Downes: What a dilemma

By Dave Langton

Flynn Downes has given David Moyes a pleasant headache.

The Hammers boss admitted as much himself last night after the Irons managed to hold off a spirited Anderlecht side to win 1-0 and extend their perfect run in the Europa Conference League.

Downes has now played in two games – he also featured against FCSB – and has been Man of the Match both times.

He has a real eye for a pass, an engine that rivals Declan Rice, he can tackle, and he can create. What’s not to like?

As one of the more unheralded signings of the summer, particularly when placed alongside Lucas Paqueta and Gianluca Scamacca, Downes is beginning to look like a genuine bargain.

We know that Moyes loves bringing players up from the lower-leagues and moulding them into superstars and it looks like Downes is already on that path.

But to get there, he has to play!

While there are shades of Declan in his game, there is precious little chance of Rice being dropped. He’s the skipper and the only reason he was on the bench last night was because of the sheer amount of football he’s asked to play for both club and country.

And that brings us to Tomas Soucek.

The Czech has been really struggling this season and with Fulham looming, one has to think the timing could not be better to introduce some fresh blood in midfield.

Dropping Soucek and starting Downes would be a hugely bold call with the Czech coming back to his very best against Wolves.

But Downes’ performances can no longer go unnoticed. We can’t imagine him being back on the bench against Fulham.

As explained, Moyes has a very pleasant headache.