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Why Stewart Downing Should Be Axed for England Following Win over Scotland
Published: November 19, 2014
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.
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 b...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football
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