SSN: "Downing won't commit to Villa"

[Brend'Watkins]

He's got two years on his contract. he is going to leave at some point. Either

a) Now, for silly money

b) in twelve months' time, for a fair price

c) in two years' time, for nothing.

I am ready for any of (a), (b) or (c) provided that, for as long as he stays, he plays well.

There's no need for that sort of realism on here, we need snarling and straining of sinews with a few cnuts thrown in for good measure. 

[damon loves JT]

Yes, sorry Bren.

[Jimbo]

If Downing did leave us it would be no surprise, and who could blame him? He wouldn't be the first to go and he certainly won't be the last (Bent will probably be next). Unless we qualify for the Champions League, or start winning things, this will continue to happen, so we might as well get used to it (I think most of us already are). As a club, we've had to reasses our place in the pecking order, in my opinion, and managing the fans' expectations will be part of that. We're a team that does the right thing, the right way, rather than a team that wins and wins ruthlessly. That's our place.

But when it comes down to character, it's evident from Downing's on-pitch attitude that he would never put himself on the line for anybody but himself. A hundred bottled challenges tells us that. He's a maggot, I'm afraid, and all his wriggling of late has been to attract bigger fish.

[sfx412]

Liverpool are going to have one big wage bill the number of Villa players due to join them. Good luck to them I say, be great to see how Kenny copes and gets them into the top 4.

As to Villa another tough season fighting relegation looks on the cards reading some of the tripe that's gone before.
No manager, all the best players sold, no money for new ones, Heaven help us.

Anyway away from the playground and back in the real world, seems to me our star player of the season is reminding the management that further prevarication is not the way to run a PL club looking to win things, just as going another season with a manager with dodgy health credentials is no way to consider the club has a viable future.

Randy wake up son.

[Chris Jameson]

Anyway away from the playground and back in the real world

What were you doing at the playground Malcolm? You know you're not supposed to go there especially unsupervised.

[Tom_Mc9?]

Who said there's no money for new players?

[LeeB]

Of all of our 'star' players under speculation in recent times, he is the one I'd be happiest to let go.

[Concrete John]

Of all of our 'star' players under speculation in recent times, he is the one I'd be happiest to let go.

Although I generally agree, it's also be one of the most harmful if he goes the same summer Ash does.

[LeeB]

Of all of our 'star' players under speculation in recent times, he is the one I'd be happiest to let go.

Although I generally agree, it's also be one of the most harmful if he goes the same summer Ash does.

I agree there, John.

I'll be gutted when Ash goes though, and I just can't say the same about Mr 70%.

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

Downing is not irreplaceable.

You would be hard to find another A.Young so easily, but Downing is hardly the worlds greaest player.

[Tom_Mc9?]

He's not irreplaceable, but it's another job we could do without.

[themossman]

Sad that we're becoming such a feeder club for bigger English teams. Someone will no doubt bring up Spurs/Berbatov and the fact that no team in the world is susceptible to getting their players nicked. But assuming Downing and Ash both go this summer I can't think of many that have lost their best player 4 times in 2 years whilst supposedly having ambitions of playing CL football.

[Deano's Mullet]

it stinks. You've got Man Utd, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City. Arsenal might drop out of this bracket but  they're  only teams modern footballers want to play for because a) they have more money b) they're always in the Champions League (or will be in Man City's case). The rest of us, and i think this includes Tottenham, Everton and some of the bigger clubs, are always going to lose their players because we cant compete with them. The only way i can see us doing it is spending as much money as a  Chelsea or Man City - and once you're in the top four you have to stay there. I dont like it and i cant accept it but this is what i think.

[john e]

Of all of our 'star' players under speculation in recent times, he is the one I'd be happiest to let go.

Although I generally agree, it's also be one of the most harmful if he goes the same summer Ash does.

I agree there, John.

I'll be gutted when Ash goes though, and I just can't say the same about Mr 70%.

agreed,
Ash can take a player on and beat him, theirs not a lot of players in the prem that can do that, Nani, Wallcot, lennon, Johnson, Valencia are just a few i can think of, but most of them play for top 4 sides, i'm not sure if the fella from wigan can do it either, but downing certainly cant.

if we have to bring in a wide man i hope its someone who has the pace and skill to take players on in wide positions, then of coarse the most important bit , delivering the ball

[Goldie.7]

There's no loyalty these days i would fuck him and anyone else off who doesn't want to commit to Villa.