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A few reasons here why I voted for Stewart Downing as our HOTY. In what was a poor season I felt that he shone in the creative department in a side mostly devoid of any creativity whatsoever. He was pretty much a 7/10 every game and always stood out for me. All about opinions though
How West Ham winger Stewart Downing raised his game to expose Spurs’ problematic full-backs
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Stewart Downing will end his career renowned as one of the most divisive characters in the Premier League era, as his performances have continued to separate those that rate him between those that feel he is little more than a one-trick pony.
It could be fair to say that Downing has been on a downward slide in terms of his impact for the past three years, with his move from Aston Villa to Liverpool having failed to prove effective and leading to his sale to West Ham last summer.
Downing has perhaps not had the desired impact he might have hoped for at the Hammers as his season had no goals and just two assists to show before Saturday, but he upped his game to be one of the key players that helped [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] and completed the league double over their London rivals.
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No West Ham player has created more than the 60 chances Downing has this season
In truth, Downing has actually been West Ham’s most creative spark in a difficult season that has seen manager Sam Allardyce receive a raft of criticism for his tactics and style of play, but his acquisition of Downing could prove one of his more inspired signings in his time with the Hammers, if the Liverpool man can build on his match-winning display against Spurs.
Downing was once again the man behind a lot of what West Ham did well against Spurs as he had a hand in both goals and the decisive moment of the match, as his driving run saw him upended by Younes Kaboul, with the Frenchman seeing an early red card that put the Hammers firmly in control.
Shortly afterwards it was Downing’s corner that was met by Andy Carroll, whose header deflected off the head of Harry Kane and into the back of the net to give West Ham a deserved lead.
That was one of five chances that Downing managed to create over the course of the 90 minutes, more than any other player on the pitch managed, including 2014′s assist king, Christian Eriksen, as his partnership with Carroll finally has had the desired effect Allardyce signed him for.
Carroll has suffered an injury hit campaign to deprive the pair from forming the bond that Allardyce wanted to unleash on the Premier League for much of the season and Downing was able to repeatedly find his fellow Liverpool reject on countless occasions as Spurs failed to deal with Downing’s pinpoint crosses and Carroll’s towering presence.
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Downing completed five crosses against Tottenham on Saturday
In addition to his fine creative build-up play, Downing also netted his first goal in West Ham colours as he benefited from some bizarre defending from the Spurs wall, namely Emmanuel Adebayor and Paulinho, to hit his free kick into the bottom corner.
Tottenham’s wall conveniently parted to allow Downing’s slightly scuffed free kick through and past an unsighted Hugo Lloris, but it was the least the former England winger deserved for his performance.
Allardyce has endured some bad luck and has made some bad decisions, but the hopes he had for West Ham’s season have finally started to come together in time for an improved 2014/15 campaign as the return to fitness of Carroll and Downing finally finding his feet in East London looks set to bear fruit ahead of next season.
If West Ham can keep these two fit and playing together in this manner next season, they should not face the nervy relegation-threatened campaign that this season has brought about.
It’s been a long wait for Downing to make the impact that Hammers hoped for, but if he can maintain this standard on a consistent basis, he could soon become a cult hero at the Boleyn Ground.
How West Ham winger Stewart Downing raised his game to expose Spurs’ problematic full-backs
By [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Stewart Downing will end his career renowned as one of the most divisive characters in the Premier League era, as his performances have continued to separate those that rate him between those that feel he is little more than a one-trick pony.
It could be fair to say that Downing has been on a downward slide in terms of his impact for the past three years, with his move from Aston Villa to Liverpool having failed to prove effective and leading to his sale to West Ham last summer.
Downing has perhaps not had the desired impact he might have hoped for at the Hammers as his season had no goals and just two assists to show before Saturday, but he upped his game to be one of the key players that helped [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] and completed the league double over their London rivals.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
No West Ham player has created more than the 60 chances Downing has this season
In truth, Downing has actually been West Ham’s most creative spark in a difficult season that has seen manager Sam Allardyce receive a raft of criticism for his tactics and style of play, but his acquisition of Downing could prove one of his more inspired signings in his time with the Hammers, if the Liverpool man can build on his match-winning display against Spurs.
Downing was once again the man behind a lot of what West Ham did well against Spurs as he had a hand in both goals and the decisive moment of the match, as his driving run saw him upended by Younes Kaboul, with the Frenchman seeing an early red card that put the Hammers firmly in control.
Shortly afterwards it was Downing’s corner that was met by Andy Carroll, whose header deflected off the head of Harry Kane and into the back of the net to give West Ham a deserved lead.
That was one of five chances that Downing managed to create over the course of the 90 minutes, more than any other player on the pitch managed, including 2014′s assist king, Christian Eriksen, as his partnership with Carroll finally has had the desired effect Allardyce signed him for.
Carroll has suffered an injury hit campaign to deprive the pair from forming the bond that Allardyce wanted to unleash on the Premier League for much of the season and Downing was able to repeatedly find his fellow Liverpool reject on countless occasions as Spurs failed to deal with Downing’s pinpoint crosses and Carroll’s towering presence.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Downing completed five crosses against Tottenham on Saturday
In addition to his fine creative build-up play, Downing also netted his first goal in West Ham colours as he benefited from some bizarre defending from the Spurs wall, namely Emmanuel Adebayor and Paulinho, to hit his free kick into the bottom corner.
Tottenham’s wall conveniently parted to allow Downing’s slightly scuffed free kick through and past an unsighted Hugo Lloris, but it was the least the former England winger deserved for his performance.
Allardyce has endured some bad luck and has made some bad decisions, but the hopes he had for West Ham’s season have finally started to come together in time for an improved 2014/15 campaign as the return to fitness of Carroll and Downing finally finding his feet in East London looks set to bear fruit ahead of next season.
If West Ham can keep these two fit and playing together in this manner next season, they should not face the nervy relegation-threatened campaign that this season has brought about.
It’s been a long wait for Downing to make the impact that Hammers hoped for, but if he can maintain this standard on a consistent basis, he could soon become a cult hero at the Boleyn Ground.
