Tom 2,492 Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 I think Downing will play LWB, for lack of other options. To be fair, we could do a lot worse. Link to post Share on other sites
SmogInSheff 66 Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 We need 3 points - especially with the mood around the club. By hook or by crook we need 3 points. Going 2-0 to West Brom :-( Link to post Share on other sites
Boro Badger 87 Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 I think Downing will play LWB, for lack of other options. To be fair, we could do a lot worse. That's a good shout, he does have some experience there from his time at Liverpool (but it was more LB than LWB I think). Given all the injuries/unrest, this is the first time I've felt something positive about this match: --------------------- Valdes --------------------- --------- Bernardo -- Fry -- Gibson ---------- -- Fabio -------------------------- Downing -- ----------- De Roon --- Clayton ------------- --------Bamford ------------ Fischer ------------ ------------------ Negredo --------------------- With Bamford and Fischer on the pitch we would carry more of a goal threat - they'd definitely get some shots away, that's for sure! Link to post Share on other sites
northern boro 446 Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 AK Gaston Ramirez has been training with the team yesterday and today but the physio came to my office and said he couldn’t play tomorrow. That was a surprise. Link to post Share on other sites
juninho9 35 Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 Valdes; Barragan, Espinosa, Gibson, Fabio; Clayton, De Roon, Forshaw; Stuani, Downing; Negredo Dimi; Ayala, Fry, Leadbitter, Traore, Bamford, Gestede Think Friend and Chambers are going to miss this one. It'll be a match won in the middle of the park, so think AK will have three in the middle. Hoping Downing pushes on from his performance against Accrington. I still feel that he knows Ramirez may not feature a lot more and wants to prove his place more than ever. Bamford or Stuani on right of Negredo for me. Think AK will choose latter. Link to post Share on other sites
Pete Campbell 0 Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 AK Gaston Ramirez has been training with the team yesterday and today but the physio came to my office and said he couldn’t play tomorrow. That was a surprise. Very strange Link to post Share on other sites
Borodane 6,246 Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 This is the time for Downing to repay and show what he can bring to the team for the remainder of the season. He had a good show in the Cup, albeit against a weak team, but he scored a wonderful individual goal to put us through. This could be his big chance to stake a claim in the team. Put in a good performance here Stewey. It's impossible to call this lineup. It will probably be the most nervous game since Brighton on the last day. Link to post Share on other sites
Humpty 3,242 Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 Valdes; Barragan, Espinosa, Gibson, Fabio; Clayton, De Roon, Forshaw; Stuani, Downing; Negredo Dimi; Ayala, Fry, Leadbitter, Traore, Bamford, Gestede Think Friend and Chambers are going to miss this one. It'll be a match won in the middle of the park, so think AK will have three in the middle. Hoping Downing pushes on from his performance against Accrington. I still feel that he knows Ramirez may not feature a lot more and wants to prove his place more than ever. Bamford or Stuani on right of Negredo for me. Think AK will choose latter. Spot on. Link to post Share on other sites
Tom 2,492 Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 I'd play Traore. If he plays on the left he's up against Dawson, who is slow as hell, and if he plays right he'll probably be up against Brunt, who isn't really a full back. All sorts of opportunities for him to open the game up. Link to post Share on other sites
Borodane 6,246 Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 I'd play Traore. If he plays on the left he's up against Dawson, who is slow as hell, and if he plays right he'll probably be up against Brunt, who isn't really a full back. All sorts of opportunities for him to open the game up. Agree. But we need a second striker ala Stuani or Bamford to support Negredo and can you drop Downing after Saturday? Or is he strong enough to play alongside Clayton and De Roon. Personally I'd rather see Downing start instead of Forshaw if it means Traore starts Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Changing Times Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 Can you drop Downing after he played well against Accrington Stanley? Yes I think you can. We rested players so that they'd be ready to play tomorrow. I'd be amazed if those players aren't back in the side. If anyone I'd say it was Bamford more likely to keep his place than Downing. Link to post Share on other sites
Borodane 6,246 Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 Can you drop Downing after he played well against Accrington Stanley? Yes I think you can. We rested players so that they'd be ready to play tomorrow. I'd be amazed if those players aren't back in the side. If anyone I'd say it was Bamford more likely to keep his place than Downing. Well of course you can. What I meant was will it be wise to drop downing with Gaston in limbo. Maybe it's better to try an give Downing some confidence and build on after a match where he played well and was a match winner for once. Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Changing Times Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 I suppose it depends if everything Karanka has said and done up until now is *** really. He's made it clear that Downing isn't what he wants and that he doesn't suit this team. Ramirez pulling this crap doesn't change that. Downing has started one game (Man Utd) since the beginning of November. I think Karanka sees Fischer ahead of him, he played Stuani on the left against West Ham rather than pick Downing. You can't rule anything out with this manager and group of players because the logic of what they do is often very difficult to understand but I don't see why we'd pick Downing tomorrow night unless lots of players are unfit for some reason. Link to post Share on other sites
Borodane 6,246 Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 Maybe downing has shown more desire, determination or actually impressed AK positively with his mindset after he decided to stay and fight for the cause. It's probably none of that but in all this turmoil I suppose they is something AK would actually appreciate. Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Changing Times Posted January 30, 2017 Share Posted January 30, 2017 Did he decide to stay or was the deal simply not right? I think it's the latter myself. Link to post Share on other sites
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