I know that most people will disagree with me here, but I honestly think if I had to choose one of the two players to play on the left wing I would choose Downing.

I am not saying Downing is a more complete player than Cole. Cole at times can be exceptional, but almost all the good he does is through the middle. He is magnificent on the ball and has considerable flair.

The problem with Cole was obvious on friday, except one run through the middle when he was taken out cynically he did very little. Alves was willing to give him the outside, but Cole kept trying tricks (that the fans love so much) to cut inside and almost exclusively went back to Shorey or square.

When Downing came on he immediately had a shot that was a better shot than any other England player managed all night. He spreads the defense as he can go outside and cross well with his left foot (most succesful in the premier league according to the stats, but Yakubu and Viduka can't head the ball). He can also cut inside and shoot with his right foot.

I honestly think Cole would be a good option in the middle instead of Lampard and with Downing wide it would give the team a better balance. I think Cole could also play just behind a striker and it would give the team someone to run at the heart of the defense.

I would like people to discuss this constructively because too often people just dismiss Downing even though they haven't seen him play much.

Anyone at all agree with me?

I know what you mean. I was one of Downings biggest knockers nut he seems to have really found his confidence over the past 3 months.

I don't know why they don't give Joe Cole a go on the right. Beckham can only really be a temporary solution.

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I agree with you.

I don't think Joe Cole must stay in bench however. He tries tricks, he's creative, most of games he don't do anything very special.
But look, when he plays at his best, he's a match-winner. He may not do that in most of games, but he has sparks of creativity and I believe it's very important for England to have that, sometimes it will be important to have something unpredictable.

Downing is specialist in his running and crossing game, and that would be good for the team, I think he added something more to the squad everytime he got the chance.

But that's something McClaren could do to improve, but would improve little and there's so many areas that seems not to be playing as they could be, like every position of team (lol), that this would be just a start.

But I think Joe Cole's is the least of the problems, there's doubt everywhere in England's national team squad.