Downing tipped as next Giggs

Stewart Downing has been tipped to develop into 'the next Ryan Giggs' if critics give him the chance.

That's the view of Stewart's team-mate and fellow Teessider Andrew Davies.

'Davva' has come through Boro's Academy system alongside Downing and is not surprised to see the way in which the England international has blossomed.

Downing may lose his place in Steve McClaren's England team for tonight's Euro 2008 qualifier against FYR Macedonia, with his performances in the absence of the injured Joe Cole leading some to question his contribution.

However, 21-year-old Davies is confident Downing can prove his detractors wrong and become as complete a player as Wales and Manchester United superstar Giggs.

He said: "It is very unfair. Somebody gave him some of the stats for the games he has played for England and they showed over the last few games his pass rate was in the nineties and his crossing was good.

"I just do not understand why your own country and your own fans and the Press would want to get on the back of a player who is doing well.

"Stewart is a top-class player or he would not be in the team. You have got to give him credit - he is only 22. You have got to help him instead of criticising him, and that can only be good for England.

"If you tell him how good he is and how well he is doing, he is only going to get better.

"He is only 22 - in the next five years, you could so easily see him being the next Ryan Giggs."

Downing's emergence under Steve McClaren at the Riverside Stadium helped catapult him on to the international stage, and he was in the squad which once again bowed out at the quarter-final stage of a major tournament in this summer's World Cup finals.

The departure of Sven-Goran Eriksson has seen his former club manager take over the reins, and the Middlesbrough-born player has this week been forced to dismiss charges of 'football nepotism'. However, Davies is confident that, just as when McClaren sent him out on loan to neighbours Sunderland before he made the breakthrough on Teesside, Downing will answer his doubters.

He said: "Even when he went out on loan to Sunderland, the lads always thought he was going to be a top-class player, but where, we did not know.

"He got the belief when he went to Sunderland and did so well. He is mentally very strong."

There was no place in the England squad this time around for Boro's on-loan Real Madrid defender Jonathan Woodgate, with McClaren admitting he came very close to selecting him.

However, Davies, who has seen the 26-year-old at close hand since his return to English football, believes it is only a matter of time before he gets the call.

Davies said: "Jonathan reads the game very well and he is another one who is very strong mentally. He has been through a tough time, but he has done excellently.

"If he stays injury-free, he will make a real impact."

Ché Guayaba wrote:Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

NZG wrote:Still time.

Giggs is what? 60?

downing can still improve....

Chris wrote:

NZG wrote:Still time.

Giggs is what? 60?

downing can still improve....

Giggs is 38.

And better than Downing will ever be.

Chris wrote:

NZG wrote:Still time.

Giggs is what? 60?

downing can still improve....

Giggs is 38.

And better than Downing will ever be.

Cadbury wrote:Although I'd like to see Giggs do this.

Cadbury wrote:Although I'd like to see Giggs do this.

For Liverpool fans wondering what, after a return of one goal in 26 games, the club saw in Stewart Downing, the secret is now out.

Owner John W Henry and chairman Tom Werner watched YouTube footage of him supposedly kicking five consecutive balls into five dustbins from 30 yards at Aston Villa’s training ground and were persuaded to complete a £20million move.

The only problem? The footage which shows Downing’s party piece was a fake. Villa’s audio-visual team edited the video to suggest Downing achieved the feat with five consecutive kicks.

When Kenny Dalglish’s interest in Downing was first communicated to the club’s paymasters, they logged on to YouTube. ‘There was some footage of Stewart where he is kicking footballs into five different trash cans,’ said Werner. ‘It was brilliant.
‘John and I said, “Oh my god, this player is brilliant, we have to figure out a way to make a deal”.’

It will never be known for certain, but was this mock-up responsible for Liverpool increasing their offer from £18m to £20m when the two clubs were haggling over the fee last July?


As for Villa, it appears that Nick Finney, who works in the club’s media department, was the brains behind the wheeze.

A Villa source said: ‘It was part of our 2010-11 season-ticket drive. ‘There is a message after it which reads, “Seeing is believing,” which we thought was a giveaway. Obviously, it wasn’t a big enough clue.’

Cadbury wrote:Although I'd like to see Giggs do this.

Keanoo wrote:

Cadbury wrote:Although I'd like to see Giggs do this.

For Liverpool fans wondering what, after a return of one goal in 26 games, the club saw in Stewart Downing, the secret is now out.

Owner John W Henry and chairman Tom Werner watched YouTube footage of him supposedly kicking five consecutive balls into five dustbins from 30 yards at Aston Villa’s training ground and were persuaded to complete a £20million move.

The only problem? The footage which shows Downing’s party piece was a fake. Villa’s audio-visual team edited the video to suggest Downing achieved the feat with five consecutive kicks.

When Kenny Dalglish’s interest in Downing was first communicated to the club’s paymasters, they logged on to YouTube. ‘There was some footage of Stewart where he is kicking footballs into five different trash cans,’ said Werner. ‘It was brilliant.
‘John and I said, “Oh my god, this player is brilliant, we have to figure out a way to make a deal”.’

It will never be known for certain, but was this mock-up responsible for Liverpool increasing their offer from £18m to £20m when the two clubs were haggling over the fee last July?


As for Villa, it appears that Nick Finney, who works in the club’s media department, was the brains behind the wheeze.

A Villa source said: ‘It was part of our 2010-11 season-ticket drive. ‘There is a message after it which reads, “Seeing is believing,” which we thought was a giveaway. Obviously, it wasn’t a big enough clue.’

Keanoo wrote:

Cadbury wrote:Although I'd like to see Giggs do this.

For Liverpool fans wondering what, after a return of one goal in 26 games, the club saw in Stewart Downing, the secret is now out.

Owner John W Henry and chairman Tom Werner watched YouTube footage of him supposedly kicking five consecutive balls into five dustbins from 30 yards at Aston Villa’s training ground and were persuaded to complete a £20million move.

The only problem? The footage which shows Downing’s party piece was a fake. Villa’s audio-visual team edited the video to suggest Downing achieved the feat with five consecutive kicks.

When Kenny Dalglish’s interest in Downing was first communicated to the club’s paymasters, they logged on to YouTube. ‘There was some footage of Stewart where he is kicking footballs into five different trash cans,’ said Werner. ‘It was brilliant.
‘John and I said, “Oh my god, this player is brilliant, we have to figure out a way to make a deal”.’

It will never be known for certain, but was this mock-up responsible for Liverpool increasing their offer from £18m to £20m when the two clubs were haggling over the fee last July?


As for Villa, it appears that Nick Finney, who works in the club’s media department, was the brains behind the wheeze.

A Villa source said: ‘It was part of our 2010-11 season-ticket drive. ‘There is a message after it which reads, “Seeing is believing,” which we thought was a giveaway. Obviously, it wasn’t a big enough clue.’

ViVaRooney wrote:thank god our american owners dont have say in transfers