Think his goal yesterday came at a good time, there were 2/3 times in the first 25 mins when he made the wrong decision when he was "in" down there left hand side, delaying the cross FAR too late when the ball should have gone in earlier, if not 1st touch Also he seems to have gone into "Downing mode" always taking the easy option passing back to the FB, rather that trying to beat the FB on some occasions, he must try to beat the FB some times even if we lose the ball, yesterday especially before his goal he was very conservative, think the goal came at the right time for him
You say he has gone into Downing mode by passing back instead of taking his man on, has it occured to you it may be Brendan mode, keep possession at all cost and that could be why Downing does it too?
The downing mode I think is him being young, that meaning that he is so used to his one trick touch touch push past doesn't quite work as well when the defenders are bossing you off the ball. Might be losing a bit of confidence in that and going for the safe option. BUT, the safe option is ok time to time, he just needs to add more to his bag of tricks and how to play off the other players a bit better. The man he should be asking how to do this should be Suarez as defenders all shapes and sizes have trouble with him and his movement, trickery, and how he can link with the rest of the team. Downing is just dross and I think the only person who finds him to be a good player on here is MFG.
I've noticed the same to be honest. When he first burst onto the scene, he wasn't afraid to run at players. Seems to have slowed down a bit which then slows our play. I think he recognises that his left foot isn't that great so crossing would be difficult combined with the fact that there aren't many targets to aim for. Still an exciting players and his finish was top notch! Not seen to many goals like that from our boys since the Torres days!
downing is a negative player. in the fa cup final he never once opened his body up to taken anyone on. he was jsut taking it in and passing it back. we lost that game before we ever got going due to this attitude. Sterling is playing under a different manager and mentality. unfortunately 90% of the time if he's wide and looks up theres nobody in the box!!!! its difficult to get it in and create a chance when thats the case. Enrique came on and created a lot but you could see equally a lack of bodies in there so he was looking for the cut back rather than the danger ball acrss that 6 yard area... we simply must get saurez wide and get a real striker in there who looks for the ball over the top, in the channels etc.
\At this point there is nothing to lose by telling Downing to take a month off and come back ready. Then see what happens. It has just gone all wrong for the guy and he is better than we've seen. Not brilliant but can contribute more. I suspect he is just too wound up at this point as he's had everyone on his back for a long time so when you hit the turf it does affect your game, he's never had the spotlight on him to this degree
Sterlings goal was as important for Suarez as it was for us and Sterling. After the chances Suarez missed I'm sure he would have had Raheems's 4th baby for getting him out of jail there.
I'd just sell downing. big wages, no product... another waste of cash. He'll play in the euopa no doubt... was a waster really.
