Damion Downs

[Mboto Gorge]

Johannes Spors upon the signing of Downs…..

Group Technical Director Johannes Spors said: “Damion is a player we have been monitoring for some time who possesses excellent physical qualities and the ability to disrupt defences.

“Strengthening our attacking options was one of our top priorities this summer, and Damion is a player who will add real quality to the group. Despite his relatively young age he is already a senior international, so we are excited to see him thrive in the environment here at Southampton.”
 

im sorry but this is up there with Les Reed saying that Pellegrino was going to bring “high intensity pressing attacking football” to the club 

[Badger]

7 minutes ago, Mboto Gorge said:

Johannes Spors upon the signing of Downs….

im sorry but this is up there with Les Reed saying that Pellegrino was going to bring “high intensity pressing attacking football” to the club 

Closely followed by “Dixon and Speedie will score more goals than Alan Shearer…”

Definitely and ‘cut out and keep’ quote from Mr Spors. Would sell well on a t-shirt in the club shop.  

Edited 22 hours ago by Badger

[Mboto Gorge]

What’s more worrying about that quote from Spors, other than the obvious bit about Downs non existent physical attributes, is that he states that striker was one of our top priorities, which indeed it was. So being that he was well aware of that, this bloke , and this bloke alone, was who he was banking on to solve our striker woes, as the main man this season. Let that sink in

[saintant]

37 minutes ago, Mboto Gorge said:

Johannes Spors upon the signing of Downs…..

 

Group Technical Director Johannes Spors said: “Damion is a player we have been monitoring for some time who possesses excellent physical qualities and the ability to disrupt defences.

“Strengthening our attacking options was one of our top priorities this summer, and Damion is a player who will add real quality to the group. Despite his relatively young age he is already a senior international, so we are excited to see him thrive in the environment here at Southampton.”
 

im sorry but this is up there with Les Reed saying that Pellegrino was going to bring “high intensity pressing attacking football” to the club 

If they'd been monitoring him for some time why the fuck did they buy him?

[Willo of Whiteley]

Because he fits in the bracket of young and higher potential returns. 

Funny right! 🤣

[Mixedkebab]

Looks like Chris Wood has lost his place at Forest. 
Make the call Spors!

Announce it January 2nd

Edited 22 hours ago by Mixedkebab

[Holmes_and_Watson]

4 hours ago, Mixedkebab said:

Looks like Chris Wood has lost his place at Forest. 
Make the call Spors!

Announce it January 2nd

Spors bows to pressure to get in experience, but being SR, gets in ex-Forest player Chris Woods in. Now 65, Woods still ends up as our top scorer for the season.

[Gloucester Saint]

9 hours ago, S-Clarke said:

For a club which prides its 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.

That’s because Danny Wallace started with Keegan, George, Ball, Channon etc, ditto Moran. MLT, Shearer, Franny with Jimmy. Later on, Beattie learning from Hughes, Bridge with Marsden, Telfer, Shaw and JWP with Steven Davis and Fonte.

Talented youngsters need both experience and quality around them to reach their potential but Semmens, and then SR, have never understood this fact.

[Whitey Grandad]

45 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

That’s because Danny Wallace started with Keegan, George, Ball, Channon etc, ditto Moran. MLT, Shearer, Franny with Jimmy. Later on, Beattie learning from Hughes, Bridge with Marsden, Telfer, Shaw and JWP with Steven Davis and Fonte.

Talented youngsters need both experience and quality around them to reach their potential but Semmens, and then SR, have never understood this fact.

They also need basic footballing skills such as controlling the ball when receiving it. Even just running around a lot would help. 

[saintant]

10 hours ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

Because he fits in the bracket of young and higher potential returns. 

Funny right! 🤣

From what we've seen so far I think he's a better fit in the bracket of young and higher potential loss.

[ally_uk]

In all honesty why didn't we keep Onuahcu? Least he is capable of heading a football. 

So we spent what £7 million who should we of got instead for a similar budget?

 

 

[Turkish]

13 hours 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.

What is lazy is the lack of effort jibe given to any player that doesn't running around a lot.

Im no fan of Downs, i think hes been poor so far but this notion that players should be charging down at full pelt and running around alot.

Pressing on your own is pointless for many reasons. It never ceases to amaze me how many times you see and hear a player isn't trying if they're not charging around flying into tackles, especially when it's in the other teams half. 

[Miltonaggro]

11 hours ago, Mixedkebab said:

Looks like Chris Wood has lost his place at Forest. 
Make the call Spors!

Announce it January 2nd

Far too sensible and thinking inside the box.  Spors & Co., are probably 'talent spotting' the Czech second division!

[Miltonaggro]

15 minutes ago, Turkish said:

What is lazy is the lack of effort jibe given to any player that doesn't running around a lot.

Im no fan of Downs, i think hes been poor so far but this notion that players should be charging down at full pelt and running around alot.

Pressing on your own is pointless for many reasons. It never ceases to amaze me how many times you see and hear a player isn't trying if they're not charging around flying into tackles, especially when it's in the other teams half. 

Downs should be forced to watch videos of Pelle on a loop in terms of what a target man needs to do on and off the ball.  Graziano same size as Damion was a great player for conserving energy to attack, whilst rattling defenders and goalkeepers. 

[S-Clarke]

53 minutes ago, ally_uk said:

In all honesty why didn't we keep Onuahcu? Least he is capable of heading a football. 

So we spent what £7 million who should we of got instead for a similar budget?

 

 

I keep seeing posts like this, but it's probably because he was never going to stay in the Championship due to his wages.

We always needed to get rid of him. 

Let's not re-write history and pretend Onuachu was the second coming of Pelle though, he was absolutely horrific.

[SWLondon Saint]

22 minutes ago, Turkish said:

What is lazy is the lack of effort jibe given to any player that doesn't running around a lot.

Im no fan of Downs, i think hes been poor so far but this notion that players should be charging down at full pelt and running around alot.

Pressing on your own is pointless for many reasons. It never ceases to amaze me how many times you see and hear a player isn't trying if they're not charging around flying into tackles, especially when it's in the other teams half. 

I also don't buy the 'lazy' player thing in that the game in general has reached a point that there are simply no 'lazy' players, they'll never get to the professional game anymore.

He has been poor without question so far, but all we can really do is hope it's just difficulties in adapting and confidence. Playing upfront as a lone striker means you get far less time on the ball and time to see the game moving in front of you compared to, say, a defender like Quarshie has had. I think Still is right in saying he needs to get his aggression up. Yes, be a good team player and show for passes and stuff but also don't forget your job is to make life hell for the opposing defenders.

[Turkish]

43 minutes ago, SWLondon Saint said:

I also don't buy the 'lazy' player thing in that the game in general has reached a point that there are simply no 'lazy' players, they'll never get to the professional game anymore.

He has been poor without question so far, but all we can really do is hope it's just difficulties in adapting and confidence. Playing upfront as a lone striker means you get far less time on the ball and time to see the game moving in front of you compared to, say, a defender like Quarshie has had. I think Still is right in saying he needs to get his aggression up. Yes, be a good team player and show for passes and stuff but also don't forget your job is to make life hell for the opposing defenders.

Quite. Everything is tracked, sprints, heart rate, KMs run, the lazy stuff is just nonsense.

Charging around pressing on your own is completely pointless, in fact it's stupid. But still lets call anyone who doesn't "GET STUCK IN" as lazy

[The Wyvern]

49 minutes ago, SWLondon Saint said:

I also don't buy the 'lazy' player thing in that the game in general has reached a point that there are simply no 'lazy' players, they'll never get to the professional game anymore.

He has been poor without question so far, but all we can really do is hope it's just difficulties in adapting and confidence. Playing upfront as a lone striker means you get far less time on the ball and time to see the game moving in front of you compared to, say, a defender like Quarshie has had. I think Still is right in saying he needs to get his aggression up. Yes, be a good team player and show for passes and stuff but also don't forget your job is to make life hell for the opposing defenders.

Lazy might be the wrong word, but half-hearted is another way of putting it.  It’s not a question of blindly chasing down every ball or pressing on his own, but it is the perceived lack of effort put into winning the ball in the air against a CB for example. Football fans are more forgiving of a lack of talent if they feel 100% effort is being put in by the player. Downs is ticking neither of those boxes currently.

[beatlesaint]

1 hour ago, S-Clarke said:

Let's not re-write history and pretend Onuachu was the second coming of Pelle though, he was absolutely horrific.

Not as horrific as his replacement.

[Turkish]

14 hours ago, Mboto Gorge said:

Johannes Spors upon the signing of Downs…..

 

Group Technical Director Johannes Spors said: “Damion is a player we have been monitoring for some time who possesses excellent physical qualities and the ability to disrupt defences.

“Strengthening our attacking options was one of our top priorities this summer, and Damion is a player who will add real quality to the group. Despite his relatively young age he is already a senior international, so we are excited to see him thrive in the environment here at Southampton.”
 

im sorry but this is up there with Les Reed saying that Pellegrino was going to bring “high intensity pressing attacking football” to the club 

Has anyone pointed out that his goalscoring record before coming here was actually a goal every other game?

[danjosaint]

5 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Has anyone pointed out that his goalscoring record before coming here was actually a goal every other game?

Like carillo 

[saintant]

3 hours ago, ally_uk said:

In all honesty why didn't we keep Onuahcu? Least he is capable of heading a football. 

So we spent what £7 million who should we of got instead for a similar budget?

 

 

We could have saved the whole £7 million and signed McBurnie on a free - he's agricultural but would be doing a far better job than Downs.

[saintant]

2 hours ago, Miltonaggro said:

Downs should be forced to watch videos of Pelle on a loop in terms of what a target man needs to do on and off the ball.  Graziano same size as Damion was a great player for conserving energy to attack, whilst rattling defenders and goalkeepers. 

Think Pelle was blessed with a lot more upper body strength than Downs but I take your point.

[Turkish]

3 minutes ago, saintant said:

Think Pelle was blessed with a lot more upper body strength than Downs but I take your point.

Pelle had is critics, statue, flounced around, hibernated in winter, lazy etc. In reality one of the best centre forwards we've had in 40 odd years.

[saintant]

Just now, Turkish said:

Pelle had is critics, statue, flounced around, hibernated in winter, lazy etc. In reality one of the best centre forwards we've had in 40 odd years.

Agree. Remember his debut when he copped a lot of flack (think a lot were jealous of his barnet) but once up to speed he was a superb exponent of proper centre forward play.

[Saint_lambden]

I don't think he's a total write-off so early on but he's not adapting to the physicality of the English game. When your first touch is so poor you need to be able to hold off defenders but like Stewart, it's frustrating how he's not using his size to his advantage at all. 

Suspect he'll be shipped out on loan in January back to Germany. 

[kitch]

Sounds like he's removed himself from social media after getting abuse from fans.

Yeah, great...cos calling him names will help, won't it? I swear some of our fans have room-temperature IQ. 

(I say fans, not supporters, because in order to support you have to do just that).

[saintant]

16 minutes ago, kitch said:

Sounds like he's removed himself from social media after getting abuse from fans.

Yeah, great...cos calling him names will help, won't it? I swear some of our fans have room-temperature IQ. 

(I say fans, not supporters, because in order to support you have to do just that).

Firstly he shouldn't be on social media if he cannot take criticism. Secondly he needs to do a lot more on the pitch - do that and he'll soon win the fans over. It's a rough, tough world and sulking, self pity and feeling hurt wont help him.

[kitch]

9 minutes ago, saintant said:

Firstly he shouldn't be on social media if he cannot take criticism. Secondly he needs to do a lot more on the pitch - do that and he'll soon win the fans over. It's a rough, tough world and sulking, self pity and feeling hurt wont help him.

Criticism, sure. He'll have to lump it! He's paid absurdly well to do what he does.

Abuse? Nah, that's not part of the job description. Guy's a human at the end of the day, and only 21yrs old.

[Miltonaggro]

1 minute ago, saintant said:

Think Pelle was blessed with a lot more upper body strength than Downs but I take your point.

Pelle was, but 29 when we signed him, Downs was 20.  Can remember Shearer developing into a brick shithouse after he left us.  One thing the lad has on his side is time.  

[Willo of Whiteley]

I mean if I’m being an old man I’m sick of players who are more concerned by their image than their effectiveness on the pitch.

A bit like some players are with their socks and wearing shin pads that are smaller than a Freddo Frog.

Downes wears a bandage around his hand, I’m guessing it’s superstitious but I’d be fascinated to know if anyone has ever said “you look a prat like that”.

Or someone with their socks around their ankle, that’s just begging any old school defender to go right for the players shins.

[Football Special]

29 minutes ago, kitch said:

Criticism, sure. He'll have to lump it! He's paid absurdly well to do what he does.

Abuse? Nah, that's not part of the job description. Guy's a human at the end of the day, and only 21yrs old.

Has he actually had abuse or are they just assuming that's why he's deleted his account? 

[Patrick Bateman]

26 minutes ago, Miltonaggro said:

Pelle was, but 29 when we signed him, Downs was 20.  Can remember Shearer developing into a brick shithouse after he left us.  One thing the lad has on his side is time.  

That's a good point. 

I said the other day though that I am okay with giving him time to develop and become that player, BUT, we needed a proven goalscorer at this level and he isn't that.

Still time for Armstrong to find his goals again though hopefully. 

[saintant]

39 minutes ago, kitch said:

Criticism, sure. He'll have to lump it! He's paid absurdly well to do what he does.

Abuse? Nah, that's not part of the job description. Guy's a human at the end of the day, and only 21yrs old.

Agree, no need for personal abuse.

[sledger]

worryingly we recruited him as a target man which he clearly never has been in his career and the fact that he lacks one of the skills a pro footballer needs which is how to control and keep the ball.

[East Kent Saint]

4 hours ago, Turkish said:

Pelle had is critics, statue, flounced around, hibernated in winter, lazy etc. In reality one of the best centre forwards we've had in 40 odd years.

He was always trying something , shooting first time from any position , a master of chesting the ball to keep the play going . He often missed the target but was always having a go !

[lambtiss]

6 hours ago, saintant said:

We could have saved the whole £7 million and signed McBurnie on a free - he's agricultural but would be doing a far better job than Downs.

As would Keifer Moore or Richard Kone

Edited 1 hour ago by lambtiss

[lambtiss]

6 hours ago, Turkish said:

Has anyone pointed out that his goalscoring record before coming here was actually a goal every other game?

If you ignore junior football, he scored 13 goals in 42 matches for FC Koln, less than 1 in 3.

[gio1saints]

I think that the problem is psychological. Those criticising DD as lazy are mistaken - or more bluntly - stupid. Mental blockages slow all reactions and make you look shockingly bad. Especially on the biggest stage. 

Watching the ball bounce off his legs the other night like he never got shown how to trap or pass a ball is sobering - but a reminder of how much pro sport is played in the head. He can do that 99/100 times in training but at Anfield in front of the world - his timing is gone, his muscles weak and looks like he’s running through sand. 
The difference between the #1 ranked snooker player in the world and #100 in terms of technique is small. They can all compile a century break and win a frame at one visit. Technically they have all the shots in the toolbox. But only a few can deliver under max pressure. Same with football. DD is not dealing with the expectations AT ALL so far. Will he? He should get our compassion but unfortunately he’s paid a fucklot of money a week to be better than this. Clearly there’s some who feel he never will - but I think that if he gets his head right he will prevail. But if he does not do that quick he will join the long list of failed wannabe superstar CF’s. And won’t be earning a fucklot of money for very much longer. 

Edited 1 hour ago by gio1saints

[Stu Man Do]

9 hours ago, Turkish said:

What is lazy is the lack of effort jibe given to any player that doesn't running around a lot.

Im no fan of Downs, i think hes been poor so far but this notion that players should be charging down at full pelt and running around alot.

Pressing on your own is pointless for many reasons. It never ceases to amaze me how many times you see and hear a player isn't trying if they're not charging around flying into tackles, especially when it's in the other teams half. 

As I said his general lack of effort. I’m not expecting him to run around full pelt at every opportunity but there were times in Tuesday when the press had gone forward and he made minimal effort to enforce it for the team.

Its absolutely fine to call players out for lack of effort right?

 

 

[Lighthouse]

6 hours ago, saintant said:

We could have saved the whole £7 million and signed McBurnie on a free - he's agricultural but would be doing a far better job than Downs.

He’s also 29, scored three goals last season and 26 in five years for Sheff Utd before that. There is absolutely no way a team trying to get promoted to the PL should be signing players like him or Keiffer Moore.

Downs is young and has shown promise in Bundesliga 2. He might turn out to be a shrewd signing or he might not and we will most likely get a sizeable chunk of our money back.

I’m not particularly upset about him so much as the fact that we’ve signed so much creative talent and as of yet haven’t produced any goals from our other three, relatively proven, Championship strikers.

[lambtiss]

7 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

He’s also 29, scored three goals last season and 26 in five years for Sheff Utd before that. There is absolutely no way a team trying to get promoted to the PL should be signing players like him or Keiffer Moore.

Downs is young and has shown promise in Bundesliga 2. He might turn out to be a shrewd signing or he might not and we will most likely get a sizeable chunk of our money back.

I’m not particularly upset about him so much as the fact that we’ve signed so much creative talent and as of yet haven’t produced any goals from our other three, relatively proven, Championship strikers.

We have committed a massive gaffe by going into this season without an experienced and fit central striker.
 

Which three proven strikers are you referring to? 

[The Kraken]

12 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

I’m not particularly upset about him so much as the fact that we’ve signed so much creative talent and as of yet haven’t produced any goals from our other three, relatively proven, Championship strikers.

Go on then, who am I missing? Crock Ness Drogba hasn’t scored but Archer and Armstrong have. Which other championship proven strikers have we got that haven’t netted?

[Turkish]

42 minutes ago, lambtiss said:

If you ignore junior football, he scored 13 goals in 42 matches for FC Koln, less than 1 in 3.

A goal every 180 minutes = a goal every other game, cup games it a goal every 163 minutes so if you include them he's actually better than one every two games. That's some record. 

[Lighthouse]

26 minutes ago, The Kraken said:

Go on then, who am I missing? Crock Ness Drogba hasn’t scored but Archer and Armstrong have. Which other championship proven strikers have we got that haven’t netted?

Despite only playing 13 games before his injury, his 10 goals in a Championship season has only been beaten once (barely) by McB since 2019. He also scored 24 in League 1 the year before, which is better than Kone.

This is nothing more than people saying we should have signed the flavour of the month, which is just inane.

[The Kraken]

3 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

Despite only playing 13 games before his injury, his 10 goals in a Championship season has only been beaten once (barely) by McB since 2019. He also scored 24 in League 1 the year before, which is better than Kone.

This is nothing more than people saying we should have signed the flavour of the month, which is just inane.

Are you drunk?

You just made a nonsense statement then have quoted me but replied to someone else.

[Lighthouse]

2 minutes ago, The Kraken said:

Are you drunk?

You just made a nonsense statement then have quoted me but replied to someone else.

I’m guessing you’re just making sarky comments because it’s me that posted it and Kraken’s got to Kraken. I think most fans can probably figure out who scored 24 in L1, then 10 in 13 before getting injured in the Championship. Sadly it’s a mystery you’ll have to take to the grave.

[The Kraken]

3 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

I’m guessing you’re just making sarky comments because it’s me that posted it and Kraken’s got to Kraken. I think most fans can probably figure out who scored 24 in L1, then 10 in 13 before getting injured in the Championship. Sadly it’s a mystery you’ll have to take to the grave.

My question had nothing to do with McBurnie. That was other people. My comment had literally nothing to do with that.

It had everything to do with your assertion that we have strikers who haven’t scored. In your words, and I’m quoting, “as of yet haven’t produced any goals from our other three, relatively proven, Championship strikers.”

Who are these three strikers?