Liverpool FC Forum

by **Redman in wales** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 4:04 pm

could he be tired? I wasn’t at the everton game, but I went to the wolves game. He had a good first half but faded in the second. There were parts of the second half where he just didn’t try. Standing out on the left on the half way line, not making any runs or moving for the ball when we got it. Enrique, lucas, or whoever would have the ball and Downing just seemed static, not making much of an effort to run, create space, or even receive the ball.

by **jacdaniel** » Mon Oct 03, 2011 4:13 pm

Yeah he has gone quiet alright after a decent few games. I dont think all the moving helps either. One minute he is on the left, then the right, then off the striker... just leave him on the left.

Id replace him with Bellamy for the Mancs game.

by **Thommo's perm** » Tue Oct 04, 2011 9:59 pm

Redman in wales wrote:could he be tired? I wasn’t at the everton game, but I went to the wolves game. He had a good first half but faded in the second. There were parts of the second half where he just didn’t try. Standing out on the left on the half way line, not making any runs or moving for the ball when we got it. Enrique, lucas, or whoever would have the ball and Downing just seemed static, not making much of an effort to run, create space, or even receive the ball.

Tired?
Do you mean unfit?

by **Kenny Kan** » Wed Oct 05, 2011 1:04 am

I'm not too worried about his recent performances but as someone has stated they do appear to have Plateaued out a bit. I echo the sentiments of others who state he should 'stick' on the left more. I said this earlier in the season when he started switching flanks, it made us narrower and Downing needs to become accustomed in his left mid/wing position first and foremost before we start 'mixing' his positions up. I think he started really well and would like to see him offer us genuine width like he did earlier on in his performances and link up more with Enrique. Their partnership needs developing and if developed well it could offer a real threat (much like it did in the first couple of games this season), from that side of the pitch.

by **metalhead** » Sat Oct 22, 2011 11:37 pm

Very worried about his performances, very very average

by **Penguins** » Sun Oct 23, 2011 12:31 am

Well, I agree but ffs play him where his natural position is!
Playing him as right winger boggles my mind... :no

And why didn't we spend some of all that money on a genuine right winger if Downing is "forced" to play there???

Instead we spend a fortune on a kid who could play right but is best in the centre where we already are stacked...

by **ethanr** » Sun Oct 23, 2011 1:21 am

Only saw the first 20 minutes, and I thought he was as poor as he's been. Him and Enrique work down the left side. I still think he's a good player who can create things, but he needs to be better. Should have had Bellamy up top with Suarez, Kuyt on the right and Downing on the left (granted I only saw 20 minutes today so I could be well off).

Think Downing could be in the same boat as Carroll... Really needs some confidence to get him playing well.

by **Johnny Boy** » Sun Oct 23, 2011 9:07 am

I thought he was poor yesterday but it didn't justify taking him and Bellamy off and playing Kuyt and Henderson as wide players, dear me Kenny.

by **Bermenstein** » Sun Oct 23, 2011 9:30 am

Zero goals. Zero assists.

by **mart** » Sun Oct 23, 2011 9:36 am

Penguins wrote:Well, I agree but ffs play him where his natural position is!
Playing him as right winger boggles my mind...

And why didn't we spend some of all that money on a genuine right winger if Downing is "forced" to play there???

Instead we spend a fortune on a kid who could play right but is best in the centre where we already are stacked...

At the moment Enrique is more of a left winger than Downing is.

by **parchpea** » Sun Oct 23, 2011 9:42 am

He cuts a frustrated and nervy individual who knows hes not playing at all well. Downings achilles heel is not ability but mentality in that he lacks the swagger and confidence to take his game to another level. Liverpool is a notch up from Villa and the question for him is can he raise it and right now you would have to say thats a no.

by **tubby** » Sun Oct 23, 2011 10:07 am

Was great at the beginning of the season but has drifted since. I have suspicions this could be down to Henderson and Carroll being dropped from the 1st team.

by **aCe'** » Sun Oct 23, 2011 11:59 am

Has been very poor recently and it just doesnt make sense for me. When we went out and paid 20mill for him, I thought we overpaid but given the fact that he was a natural left footed winger I thought he'd offer the width and balance to command a starting spot and become an important part of our setup.

Hasnt quite worked out I have to say. For starters, we moved him to the right wing in most games this season and that for me reduces his impact significantly. It makes us narrow higher up the pitch and massively reduces from the balance and width of the side going forward. Hes very one dimensional in his style of play down the right, and defenders find it very easy to defend against him for that reason. Why Kenny persists with him in that role is anyones guess especially when we have other options such as Kuyt, Bellamy and Maxi who for me would all make better right wingers than he does, and worse left wingers.

The other factor is our style of play when hes in the side. For me, to get the best out of Downing, you need to get the ball wide and commit bodies to the opposition box to attack the ball when it comes in. Aston Villa did that very well with him and Ashley Young creating tons of chances between them from crosses alone. We seem reluctant to do that.

by **tubby** » Sun Oct 23, 2011 12:50 pm

20 mil wasted I think. At least Aquilani got a few assists to his name. Wasn't convinced at the time by him and I think that view is being vindicated.

by **only me** » Sun Oct 23, 2011 1:02 pm

tubby wrote:20 mil wasted I think. At least Aquilani got a few assists to his name. Wasn't convinced at the time by him and I think that view is being vindicated.

Are you serious? 6-7 games are enough for you reach such a conculsion? Downing is our potentialy most talented player after Suarez and you are writing him down after such a short period? Yes he has been disappointing thus far but come on give him a break. Aqua wasn't cut for English PL football so i wouldn't even mention him.

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