Nolan

say a tall striker has 46% aerial duels won and that a shorter striker has 50% aerial duels won. the 50% choice looks better, right? but what if the tall strike had 100 aerial chances in 10 matches and the shorter striker had 80 aerial chances in 10 matches. apply the percentages tall striker has won 46 aerial wins in 10 matches and shorter striker has 40 aerial wins in 10 matches.

its worth noting that Downs has more Aerial duels per game than your average striker. but going back to ChatGPT to analyse the details (and again I'll enter the Data in / Data out AI caveat) 1. Aerial Duel Win % Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story The win percentage is a ratio of duels won versus duels contested, but it doesn’t measure how often a player positions himself to influence the game in the air without necessarily winning the duel outright. Downs may choose his aerial battles smartly—sometimes not contesting a 50/50 header if a teammate is better placed, which lowers his personal duel count but benefits the team overall. 2. Quality Over Quantity Even if he wins “only” 46% of his aerial duels, the timing and impact of those wins matter more. For example, winning a critical flick-on or a clearance in a dangerous area has far more value than simply winning a random aerial duel in midfield. 3. Role and Tactical Usage Downs is not just contesting every aerial ball blindly; his role as a target man and pressing striker means he uses aerial skills strategically. His ability to link up play with headers or create space by attracting defenders doesn’t necessarily show up in duel stats but still makes him valuable in the air. 4. Physicality and Mobility Enhance Impact His size and mobility allow him to dominate key moments even if his duel win rate isn’t elite. He might lose some duels in congested situations but still shape the game by disrupting marking schemes and creating second chances. 5. Development Curve At only 20, Downs is still growing physically and tactically. His aerial duel win percentage is likely to improve as he gains experience, refines timing, and gets stronger. Bottom line: The 46% aerial duel win rate is decent, but the true measure of Downs’ aerial presence lies in how he uses his physicality, timing, and positioning to influence the game beyond just raw stats. So no, his aerial duel stats don’t counter his reputation — they complement a broader picture of a smart, effective, and evolving aerial threat.

Admittedly CHATGPT is limited to what information has gone in, as to what will come out. But from the information and stats that it has: 🧩 How Damion Downs Stands Out 🧱 1. Physical Profile + Coordination Tallest of the group at 192 cm, stronger aerial presence than Brereton or Archer, but more mobile than Stewart. Offers a true target-man presence but with better mobility and coordination than your typical big No. 9. ⚙️ 2. Modern Pressing Striker Potential Will Still wants pressing forwards. Downs comes from a Bundesliga system where pressing is embedded from youth levels. Unlike Stewart (slow) or Archer (not physically dominant), Downs can press, occupy defenders, and be the out-ball under pressure. 🔄 3. Link-Up and Hold-Up Mix Unlike Armstrong (who spins in behind) or Brereton Díaz (who cuts in from wide), Downs is comfortable: Receiving with back to goal Playing one-touch layoffs Bringing midfielders into play 🎯 4. Ceiling and Tactical Versatility At only 20, Downs could be developed into a complete forward: A pressing spearhead ✅ A crossing target ✅ A hold-up pivot ✅ A transitional release valve ✅ Southampton doesn’t currently have a striker who combines all of those qualities in one. 🔚 Summary: Why Downs Adds a Unique Dimension Armstrong is a poacher. Stewart is a classic big man. Archer is a mobile finisher. Brereton Díaz is a wide forward with power. 🆕 Downs offers something different: A tall, tactically smart, press-capable striker who can grow into a complete No. 9—a profile Will Still hasn’t had yet.

Played Goals Assists Cameron Archer 40 18 7 Adam Armstrong 248 80 33 Ben Brereton 230 57 23 That's solely in the Championship. we have proven Championship strikers. What we dont have is a tall striker who positions himself well in the box. and Downs is 3inches taller than Diaz.

It is not a rumour.

With information that Alfie House gave in the podcast with @stevegrant and subsequent posts on X it was quite easy to work out it the striker that he had been told we were interested in buying was Downs. The attributes that were mentioned all pointed that way.

Johannes Spors looked at the BBC squad and identified specific types of players he believes we need that we don't have already. Will Still plays against the opposition, using squad players that can exploit weaknesses in the opponents. They have identified Downs as a player that can do this. In an era of up to 5 subs per game squad depth and the ability to really change things up is essential.

Sound up for this signing... 🕺

Sabra is now done. If transfermarkt is correct, he played for 4 separate age groups for Jordan in 2024 U19s U20s U23 and full team.

Solak's interviews with Blackmore and House suggested it was a mistake to leave us in a position where we had to spend so much money to stand still (IE buying players that had been on loan) But I think the fact is we're looking to find players that gel well with Still's needs.

Arsenal Premier League Home https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1RmeF2xKnI Everton Premier League Home https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hlH8ydUMpY Chelsea Premier League Home https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pp-iAJ77RqU Aston Villa Premier League Away https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95fxlfiPObQ Newcastle United Premier League Home https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9yeOdImtYI Tottenham Hotspur Premier League Home https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljFq4nLzFz8 Wolverhampton Wanderers Premier League Home https://www.tiktok.com/@wolves/video/7519842550438448406 Preston North End Championship Home https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6MpThP2tMw Bristol Rovers League Two Home https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyHiPiC4aCU Chesterfield FC League One Home & Away https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXwUFibCCnc

Very clever..... Magic 8 ball to symbolise asking "What does the future hold?" after the uncertainty of 24/25 even down to the questing of Solak Selling up. "No doubt about it" is a bold and confident affirmation.

Came on at 78" and was the final penalty taker in the shoot out...

If it is Downs we get a target man who, though not quite as tall as Onuachu has a higher top speed, a better positional sense and better link play.

a very muddied comparison. a better comparison is Club value of squad, and Koln are directly comparable to clubs the size of Stoke or Bristol City