Summer transfer rumours, speculation and out-and-out b*ll*cks.

[Chris Smith]

hes not even been that good!!

I disagree.

[Ryu]

he may have just been answering a direct question, but it still seems like a significant departure from the sort of stuff he has said all season, and that's why it is worrying.   

[Toronto Villa]

every single quality player at every single club is being asked the same type of question at this time of year. The media's job is to create conversation and controversy because it sells. Every word is twisted. Downing, who has had a great season, has been asked about his ambitions. I expect him to say he wants to play at the highest level. What's also to be expected is Villa fans automatically assuming it won't be with us. How about we aim for CL, and hope that our best players are a part of that and ultimately play in that competition in a Villa kit. As a club, we are as accountable in helping our best players reach that level as they are in playing their part in our success.

[Shrek]

Bale, sandro, Modric etc are all in demand.

Young and Downing are in demand,

Only difference is most clubs tie there best players down, we dont, we give them 4 year deals instead of 5 years, which is coming back to bite us.

[UsualSuspect]

Great season?

heaven help us

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Great season?

heaven help us

Agreed. He had a good season, started well, dipped around Christmas and picked up again. He was overall our best player last season but I think there's still plenty of room for improvement.

[pablopicasso_10]

hes not even been that good!!

I disagree.

i respect your right to disagree, but for me, he has been the better of a shite bunch, and again for me, he has only stood out because he was so shite last year...

its interesting to note that marc albrighton has very similar goals and assists this season in 1000 less minutes...

but for the reputation and the price we paid, i think he is vastly over rated, and tbh, nothing he has done in a villa shirt has convinced me he is anything other than an average limited winger...

i understand that not all will agree...

[UsualSuspect]

hes not even been that good!!

I disagree.

i respect your right to disagree, but for me, he has been the better of a shite bunch, and again for me, he has only stood out because he was so shite last year...

its interesting to note that marc albrighton has very similar goals and assists this season in 1000 less minutes...

but for the reputation and the price we paid, i think he is vastly over rated, and tbh, nothing he has done in a villa shirt has convinced me he is anything other than an average limited winger...

i understand that not all will agree...

I agree with a lot of that.

The thing is if he was to sign a new deal it would come with a pay rise and I for one would be physically sick if i thought Downing was going to be on 70k per week

[pablopicasso_10]

i would be fuming if he got a huge payrise out of this... i would rather sell him now than give in...

[JUAN PABLO]

Im listening to the great Brian Little while reading the Downing news .   How these players have quickly changed over the years  into greedy un loyal wankers...             

[PaulMcGrathsNo5Shirt]

Year 1: Gareth Barry
Year 2: James Milner
Year 3: Ashley Young
Year 4: Stewart Downing
Year 5: Ciaran Clark
Year 6: Mark Albrighton
Year 7: Gary Gardner

etc etc.... football, as a competitive sport is dead.

[JUAN PABLO]

Year 1: Gareth Barry
Year 2: James Milner
Year 3: Ashley Young
Year 4: Stewart Downing
Year 5: Ciaran Clark
Year 6: Mark Albrighton
Year 7: Gary Gardner

etc etc.... football, as a competitive sport is dead.

Year 8       Salifou

[Namlod]

No ....not Salifou! without him we are nothing

[TheSandman]

However, one day we will have to ask ourselves why our best players keep going.

We're simply not good enough, we're in the also rans bracket and I can't see that changing anytime soon.

I think it's a chicken and egg scenario as I'd argue we're in that bracket BECAUSE our best players keep leaving. 

I agree. It's a very important and pertinent question too. To believe simply that our best players keep leaving because modern footballers are wankers is simplistic and wrong. We need to give our so called best players a reason to stay.

[Brend'Watkins]

However, one day we will have to ask ourselves why our best players keep going.

We're simply not good enough, we're in the also rans bracket and I can't see that changing anytime soon.

I think it's a chicken and egg scenario as I'd argue we're in that bracket BECAUSE our best players keep leaving. 

I agree. It's a very important and pertinent question too. To believe simply that our best players keep leaving because modern footballers are wankers is simplistic and wrong. We need to give our so called best players a reason to stay.

Why give them a reason to stay when only two weeks ago we had Downing broadcasting how great it was here?