Stewart Downing's contribution so far this season.....

[Iver]

One or two games early in the season (Sunderland, Arsenal) apart, for me he has been very disappointing.

 

Has done little or nothing to justify Kenny's massive outlay on him.

 

Has been lucky to keep his place in the side.

 

For games like today, I had envisaged that with his pace and eye for goal, he would be a matchwinner.

 

Has shown no evidence of this so far, nine league games, and no goals, no assists.

 

Must do better, and must start doing better quickly if we are to seriously contest a Champions League spot.

 

As an aside, Kenny does him no favours by sticking him over on that right side in games - play him in his natural position FFS!

[Damian_de]

Might have been easier if he had scored the goal of the season against the Mackems.

 

He is clearly a clever player, but we are certainly looking for more to justify the price.

Edited October 22, 2011 by Damian_de

[Zoob]

Should be doing a bit more, but rhe lack of assists is a slightly deceptive stat, as he's produced a number of good crosses that strikers have failed to convert...

[Frosty Jack]

Might have been easier if he had scored the goal of the season against the Mackems.

 

destined to go the way of Diomede

[Coyler]

Mark Kennedy!

[Epic Swindle]

Woeful today, so timid when he has the chance to get at someone.

[Hassony]

some of his decision making is a bit disappointing, and needs to spend more time on the left wing (not his fault)

[CarraLegend]

Should be Max and Bellamy outwide in the next few games, see how they go.

[Swipe]

Not doing anywhere near enough. Far too meek and nowhere near aggressive enough.

 

A Manc mate told me he's too one dimensional. But I'd take that right now! If he was just a crossing machine that would be something.

 

He's just floating around the edges of games.

 

Enrique is far more of a threat on the wing.

[honourablegeorge]

I didn't rate him before we bought him, have seen nothing to change my opinion of him. The one thing I was told was that he was a great crosser of the ball, but there have been games(today very much one of them) where his use of the ball and delivery has been dreadful.

 

All the arguments in his favour - used to the league, will settle quickly, great crosser, provides assists - all ringing a bit hollow so far.

[épieur]

Starting to remind me of Pennant.

 

tbf, I always rated Pennant more than many others, but his end product has been sorely lacking and for all his ability to beat a man, he never seems to beat a man to get into positions more dangerous than whipping in a good cross.

 

Actually, I think Pennant had a fair number of assists early on too.

Edited October 22, 2011 by epieur

[The_MC]

Good at the start of the season but has struggled for a few games. I thought he was bought primarily to supply Carroll with crosses into the box? That is obviously not happening without Carroll playing, but just as importantly he´s being played on the right hand side. The idea of having a winger cutting in to shoot with their stronger foot is all well and good if you have Messi as the man cutting in but Downing is best running down the left, using his stronger foot to put in crosses and giving the team width and balance. He´s wasted on the right imo. He isn´t the player to be cutting in and dribbling past players and creating chances with delicately weighted passes, he´s meant to be a winger.

[honourablegeorge]

He´s wasted on the right imo.

 

 

I think he's out there because Suarez likes to operate in that channel on the left - do you try to change Suarez to use Downing better?

[Ethan]

He's s***

[Swipe]

I do think the fact he's constantly moving from left to right isn't doing him any favours, though.

[McBain]

He's getting worse with every game

[Florist Cinema Pond Goal]

Like most wingers he's a confidence player and that's something that's running low right now.

[honourablegeorge]

Like most wingers he's a confidence player and that's something that's running low right now.

 

We're a confidence team. Wish we were a belief one.

[Ethan]

We're a confidence team. Wish we were a belief one.

 

There is a different excuse every week - we're just not as good as we think we are

 

Massive work to be done with this side yet

[Earl Hafler]

I do think the fact he's constantly moving from left to right isn't doing him any favours, though.

 

Put in a couple of excellent crosses from the right that we should have scored a goal from.

[Cobs]

Should have been switched to the left on the hour with Carroll coming in for Kuyt

 

Livid on ciabatta

[Swipe]

Put in a couple of excellent crosses from the right that we should have scored a goal from.

 

Yup. My point still stands though.

 

He needs to get comfortable in one role, imo.

 

I don't see the merit in shifting about a winger who isn't even excelling in his natural position.

 

Should have been switched to the left on the hour with Carroll coming in for Kuyt

 

Livid on ciabatta

 

I was calling for Downing off for Carrol. Let Bellers stay on the left.

 

Annoyed with the subs a bit.

[Hassony]

Should have been switched to the left on the hour with Carroll coming in for Kuyt

 

Livid on ciabatta

 

taking him off to be replaced by carrol is like a waiter taking away your knife when bringing the steak you ordered

[Dan]

Agree he should be doing more for 90 mins but last two games has created four clear cut chances that team mates have failed to convert

[The_MC]

I think he's out there because Suarez likes to operate in that channel on the left - do you try to change Suarez to use Downing better?

 

Why not buy a right mid if that is what the team needed instead of converting a left winger? Too late for that now of course, but surely Downing can play on the left and let Suarez drift out into the channels too. Having the two of them down the left flank would open up so much space at the back post. Either Suarez takes on the defence and they have to tuck in, or Downing goes wide and gets the ball to the far stick for an easy tap-in. Over-simplified perhaps, but surely there is enough space on the left side of the pitch for two attacking players, especially if it gets the best out of them.