Username
Password
Southgate Wants Downing Seeing Double
By Betting Zone
September 26 2007
Manager Gareth Southgate has set England winger Stewart Downing a double-figure target for goals this season. Downing became the club's top scorer this campaign with his third strike in the Tees-Wear derby against Sunderland on Saturday. The 22-year-old left winger has a key role to play in Wednesday's Carling Cup third round tie against Tottenham at White Hart Lane,
Grab Your Free £20 Bet From Skybet Here

especially as Boro can call on only Dong Gook Lee as their one experienced striker.

"I spent a lot of time last year trying to convince Stewart that he is capable of scoring a lot more goals," said Southgate.

"He scored twice last year and could have done better but he needed the belief and the confidence that the goals would come.

"Now he realises that if he keeps getting into position and having a pop at goal that they can continue to come.

"He's got three already this season and you can see the difference in him when he gets in the goal area.

"As a wide player you are going to get two or three opportunities in every game.

"I can't see any reason at all why he can't get to double figures this season if he continues to keep the bit between his teeth."

Downing's goals have been a bonus for Boro because Mido, with two, is the only striker to hit the back of the net for the team so far this season.

However, Southgate insisted all through the summer his team would score goals from all areas - and so far he has been proved correct.

"At the same stage of last season we had nine goals, and now we have got 12," said the Boro boss.

"We've been creating chances all over the park and we've added to that by signing Gary O'Neil. He got into scoring positions against Sunderland and showed he will get goals too, though he's cup-tied tomorrow."

Southgate is left with Lee as his lone striker because Tuncay and Mido were both injured against Sunderland.

However, neither is as badly hurt as was first feared and both should be back to face Everton in the Premier League at Goodison Park on Sunday.

Turkey international Tuncay has bruised nerves near his ankle, while Egyptian Mido has a hamstring injury which emanates from a mild back problem.

Southgate has responded by taking untested strikers Tom Craddock, 20, and Ben Hutchinson, 19, on the trip to north London.

Craddock played eight minutes for the first team at Fulham two seasons ago as a second-half substitute, but Hutchinson has no previous senior experience.

Southgate added: "Both lads have been scoring regularly for the reserves so they deserve the chance to travel with the squad."

Influential midfielder Julio Arca is missing after sustaining a medial knee ligament injury against the Black Cats and, with O'Neil suspended, Southgate has included 19-year-old untested winger Graeme Owens.

The Boro boss may have to make a further change at the back because Jonathan Woodgate (groin) remains a doubt, with Chris Riggott and Andrew Davies will be hoping to get a chance.

Grab Your Free £20 Bet From Skybet Here

By Bettingzone.co.uk
Used with permission.

CLICK BELOW FOR A FREE £20 BET FROM CORAL
Written by Steve Goldby

Coral, one of the UK's longest established bookmakers are offering new customers a free £20 bet. All you have to do is click below, open an account and deposit £20 and Coral will credit your account with a further £20 for you to bet on any event you like with.

CLICK HERE FOR A FREE £20 BET FROM CORAL



View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Bookmark or share this story with:

Southgate Wants Downing Seeing Double
Posted by: ComeOnBoro (IP Logged)
Date: 26/09/2007 10:33

Southgate Wants Downing Seeing Double

Options: Reply To This Message•Quote This Message•Report This Message
Goto Thread: Previous•Next
Goto: Message List•Log In

SPORTS SPREAD BETTING

Goto: Forum List•Message List•Search•Log In
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.
We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net