Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Rip Van We Go Again on May 08, 2011, 11:44:32 AM
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sportinglife.com
Aston Villa have opened initial talks with representatives of winger Stewart Downing regarding a new contract.
Downing still has two years remaining of the current deal he signed when moving from Middlesbrough for a then club-record £12 million during the summer of 2009.
But Villa caretaker boss Gary McAllister is aware of the need to ensure Downing remains at the club on a long-term basis, particularly with a major doubt hanging over the future of Ashley Young.
McAllister said: "Stewart has got two years left and we are getting into that area where it's coming into our vision.
"It's in progress at the moment. We are starting to make contact with his agent.
"We have to keep good players here."
McAllister admits he would vote for Downing as Villa's player of the year and believes he is capable of becoming an England regular.
The former Middlesbrough player impressed during the friendly international against Ghana at Wembley in March.
McAllister said: "It's been a very mixed season but Stewart has been very consistent - especially for a forward player in a team that hasn't been playing as well as it can.
"He would be my pick as our player of the year. I think him having been injury-free is massive. I don't think he has missed a day's training.
"He came here on crutches (signed when had a broken foot). I think he will gain a lot of confidence from this year.
"Getting another pre-season under his belt, he will benefit from that. There's more to come from him.
"Another wee target for Stewart is that he has always been in and around that England squad.
"The question is can he go and become a part of the team? I feel he has enough in his locker to do that."
McAllister also believes Downing is capable of following the example of previous Villa players in Gareth Barry and James Milner in switching from a wide role into central midfield.
He said: "We have looked at that. It's something we have spoken about a lot. We gave him a little run over there against Birmingham at St. Andrew's.
"He has got a fantastic shot that doesn't require much of a back lift so, if we can get him in the central areas and with a sight of goal, you could see us working that in pre-season.
"He has two great feet. I would categorise Stewart a wee bit differently to Gareth and James.
"That's no disrespect to them but Stewart has a wee bit more in the attacking third.
"Sometimes you need to change things and it's good to know you have players who can adapt."
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If nothing else proves McAllister is clueless, the belief that he could play central midfield does.
Central midfielders are normally expected to put tackles in.
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Yeah, let's play him centrally so we can play another winger. Let's play DOwning and Young in the centre with Walker and Albrighton on the right and sign Shaun Wright Phillips and Aaron Lennon to play wide left. Maybe Adam Johnson in goal.
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'He sodding well can't' says anyone who has ever seen him play.
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As I said on a different thread, I could not give a flying fuck about what McAllister says.
Hopefully, next season, he will have no influence about what goes on at the Villa as he will have long gone.
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Why is Gary McAllister talking so much anyway? I don't buy the "he's just answering questions" thing. He KEEPS talking about next season and transfers. Surely transfers are nothing to do with him?
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Why is Gary McAllister talking so much anyway? I don't buy the "he's just answering questions" thing. He KEEPS talking about next season and transfers. Surely transfers are nothing to do with him?
and let's hope that next season has nothing to do with him.
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He played there for Boro during their Uefa Cup run and did'nt look too bad. I'm not sure it'll work for us though.
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He played there for Boro during their Uefa Cup run and did'nt look too bad. I'm not sure it'll work for us though.
They only way it could possibly work is if he was part of a 3 man central midfield, partnered by two class, hard working and hard tackling players.
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God no.
Out wide is where he belongs
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Is McAllister unaware that Houllier and himself almost certainly won't be with us next season.
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I think it could work with the right players around him, he's got the intelligence and eye for a pass.
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He played there for Boro during their Uefa Cup run and did'nt look too bad. I'm not sure it'll work for us though.
They only way it could possibly work is if he was part of a 3 man central midfield, partnered by two class, hard working and hard tackling players.
I feel dirty but I think I agree with you Fletch!
I'd still prefer to play wingers on the wing though and centre-mids in centre-mid.
It seems to have been the standard practice at the Villa over the past few years though that if we want someone to feel special we play them in centre mid. It happened with Barry, Milner and Ash. Maybe with the certainty of Ash leaving the management are trying to tempt Downing to stay by offering him this prospect.
For what it's worth I think Downing's been our best player this season. Yes he can't tackle or head a ball (although his goal at Stoke was great) but this season he's scored a few goals which is what he needs to do to justify his price tag. We should be playing him on the wing but encourage him to cut inside more as he's got a decent shot on him with both feet.
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Hopefully with Young realistically leaving we'll do away with having 2 widemen. I'd rather see us with two attacking full backs and a bit more strength in midfield. 1 winger is enough.
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That makes a lot of sense, a player who can't tackle or head a ball in centre-midfield... wonder whats next?
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I absolutely think he can play in the middle; either in the position AY has played in this year or as part of a 3. Couldn't see him playing in the middle in a 4-4-2.
I'm a bit perplexed at why McAllister is quite so hated on here. I'm not saying he's the right man for the job, but I don't see how anyone has the evidence that it's him that's the biggest of all our problems. There clearly is a coaching problem we can't defend. Our coach is Gordon Cowans but he's obviously beyond reproach.
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That makes a lot of sense, a player who can't tackle or head a ball in centre-midfield... wonder whats next?
He put in his fair share of tackles yesterday (actually, checking the chalkboard, it was 4 and he won them all). He'll never be in the mould of Gerrard but as an attacking midfielder, he could do the job. I admit I'd rather somebody else did it though.
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I think it could work with the right players around him, he's got the intelligence and eye for a pass.
Whilst I agree with you on that, I'd much prefer he worked on his final ball into the box. If he can get that right, we'll have one hell of a player.
As things stand today, we already know Makoun can't tackle, to throw Stewart in central midfield would make us even more lightweight there than we are now. Difficult to imagine, I know.
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He can play central midfield in a three IMHO. Thing is I'd rather have him out wide.
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Bent
Gabby Albrighton
Downing
Coker Makoun
I don't see why it sounds so unimaginable to some people.
The 'downing' position could be covered by bannan/gabby quite well too I think.
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Bent
Gabby Albrighton
Downing
Coker Makoun
I don't see why it sounds so unimaginable to some people.
The 'downing' position could be covered by bannan/gabby quite well too I think.
perhaps, but i'd want someone better than coker in there. Someone who can pass for a start.
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but i'd want someone better than coker in there. Someone who can pass for a start.
Gregory, this is 2011, things have changed, have you been sleeping for the last 12 months?.
You're in for a great surprise, who'll never guess which centre forward we bought for £18m...
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heh. i like reo-coker to be honest and i thought he was pretty good the first year here but i still don't understand why MON bought him given the formation we ended up playing when Milner arrived. If he stays i'd like to see him at the bottom of a diamond formation, Makoun and someone good in the middle with Downing perhaps at the top, with bent and gabby/someone good up front.
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but i'd want someone better than coker in there. Someone who can pass for a start.
Gregory, this is 2011, things have changed, have you been sleeping for the last 12 months?.
You're in for a great surprise, who'll never guess which centre forward we bought for £18m
He can't pass. Or at least not to the standard required for a team with aspirations to compete at the business end of the table. He needs three touches and time just to pass it square ten yard. He's got plenty of good qualities and was probably our best player yesterday but a central midfield with him in it just too slow and predictable.
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but i'd want someone better than coker in there. Someone who can pass for a start.
Gregory, this is 2011, things have changed, have you been sleeping for the last 12 months?.
You're in for a great surprise, who'll never guess which centre forward we bought for £18m
He can't pass. Or at least not to the standard required for a team with aspirations to compete at the business end of the table. He needs three touches and time just to pass it square ten yard. He's got plenty of good qualities and was probably our best player yesterday but a central midfield with him in it just too slow and predictable.
By the same logic we may as well fuck Downing off now as he can't cross a ball so he's no good on the wing and he can't tackle, so no good in central midfield. The fact that Downing and NRC have been our best and most consistant performers says so much about this season.
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Reo Coker's away for sure. I still cling to the hope that Delph will get his chance next season.
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I cling to the hope Delph is as good as we talk him up. I really would have liked to have seen him come off the bench yesterday to replace Petrov. The lad needs experience and he's currently getting as they say in Yorkshire, nowt.
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but i'd want someone better than coker in there. Someone who can pass for a start.
Gregory, this is 2011, things have changed, have you been sleeping for the last 12 months?.
You're in for a great surprise, who'll never guess which centre forward we bought for £18m
He can't pass. Or at least not to the standard required for a team with aspirations to compete at the business end of the table. He needs three touches and time just to pass it square ten yard. He's got plenty of good qualities and was probably our best player yesterday but a central midfield with him in it just too slow and predictable.
By the same logic we may as well fuck Downing off now as he can't cross a ball so he's no good on the wing and he can't tackle, so no good in central midfield. The fact that Downing and NRC have been our best and most consistant performers says so much about this season.
we lost milner, he was our best midfielder by a country mile, and the ex-manager decided to replace him with a fruitcake. given the money spent on him and the necessity to bring in a goalscorer for a shitload of money, we've struggled Mark. I'm sure given a blank chequebook GH would have bought more players in defence and midfield but we were never going to spend that sort of money.
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I absolutely think he can play in the middle; either in the position AY has played in this year or as part of a 3. Couldn't see him playing in the middle in a 4-4-2.
I'm a bit perplexed at why McAllister is quite so hated on here. I'm not saying he's the right man for the job, but I don't see how anyone has the evidence that it's him that's the biggest of all our problems. There clearly is a coaching problem we can't defend. Our coach is Gordon Cowans but he's obviously beyond reproach.
I think he comes across fairly well when he speaks. I just think he's been speaking too much presently about transfers - something that is not within his remit of a coaching role. Cowans is a club legend, hence people don't want to implicate him, rightly or wrongly. But they've all let themselves down this year to varying degrees.
I'd like us to actually sign a good enough central midfielder and leave a perfectly decent winger on the wing. Revolutionary I know!
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I like SD he has been our best player this season i would keep him out wide that's what we brought him for to supply the forwards i don't think he would make a good central midfielder anyway.
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but i'd want someone better than coker in there. Someone who can pass for a start.
Gregory, this is 2011, things have changed, have you been sleeping for the last 12 months?.
You're in for a great surprise, who'll never guess which centre forward we bought for £18m
He can't pass. Or at least not to the standard required for a team with aspirations to compete at the business end of the table. He needs three touches and time just to pass it square ten yard. He's got plenty of good qualities and was probably our best player yesterday but a central midfield with him in it just too slow and predictable.
By the same logic we may as well fuck Downing off now as he can't cross a ball so he's no good on the wing and he can't tackle, so no good in central midfield. The fact that Downing and NRC have been our best and most consistant performers says so much about this season.
Mark you really think Downing can't cross?
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Downing's a decent crosser, he just dose'nt do it enough.
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Strangely, considering the OTT stick he gets on here about it, I thought Downing weighed in with some very committed tackles yesterday.
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but i'd want someone better than coker in there. Someone who can pass for a start.
Gregory, this is 2011, things have changed, have you been sleeping for the last 12 months?.
You're in for a great surprise, who'll never guess which centre forward we bought for £18m
He can't pass. Or at least not to the standard required for a team with aspirations to compete at the business end of the table. He needs three touches and time just to pass it square ten yard. He's got plenty of good qualities and was probably our best player yesterday but a central midfield with him in it just too slow and predictable.
By the same logic we may as well fuck Downing off now as he can't cross a ball so he's no good on the wing and he can't tackle, so no good in central midfield. The fact that Downing and NRC have been our best and most consistant performers says so much about this season.
Mark you really think Downing can't cross?
Clampy just answered for me. Of course he can cross, at Middlesborough he constantly delivered. Yesterday he got a cross in. A cross. He contributes enormously but it's that final ball into Bent that's missing. When he gets that right, he'll be the best all round winger (apart from Giggs) in the country. I'd also like to see him moving in on the far post when the ball is on the other wing. He scored a few like that in the first half of the season but seems to have been forgotten.
Downing is potentially a much better player than most think he could be, especially his biggest fans on here.
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but i'd want someone better than coker in there. Someone who can pass for a start.
Gregory, this is 2011, things have changed, have you been sleeping for the last 12 months?.
You're in for a great surprise, who'll never guess which centre forward we bought for £18m
He can't pass. Or at least not to the standard required for a team with aspirations to compete at the business end of the table. He needs three touches and time just to pass it square ten yard. He's got plenty of good qualities and was probably our best player yesterday but a central midfield with him in it just too slow and predictable.
By the same logic we may as well fuck Downing off now as he can't cross a ball so he's no good on the wing and he can't tackle, so no good in central midfield. The fact that Downing and NRC have been our best and most consistant performers says so much about this season.
Mark you really think Downing can't cross?
Clampy just answered for me. Of course he can cross, at Middlesborough he constantly delivered. Yesterday he got a cross in. A cross. He contributes enormously but it's that final ball into Bent that's missing. When he gets that right, he'll be the best all round winger (apart from Giggs) in the country. I'd also like to see him moving in on the far post when the ball is on the other wing. He scored a few like that in the first half of the season but seems to have been forgotten.
Downing is potentially a much better player than most think he could be, especially his biggest fans on here.
The fact that NRC and Downing have been our 'best and most consistent performers' explains succinctly why we have been flirting all season with the bottom three places and not third to sixth.
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Sure Mal but who's to blame for that?
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Downing is a left winger. Fuck Ash off & play Downing Left, Albrighton (or a new right winger) on the right.
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Milner moved from the wing to play in a central role and thrived, who's to say Downing couldn't have a similar impact? I'm still not sure why he get's so much stick from a minority of fans, he's been our most consistent performer this year and is now starting to get picked for the England squad more regularly.
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Milner moved from the wing to play in a central role and thrived, who's to say Downing couldn't have a similar impact? I'm still not sure why he get's so much stick from a minority of fans, he's been our most consistent performer this year and is now starting to get picked for the England squad more regularly.
Agree. Or 'This' or whatever.
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Downing is a left winger. Fuck Ash off & play Downing Left, Albrighton (or a new right winger) on the right.
This.
I hate it when he plays on the right.
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Milner moved from the wing to play in a central role and thrived, who's to say Downing couldn't have a similar impact? I'm still not sure why he get's so much stick from a minority of fans, he's been our most consistent performer this year and is now starting to get picked for the England squad more regularly.
Milner has bottle and takes chances. The reason I don't like Downing is not because he does anything wrong, because he doesn't but that we do not seem to be as good a side when he's playing. Some players add something intangible and some - Downing and NRC - take something away.
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Milner moved from the wing to play in a central role and thrived, who's to say Downing couldn't have a similar impact? I'm still not sure why he get's so much stick from a minority of fans, he's been our most consistent performer this year and is now starting to get picked for the England squad more regularly.
Milner has bottle and takes chances. The reason I don't like Downing is not because he does anything wrong, because he doesn't but that we do not seem to be as good a side when he's playing. Some players add something intangible and some - Downing and NRC - take something away.
You might need to substantiate that.