Tales from the Members Bar XXV - James Downey
By OSB
April 29 2008
James Downey is a peripatetic footballer. It is not that he is averse to settling down; it is just that life (and injury) have a way of stepping in to make things interesting. Earlier this year broke the habit of his professional life and signed a two-year extension to his contract with Northampton Saints
April 29 2008
James Downey is a peripatetic footballer. It is not that he is averse to settling down; it is just that life (and injury) have a way of stepping in to make things interesting. Earlier this year broke the habit of his professional life and signed a two-year extension to his contract with Northampton Saints
Tales from the Members' Bar
No. 25 James Downey - the Return
No. 25 James Downey - the Return
James Downey is a peripatetic footballer. It is not that he is averse to settling down; it is just that life (and injury) have a way of stepping in to make things interesting. Earlier this year broke the habit of his professional life and signed a two-year extension to his contract with Northampton Saints. As you can imagine, he is delighted with the prospect. He is really happy here and there is a great feeling of togetherness within the squad.
He appreciates that there will be new challenges in the higher league and greater competition for places amongst the centres. He does not really know Nils Mordt but he has played against him in Ireland. James is looking forward to making new friends and taking on those challenges.
The style in which Northampton Saints have tended to play in my time watching them, inside centres have been a rather unloved brotherhood. Their advocates are prone to ask their detractors to look at the unglamorous tasks they perform. Think of the times we have seen Matt Allen given a ball to take up with no room in which to work. Recall John Leslie stepping and stepping through decreasingly small gaps, fighting to keep the ball available for an off-load while waiting in vain for the cavalry to arrive. All of them have been assigned to tackle anything and everything that comes charging down that narrow channel.
"Ah! It is not too bad when they run straight. ‘Tis the jinkers that put you off balance that are the cause of the problem." So, having been impressed by the way in which Tim Walsh ran against us last weekend I asked about the Newbury game. The squad were not amused by conceding four tries and the analysis showed that the defence was a bit narrow at times with too many people committed to the breakdown. That should not detract from Newbury who came out with nothing to lose (nobody expected them to win) but everything to play for - one point would ensure their survival.
It has been the watchword in training this week. The teams at the bottom have nothing to fear. Playing well and going for it might just help their survival. Launceston on Saturday will have played here once already and will be prepared. They will love the atmosphere and hope to play their best. It will be the only way that they can get anything from the game. They possess a potent attacking threat in Matt Jess so we can expect to see the ball given to him early and often.
There will not be too much time after the match for celebrating and rest. Nick Johnston has them back to their work in June. James is off to visit friends in America and will some time chilling at home in Ireland. He was about to go off to see Mr Johnston to find out what his targets were for when he returned to pre-season. I think the New York deli breakfast may have to be given the miss.
Sharing a house with Damo and Wardy has been fun. Wardy has been inculcated into the mysterious ways of his Celtic brethren. You can imagine that there could be a bit of the craic to be had on Saturday night.
Just before we parted, James demonstrated his professionalism by being ready with another offering from the pantry. The rather exotic Mikado is not a dunking biscuit. When he wants to dunk he reaches for the blue McVitie's packet in search of a Chocolate Hob-Nob.
arw
26.4.2008
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StumbleuponTales from the members, Bar XXv - James Downey
Posted by: ComeOnYouSaints.com (IP Logged)
Date: 29/04/2008 22:12
Tales from the members, Bar XXv - James Downey
Re: Tales from the members, Bar XXv - James Downey
Posted by: Saint Tim (IP Logged)
Date: 30/04/2008 09:00
Informative as ever Richard
“Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”
Benjamin Franklin
Tetleys Block F E143
“Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”
Benjamin Franklin
Tetleys Block F E143
Re: Tales from the members, Bar XXv - James Downey
Posted by: eb13saint (IP Logged)
Date: 30/04/2008 09:25
Good stuff. Mr Downey has been one of the season's unsung heroes. And the chocolate hob-nob is an excellent choice!
Re: Tales from the members, Bar XXv - James Downey
Posted by: Phil. (IP Logged)
Date: 30/04/2008 09:55
This series has been one of the highlights of the season for me.
Thanks to ChrisW and the club for access to the players and of course a very big thank you to OSB for a fascinating read each week.
"It's not the despair, Saints, I can take the despair. It's the hope I can't stand."
Thanks to ChrisW and the club for access to the players and of course a very big thank you to OSB for a fascinating read each week.
"It's not the despair, Saints, I can take the despair. It's the hope I can't stand."
Re: Tales from the members, Bar XXv - James Downey
Posted by: Ian Spokes (IP Logged)
Date: 30/04/2008 10:24
I'll second that, Phil.
Re: Tales from the members, Bar XXv - James Downey
Posted by: ChrisG (IP Logged)
Date: 30/04/2008 10:40
I liked it, even though I could not understand all the words.
Re: Tales from the members, Bar XXv - James Downey
Posted by: Wee Jim (IP Logged)
Date: 30/04/2008 10:56
Thirded! Hope it keeps going next season. I'm looking forward to the Matfield interview.....
Re: Tales from the members, Bar XXv - James Downey
Posted by: broonie (IP Logged)
Date: 30/04/2008 13:23
i can see the ben foden one now 
RW: " so tell me ben, how long was it after saints had kidnapped you screaming from stockport that you realised you had made a terrible mistake ?"
BF: " well, mostly it was when digger introduced me to his hair stylist ..."
RW: " so tell me ben, how long was it after saints had kidnapped you screaming from stockport that you realised you had made a terrible mistake ?"
BF: " well, mostly it was when digger introduced me to his hair stylist ..."
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