Today's draw with Manchester United was Stewart Downing's tenth game for Liverpool, and in the 12 hours and 21 minutes he's been on the pitch, he's failed to score or create a single goal. Granted, he is still settling in at Liverpool (how long can that excuse be used for?), but given Downing's Premier League experience and International status, is this an acceptable creative return?
Downing is an attacking player, thus when judging his impact on the team, we have to look at his Specific, Measurable Creative Contribution (SMCC), and the principal way to measure this is goals and assists.
As I noted earlier, Downing has not managed a single goal or assist in 10 games for Liverpool so far, which for an attacking midfielder is arguably poor. What do you think?
Jaimie Kanwar
Downing is an attacking player, thus when judging his impact on the team, we have to look at his Specific, Measurable Creative Contribution (SMCC), and the principal way to measure this is goals and assists.
As I noted earlier, Downing has not managed a single goal or assist in 10 games for Liverpool so far, which for an attacking midfielder is arguably poor. What do you think?
Jaimie Kanwar
Couldn't agree more.his best game for us was the opening game against Sunderland.has done nout since.
ReplyDeleteWhat did you expect ..just because king Kenny signed him he became a super player .. we have been ripped off by Villa ..Sunderland and Newcastle ..we need to take the blinkers off and see these players for what they really are ..
ReplyDeleteNot good enougth for 20 mill no. I always thought we needed someone with more pace and a little more dynamic in his play. Ashley young was perfect but not to be, problem is we dont have a lot of pace on right side either. Rumours about Adam johnson from city which i think would be good signing.
ReplyDeleteI think you are a hypocrite and bang on about fairness and how Woy was treated, give the lad a chance. He brings balance - more balance than we have had in seasons so in this way he does assist,
ReplyDeleteFrom the summer signings the best performances so far are the players we paid the least for. Enrique looks a good buy for 6 mill, adam for 7 to 9 mill or whatever it was and bellamy at zero. Neither henderson or downing look like they fit the price tag.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty disappointed with Downing at the moment tbh. Maybe we should look at benching him for Bellamy for the time being as Bellamy is a bigger goal threat.
ReplyDeleteagreed.
ReplyDeleteThe one postitive that came from downing today was his cross for Kuyt.
The negative is it was also the highlight of his season other than
hitting the cross bar in his 1st match. He does find it hard to go by
any fullback on the outiside and has no trick as Plan B if kick and run
fails. We need to find a system of play whereby we feed Downing in
Positions where Beckham use to receive the ball. This way he only needs
to concentrate on delivery and not necessarily beating his man.
From what I've seen of Downing in the past 7 years to quote Micheal Jackson "This is it". When he played for Middlesborough during their relegation season there was a little winger on the opposite wing called Adam Johnson who outshone him match after match. I wasn't impressed with Downing then and I doubt I ever will be, but he's Kenny 1st choice so hopefully Kenny has a plan for him that gets the best out of him.
Riera cost us 9million and I don't think it is any coincidence that when he replaced Benayoun on the left flank in his 1st season we finished second. He had flair and a touch of arrogance. Two qualities that Downing badly lacks. Rieras abilty to play them little flicks and backheels gave us an extra dimension. Anyone who disagrees check out our record in the season which Riera signed. Before he was put into the team our performances were erratic. His flair in his 1st season at Anfield is badly underrated.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe players are being judged already, especially not by the hypocrite Kanwar.
ReplyDeleteHave to say I agree 100% with you mate, I am not saying SD is a world beater but brings us balance, similar to Riera but nowhere near as good a dimension as you say..
ReplyDeleteI agree. There aren't many players who have gone on to surprise me at Anfield after their 1st ten games. Sometimes you see a player and know instinctively that they have or haven't got "IT". After three games I posted on here "Suarez is already our best and most important player". He has something about him. Maybe our three Geordie lads will be the 1st to surprise us?...no?...worth a shot. Seriously, out of all of our geordie lads Henderson could be okay but my instinct tells me Carroll and Downing will not be the answers we are looking for.
ReplyDeleteI agree, he does give us good balance, but you'll probably agree it is the other "B" word we need....Brilliance.
ReplyDeleteWhat? you can't offer constructive criticism on players performance? get the F out of here!
ReplyDeleteThus far Downing's been poor, can't dribble, can't pass and certainly can't finish chances. Time he was dropped or switched to the right flank.
So far this Liverpool team hasn't clicked. Still waiting Kenny.
Give Downing some more time
ReplyDeleteHe gets an assist if Kuyt puts his finish either side of the keeper, your SMCC stat doesn't account for that and is pretty frivolous
Opta accounts for
-Key Pass > The final pass or pass-cum-shot leading to the recipient of the ball having an attempt at goal without scoring
- Chances Created > Assists plus Key passes
Wasted opportunity today, United's starting 11 was a joke
Did Reina have any serious shots to save at all? Apart from Chicarito's header....
Gutted!
firstly some of balls in have been fantastic...give us so much width to the team and we havnt had that at liverpool in years!...also people who slag off henderson need a slap... only 20 years of age and came on today and i thought he was fantastic.....bout time some of our so called supporters actually do some supporting for once... all i hear is negativity!.. all hail the king!
ReplyDeletehow can we have been robbed or ripped off it was us who wanted them not the other way around so we paid what we thought they where worth and how people can make a decision on a player or players so soon is incredible we support the shirt and not the man in it
ReplyDeleteJaimie, can you do a analysis on Downing's performance in the team so far? Maybe that would paint a better picture on whether Downing has or has not been affective.
ReplyDeleteIt would be interesting to see how many chances he has created which have not been converted into goals. Assists can only be given when the recipient of Downing's cross or pass actually puts the ball into the back of the net.
Yep
ReplyDelete10 games in, its an absolute disgrace that Downing, Henderson and Carroll haven't all scored at least 5 goals and had 5 assists each. We should have bought Mata, Messi and Iniesta instead, then we would have had 8 wins already. Liverpool football club have a god given right to all the best players in the world and it's also unfair that other teams continue to try when they play us.
How many chances have Downing created this season this season? And who all created more than him?
ReplyDelete2 crosses in last 10 mins alone, first forces De Gea into a good save from Kuyt, 2nd is right on Hendersons head where he should do a bit better.
ReplyDeleteJaime I think you are probably the most negative person I've ever come across. 10 games in a whole host of new players, 6 wins in all comps are you whining.
Look at the poll, it's about right.
I know you'll say you are just raising this for discussion but it's all negative negative negative. He's done ok so far and we look like we are improving week on week but we don't have a divine right to instant sucess mate.
Jamie just looks at the stats of goals and assists. He never analyses the play. Agreed that stats do play a major role. But you need to look at other aspects as well. Lampard may have scored more goals than Xavi. But it doesn't make him a better CM.
ReplyDelete‘how long can that excuse be used for?’You answer this yourself with a blind inclement attitude - this type of undermining starts to soon. it’s a shameAnother unfounded premature attack on a NEW player to the Anfield fold.With an attitude like this it’s a wonder any talent makes it to a stage when a balanced rational evaluation can be made.Not only is Downing gelling into the side several a high proportion of others are finding a groove and or coming back from periodic absences.If this was a settled long time side he was in it would still warrant a decent period of probation.Things are finally settling around the club I cant see this as anything other than one more of the ‘me generation’ attitude and a borderline crass comment.We don’t require fans getting on peoples backs after the atrocious periods we have endured in recent seasons.Premature and uncalled for.Judge people at the end of a season , hes been given a contract and should be entitled to fulfil it
ReplyDeleteWhatever happened to the use of eyes?
ReplyDeletefootball's about opinions, it's my opinion that Downing's performances have been below par. Aside the price tag, his pass completion is poor, zero assists and zero goals. What more data do you need?
ReplyDeleteThis guy is supposedly in his prime! We will give him a season. I don't rate him. Hope he proves me wrong and I'm happy to return to this forum at the end of the season and openly admit I was wrong about Downing.
hes been given a contract and should be entitled to fulfil it
ReplyDeleteLets bring back Souness and Hodgson then. Maybe Torben Piechnik or maybe even Pul Konchesky.
Well said..whilst we are at lets blame Rafa for downing Carroll and Henderson
ReplyDeleteKanwar you are a cunt
ReplyDeleteGive him time
ReplyDeleteRiera was an excellent player for us, he had the trickery required to be a really good winger. Just as a reminder, when Riera was playing for us, he was keeping Silva out of the Spanish team, he played all games in the continnental cup that was played in South aAfrica. I am surprised how managers tend to get rid of players that have so much to offer.... especially when most fans agree that the player is good and has something to offer the team
ReplyDeleteDowning is drowning the team with his poor display at the moment. Perhaps a change of name to Upping so that he can UP his game. Poor poor investment if we compared him and Ashley Young. I always knew Young was the better deal but we couldnt pull it off. Sigh...
ReplyDeleteI dont have doubt in Downing. I do have doubt in him playing so many games when he hasn't been hitting it off. It is something Dalglish needs to sort out. I think Downing just needs to be out of the side for a game or 2 and freshen up his act on the pitch. Rodriguez i am sure will fit seamlessly in the team, and has good link up play as well as good understanding of the opposition setup. Its the same reason why Kuyt has replaced Henderson the last two games, it looks like its doing Henderson some good too,from the bench he has played better than any game he had started. Carroll on the other hand, is a good player. 35 million, is a bit too much, but thats the price to pay and thats the end of it. Carroll needs it to be targeted around him just as it is with Suarez, put the ball anywhere in the box for Carroll and he will find the net I am sure.
ReplyDelete.
ReplyDelete.
Promote Kenny Dalglish as 2nd Director Of Football and appoint FRANK RIJKAARD As NEW LIVERPOOL MANAGER!!!
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LiverpooL Formation: 3-1-3-2-1 Attacking
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...................Reina................,..
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.....Coates.....Skrtel.....Agger......
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..................Sissoko..................
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Hazard.........Gerrard.......Downing
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...........Torres.......Suarez..........
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..................Augrero.................
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LIVERPOOL WILL BE:
EPL Champion
FA Cup Champion
Carling Cup Champion
Champions League Champion
Super Cup Champion
Charity Sheild Champion
World Club World Cup Champion
Back are we Mali? Clearly anti Dalglish. What has he ever done to you? Re the article I agree that Downing hasn't lived up to his potential yet - Bellamy must surely get a look in shortly.
ReplyDeleteQuite pathetic really. On one hand you say we should support players/managers, on the other you write bitter little articles like this.
ReplyDeleteMaybe if you look back beyond an 'assist', Downing probably had a role in making the assist happen. The 'assist' is only a measure of the final pass.
Plus he has hit the bar twice(?) and had a near miss a couple of other times.
AS usual any British players signed by KD is overated and overpriced (Downing, Carroll, Henderson). Downing is not a 20 mill player, period. He is a panic buy by KD and DC after missing out on Young\ and as usual ripped of by Villa.
ReplyDeleteWith a couple of years of premiership experience under his belt, "settling in" is a whole lot of bull and excuses. How come Enrique and Suarez does not need to "settled" into the team?
It's time KD acknodledge his mistakes and starts buying players, real good players not passports.
If KD keeps screwing LFC by overpaying for overated players, you bet we would be anti KD. If he can't do the job give it back to Rafa whom i think could do much better given the resources KD had.
ReplyDelete@Paul
ReplyDeleteNo goals/assist in 10 games, what kind of balance you are tlaking about for a winger?
Oh now you are talking mate. But Downing cost 20 mill, the ego in KD would not bench him
ReplyDeleteWe can only look forward to that, WAIT. Wait and see Manure win their 20th title while we are still "rebuilding" and let players "settling in". Wait and see our best players leave us ala Arsenal. Yes wait and see KD working hand in hand with DC to screw all of us.
ReplyDeleteOh we miss you Rafa, bring him back, NOW.
Yes good one and Rod does not cost 20 mill. Listening KD?
ReplyDeleteI cant see this as anything other than one more of the ‘me generation’
ReplyDeleteattitude and a borderline crass comment.We don’t require fans getting on
peoples backs after the atrocious periods we have endured in recent
seasons.
0 goals 0 assists maybe..... How many chances has he created where the player on the end of his pass / cross has messed it up. Leave the lad alone we are 8 games into the season. Liverpool fans you might be, Scousers you defo aren't!! Slating a player 8 games into a season is not on - People say LFC fans are the best and most knowledgable, on this "story" and responses I think not.....
ReplyDeleteI actually agree with you there MrBurt - when I saw Henderson for Sunderland I didn't know who he was, but thought he looked like a standout prospect. I fully expect him to develop into a very good midfielder as he matures and gets physically stronger. And of course as he gets moved into central midfield instead of being expected to provide width to the team which clearly leavs him confused as to where he should be on the pitch.
ReplyDeleteDowning on the other hand I had to fight to convince myself that he could replicate the form of Valencia, and just deliver a constant supply of crosses into the box. He's been pretty comprehensively outperformed by his full back as an attacking force so far though, so he has a long way to go.
Actually tbf, I did also think that Carroll was a beast when I saw him play for Newcastle against us, but I haven't seen anything close to that same level of performance in a red shirt so far - even in the City game. Hopefully he's just having trouble adjusting to leaving his boyhood club and will return to that level of performance sometime soon.
Anyway, long story short - Downing is a 27 year old, £20 pound English winger with plenty of Premier league experience. We should be expecting (demanding?) match winning performances on a regular basis from him right now rather than in a few months/years, but so far he is not even matching the performances of the player I'd initially compared him to - Riera - much less proving worthy of such a price tag.
Rafa had his chance and failed - move on eh?
ReplyDeleteDalglish has benched Henderson and Carroll though...
ReplyDeleteNobody's saying that Liverpool should've bought Messi and Iniesta (Mata was there for the taking though), or have a God given right to the very best players in the world.
ReplyDeleteThe argument is that a lot more should be expected, and was available, for the sort of money that was invested on Downing - the whole point of buying players like though was supposedly to eradicate the need for a 'settling in period' so to see that argument being brought up again is pretty ironic.
Experienced, class players show that class immediately (e.g. Suarez & Enrique). Carroll and Henderson have their age on their side as an excuse. Adam has the excuse of inexperience at the highest level and a reasonable price tag. Downing has no such excuses and should be expected to be contributing at a far higher level than he has thus far.
I am disappointed we did not take three points from this game, once again I question our tactics and subs ,I believe KD/SC should have done the following;1) Downing / Kuyt was offering nothing and in fact Kuyt missed 3 scoring chances.2) Replace the above with Carrol / Bellamy , once we took the lead who I believe would have offered more of attacking option and would have scored another to kill the game and with Carrol's height we would have defended the goal which once again Skrtl could not defend.3 ) KD /SC has made errrors in their team selection many occasions and if it continues we are not going to win many games.Yunus , Johannesburg .SA
ReplyDeleteDowning could have been better, definitely. I'm upset about his performances because he was voted Villa's player of the year last season but has now gone backwards while the cheaper Ashley Young is a standout performer for Man Utd. I never would have thought that Enrique, our signing of the summer, would look more dangerous on the left than our left winger. He needs to pick his game up quickly. However, if we are playing with only one up top, I would like to see Johnson brought in at right midfield and for the team to play with more width, leaving more space for the Gerrard, Lucas, Adam/Henderson trio in the middle.
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