Stewart Downing insists he is thoroughly enjoying his new role in West Ham United's midfield.
The 30-year old former Middlesbrough, Aston Villa and Liverpool man finds himself at the top of a diamond of four under Sam Allardyce and is really relishing the position as was made evident by his two-assist performance in the 3-1 win over the Reds on the weekend.
"I played a similar role at Middlesbrough, more in a 4-4-1-1 type formation. It obviously helps in this formation where I have three lads behind me, I can play a bit further forward," Downing told West Ham's official website.
"I feel more involved playing in this new position. I'm enjoying it more, the manager wants me to be more involved. If you're under the cosh sometimes and you're on the wing you tend to do a lot of running without seeing the ball."
Downing came up with the assist for Morgan Amalfitano's 88th-minute goal which wrapped up proceedings at Upton Park and he admitted that it came at a very good time for the Hammers.
"I was delighted with the timing of the third goal. It was relief mainly, we were under pressure," he added.
"They were attacking and attacking and I didn't want it to be a draw. It was a good time to get a goal and it made it pretty much certain we were going to win."
