For far too many seasons Stewart Downing seemed to be in hibernation but, thanks to some thoughtful repositioning, Sam Allardyce has finally coaxed him out of it.
Reborn in the hole at the apex of West Ham United’s diamond formation, he was the game’s outstanding individual as Sunderland recorded their 10th Premier League draw of a campaign proving as dull and functional as much of Downing’s football had become.
The dynamic young left-winger who thrilled crowds at Middlesbrough and, for a time, Aston Villa imperceptibly lost his zip and zest. A move to Liverpool proved a setback and he started life at West Ham in strictly no frills mode but suddenly Downing is issuing weekly reminders of the adage about form being temporary but class permanent.
Relocated from the flanks, the 30-year-old is relishing a nominally central yet highly flexible role. “We’ve changed Stewie’s position,” Allardyce said. “And he doesn’t just like it, he loves it. He’s gained the freedom to pop up in different parts of the pitch, find space, turn and run at defenders. He’s intelligent enough to find the space.”
Albeit courtesy of a deflection, Downing scored the equaliser in a game when Jordi Gómez gave Sunderland the lead from the penalty spot after Adam Johnson collapsed under James Tomkins’ challenge. “A dive,” maintained West Ham’s manager. Not surprisingly, Gus Poyet disagreed, offering Johnson a staunch defence.
Despite Johnson enjoying a good game on the right, Downing’s renaissance prompted thoughts that Sunderland’s manager could do worse than redeploy his England winger in a similar role.
Both players harbour England ambitions but a recent recall against Scotland resulted in a disappointing 45 minutes for Downing. “He shouldn’t have played,” Allardyce said. “He’d been injected in the knee and it didn’t do him any favours. I think he should get another opportunity.”
Allardyce’s evident unhappiness at England’s staff using cortisone to get Downing on the pitch was nothing next to Jozy Altidore’s distress at spurning a sitter from two yards after somehow failing to connect with a highly inviting cross from the, once again, influential Sebastian Larsson.
The Sunderland striker was inconsolable but, judging by his manager’s downbeat post-match demeanour, Poyet believes his miss was emblematic of the squad’s collective lack of quality.
With only two League wins there is something moribund about a side who appeared to expend every drop of available energy on restricting Andy Carroll to two, narrowly missed, clear-cut goalscoring opportunities. “This isn’t how I want to play,” Poyet said. “I’m getting a bit frustrated. I want to win games. At the moment it’s not possible. It takes a lot from the players to even get a point.
“It’s about quality. It’s lacking. For the quality we’ve got we’re doing exceptionally well but I want to do better. I’m not enjoying this. We don’t have a player who can make the difference. Without one it’s going to be boring draws all the time.”
It is no exaggeration to say Poyet likes a moan but this latest, blatant, warning to Ellis Short, Sunderland’s owner, and Lee Congerton, the football director, was, at least in part, understandable.
With no specialist cover for the injured full backs, Billy Jones and Patrick van Aanholt, a right-back, Anthony Réveillère, is filling in at left-back and a centre-half, Santiago Vergini, has shifted to the right.
Neither offers much of an attacking outlet and Vergini’s crossing ability appears minimal. Although Réveillère has previously impressed, Allardyce’s tactics exposed his limitations. With Downing, Diafro Sakho and company deliberately targeting Sunderland’s left flank, he endured an extremely uncomfortable 90 minutes.
“It’s a handicap,” Poyet said. He desperately requires a reliable goalscorer but could also do with a creator who, 11 years ago, enjoyed a successful stint at the Stadium of Light after arriving on loan from Middlesbrough.
Downing, though, has found a new nirvana. “I haven’t enjoyed my football as much since I was at Aston Villa,” he said. “We’re the same sort of team, counterattacking with pace and power. We’ve got a hell of a chance of finishing in the top six.”
Man of the match Stewart Downing (West Ham United)
