Stewart Downing - West Hahahaham player

[el matador]

downing has been shunted around all over the place. hes probably played more games on the right than the left. really he should have had a solid ten games on the left with enrique behind him. instead hes played right and left.

he has to build an understanding with enrique and he wont do that while hes on the right. other thing is that we dont impose ourselves in midfield so hes never in a decent position ie in the final third and thirty yards from goal with a right back infront of him on a consistent basis.

you cant compare young to downing because utds midfield plays much higher up the pitch and their wide players are always in a position to attack the fullbacks.

also we dont have anyone in the box to whom he can cross. to see the best of downing we need gerrard supplying him decent passes and carroll in the box to give him an option.

[baitman]

downing is a top quality left winger. he is a waste of space on the right,though [kenny, please take note].

he only uses his right foot for standing on and cannot kick the ball with it. this makes him very easy for defenders to read, but he will beat most of them with pace. he is an excellent crosser from the by line, and will be a perfect feed for carroll.

[BringbackBiscan]

Downing can hardly help it if the strikers constantly miss chances they should be burying. He really should have 4-5 assists to his name if the strikers did what they're supposed to do.

[Tee]

downing is a top quality left winger. he is a waste of space on the right,though [kenny, please take note].

he only uses his right foot for standing on and cannot kick the ball with it. this makes him very easy for defenders to read, but he will beat most of them with pace. he is an excellent crosser from the by line, and will be a perfect feed for carroll.

That is what I thought, but now I am not so sure he is as pacey as I had originally perceived.

His problems are all in the head IMO - just does not have the mental toughness to make it at the highest level IMO.

[danperkins]

downing has been shunted around all over the place. hes probably played more games on the right than the left. really he should have had a solid ten games on the left with enrique behind him. instead hes played right and left.

he has to build an understanding with enrique and he wont do that while hes on the right. other thing is that we dont impose ourselves in midfield so hes never in a decent position ie in the final third and thirty yards from goal with a right back infront of him on a consistent basis.

you cant compare young to downing because utds midfield plays much higher up the pitch and their wide players are always in a position to attack the fullbacks.

also we dont have anyone in the box to whom he can cross. to see the best of downing we need gerrard supplying him decent passes and carroll in the box to give him an option.

Fair point about playing him on the right, i don't understand it myself, only Messi can do that effectively, and well Downing ain't Messi.

As regards to the Young vs Downing, at the end of the day it's productivity that matters. Young's has always been better than Downing, regarding of the team either has played for, for me it's a no brainer to see who is the more effective player.

I agree with alot of what you're saying though & Carroll's movement in the box has been questionable, now that we have a fully fit squad, there is no excuses for us not to be going at teams and dismantling them. I'm hoping the we see a marked improvement in Downing come christmas time, he does the ability and the left foot to make things happen, it's his mentality that concerns me. Anyways he has my support and hopefully he can start improving soon

[danperkins]

That is what I thought, but now I am not so sure he is as pacey as I had originally perceived.

His problems are all in the head IMO - just does not have the mental toughness to make it at the highest level IMO.

my concern also.

[el matador]

I think the team needs to settle down into a set formation which suits all the players and that will help downing no end.

he is a quality player and I definitely believe that hes better than ashley young. ive got a couple of mates who support villa and they both agree that of the two downing is the bigger loss.

he needs to be played wide left, he needs an overlapping fullback to take away the extra man and all he needs is a yard to deliver quality balls into the box. he will come good. playing with gerrard as opposed to adam will also help him because stevie will give him the ball whereas adam will try something hollywood and we'll lose possession.

[Mattshark]

downing is a top quality left winger. he is a waste of space on the right,though [kenny, please take note].

he only uses his right foot for standing on and cannot kick the ball with it. this makes him very easy for defenders to read, but he will beat most of them with pace. he is an excellent crosser from the by line, and will be a perfect feed for carroll.

He isn't and he never has been.

[danperkins]

I think the team needs to settle down into a set formation which suits all the players and that will help downing no end.

he is a quality player and I definitely believe that hes better than ashley young. ive got a couple of mates who support villa and they both agree that of the two downing is the bigger loss.

he needs to be played wide left, he needs an overlapping fullback to take away the extra man and all he needs is a yard to deliver quality balls into the box. he will come good. playing with gerrard as opposed to adam will also help him because stevie will give him the ball whereas adam will try something hollywood and we'll lose possession.

Well Kenny has his work cut out for him that's for sure, personally i'd have Bellamy or Maxi ahead of Downing at the moment, IMO we can't afford to have passengers. Maybe give likes of Downing & Henderson bit part/ impact roles to build their confidence.

To be honest i don't think Downing has earned the right to be called a "quality player" , not yet IMO anyways. For me he is a decent player at best, and that's by judging what he has done,how he has played throughout his career at various clubs & his stats. Time could change that of course, but i personally can't see it, even though i'd love him to succeed at LFC.

[Mostar]

Downing can hardly help it if the strikers constantly miss chances they should be burying. He really should have 4-5 assists to his name if the strikers did what they're supposed to do.

Not only he should have had 4-5 assists so far but at least 2,3 goals but the luck wasn't on his side (including the game against Norwich) and the fact that he has none is definitely affecting his confidence.

He needs to play to get out of "slump" and I think basing his season on 8 games is little premature.

There is a big step from playing for a mediocre team like Villa and top 4 contender like us.

He needs little more time and imo we have to be patient with him and few others.

[danperkins]

Not only he should have had 4-5 assists so far but at least 2,3 goals but the luck wasn't on his side (including the game against Norwich) and the fact that he has none is definitely affecting his confidence.

He needs to play to get out of "slump" and I think basing his season on 8 games is little premature.

There is a big step from playing for a mediocre team like Villa and top 4 contender like us.

He needs little more time and imo we have to be patient with him and few others.

I don't think anyone is basing his season over 8 games mate, just concerned about his performance which IMO which if we're honest have to improve. Could, would & should but didn't ya know mate.

He'll get time and he'll get a good crack of the whip from Kenny, it's up to him to do the business and i hope he does.

[Mattshark]

Not only he should have had 4-5 assists so far but at least 2,3 goals but the luck wasn't on his side (including the game against Norwich) and the fact that he has none is definitely affecting his confidence.

He needs to play to get out of "slump" and I think basing his season on 8 games is little premature.

There is a big step from playing for a mediocre team like Villa and top 4 contender like us.

He needs little more time and imo we have to be patient with him and few others.

The problem is that this is how he has been his whole career, he looks no different now than he ever did at Boro or Villa, an average player overrated for simply being left footed and English.

[Kenneth]

Simply not true.

[Mattshark]

Simply not true.

May not be for you but it is for me.

[Shaggy]

His problems are all in the head IMO - just does not have the mental toughness to make it at the highest level IMO.

my concern also.

Aye I've described him as too passive....Dan said 'timid' earlier which is also a good description. Have some ****ing guts, run at people, take shots on first time instead of pissing around and allowing himself to be closed down...that sorta stuff. Seems to lack belief in himself generally but I think he's lost a bit of confidence in the last few weeks.