David Gold has congratulated Stewart Downing on stepping up and taking huge responsibility at Stoke!
The co chairman has been incredibly impressed with the winger this season but no more so than in the battling draw at the Britannia Stadium.
With the player being now freely tipped to make an international return this month Gold told ClaretandHugh: “You couldn’t argue against it of that’s what happens.
“What was so impressive for me at Stoke is that he knew he had to take on the responsibility in Diafra Sakho’s absence and he did that brilliantly.
“He was the man of the match on the back of a goal and assist and is showing incredible confidence even on his weaker right side. The techniques involved are no different. it’s all about having the confidence to go for it which he did brilliantly.”
Gold was also mightily impressed with James Collins at the heart of the defence declaring: “The lad was immense. He doesn’t always get the credit he deserves but he was in charge throughout. it was a great performance and but for Stewart would have been man of the match.”
Gold admitted that once we got a goal back he was expecting a draw or even better from the game adding: “We are such a different team this season. It’s not about how we will avoid defeat but how we will win.”
