KopTalk.com Forums Football Liverpool FC Forum Downing

Anyone see the reaction of some fans in the KOP when Downing blazed high and mighty over the bar in the last minute?

and they weren't saying 'ooh, unlucky son, never mind'

We'll they have the right to criticise him because lets face it for 20m he has been poor. I think he had a good game yesterday but still needs a lot of improving to do.

There were certainly some very angry reactions.

In defence of Downing, I got the impression yesterday that Enrique hugging the left touchline in forward positions restricts Downings options. He either has to cut inside or just lay a simple ball to Enrique on the left. Often they seemed to be running for the same space, kind of getting in each others way.

Having said that, he fluffed at least three shooting opportunities - with one of them hitting the target more due to luck.

He wasnt great but how can you criticise him when Henderson is playing, because he is useless. and before any1 comes back with oh stop having a go blah blah blah look at hendersons performance and tell me what he offers the team. Oh wait a minute thaths right - NOTHING!!

doning had a good game yesterday. to be honest i didnt think anyone had a bad game yesterday. its sill early days for downing, if he continues to improve we wont have a problem. his delivey was much better.

The team's just put in a great performance against a side who have been walking over teams (See Utd) and still people feel the need to have a dig at someone. Why ?
I guess we will have Henderson digs every week for the rest of the season no matter how well he plays, just like we had for Kuyt and Lucas after him.... give the lad a chance.

Completely disagree. I think you'll find downing has bottled it when it comes to running past players 75% of the time. He doesn't believe he can do it, forcing enrique to go beyond him. Enrique often comes inside and downing doesn't want to run in behind nearly all of the time. His crossing has been ok at best the majority of the time. He has really taken 3 steps backwards from his villa days. Yesterday was however an improvement, more is still needed though.

I actually like the way the 2 link up and so long as one of them is delivering good ball into the box I don't mind which one it is.
Enrique seems to have an in-built reaction that as soon as the ball is with a red shirt he breaks his neck to charge down the line. I would be interested to see how much ground he covers in a game, it must be high for a fullback.
Am surprised that he has been getting some digs on here recently as well, I know he let Sturridge sneak in for the Chelsea goal, but on the whole I think he has been very solid defensively, surprisingly strong for his size.

No way around it Downing has been virtually dissapearing in games of late, no desire to go past his full back at all and he kept throwing in aimless crosses with only Saurez in the box yesterday. His shooting is appalling, "cows arse and banjo" come to mind, I would have him benched for now with Maxi or Bellamy in.

I think everyone's over reacting. I know kuyt had a bit of a stinker but still valuable member of squad just obviously not at 31 in LFC long term plans. Downing was better(albeit still not good enough) doesnt deserve to be abused by fans in stadium in my opinion. And henderson will soon be forced to wrap his body in bandages so that people can see him when he is on pitch. But I was really happy with how they took the game to city- city are terrifyingly good- best team I have seen this season in terms of organisation. Mancini lost it by bottling I think he could have beaten that LFC team but thankfully his italian tactics can't beat a charged up LFC team at anfield. And as lucas was yet again probably top player I am pleased with the midfield . Wouldnt say no to a dip in transfer market though