Why Stewart Downing Should Be Axed for England Following Win over Scotland
England produced another encouraging away win under Roy Hodgson, stalling Scotland's strong recent revival with a convincing 3-1 win at Celtic Park.
Wayne Rooney's brace and Jack Wilshere's creativity grabbed the headlines, but the majority of England's starting XI played well.
One player that did struggle to perform, however, was West Ham's Stewart Downing.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
The merits of the midfielder's selection became a heated topic of discussion ahead of kick-off.
In the aftermath of an anonymous showing, including just 10 passes in 45 minutes, it's now even more of a talking point.
Yes, he's been in excellent form for West Ham this season and, yes, he's created more chances (34) than any other English player in the Premier League this season, but is he part of England's future?
The answer is almost certainly no.
For sentimental reasons, perhaps he did deserve a game to recognise such rich domestic form; however, that's not the way international football should be run, especially for a country needing to rebuild.
To be fair to Downing, he wasn't even used at the tip of the diamond—where he's excelled this season at club level—but he should not have got the start in the first place.
After another failed major tournament, Hodgson should be laying the foundations for Euro 2016.
Downing has done well this season, but that's only in 11 games. Last season, he contributed just two assists in 32 games. He's 30 years old and has already won 34 caps before this without ever scoring.
Were England short of options in midfield, his start would have been a little more understandable, but with the likes of Ross Barkley waiting in the wings—a player chomping at the bit for action, having missed the start of the season—it was especially strange.
Barkley will be 22 at Euro 2016—10 years younger than Downing—and, if he continues to develop, will be nearing the peak of his powers as an attacking force.
This was an ideal chance to forge a better understanding with the likes of Wilshere, Rooney, and one or two others. Instead, Hodgson opted for a 35th look at Downing in England colours, having gone two years and 176 days without him.
For England's future, that was a backwards step.
Barkley did eventually make a three-minute cameo, shortly before being barked at by his manager for not sticking to instructions.
Hodgson made a similarly peculiar call when bringing on Rickie Lambert, Liverpool's seldom-used striker, instead of the uncapped Saido Berahino—who has more Premier League goals this season (seven) than any other Englishman.
Friendlies are supposed to be about testing new players, trying new ideas or at least strengthening partnerships and developing relationships. Hodgson knows what Lambert offers, just as 34 caps had previously shown what Downing brings.
As encouraging as this result was, Hodgson missed out on the perfect chance to assess two of his nation's brightest talents; both of whom could become key men in two years' time.
He won't get another chance to use them until March.
In terms of Downing, this brief showing echoed what most of his previous 34 caps have also suggested: He's not what England need for success at Euro 2016.
Statistics via WhoScored.com.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
