SSN: "Downing won't commit to Villa"

[mortimers beard]

If he does not want to stay then let him go now and get as much cash for him as we can. We dont want to hold on to him for another 12 months otherwise we will end up in the same position as we do with Young now where we only get a fraction of wht he is really worth. Lets put some faith in the kids and people who want to be part of the club.

[Mister E]

This stuff about players having their heads turned is a bit wishy washy if you ask me - mainly becauase they don't need their heads turning - that implies some about turn in the way they view things, as if they were perfectly happy to be here forever until someone pointed out to them that clubs like Man City and United win trophies and play in the CL.

The fact is that they all want to play at the highest level, and if they can't do it here, they'll do it elsewhere. Until we can provide at the very least evidence of establishing our credentials in the league (being "in amongst it") this will always happen.

What I don't understand - and I've only read it on this thread, so maybe it is incorrect - is why we give players like Downing and Young four year rather than five year contracts, as it makes that awkward "two years left" mment happen sooner than you'd like.

I wouldn't disagree with any of that.

The staff that are choosing to leave (Milner, Young, Downing) are the ones who joined us when the club was unequivocal about its ambition to be "in amongst it" and no doubt believe in their own ability to play at that level.  Why wouldn't they? We bought them in on the basis that we also believed they could play at that level.

I don't know why we tend to offer 4 year contracts rather than 5 and don't know if other clubs do things differently.

The difference between 4 and 5 years is presumably a substantial upswing in weekly wages; asking the player to make that further 'commitment'.
It's laughable really; Downing - a forgotten player in Smoggieland, nursing a bad injury. Then he makes a move - "strongly influenced by MON" apparently - for a substantial pay rise, gets well, plays okay, returns to the England fold and is now Mr Big Bollox who thinks that Merseyside offers yet greater opportunities.
Interesting how many Villa players have played for - or at least been considered by - Capello. Don't they 'get it'? It's actually quite a good thing to be at a club like Villa, where you can strut your stuff every week, mix with Internationals and still be in London for a night out (if you wish to do that) within 2 hours.
I'm pissed off! - part of me agrees that we should get what we can and get rid; part of me says "F*ck it, we'll hang on and let you 'suffer' in B6".
In the end, if the Scouse tw*ts want to give us £20m+ let's do the deal and move on. Anything less, let's keep him and get another season of football out of him.

[eastie]

If he does not want to stay then let him go now and get as much cash for him as we can. We dont want to hold on to him for another 12 months otherwise we will end up in the same position as we do with Young now where we only get a fraction of wht he is really worth. Lets put some faith in the kids and people who want to be part of the club.

exactly this.

[Rancid custard]

To be fair, it's not surprising. If you didn't know the long term plan for your workplace or who your boss is even going to be you'd give some serious thought about moving on, especially if the guy who might be coming to boss you isn't rated as highly as your last boss.

[olaftab]

Downing has been watched by Arsenal? My fucking arse

let's put him in the shop window and see exactly who comes in for him apart from Liverpool

Oh come on they did watch  him at close quarters  last but 1 game of the season! and I agree with you.

[Mister E]

To be fair, it's not surprising. If you didn't know the long term plan for your workplace or who your boss is even going to be you'd give some serious thought about moving on, especially if the guy who might be coming to boss you isn't rated as highly as your last boss.

True, I've said elsewhere that the vacuum and uncertainty serves no purpose and increasingly people do get disconcerted. However, in the footballing world it is pretty common. How many managers did Downing see at 'Boro? Didn't seem to affect him there.

[timeoutbigbar]

There's no loyalty these days i would fuck him and anyone else

Beginning to sound like Imogen Thomas.

[hawkeye]

The vacume created over the Houlier situation is my concern here. The longer the uncertainty over the Managers position is concerned the more disruption to the squad. This situation needs sorting out now.

[RogerS]

I am 26 and at a major crossroads in my career so I won't be committing to a new deal at the moment.

"When I was injured that made me realise what it can be like to be out for such a long time. It hurt....
[/quo

...so I vowed to never to attempt another tackle as long as I live.

Would appear to be a very accurate statement.....

[Greg N'Ash]

The vacume created over the Houlier situation is my concern here. The longer the uncertainty over the Managers position is concerned the more disruption to the squad. This situation needs sorting out now.

yep. whether its a real vacuum or not, the perception is we're on automatic pilot.  They need to make a statement early next week latest.

[pauliewalnuts]

The vacume created over the Houlier situation is my concern here. The longer the uncertainty over the Managers position is concerned the more disruption to the squad. This situation needs sorting out now.

I.agree.

[Petrov19]

You could give a player a 1 day deal or 500 years at the end of the day the contract isn't really worth the paper it's cost to print.  Player power generally wins these days and if someone wants to move because of some other attraction then no-one is going to stand in their way.  If any player wants to leave my club then be my guest.  If you don't want to play then f*ck off.  We will find someone (not necessarily as good) to replace you and we will be here.  I was here before you came and I will be here after you have gone.

[Caiphus]

Hell some of you are waiting to see who the manager is and what signings come in before renewing your season tickets. Stew is still signed on for another two years and the transfer window isn't even open yet.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

There's no loyalty these days i would fuck him and anyone else

Beginning to sound like Imogen Thomas.

Quality ......

[pablopicasso_10]

its funny, hes not good enough for the champs league clubs, and its then down to spurs and liverpool as to his most likely destination, and thats only because liverpool have fallen so far, and spurs willl buy anything with a pulse...

every single liverpool fan i know dont want him... they think he is crap... my mate calls him stewart downsindrome!

be funny to see him rotting on their bench at his "crossroads"...