Football FanCast columnist Luke Raine cannot understand why Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing is constantly the fall guy when it comes to England's failings.

For too long now Stewart Downing has taken far too much of the blame for England's inability to qualify for the 2008 European Championships. If Downing hadn't played under Steve McClaren during his time at Middlesbrough there is little doubt he would have had a smoother ride from the England fans.

People are too quick to jump on Downing when he pulls on the white shirt. He didn't have the best of games on Saturday and was rightly substituted based on the opening 45 minutes of the game. However in previous friendly matches under Capello he has looked bright and given the side natural width on the left hand side when he has come on.

People will say I am biased because I am a Middlesbrough fan. I would argue against this by saying that I have first hand knowledge of just how good Downing can be. The term "big fish in a small pond" has been used repeatedly over the last 48 hours, but this is extremely unfair in my opinion.

When Downing pulls on an England shirt he isn't the same player, but that isn't his fault. Even before the game started against Andorra Downing couldn't win because the fans were completely against him from the off. If he had created chances and looked dangerous it would be because England were playing against limited opposition. If he had a bad game and England were struggling then it would be his fault.

Psychologically it must be difficult for a player to go out and perform in the knowledge that virtually none of his own fans want him on the pitch, simply because of his links to the previous unsuccessful regime.

Downing is no pub player. Ten Premier League goals and just as many assists last season can confirm that. The difference is that when he plays in a red shirt the fans get behind him. Maybe the England "fans" who are so damning of each one of his performances should look at how to get the best out of players before they judge.

If Emile Heskey plays on Wednesday, which looks likely then it will be interesting to see who starts on the flanks. It is almost certain that Downing won't after being judged on 45 minutes of football by the fans, press and manager, but that also leaves the question about who will provide the ammunition to get the best out of the Wigan centre forward.

Joe Cole isn't a winger; he won't get to the by-line and get crosses into the box. The same can be said about David Beckham, who is also likely to start the game. I would personally have chosen Ashley Young, who provided so many assists last season. John Carew is a similar type of player to Heskey and his delivery from set pieces is immaculate - another thing that England will be relying on heavily in Zagreb.

Yet Young doesn't feature in the squad, along with Michael Owen. These two omissions made my eyebrows raise the most. Managers live and die by these decisions - lets just hope Capello is still breathing come Thursday morning.