Stewart Downing is ostensibly a left-winger, but against Stoke at Anfield yesterday, he scored the winning goal by drifting infield from the right, where he played at various times throughout the game. Liverpool legend Ray Houghton believes that the goal-shy winger should be playing on the right-wing more often, and taking more shots at goal during games.
Analysing the game for LFC TV, Houghton - who won the FA Cup wit Liverpool in 1989 - observed:
"When Downing plays on the right he comes infield and gets strikes at goal. He should doing that more often.
"He should be getting 3 or 4 shots a game; that should be part of his brief as a winger: get crosses into the box, but he's also got to be confident enough to do that [Get shots on goal]"
The goal against Stoke was only Downing's second of the season, and his first for twelve games. His last goal - against Oldham in the FA Cup - also came as a result of playing on the right, so perhaps there's some merit to the argument that he should play on the right more often?
It's also interesting to note that Downing's shooting accuracy in the league is only 38% for the season so far, which is pretty atrocious. If he is going to get more shots on goal, he clearly needs to work on accuracy (!)
Whatever position he plays, Gareth Southgate - who managed Downing at Middlesbrough - believes that the winger's goal should give him the self-belief to push on at Liverpool. He told ITV:
"I had him at Middlesbrough, and he's very much a confidence player. In the last few weeks, he's scored a very important penalty in the shootout in the league cup final, and now the winner against Stoke, which should now give him a lot of belief".
Nothing breeds confidence like scoring goals, and hopefully, grabbing the winning goal on Sunday should build up Downing's confidence for the last two months of the season.
A few goals and assists in the league wouldn't go amiss...
Jaimie Kanwar
Analysing the game for LFC TV, Houghton - who won the FA Cup wit Liverpool in 1989 - observed:
"When Downing plays on the right he comes infield and gets strikes at goal. He should doing that more often.
"He should be getting 3 or 4 shots a game; that should be part of his brief as a winger: get crosses into the box, but he's also got to be confident enough to do that [Get shots on goal]"
The goal against Stoke was only Downing's second of the season, and his first for twelve games. His last goal - against Oldham in the FA Cup - also came as a result of playing on the right, so perhaps there's some merit to the argument that he should play on the right more often?
It's also interesting to note that Downing's shooting accuracy in the league is only 38% for the season so far, which is pretty atrocious. If he is going to get more shots on goal, he clearly needs to work on accuracy (!)
Whatever position he plays, Gareth Southgate - who managed Downing at Middlesbrough - believes that the winger's goal should give him the self-belief to push on at Liverpool. He told ITV:
"I had him at Middlesbrough, and he's very much a confidence player. In the last few weeks, he's scored a very important penalty in the shootout in the league cup final, and now the winner against Stoke, which should now give him a lot of belief".
Nothing breeds confidence like scoring goals, and hopefully, grabbing the winning goal on Sunday should build up Downing's confidence for the last two months of the season.
A few goals and assists in the league wouldn't go amiss...
Jaimie Kanwar
he's a waste of cash period. he need's to be on the bench, never mind on the right. apart from his goal yesterday he was anonymous once again.
ReplyDeleteChi Bai lu, he's an orthodox winger like Ian Callaghan or Peter Thompson.
ReplyDeleteKenny can't see it. As soon as Downing started to look dangerous resulting in a goal Kenny immediately switched him to the left! The gaffer is stuck in the past. Downing finds it difficult to run in straight lines down the left, opposing fullbacks know which way he will go and Downing has no answer. He looks a much better player on the right. Look at Chris Waddle. He is possibly the best left footed player to play on the right I have seen. But he too had similar problems on the left. We look at our best with Maxi or Bellamy on the left and Downing on the right.
ReplyDeleteReina
ReplyDeleteJohnson Skrtel Agger Enrique
A.Johnson Gerrard Lucas Downing
Suarez
Falcao
YNWA
I would be happy with this team, unfortunately I don't think Falcao would be available to buy. Soldado might be an option. Adam Johnson I think is wasted at city and would be a great buy.
ReplyDeleteHe did it well for Villa last season, and needs to do a bit more of it for us, seeing as we play with so little width so often.
ReplyDeleteDowning wide right and Bellamy wide left would be my first choice.
ReplyDeleteOur problem for years is that we haven't had fast wingers on the "correct" wing, who can beat a man and whip the ball in for strikers
ReplyDeleteThis reverse winger / wide forward stuff works fine for Robben, di Maria, Adam Johnson, Young, Nani, Sturridge, Messi in early days etc but they are all technically better than Downing and have the skill to beat a man and choose to cut in and shoot on good foot or cross with weaker foot
Downing needs to get back to basics on the left and get his crossing in order, he can still pop up on right occasionally
Aside from a few hopeful shots, he has absolutely nothing going for him in terms of coming off the right wing at a top club. His game is simply not expansive enough to be a worthy enough to be a top 4 right winger. He is 'too shy' on the right. Keep him on the left. Adam Johnson is a good shout and is more gutsy with the ball at his feet on the right wing, than fellow Boro graduate Downing.
ReplyDeleteBit lightweight in midfield that matey, Johnson and Downing just wouldn't have enough bite about em....Cant expect Lucas to do all the battling.
ReplyDelete