Damion Downs

[chivvy]

Makes BBD look like mbappe. I'm gutted his signing is working out.. 

[Wade Garrett]

Why did Still bring him on?  They must see how poor he is in training.  Valenciennes beckons, or Sholing.

At least Souness quickly realised how bad Dia was and hooked him off.

Those responsible for his signing should really be relieved of their positions, he’s that bad.

[BotleySaint]

Another training cone. Thanks SR! 

[Patches O Houlihan]

9 hours ago, Ekelund said:

The problem is now you can see the rest of the team reacting to every shit touch. It’s like watching a make a wish at the moment. There was one, on the 88th ish when still, downs (the average one) and manning just stood there, arms out wide and basically calling him out. It’s obvious now.

I watched the last 15 minutes of the game back specifically watching Downs. 

Everything he does is 30-70% energy max. Nothing he does is fully committed and aggressive. I did make one vaguely useful run into space but it required a worldy ball to him and you can completely see why his teammates wouldn't trust him.

The incident with Still and Manning showing frustration immediately followed Downs being powder puff but was actually because the ref incorrectly gave a throw in for Liverpool in injury time (standard)

But focusing on the intentions of our other players rather than watching the game everyone else was doing well in that last 15 minutes. We'll do alright this season if we can cut back on the crazy unforced errors.

[hypochondriac]

1 hour ago, Wade Garrett said:

Why did Still bring him on?  They must see how poor he is in training.  Valenciennes beckons, or Sholing.

At least Souness quickly realised how bad Dia was and hooked him off.

Those responsible for his signing should really be relieved of their positions, he’s that bad.

Because they're a bit desperate and need him to start working so that their decision not to get a striker doesn't look so mental.

[egg]

4 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Because they're a bit desperate and need him to start working so that their decision not to get a striker doesn't look so mental.

They got a "striker" but sadly it was Downs. If he was million quid from forest green or similar it wouldn't be so bad, but we paid proper money for him. I agree though that we're playing him to justify the decision to buy him. 

I genuinely can't remember seeing a player with such a bad touch. That he's a lazy sod adds insult to injury. 

 

[egg]

1 hour ago, chivvy said:

Makes BBD look like mbappe. I'm gutted his signing is working out.. 

BBD through the middle would have been a better option by a mile. Ditto Paul. Feels crazy to be writing that. 

[Zorba]

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

All being a bit harsh here. If Shea Charles wasn't where he was for his goal, Downs would have been a shoe in for a shot off target.

[disconnect]

He looks completely devoid of confidence, unlike his pre-season cameo where he took the run and smashed in a lovely finish. Not the best start, but still think he'll turn out to be semi useful, just needs to put himself about a bit more!

[Toussaint]

11 hours ago, S-Clarke said:

He's 'raw', but as we all said, we didn't need a gamble striker when our options weren't convincing as it was.

The two ends of the pitch remain our problem places, most of our goals will need to be from wide and AMC imo. It'll interesting to see how his stats look come the new year.

I remember watching James Beattie playing in a pre season friendly at Bournemouth, I didn’t know who he was. He was very “raw.”, but you could see straight away he had something about him. I’ll say it again, I cannot see a single redeeming feature in Downs.

At his age I’d have been more effective, I was nowhere near a top footballer.

[explorer saint]

We can't afford to give him game time now 

[Andy Hill]

Needs to find a different career - clearly not a footballer. It would be interesting to know what our scouting team saw in him ?!

[saintant]

10 hours ago, ally_uk said:

I haven't really been paying much attention to him. Come on lads he can't he that bad surely ?

Preseason when he banged in that goal I thought hold tight, he looks a decent finisher.... 

So what's going on? Struggling to adjust? Or is just naturally shite and the preseason goal was a fluke....

Also why isn't that Japanese lad playing? He cooked preseason! 

I thought similar after the pre-season strike which was a clever run and an instinctive finish but clearly that was the exception rather than the norm. He just runs around with no apparent idea of where he should be or what he should do, has a first touch that is clumsy at best and no physical presence. Ok, he needs time but my instinct is that we've been conned and sold a dud.

[SWLondon Saint]

I think it's still too early to judge. The scouting team won't have brought in a 'lazy' player, there's too much info out there these days - and he's been a Poch player with the US team, and there is no way Poch would even have him in his squad if he was lazy.

That means he's lacking in confidence or struggling to adjust. He needs some games in the reserves to figure out he should be bullying defenders with his pace and build. If they're on the ball, they should be wondering when he's going to tackle them, if we're on the ball they should be scared he's running in behind. Get that stuff right and then play on instinct and he should at least be able to be Shane Long-lite who never let his trampoline touch stop him being effective.

[Turkish]

9 hours ago, Osvaldorama said:

Ali Dia 

 

Literally the worst player I have seen since him. 
 

Only saints could sign a player this shit. 
 I didn’t think we could see a player worse than guido Carrillo but fuck me, we’ve actually done it. 
 

Weak, dumb, can’t control it, can’t pass it, can’t shoot. Fuck sake 

i remember a certain Sadio Mane being described as the worst player since Ali Dia so 

1/ You are factually incorrect

2/ he might be the same*

*he wont

[saintant]

11 hours ago, Sheaf Saint said:

Seven

Million

Pounds

Let that sink in! I think Joe Aribo would do a far better job at centre forward than this guy.

[saintant]

11 hours ago, RedArmy said:

Would love to see him in training. He must be doing something right or surely he wouldn’t have started at the weekend? 

He's playing against Stephens and THB so they probably make him look like Alexander Isaac.

[SWLondon Saint]

1 minute ago, saintant said:

He's playing against Stephens and THB so they probably make him look like Alexander Isaac.

I was thinking the same thing, he can probably bully them all day long! 😂

[Patches O Houlihan]

15 minutes ago, Andy Hill said:

Needs to find a different career - clearly not a footballer.

That's what it is! He looks like a lacrosse player.

When you're carrying a long stick with a big pocket then you don't have to move too much to collect the ball or dominate a space. 

[AlexLaw76]

There are so many strikers we could have got from the Championship alone for the cost (or less) than it took to bring this one in

It is unbelievable how bad he is

[saintant]

10 minutes ago, SWLondon Saint said:

I think it's still too early to judge. The scouting team won't have brought in a 'lazy' player, there's too much info out there these days - and he's been a Poch player with the US team, and there is no way Poch would even have him in his squad if he was lazy.

That means he's lacking in confidence or struggling to adjust. He needs some games in the reserves to figure out he should be bullying defenders with his pace and build. If they're on the ball, they should be wondering when he's going to tackle them, if we're on the ball they should be scared he's running in behind. Get that stuff right and then play on instinct and he should at least be able to be Shane Long-lite who never let his trampoline touch stop him being effective.

If he gets to be anywhere near the standard of Shane Long he'll become a very good footballer. Still don't get the derision by many because Longy did a good job for us and played all his games in the Premier League - can anyone imagine Downs playing in the PL!

[SWLondon Saint]

Just now, saintant said:

If he gets to be anywhere near the standard of Shane Long he'll become a very good footballer. Still don't get the derision by many because Longy did a good job for us and played all his games in the Premier League - can anyone imagine Downs playing in the PL!

Well exactly, Schlong had a horrendous first touch but he was an absolute terror at closing down and winning stuff in the air and on the ground he had no right to be winning. Scored some great goals too though my heart was always in my mouth when he had 'easy side foot in' type goals.

For an athlete like Downs, that's really the minimum he should be aiming for. What league he can do it in, I have no idea and we can only hope the new scouting team got it right...

[swannymere]

All the ex pros and coaches on here is astonishing, give the lad a break.

[AlexLaw76]

2 minutes ago, swannymere said:

All the ex pros and coaches on here is astonishing, give the lad a break.

break at what?

[imadirtyurchin]

Thing is. I can forgive him not being ready, for having a loose touch. Even his positioning. These things can be coached. 
 

but being lazy and visibly not putting in any actual effort. That’s the minimum. Especially if you’re no good. He’s athletic and quick allegedly - we’ve not seen that. 
 

I remember when Kevin Davies burst on the scene and how he put himself about. Running 40 yards at a sprint to tackle the defenders. Beattie also tried hard in his first years before his ability got better and he was able to channel his energy more effectively. This guy doesn’t even press. Or break into a jog. Only a trot. 

[CheshireSaint]

When he shows desire, determination and a general willingness to join in, he will deserve a break. As many have noted, his confidence may be rock bottom but you can be bereft of confidence and still put in a shift. Most will welcome the effort at least. Unless you are Matt Le Tiss incarnate, you don't get to bob around at your own pace. 

[Patrick Bateman]

4 minutes ago, imadirtyurchin said:

Thing is. I can forgive him not being ready, for having a loose touch. Even his positioning. These things can be coached. 
 

but being lazy and visibly not putting in any actual effort. That’s the minimum. Especially if you’re no good. He’s athletic and quick allegedly - we’ve not seen that. 
 

I remember when Kevin Davies burst on the scene and how he put himself about. Running 40 yards at a sprint to tackle the defenders. Beattie also tried hard in his first years before his ability got better and he was able to channel his energy more effectively. This guy doesn’t even press. Or break into a jog. Only a trot. 

Upon reflection in the morning, I think it really is "too early" for him in this league, but, why was he bought?? We needed a proven striker, not a long term project.

And you're right, even if not ready - RUN. The jogging was really pissing me off. 

If he needs time, fine, but a) loan him out and b) buy a proven striker in the first place. 

[SuperSAINT]

Confidence will no doubt help him, but confidence is going to have to do an all-timer on him to get him looking good, IMO.

[revolution saint]

I'll admit to being excited when we signed him.  The physical profile looked good and I expected him to be a similar player to Wilson Isidor at Sunderland - tall, pretty quick and a bit of physical presence.  Based on what I've seen so far he looks a long way from that which is a shame. 

I hate criticising attitude etc because for all I know he could be trying really hard but I can see why people might look at him and think he isn't putting a shift in.  Almost feel like Still needs to pull him aside and tell him to forget about the finer aspects of the game and concentrate on being a nuisance to defenders.

Yeah, disappointing so far.

[suewhistle]

3 hours ago, Andy Hill said:

Needs to find a different career - clearly not a footballer. It would be interesting to know what our scouting team saw in him ?!

Or the USMNT?

I agree with SWLondon that it must be an adjustment or confidence thing, but agree with others re effort. Perhaps he needs a start where WS tells him to run his lungs out for as long as possible being a pain to defenders and then bring on Stewart when he flags. Just get in their faces like Davies, Beattie, Shane Long..

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

5 hours ago, egg said:

I agree though that we're playing him to justify the decision to buy him.

It does seem that way because really, Stewart should be coming on before Downs. At least Stewart looks like he's up for it more this season and makes challenges.

[saintant]

3 hours ago, imadirtyurchin said:

Thing is. I can forgive him not being ready, for having a loose touch. Even his positioning. These things can be coached. 
 

but being lazy and visibly not putting in any actual effort. That’s the minimum. Especially if you’re no good. He’s athletic and quick allegedly - we’ve not seen that. 
 

I remember when Kevin Davies burst on the scene and how he put himself about. Running 40 yards at a sprint to tackle the defenders. Beattie also tried hard in his first years before his ability got better and he was able to channel his energy more effectively. This guy doesn’t even press. Or break into a jog. Only a trot. 

Think he's one of those who looks quite quick on a through ball where he builds up pace but he's very slow across a few yards or in bursts so cannot do the press or win many second balls. Also seems slow to react and is so ponderous. I don't think he's lacking effort but his style makes him appear to. He's not a hustling bustling centre forward which is probably what we needed. Doesn't appear to be capable of leaping for headers and lacks body strength and aggression.  Not sure he'll make it other than at a much lower level as there just seems too much needed to work on. Think the recruitment team badly fucked up on this one considering what we paid for him. He'll probably start banging in goals for fun now 🙂 

[saintant]

2 hours ago, revolution saint said:

I'll admit to being excited when we signed him.  The physical profile looked good and I expected him to be a similar player to Wilson Isidor at Sunderland - tall, pretty quick and a bit of physical presence.  Based on what I've seen so far he looks a long way from that which is a shame. 

I hate criticising attitude etc because for all I know he could be trying really hard but I can see why people might look at him and think he isn't putting a shift in.  Almost feel like Still needs to pull him aside and tell him to forget about the finer aspects of the game and concentrate on being a nuisance to defenders.

Yeah, disappointing so far.

Will Still alluded to this when asked about Downs after the game. He said something along the lines of Downs needing to make an impact and maybe he should try picking a fight with someone which I took to mean be more niggly and aggressive. He resembles a passive boxer who only gets riled when his opponent punches him hard in the face so maybe it's more that a defender needs to pick a fight with him and rough him up good and proper because he looks far too laid back and lethargic.

[Miltonaggro]

15 minutes ago, saintant said:

Will Still alluded to this when asked about Downs after the game. He said something along the lines of Downs needing to make an impact and maybe he should try picking a fight with someone which I took to mean be more niggly and aggressive. He resembles a passive boxer who only gets riled when his opponent punches him hard in the face so maybe it's more that a defender needs to pick a fight with him and rough him up good and proper because he looks far too laid back and lethargic.

Noticed this first game of the season, so easily bullied and outflanked by journeyman defenders I had to question what I was seeing for a bloke his size.  Like a heavyweight being pushed around by middleweights.  Age on his side but that's also linked to commitment a la Bella Kotchap!

[derry]

What I found unforgiveable was his lethargic tracking back. He needed to sprint flat out to get goalside not trot. Up front his movement and physical challenges were equally lethargic and ineffective.

[Mboto Gorge]

I watched him closely at Hull and also last night, I’ve seen enough football over the last 30 or so years to know that he’s never going to be up to it at this level: he isn’t suddenly going to start being aggressive or putting more effort in, and become effective, it’s not in his makeup clearly to put himself about. 
I wonder if anyone has got him name on the back of their shirt when he signed 🤣🤣🤣

[Mboto Gorge]

5 hours ago, swannymere said:

All the ex pros and coaches on here is astonishing, give the lad a break.

Hopefully Still gives him a long break from the first team squad….

[saintant]

Just now, Mboto Gorge said:

I watched him closely at Hull and also last night, I’ve seen enough football over the last 30 or so years to know that he’s never going to be up to it at this level: he isn’t suddenly going to start being aggressive or putting more effort in, and become effective, it’s not in his makeup clearly to put himself about. 
I wonder if anyone has got him name on the back of their shirt when he signed 🤣🤣🤣

If they have maybe they could stick an E between the N and S. Not perfect but would give slightly more street cred.

[Midfield_General]

I don’t blame him for how shit he is. I blame the incompetents who spent €8m on him. 

He’ll be bombed out by Christmas and will spend the rest of his contract out on loan to the Salt Lake City Wildcats or some other MLS shit, never to be heard of again. 

[macca155]

Down to the manager to not put him into a situation he isn't ready for, otherwise he is going to get pelters. 

His needs to bang a few in for the U21s, and then look to impact as a sub.

[Mboto Gorge]

9 hours ago, chivvy said:

Makes BBD look like mbappe. I'm gutted his signing is working out.. 

if BBD is Mbappe, then Downs shall be Mcrappe. Actually that might catch on……

[jasonbenali]

I assumed the early season open goal misses were an aberration, but last night was the single worst performance I can remember of any player - no discernible effort, horrific touch, no ability on the ball, no physical presence and Still would have been well within his rights to sub him for Stewart who must be feeling aggrieved to be below him in the pecking order.

If he's even in the squad on Saturday it will be a scandal. Badly needs to go out on loan to learn how to play football.

If I'm feeling charitable, I'd say it was a rabbit in the headlights moment at a big stadium and that there's something there from the pre-season goal, but he's looked awful all season. At least Mara had a first touch and a pass on him.

[Gloucester Saint]

13 hours ago, Greenridge said:

Perhaps in a Joelinton type reassignment we could move Downs to replace Bazunu / McCarthy in goal? 

If Sugawara hadn’t left on loan I’d have put him in goal. Very adept at handling the ball in the penalty area.

Edited 20 hours ago by Gloucester Saint

[Gloucester Saint]

6 hours ago, saintant said:

Will Still alluded to this when asked about Downs after the game. He said something along the lines of Downs needing to make an impact and maybe he should try picking a fight with someone which I took to mean be more niggly and aggressive. He resembles a passive boxer who only gets riled when his opponent punches him hard in the face so maybe it's more that a defender needs to pick a fight with him and rough him up good and proper because he looks far too laid back and lethargic.

Certainly I’d be asking Jack and Wood to leave a few studs in during training on challenges, the odd knee to the hip and into his back. Wind him up a bit on an autumn morning and see if he’s going to respond in the right way. 

[Miltonaggro]

4 hours ago, Midfield_General said:

I don’t blame him for how shit he is. I blame the incompetents who spent €8m on him. 

He’ll be bombed out by Christmas and will spend the rest of his contract out on loan to the Salt Lake City Wildcats or some other MLS shit, never to be heard of again. 

Spot on.  This is squarely on Spors & Co.

[Maggie May]

He’ll come good.

[trousers]

5 minutes ago, Maggie May said:

He’ll come good.

Source?

[Stu Man Do]

What bothered me the most last night was his general lack of effort when closing down. He continually made “half” an effort, never really exerting himself, never quite getting to his man quick enough to pressure him whilst making an effort to seem like he wasn’t a traffic cone.

 

Pathetic effort. Needs to get a bit of niggle into his game.

[S-Clarke]

5 minutes ago, Stu Man Do said:

What bothered me the most last night was his general lack of effort when closing down. He continually made “half” an effort, never really exerting himself, never quite getting to his man quick enough to pressure him whilst making an effort to seem like he wasn’t a traffic cone.

 

Pathetic effort. Needs to get a bit of niggle into his game.

Sadly, what doesn't help him is that his make up is a little moody/lazy, which is part of him I think and how he comes across on the pitch. When those sorts aren't delivering (which he isn't) he looks 10x as worse. 

My problem with this signing isn't taking punts like this per-say, it's that we keep taking punts on these sorts to be our main men down the spine of the team - and we don't learn. ABK, Bazunu, Mara, Edozie, Larios, even Charles when he came to us first.

It's nuts when you don't have the genuine depth in quality in the spine as it is, because it means those young 'lads' have no scope to grow - they literally have to go from day 1, some swim (Tino/Lavia) and some completely sink, which we've seen far more of.

For a club which prides it's self on developing, we're doing a fricking shit job of it as we keep throwing these young players out to dry without anything around them.

We added 'proven' players at full back, wide areas, 10's etc - but the constant ignorance of the spine is what does it for me, if that isn't right then everything else is pointless.

 

Edited 19 hours ago by S-Clarke