Premier League fixtures 13/14/15 August

[Craig_H]

Young was instrumental sure but who was defending him during the second goal?

Chris ****ing Brunt and the ball took 2 deflections before it ended in the net. If that's not being lucky I don't know what it is.

Also he was the one who provided an assistance to Rooney for the first goal, which clearly should've been saved by Foster.

Besides those 2 moments, what exactly did he do entire game. Not much.

Downing, on the other hand, had great few runs and crosses especially in the first half and was unlucky to hit the cross bar so to me he could have influenced the game in the samy way as Ashley Young if not even better. He didn't continue in the same fashion in the second half but who on our team did. It was collective dissappointment and he shouldn't be blamed for that.

Still early days but I think Downing, bar injuries, will be huge for this year.

I think Ashley's game is very predictable and I really think that Downing is more complete player that can play on either flank with the similar degree of success while Ashley cannot.

Mos, you just beat who is in front of you.

Downing wasnt exactly being marked by Baresi and Maldini in the 2nd half.

I agree that there was luck involved for Young, but if you run at defenders, commit them, make something happen, then you're going to get a bit of luck. If you dont, then clearly nothing is going to happen for you.

You ask about what else Young did apart from those two moments - i find that odd mate, because those 2 moments directly brought them 3 points. What more do you want him to do, other than play more than half a hand in what wins them the game?

That's exactly what i've been talking about, players who do something which makes the difference between drawing and winning. We dont have enough of that IMO and you've agreed with that yourself.

[Shaggy]

11 votes? I know how desperate your lot are when it comes to online polls (Raul Mereiles POTY) and i wouldn't put it past you. The comments are more interesting, seem to read Young better, but too cocky. Slur Alex will sort that out. I didn't realise Downing was playing second half yesterday.

Like I said, 90%.

Online polls ...yeah we're totally desperate.

[Craig_H]

He's got a point Shagger. 11 votes?

[Kenneth]

Curious as to why it's particularly downing's job to change a game like that ashley young did. Because they both used to play for the same team?

[Craig_H]

Curious as to why it's particularly downing's job to change a game like that ashley young did. Because they both used to play for the same team?

Downing's primary role in our team is an attacking one, to influence the game positively for us, with the objective being that LFC score a goal.

It's not just HIS job, but he's one of the players who needs to do that.

[Kenneth]

So why aren't we discussing our 35m striker in similar terms? Just curious like.

[Mostar]

Mos, you just beat who is in front of you.

Downing wasnt exactly being marked by Baresi and Maldini in the 2nd half.

Yes it was Hodge genius to pair a midfield player with a winger that helped Ashley but I suppose goal is a goal.

I think he was lucky today as oppose to Stewart who was very unlucky.

If he scored we would've had 2-goal lead and the game outcome and Downing's impact on the match would've been quite different.

[Craig_H]

So why aren't we discussing our 35m striker in similar terms? Just curious like.

His primary role is to take the chances that people like Downing shall hopefully be helping to create. How many proper chances did Carroll have? He stuck the ball in the net and was unfortunate to see it ruled out.

Carroll, however, also needs to improve.

[Craig_H]

Yes it was Hodge genius to pair a midfield player with a winger that helped Ashley but I suppose goal is a goal.

I think he was lucky today as oppose to Stewart who was very unlucky.

If he scored we would've had 2-goal lead and the game outcome and Downing's impact on the match would've been quite different.

I edited the post, btw

[Kenneth]

And Dirk?

[Shaggy]

He's got a point Shagger. 11 votes?

What point? All I did was quote a percentage, never claimed anything more than that. Just threw it in there as I saw the link recently.

By the same token the majority of Villa fans on Twitter wanted to keep Downing more than Young, mainly for the reasons listed by most posters in that thread. Downing was the fans player of the year last season too.

This Gooner kid's a complete clown.

[Mostar]

I edited the post, btw

Oh.

Let me just say this.

Do you know how many shots on the target Mancs had today?

1 and they still won it.

Lucky *******s..

[Craig_H]

What point? All I did was quote a percentage, never claimed anything more than that. I didn't place any store by it, just threw it in there as I saw the link recently.

By the same token the majority of Villa fans on Twitter wanted to keep Downing more than Young, mainly for the reasons listed by most posters in that thread. Downing was the fans player of the year last season too.

This Gooner kid's a complete clown.

Yes, i agree that he's a clown.

Just to present another perspective, the Villa fans (as a majority) also emphatically thought Rafa wasnt good enough for them.

So y'know...

[Mostar]

Mos, you just beat who is in front of you.

Downing wasnt exactly being marked by Baresi and Maldini in the 2nd half.

I agree that there was luck involved for Young, but if you run at defenders, commit them, make something happen, then you're going to get a bit of luck. If you dont, then clearly nothing is going to happen for you.

You ask about what else Young did apart from those two moments - i find that odd mate, because those 2 moments directly brought them 3 points. What more do you want him to do, other than play more than half a hand in what wins them the game?

That's exactly what i've been talking about, players who do something which makes the difference between drawing and winning. We dont have enough of that IMO and you've agreed with that yourself.

My point was that today it was all based on the luck and poor goalkeeping not necessarily his abilities and skills.

Downing imo did more yesterday but the luck wasn't on his side.

If it was he could've influenced and won us the game just as easily.

[Craig_H]

But how do you get lucky or benefit from goalkeeping errors? By making things happen, committing defenders and putting the ball into dangerous areas? Or by not?

In some respects, you do make your own luck to an extent. Play percentages, do the right things and there's more of a chance of getting a lucky deflection.