Downing

[Ryan]

Here's what needs to happen to get the best out of him.

Downing starts on the right - where he played his best football for Villa and ultimately got the move to us (and coincidentally where I said he should be played all summer).

Bellamy on the left.

I'd rotate Dirk and Carroll up front then alongside Suarez.

Let's get this straight, Dirk's a better player than Downing and I'll love him until he turns beautiful, but Kenny and clarke are gonna play Downing for the rest of fucking time by the looks of it so we better get used to it.

Anyway, the only reason they're persisting with him on the left is based on this idea that he3's just going to swing balls onto Carroll's head all year long and big Andy's gonna score 700 goals from it. Well, I've yet to see one bit of evidence of one cross even meeting his head, nevermind a fucking goal. Besides, Enrique can provide the width on the outside of Bellamy and aeguably a better cross.

This style of Kenny's of two wide players plaing on their natural flank went out in the fucking 60s. Look at all the great teams in the world right now - City, united, Barca, etc etc - all with wingers cutting inside.

Bet Bellamy out there - it keeps the pace and directness down that flank that they obviously like, and it adds a whole new dimension to the side. I made a comment at the weekend about how slow our play was due to everyone being too far apart. This way players can come inside and link up much better. It'd assist Suarez, it'd negate the need for Charlie Hollywood to ping 40 yard passes into touch, and it'd get the most out of Downing.

You know I'm right.

 

[spider-Neil]

downing and bellamy on the flanks sounds like a no brainer


bellamy lucas gerrard downing

with the exception of lucas the midfield would have pace and would be very direct and in bellamy and gerrard there would be a goal threat. wont happen as I don't think bellamy's knees are up to weekly football.

 

[Ryan]

It's got fuck all to do with Bellamy's knees, and everything to do with the fact we spent a combined 75M on Downing, Henderson and Carroll and Kenny wanting to show it wasn't a waste.

 

[Ossi]

Bellamy and Enrique will find each other fantastically if they get the chance. Fact!

 

[Mystic]

What you're saying is a no brainer Ryab, unfortunately I doubt it'll happen. Evidence against Sunderland at what Downing can do from the right. Neil, its his hamstrings not his knees and he and his medical dude themselves said he could only play once a week and no more, not that he couldn't play once a week, also he was doing it to preserve his career, you'd think now that he's at his boyhood team again that he'd give everything as I imagine he thinks this is his last chance at the big time.

 

[Sven]

--------------------------------------Suarez
----Bellamy------------------------Gerrard----------------------Downing
------------------------Lucas--------------------Henderson
-----Enrique---------Agger--------------------Carra------------Kelly
--------------------------------------Reina

 

[Fabio]

[quote author=Ossi link=topic=47080.msg1408245#msg1408245 date=1317626225]
Bellamy and Enrique will find each other fantastically if they get the chance. Fact!
[/quote]

I think Enrique and downing work fantastically together

 

[Squiggles]

Strangely enough, I'm in complete agreement.

 

[Hansern]

Andy would with a bit more luck have 2-3 goals from Downings crosses, and after 7 games this is abit premature. But I agree re Bellamy and Downing. Gives us more pace and directness. Bellers has certainly showed he should start now.

 

[Gary25]

Downing's a left winger.

 

[Sunny]

I think one the things to work at is to get the ball into the box sooner. There's been occasions in several games where we dawdle on the ball in wide areas. We have a player who's actually quite good in the air. Thus get the ball in there and stop pissing about. That said I expect us to be playing much more as a cohesive unit in the next month or so

 

[Hansern]

You can also see thedifference from crossing from the byline. Gets much more difficult to defend against.

 

[Ryan]

[quote author=Gary25 link=topic=47080.msg1408399#msg1408399 date=1317654296]
Downing's a left winger.
[/quote]

Apart from last season where he played the best football of his entire career from the right wing.

But you're right - he's got a left foot and runs down the left wing, so let's not get all fancy schmancy with these new-fangled tactics.

 

[Frogfish]

[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=47080.msg1408352#msg1408352 date=1317647204]
Strangely enough, I'm in complete agreement.
[/quote]

Not in complete agreement but I'd like to see it given a decent try.

We do need to get more players into the box though. When we're playing well we do this. Note how at the weekend Spurs, Arsenal, United, Chelsea often have 4 (not the 2 or 3 we have) players waiting on a cross. Last season from January on we were doing this too, this season we seem to be holding back too much.

 

[Glock21]

So, one fucking magic from Bellamy and Enrique and suddenly hey its Bellamy who should be starting on the left flank. Fucking hell.


Bellamy isn't a winger and by starting him there would be disastrous for us as he isn't going to last 45 mins there. For subs he's ok to be playing there for 5-25mins.


The problem with Downing is he doesn't link well with Enrique and i fucking hope he fucking learn something in training and be fucking grateful that he has Enrique behind him.


For now, i'd play Bellamy and Suarez up front and Kuyt owns the right wing position. No fucking average Downing is going to take that place. Carroll are not going to do well with us and that single fucking goal against the Blueshite ae not going to change my mind.

 

[doctor_mac]

[quote author=Ryan link=topic=47080.msg1408178#msg1408178 date=1317594420]
Here's what needs to happen to get the best out of him.

Downing starts on the right - where he played his best football for Villa and ultimately got the move to us (and coincidentally where I said he should be played all summer).

Bellamy on the left.

I'd rotate Dirk and Carroll up front then alongside Suarez.

Let's get this straight, Dirk's a better player than Downing and I'll love him until he turns beautiful, but Kenny and clarke are gonna play Downing for the rest of fucking time by the looks of it so we better get used to it.

Anyway, the only reason they're persisting with him on the left is based on this idea that he3's just going to swing balls onto Carroll's head all year long and big Andy's gonna score 700 goals from it. Well, I've yet to see one bit of evidence of one cross even meeting his head, nevermind a fucking goal. Besides, Enrique can provide the width on the outside of Bellamy and aeguably a better cross.

This style of Kenny's of two wide players plaing on their natural flank went out in the fucking 60s. Look at all the great teams in the world right now - City, united, Barca, etc etc - all with wingers cutting inside.

Bet Bellamy out there - it keeps the pace and directness down that flank that they obviously like, and it adds a whole new dimension to the side. I made a comment at the weekend about how slow our play was due to everyone being too far apart. This way players can come inside and link up much better. It'd assist Suarez, it'd negate the need for Charlie Hollywood to ping 40 yard passes into touch, and it'd get the most out of Downing.

You know I'm right.
[/quote]

I actually agree. I think some of his most dangerous moments for us have come from his making runs in central positions (like that bar-rattler against S'Land), and he crosses well enough with his right for the 'pinging crosses into Carroll's head' thing to still happen anyway.

 

[Mystic]

[quote author=doctor_mac link=topic=47080.msg1408835#msg1408835 date=1317733917]
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=47080.msg1408178#msg1408178 date=1317594420]
Here's what needs to happen to get the best out of him.

Downing starts on the right - where he played his best football for Villa and ultimately got the move to us (and coincidentally where I said he should be played all summer).

Bellamy on the left.

I'd rotate Dirk and Carroll up front then alongside Suarez.

Let's get this straight, Dirk's a better player than Downing and I'll love him until he turns beautiful, but Kenny and clarke are gonna play Downing for the rest of fucking time by the looks of it so we better get used to it.

Anyway, the only reason they're persisting with him on the left is based on this idea that he3's just going to swing balls onto Carroll's head all year long and big Andy's gonna score 700 goals from it. Well, I've yet to see one bit of evidence of one cross even meeting his head, nevermind a fucking goal. Besides, Enrique can provide the width on the outside of Bellamy and aeguably a better cross.

This style of Kenny's of two wide players plaing on their natural flank went out in the fucking 60s. Look at all the great teams in the world right now - City, united, Barca, etc etc - all with wingers cutting inside.

Bet Bellamy out there - it keeps the pace and directness down that flank that they obviously like, and it adds a whole new dimension to the side. I made a comment at the weekend about how slow our play was due to everyone being too far apart. This way players can come inside and link up much better. It'd assist Suarez, it'd negate the need for Charlie Hollywood to ping 40 yard passes into touch, and it'd get the most out of Downing.

You know I'm right.
[/quote]

I actually agree. I think some of his most dangerous moments for us have come from his making runs in central positions (like that bar-rattler against S'Land), and he crosses well enough with his right for the 'pinging crosses into Carroll's head' thing to still happen anyway.
[/quote]

Quite, Downing has a good shot on him and is quite a clever passer to. I'd like to see him coming in centrally and attacking the goal some more. Starting on the right would allow this. Even as part of a front three with Suarez (left) and he (right) playing wide with Carroll in the middle.

 

[Gary25]

[quote author=Ryan link=topic=47080.msg1408595#msg1408595 date=1317686903]
[quote author=Gary25 link=topic=47080.msg1408399#msg1408399 date=1317654296]
Downing's a left winger.
[/quote]

Apart from last season where he played the best football of his entire career from the right wing.

But you're right - he's got a left foot and runs down the left wing, so let's not get all fancy schmancy with these new-fangled tactics.
[/quote]

Villa had two proper wingers last season in Downing and Young so they were strong on both sides of the pitch.

As for your point that when Downing plays on the left, he offers very little. well last season, i'll give you 3 examples of him making an impact from the left wing:

1) header versus Stoke
2) his cross for Albrighton to score versus the Scum
3) his goal against us

For years, we've been crying out for a wide left and now we have one, Some people seem to think he should be used on the right...how the fuck they come to this conclusion i'll never know. "he can cut in on his good foot", give me strength. You didn't see Fergie playing Beckham on the left and Giggs on the right when they were in their pomp. He's a left winger.

 

[Ryan]

[quote author=The_Rule link=topic=47080.msg1408688#msg1408688 date=1317715841]
Bellamy isn't a winger and by starting him there would be disastrous for us [/quote]

Her's played the last 4 years of his career on the left wiactually why the fuck am I bothering with this?

 

[Glock21]

[quote author=Ryan link=topic=47080.msg1409037#msg1409037 date=1317771312]
[quote author=The_Rule link=topic=47080.msg1408688#msg1408688 date=1317715841]
Bellamy isn't a winger and by starting him there would be disastrous for us [/quote]

Her's played the last 4 years of his career on the left wiactually why the fuck am I bothering with this?
[/quote]


On the left of a three man attack. I should ask you the same fucking question, why the fuck am i bothering with this shit?? ??

 

[Spionkop69]

[quote author=The_Rule link=topic=47080.msg1409234#msg1409234 date=1317815097]
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=47080.msg1409037#msg1409037 date=1317771312]
[quote author=The_Rule link=topic=47080.msg1408688#msg1408688 date=1317715841]
Bellamy isn't a winger and by starting him there would be disastrous for us [/quote]

Her's played the last 4 years of his career on the left wiactually why the fuck am I bothering with this?
[/quote]


On the left of a three man attack. I should ask you the same fucking question, why the fuck am i bothering with this shit?? ??
[/quote]

We'd all like an answer to that!!!!

 

[Fabio]

By shit I hope glock means life

 

[DHSC]

Shouldn't circumstances dictate whether Downing plays on the right or left? He can switch flanks during the game if tactics favour that. Not too sure why he has to stick on the left or the right for the whole game.

 

[Glock21]

[quote author=DHSC link=topic=47080.msg1409342#msg1409342 date=1317828604]
Shouldn't circumstances dictate whether Downing plays on the right or left? He can switch flanks during the game if tactics favour that. Not too sure why he has to stick on the left or the right for the whole game.
[/quote]


He is neither good on both flanks but he is the only out and out winger we have in the team. I'd prefer we play Gerrard at right wing than him.

 

[Halmeister]

There was a couple of periods earlier on this season where Downing was showing up on the right - maybe the Sunderland and Spurs games - and I thought it hampered our play, to be honest. He was slowing things down, coming inside and congesting play. I was tearing my hair out. What's left of it.

I usually agree with what Ryan says, but I can't really here. I prefer him on the left. I think he and Enrique work well. I don't object with him switching flanks every now and again within the game, however, to freshen things up.

I'm sure Ryan will have many sleepless nights knowing that I don't concur.

 

[PaulGorst]

[quote author=Halmeister link=topic=47080.msg1409463#msg1409463 date=1317848979]
There was a couple of periods earlier on this season where Downing was showing up on the right - maybe the Sunderland and Spurs games - and I thought it hampered our play, to be honest. He was slowing things down, coming inside and congesting play. I was tearing my hair out. What's left of it.

I usually agree with what Ryan says, but I can't really here. I prefer him on the left. I think he and Enrique work well. I don't object with him switching flanks every now and again within the game, however, to freshen things up.

I'm sure Ryan will have many sleepless nights knowing that I don't concur.
[/quote]

Hahaha.
But, yeah it was Sunderland, when he was on the right WITH Henderson and Kuyt when he came on for him.
We had no one on the left and it really affected us, who knows, had he been on the left he could have easily have knocked in a cross that either Suarez or Carroll could have stuck away. It was really frustrating.

 

[Halmeister]

[quote author=PaulGorst link=topic=47080.msg1409468#msg1409468 date=1317849587]
[quote author=Halmeister link=topic=47080.msg1409463#msg1409463 date=1317848979]
There was a couple of periods earlier on this season where Downing was showing up on the right - maybe the Sunderland and Spurs games - and I thought it hampered our play, to be honest. He was slowing things down, coming inside and congesting play. I was tearing my hair out. What's left of it.

I usually agree with what Ryan says, but I can't really here. I prefer him on the left. I think he and Enrique work well. I don't object with him switching flanks every now and again within the game, however, to freshen things up.

I'm sure Ryan will have many sleepless nights knowing that I don't concur.
[/quote]

Hahaha.
But, yeah it was Sunderland, when he was on the right WITH Henderson and Kuyt when he came on for him.
We had no one on the left and it really affected us, who knows, had he been on the left he could have easily have knocked in a cross that either Suarez or Carroll could have stuck away. It was really frustrating.
[/quote]

Yeah that was the one.

I just think it makes a massive difference having somebody on the left who is comfortable there. Just like when we played our best football under Benitez when Riera was playing for us, despite him being a rather ordinary player.