*Official* English Football Season 2006-07

[marc71178]

Stuart Downing on the left >>>>> Joe Cole on the left

If that is so, how come he's only ever shown it in one game, coincidently the game when Greece were so woeful it was unbeliveable, particularly at right back?

 

[marc71178]

I suppose for Coventry that was a very welcome 250k. I guess in League One or Two that would be enough transfer money for a season or so?

OI!!!!!!!!!!!!


We've £4.25m for the board to keep from Adams now!

 

[marc71178]

Scaly your right that Downing is more naturally suited to the left-side role than Cole for England

So how come he's yet to show it then?

 

[BoyBrumby]

Make a list off the top of your head of Central Defenders who would slot into any team, in the last 20 years.

Butcher, Adams, Campbell, Terry, Ferdinand at the very least. And i've not even put much thought into it.

You'll never beat Des Walker! As the Trees used to sing.

 

[Scaly piscine]

So how come he's yet to show it then?

Set up 3 goals in his one and only start for England.

 

[Matteh]

You'll never beat Des Walker! As the Trees used to sing.

Mansfield nearly had him. But he got injured in pre-season, and by the time he was fit again, Carlton Palmer had realised he was a rubbish manager and resigned, so he never played.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Scaly your right that Downing is more naturally suited to the left-side role than Cole for England, but even so Cole for the last 2 years now has been extremely good there & has become one of the best in the world in this role & really doesn't deserve to be dropped.

How many goals can you remember coming from the left side of midfield from open play?

There were none in the World Cup I can tell you that now. Yes Joe Cole set one up from just outside the area on the right side and he scored one of the best goals of the tournament - but he contributed zilch in his actual position of left-side of midfield and that's partly why England were so feeble in the World Cup (look at how threatening Germany were, simply because they played to their formation and did the basics of stretching the opposition across the pitch and so being able to either play the ball through the back line or go around and behind the back line). Joe Cole basically just ends up taking up the space of Gerrard and Lampard would have, if he's good enough to play in central or right midfield ahead of someone then he should play there and he'll do a good job, will probably score and create more goals AND he won't be stuffing up the rest of midfield while he's doing it. The team and formation come first, the personnel second, Joe Cole should not a realistic option at left midfield - he's like a team having an outfield player go in goal because the keeper got sent off, he should only be there in a complete emergency.

 

[Matteh]

Haha, fool.

 

[Langeveldt]

IT. I don't think they do BTECs in "Arsenal players from 20 years ago."

WTF is a BTEC?

 

[Jungle Jumbo]

WTF is a BTEC?

It's like a GCSE (or possibly an A-level?) in a non-academic subject AFAIK.

 

[aussie]

So how come he's yet to show it then?

well he is, he is naturally left-footed.

 

[TT Boy]

Set up 3 goals in his one and only start for England.

Thought Antonios Nikopolidis was the chief assister…

 

[Matteh]

It's like a GCSE (or possibly an A-level?) in a non-academic subject AFAIK.

It's like a GNVQ but in even lamer subjects i thought.

 

[TT Boy]

well he is, he is naturally left-footed.

So was Steve Guppy...

This obsession about being left footed to play on the left hand side is really blown out to proportion (though in Downing's case it is his only real adroitness). Especially when you look round Europe and you are not surprised to see right footed players on the left hand side and vice versa. Sure it means the player would not have to cut back to cross the ball but if England are starting with their preferred strike force, getting down the wings and crossing into the middle would be the last of there plans.

Joe Cole is a wonderfully gifted footballer, technically are best player, yet a spotty kid from Middlesbrough supposedly we keep his place, like hell, Downing is only playing because McClaren is up on the kid (Surprised to see no Chris Riggott in the England party) but anyone who saw Stewart at the back end of last season he was woeful especially in the UEFA Cup final where he was embarrassed by Sevilla’s right back, Daniel Alves. Who Downing could not beat all night or stop from bombing up the field. Boro's James Morrison is a far better talent...

 

[Scaly piscine]

So was Steve Guppy...

This obsession about being left footed to play on the left hand side is really blown out to proportion (though in Downing's case it is his only real adroitness). Especially when you look round Europe and you are not surprised to see right footed players on the left hand side and vice versa. Sure it means the player would not have to cut back to cross the ball but if England are starting with their preferred strike force, getting down the wings and crossing into the middle would be the last of there plans.

Joe Cole is a wonderfully gifted footballer, technically are best player, yet a spotty kid from Middlesbrough supposedly we keep his place, like hell, Downing is only playing because McClaren is up on the kid (Surprised to see no Chris Riggott in the England party) but anyone who saw Stewart at the back end of last season he was woeful especially in the UEFA Cup final where he was embarrassed by Sevilla’s right back, Daniel Alves. Who Downing could not beat all night or stop from bombing up the field. Boro's James Morrison is a far better talent...

Yea lets go the vegetable route and play players out of position, play well below the sum of the parts, fail to even threaten to win something with the best squad of players England have ever had and generally play atrocious lacklustre football. I suggest you actually take a look at how much Downing did to get Middlesbrough to the UEFA Cup final in the first place.

 

[TT Boy]

Yea lets go the vegetable route and play players out of position, play well below the sum of the parts, fail to even threaten to win something with the best squad of players England have ever had and generally play atrocious lacklustre football. I suggest you actually take a look at how much Downing did to get Middlesbrough to the UEFA Cup final in the first place.

Yeah because Ronaldinho plays **** for Barcelona on the left hand side and his right footed...

Downing was injured for the best part of it...

Massimo Maccarone was the real hero of there 'great' campaign.

A thank you.

 

[roseboy64]

Not really been impressed by Dowining. Good prospect but didn't do anything in the World Cup and if I'm not mistaken wasn't too hot in the warmups either.

 

[Matteh]

He's alright. But i'd be worried if he was starting every game.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Not really been impressed by Dowining. Good prospect but didn't do anything in the World Cup and if I'm not mistaken wasn't too hot in the warmups either.

He's a winger and he was only playing as sub, so when he comes on with 20 minutes to go or whatever he's barely going to do anything before the game is over. Not everyone selfishly cuts infield to get the ball and screws up the shape of the side.

 

[Matteh]

Not everyone selfishly cuts infield to get the ball and screws up the shape of the side.

Interestingly, whenever Lennon got the ball vs Greece, he was stood basically on the touchline. Not seen anyone stand that far out wide in an England shirt before.