Stuart Downing

Now that Coops buggered off we can have a serious debate about him

So is he Englands future answer to the left side problem or is he a lump of shit?

I'm not a big fan myself. He had a good first season and seemed to have a bit about him but since then he has IMO been average and so predictable its untrue, fair play, one in 5 of his crosses might be half decent but for the other four crosses his is giving possession to the other team!

I think hes better than Richardson in that he CAN cross but if Richardson improves any more then I don't think Downing should be near the squad.

Its clear that he obviously gets a bit of favouritism from McLaren as well because there is no way judging by his past performances that he should start. He had a couple of decent cameos at the wC but apart from that he has done very little...

He's mince.

Richardson > Downing.

Richardson has the X Factor.

How can Richardson even be followed by >?

Downing is far better. But who cares seeing as Joe Cole is back?

Cooper would kill us if he saw this

But he really hasn't been very good for about two years - ok, fine, he got a couple of assists in the UEFA cup last year but Boro fluked their way to the final and the amount of space he was afforded was ridiculous, if he can regain his form from 2004/05 then he warrants a call up, but even then, he wasn't exactly a top class winger

One season wonder.

He's ok , nothing special , a old fashioned winger who have a good cross , not good enough for England.
(And i dont rate Richardson at all).

Richardson is really more central midfielder than winger. Not enough silky dribbling to be a winger.

Yeh, I think obviously Jo Cole has the position made his own at present but IMO Walcott would be great as a suoersub to bring on in place of him.

Downing is ok, but as Parky says he doesn't have the X factor, just a half decent cross

Yeah, Walcott is a good option there. I was always wondering when he and Rooney mature how to fit them into the same team.

Middlesbrough should have taken 10 m offered by Spurs for him.

They offered £10m!

Zielger>Downing - true story.

Yep, they could of got Richardson for £5 million and money left to spend.

The problem with Downing is that he hasnt improved - when he first burst onto the scene Im certain he was more direct and quick.

he seems happy to swing in crosses from deep rather than take on men (certainly a problem caused by the English mentality which expects wide players to suppy early crosses first and dribble second) which is a shame considering there was no doubt he was a potential talent 3-4 years ago.

OK but fundamentally not quick enough at the very highest level so struggles to get around the defender with enough time to deliver a quality cross.

JC better, but leaves us relying on Gerrard to provide width

The david Beckham of the Left, Only not has good looking.

& not as good at football.

downing is bland.... he isnt good enough.

He's pretty much the worst player in the league.

Wonder what Coop thinks about it all?

Okay agree with most of what is said. What other left winger does England have that supplies width. No one.....
If Downing could score goals it would be easy to look over his lack of pace.

If he had pace it would be easy to overlook his lack of goals. The fact is the whole package is not quite good enough.

Agree with you though - no-one but a Man U fan would say we have an alternative apart from Joe Cole.

Roger_Hunt wrote:If he had pace it would be easy to overlook his lack of goals. The fact is the whole package is not quite good enough.

Agree with you though - no-one but a Man U fan would say we have an alternative apart from Joe Cole.

I think you'll find most Man U fans don't rate Richardson at all.

OK I'm confused - was your Richardson> Downing earlier in the thread ironic?

As well as Joe Cole has performed there in the last year or so, as an Englishman I find it embarrassing that we only appear to have half-a-dozen left footed players of Premiership, let alone international, quality.

Roll on Walcott...

Yes, because it got Cooper foaming at the mouth, when Pouiy said -

Richardson > Downing

Because Downing has the X Factor.

Ahhh yes I remember now - sorry

Leighton Baines.? I know he is a left back could he play there with a bit of tuition. He has more pace crosses well and scores from set pieces...

Not very tricky though, Brian.

A good option maybe Johnson at Boro, who many say will be better than Downing. Less of a crosser more like a tricky winger in the mould of a J Cole.

Messiah wrote:The david Beckham of the Left, Only not has good looking.

I was going to say like Beckham only not half as good at crossing, taking set pieces, tackling back etc when beckham was at his peak.

Should spend all his time doing sprint training, or at least building up his stamina etc. Beckham was never fast but worked very hard for the team, downing doesn't seem to do this.

Gareth Barry > Downing

He's stronger, more consistent, holds the ball up better, and is a superior player.

Sure, he lacks Downing’s pace, but so what? Liverpool seem more effective with Riise on the left wing, so why shouldn't England with Barry?

i'd also prefer West Hams Etherington to Downing, but then I'd expect a lot of people to disagree with me.

Hidden Cheesecake wrote:Gareth Barry > Downing

He's stronger, more consistent, holds the ball up better, and is a superior player.

Sure, he lacks Downing’s pace, but so what? Liverpool seem more effective with Riise on the left wing, so why shouldn't England with Barry?

i'd also prefer West Hams Etherington to Downing, but then I'd expect a lot of people to disagree with me.

I said Gareth Barry some months ago but no-one agreed with me, but maybe now that villa is doing well ...

Parks Lives wrote:Not very tricky though, Brian.

A good option maybe Johnson at Boro, who many say will be better than Downing. Less of a crosser more like a tricky winger in the mould of a J Cole.

Yes saw him in a Uefa cup game last season and was very impressed he seems to play well with both feet. Can't be considered at this stage though. As the other's said roll on Walcott.