted pressure.

He should be on 20 assists for us by now in the past 14 months or whatever. What he needs to do more is score goals and go in with more conviction.

[Norbs]

I agree that some of them were wasted but not all. If a striker has to arch his back in order to get his head on the ball then who's to blame?

[Vermilion]

I agree that some of them were wasted but not all. If a striker has to arch his back in order to get his head on the ball then who's to blame?

Couldn't it be the strikers timing ?

[Neil Young]

Also, if there's no one in the box when the cross comes in, you can blame the crosser or the forwards who didn't make the run or the coach for the lack of support for the winger, etc. It's difficult to identify the root cause and we all know there's a tendency to blame the individual you want to find fault with.

[TheElephantMan]

I just think that if there's nobody in the box to cross to then it's pretty pointless putting a cross in. I'm **** at footy, but I wouldn't be stupid enough to cross the ball to nobody.

[dww]

Also, if there's no one in the box when the cross comes in, you can blame the crosser or the forwards who didn't make the run or the coach for the lack of support for the winger, etc. It's difficult to identify the root cause and we all know there's a tendency to blame the individual you want to find fault with.

Which is why MattShark is holding Thatcher responsible.

[Norbs]

Couldn't it be the strikers timing ?

Yep, thats my point

Downing took abuse in the early days for putting in poor crosses bit we've seen lately how fearful we are committing bodies in to the box. Put well below too

Also, if there's no one in the box when the cross comes in, you can blame the crosser or the forwards who didn't make the run or the coach for the lack of support for the winger, etc. It's difficult to identify the root cause and we all know there's a tendency to blame the individual you want to find fault with.

I think Downing struggled with his price tag and then suffered from stats and critisism that proved he was inneffective. I bleated constantly that the issue was that his style was most suited to direct counter attacking play where he didn't have time to consider the options. Running on to a pass instead of trying to beat his man. Enrique's dithering gave the opposition time to regroup so our counter attacks were easily snuffed out. This season is no different and our attacking play is no more direct so I still can't see it suiting Downing which isn't his fault. He'd be superb at Stoke and very prolific IMO. He needs space and a more direct ball down the line, which Enrique won't supply

[Neil Young]

I just think that if there's nobody in the box to cross to then it's pretty pointless putting a cross in. I'm **** at footy, but I wouldn't be stupid enough to cross the ball to nobody.

Yes, that's certainly a reasonable point.

Although then you have to consider all the times Downing gets criticised for turning back and laying off an easy pass back to his full-back or a central midfielder instead of trying to beat his man/get the ball into the box/"make something happen".

My point is he can't win with some people. He's arguably been MOTM for two games running and even when he scores he gets sh*t for a gesture and is slagged off for playing well "just because he wants to get a good move in January".

I can understand why people feel like they do and I'm not saying he's done anything like enough yet for them to revise their opinions, let alone to take him to their hearts. But I think, as with Henderson, people can be too critical. Neither has been that impressive overall, although Downing has at least stood out a couple of times recently, but I can understand why Rodgers has been less ruthless with them than with Adams and Carroll.

[Neil Young]

Yep, thats my point

Downing took abuse in the early days for putting in poor crosses bit we've seen lately how fearful we are committing bodies in to the box. Put well below too

I think Downing struggled with his price tag and then suffered from stats and critisism that proved he was inneffective. I bleated constantly that the issue was that his style was most suited to direct counter attacking play where he didn't have time to consider the options. Running on to a pass instead of trying to beat his man. Enrique's dithering gave the opposition time to regroup so our counter attacks were easily snuffed out. This season is no different and our attacking play is no more direct so I still can't see it suiting Downing which isn't his fault. He'd be superb at Stoke and very prolific IMO. He needs space and a more direct ball down the line, which Enrique won't supply

Certainly his quotes about feeling like he's had nothing to lose since his chat with Rodgers fits with the idea he's been lacking confidence, for whatever reason.