Dismayed by Stewart Downing’s England inclusion
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Has any player ever benefited more from being left-footed than Stewart Downing? Really, that’s the only explanation for him having thirty-two England caps. How many you say? Yup, thirty-two.
A hearty round of applause to anybody that can name three positive moments that Downing has had for the national team. Anybody? No?
I’m not one of those people that believes England to be anything more than a slightly above average international side, but we don’t half trip over ourselves. Why do we continue to pick players that consistently underwhelm for England, why are we not more brutal on those that clearly – while decent Premier League performers – quite evidently are not able to make an impact on the level above?
The frustration with Downing is more acute because of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s exclusion from the squad. Oxlade-Chamberlain offers a direct dynamism that England don’t have, and that Downing can’t provide. “He’s too young, he’s too inexperienced” – sure, but what has this generation really achieved with such a conservative philosophy. Honestly, I don’t mind if we fail in Polkraine, as long as we do it with some balls.
Downing represents an empty shirt, a player that has never provided any proof that he’s of value to England, yet is continually selected on the hope that he may one do miraculously do so.
Stuart Pearce selected this England squad, and here’s what he has to say about managing the team through the Euros:
“I have tournament experience if they need me to step into the breach in the summer. If they need me to take the squad this summer I will do that with pleasure.”
That’s great Psycho, but your ‘tournament experience’ amounts to the abject failure in South Africa with Fabio Capello, and the alarmingly poor performance in Denmark for the U21 Euros last Summer. Tempting.
And while we’re at it…Theo Walcott? Why?
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Posted on February 23, 2012, in General and tagged England, Stewart Downing, Stuart Pearce. Bookmark the permalink. 5 Comments.
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How on earth would you compare Downing with Chamberlain?? It means you are not careful to pick the small beautiful bits of Downing’s game. Its not all about scoring goals but I can confidently say Downing’s game is on the up since he join liverpool fc. Please take time out to study his game carefully. The guy is blessed and he is a very wise player.
Yup, it’s just because he’s a Liverpool player. Will you lot ever grow out of your paranoia?
A O-C is hardly the finished article, and it would do him no favour to select him now. Downing has had a poor year, but the change in club may have something to do with that, and he may be starting to turn it around. It’s not as if there were a load of candidates for the outside left position!
of all the shocking players pearce picked you have a go at downing? must be something to do with club he plays for now eh? bellend.
He’s given 10+ assists to England over the years and in his last game for them was MoTM. Downing has earned his rep, he’s far better than Chamberlain who had the worst 2 games I’ve ever seen in a player in his last 2. He has to play well consistantly for years in the EPL to reach Downing’s level.