Never has a man as timid proved to be so offensive to vast swathes of people as Stewart Downing has. Downing's spirit animal at Liverpool proved to be a scapegoat as his poor form contributed to a moribund 2011/12 season which ended in Kenny Dalglish's dismissal.
Downing is now back at Middlesborough - and while popular with supporters - is causing some serious friction at the club, which may ultimately end in the resignation of manager Aitor Karanka.
The club have confirmed on their website that Karanka did not take training yesterday, and will not be in charge of tomorrow's game against Charlton.
The Daily Mail report that Karanka's exile is owing to a dispute with the club's hierarchy over Stewart Downing. Karanka did not want to re-sign the 31 year old winger, instead the decision was made by owner and chairman Steve Gibson.
Downing's form has detiorated of late, and has not scored in his last 20 appearances. As his contribution to the team lessens while his reputation among the board - with Gibson in particular - remains undimmed, and the report claims that such a contradiction has caused sufficient tension to force Karanka to walk out of a team meeting on Friday morning.
'Boro have won just one of their last six games, as the pressure for promotion intensifies.
