The case of using Downing as a Wing-back

[WhiskeyJar]

Again, thoughts and opinions gents.

 

Keep it clean.

 

 

In the modern age of football there are many different roles and jobs a defender can have.

 

And a wonderful sight in the game is seeing the wing-back fly up and down the touchline terrorising the opposition.

 

Their role is more attacking than the full-back's, and it basically involves a great deal of running.

 

They are a nightmare to defend against as you never know where they're going to be.

 

They are usually employed in a formation that includes just three players in midfield.

 

This allows the wing-backs to supply all of the width in the team.

 

Because their job is to attack, there will usually be an extra central defender to give more defensive cover.

 

To be a useful wing-back, you've got to be good at all parts of the game.

 

Fit, strong, good with both feet, a great tackler, an amazing passer and a fine crosser of the ball.

 

Roberto Carlos (pictured) is never happier than when he's motoring forward for Brazil or Real Madrid.

[smilezzz]

Sorry, no.

 

Doesnt fit in with any of the attributes that you've listed. Seems more of a case of him being too kek to play in the forward line, so drop him to defence.

[sir roger]

I know it will probably be an unpopular stance, but I would be happy to give Downing another season at least, as he is far better than he showed last year & I would rather have him as an option in the squad than £8m or so in FSG's bank account.

 

As for being a wing-back, I don't see that will be an option in many of Rodger's selections, but might be something to look at against poorer teams at home or if we are desperate for a goal late on in a game.

[Guest San Don]

What I want to know is, if we are prepared to ship Carroll, a forward out, why arent we looking to ship downing out?

 

I've been very unimpressed with Downing tbh. I really dont see what he brings to the team. We'd get what, £10m - £15m for him in the current cliamte so would take a far lesser hit on the transfer fee loss than Carroll.

[Glen C]

Rodgers on Downing: I think left back is a position Downing can play. The modern day full back are transformed wingers, Like Jordi Alba

[Rick Sanchez C-137]

Rodgers on Downing: I think left back is a position Downing can play. The modern day full back are transformed wingers, Like Jordi Alba

 

Where did you see this?

[Lee909]

I can't see us using him as a wingback as it would mean hanging the shape of the team when we play Sterling or the other lad we just bought.

 

It would be worth trying Downing as a left back though.Enrique had t been good since Christmas and I don't think Robinson is quite ready yet.

We are not going to get a decent fee for him so there is little to loose.

 

The other issue with 3 centre backs is that if we play a side that camps in there own half you have 3 players marking 1 striker.

As good a ball player as Agger is his record for goals isnt great.I don't see him breaking from the defence on long runs either. Mascherano/Song could play this for Barca as they are naturally midfielders who could play in front of a back 2 and slot into a 3 as needed,I don't think Lucas could do this.

[Whelan]

I think he has more chance of being a tampon with wings! Which would probably suit this fanny down to the ground.

 

Stick him anywhere on the pitch it doesn't matter, he will still be a shithouse.

[KevieG]

Can't defend, funked out of a challenge last night, keeps turning inside anyway. No.

[Evil_Ways]

I like the idea, thought he looked quite good there apart from some jitters.

 

Downing is comfortable on the ball, good passer, great engine and defensively he works very hard. There is no way he is going to cut it as a wide forward here i dont think, i do however think he's got all the raw ingredients to make a fine left back.

[xerxes]

Downing is just spectacularly average. Decent in an ordinary side, exposed against and with better players.

 

Although not as good as Kenny thought he was he is still better than he is playing at the moment. It's a confidence thing, but its difficult to see how he is going to make it here and he is on big wages so will be difficult to move on.

[Jairzinho]

No thank you.

[Duff Man]

Hell's no.

[BenR_]

Even if you put aside the ridiculous notion that Rodgers should change his system entirely and play an unconventional 3 at the back formation simply for the sake of Stewart Downing, it won't work.

 

Why? Because Downing fails at some of the most basic things required of a footballer at these levels. He's invariably shit wherever he plays.

[Evil_Ways]

Think people are being clouded by Downing's displays as a wide attacking midfielder. In theory at least, i think the actual strength's Downing has would be better suited at fullback. He would be doing more overlapping, more one touch passing, more running and more crossing running into space rather than cutting in and taking defenders on one on one which comes to nothing from a more attacking position.

[BenR_]

Even if that were all true, he can't defend.

Stop trying to reinvent the wheel. You don't make an attacker a defender at the age of 28.

[ritchie]

What I want to know is, if we are prepared to ship Carroll, a forward out, why arent we looking to ship downing out?

 

I've been very unimpressed with Downing tbh. I really dont see what he brings to the team. We'd get what, £10m - £15m for him in the current cliamte so would take a far lesser hit on the transfer fee loss than Carroll.

 

You see Matt Jarvis going for £10m, so we should do, but isn't Downing another one on silly wages? So we'd end up paying Downing half the transfer fee to leave.

 

I'd love to get rid to raise funds for someone more reliable. He's 29 next summer so his value will only plummet.

[BringbackBiscan]

Could be a decent option to use every now and again if wanting to try a 352. Three capable centre backs and two centre forwards from the current squad might be a bigger problem.

[Iceman]

How about the case for sending Downing back?

[Major Tom]

How did anyone ever think Downing was worth £20m?

[Iceman]

Cocaine is a helluva drug!

 

[Lee909]

what did the five fingers say to the face?-

 

SLAP!-

 

bwahahah

 

 

 

I was just watching all of the Chapelle show on netflixs.

Some of the best TV I have seen.

[Jairzinho]

I wish I had more hands, so I could give Downing four thumbs down.

[TheHowieLama]

what did the five fingers say to the face?-

 

SLAP!-

 

bwahahah

 

 

 

I was just watching all of the Chapelle show on netflixs.

Some of the best TV I have seen.

 

Charlie Murphy!

 

The Prince playing basketball bit is quality.

[Lee909]