SSN: "Downing won't commit to Villa"

[hilts_coolerking]

With Young and potentially Downing going, you couldn't blame Darren Bent for thinking "What the fuck have I done?"

[ozzjim]

Not at all Hilts, he will be next unless they reinvest and more.

Downing however, can move then snap his fucking knee in 2 I hope. Little bastard. Young I wish well. Barry gave us good service, but Jimmy and Downing have sold us down the river, as much as I would like Jimmy back.

[Iago]

With Young and potentially Downing going, you couldn't blame Darren Bent for thinking "What the fuck have I done?"

Bye 

[villa `cross the mersey]

With Young and potentially Downing going, you couldn't blame Darren Bent for thinking "What the fuck have I done?"

Bye 

BEYE

[Risso]

If you don't show any ambition as a club, this is the end result.

[ozzjim]

I just can't believe the mentality from signing Bent in January to selling up anything with value now. Young I understand with a year left, but Downing should have been convinced by disclosing our targets and telling he owes us some loyalty.

[Greg N'Ash]

well he does owe us after buying him crocked, but realistically can you blame him.  Most of the fans don't rate the manager so you can hardly criticise the players for agreeing and looking elsewhere. Show no ambition and these things happen.

[Clampy]

If Downing does go, let's get as much as we can out of Liverpool, and then i personally hope he gets as much abuse as Bosnich got when he came back with Man Utd in the Cup.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

If you don't show any ambition as a club, this is the end result.

There's no denying that the club is going backwards.
I really think Mr Lerner Sir is losing interest.

[hilts_coolerking]

well he does owe us after buying him crocked, but realistically can you blame him.  Most of the fans don't rate the manager so you can hardly criticise the players for agreeing and looking elsewhere. Show no ambition and these things happen.

No, I guess not.  Downing's just doing the equivalent of not renewing his season ticket.

[Chris Smith]

Typical of the modern day footballer - showed no loyalty to Boro and now ourselves  - he`s not even going to play in Europe next season, so I can only presume its for more moeny.
There is a decent player in there but lets face it - he is hardly a totally committed 100% type. For me we will miss Ashley more if only for his work rate.
With Young , Coker and Milner gone who will be stepping up to be "the engine room of the side" - its all quite worrying right now.

When some of our own fans are turning their back on the club it's little surprise that some of the players do the same.

[villa `cross the mersey]

Typical of the modern day footballer - showed no loyalty to Boro and now ourselves  - he`s not even going to play in Europe next season, so I can only presume its for more moeny.
There is a decent player in there but lets face it - he is hardly a totally committed 100% type. For me we will miss Ashley more if only for his work rate.
With Young , Coker and Milner gone who will be stepping up to be "the engine room of the side" - its all quite worrying right now.

When some of our own fans are turning their back on the club it's little surprise that some of the players do the same.

"Turning my back on the Villa" involves making a decision whether to renew my season ticket bearing in mind the increased costs of doing so (ticket prices up, fuel prices up etc) when my salary is 30% down on what I was earning 2 years ago.

Furthermore is the experience enjoyable and worth the expense?

Meanwhile Young and possibly Downing, "turn their back"  for an extra £50K per week - is that really the same ?

[Greg N'Ash]

its hardly encouraging is it. 2 weeks before pre-season 3 first teamers gone, another 2 looking like they're off. We're linked to bobbins and frankly it's hard imagining we can attract better. You're not going to attract season ticket sales if it looks like you're preparing for a relegation fight.

[villa for life]

I don't see this whole "Downing leaving saga" as necessarily a sign of "flogging" anything with value. Maybe Lerner is just plain fed up of people walking out and wanting out of Villa. First MON, then Barry, then Milner, then Young and now Downing. Maybe he's looking for some stability and why not sell Downing this summer if he's only going to go next summer. We may as well get some new players in on long contracts and see what McLeish can do, rather than having to rebuild each year because our star players leave. If he uses the money from Young and Downing to get some good players in on long contracts, we could have a few years to build on, rather than tinkering each summer.

[OzVilla]

I think Downing is a little shit to be honest, he owes us big time but one decent half season and one good half season and he wants out.  Ok, 18-20 million Stuart and you can fulfill your dream of warming Liverpools bench next season.

We are in a lose lose here, either we make him stay and he goes for nowt at the end of his contract or we keep him, hios form dives, no one comes in for him that he prefers (ie no top 6 Clubs) and he signs an extension then. 

He's a good player but 18 mill would be daylight robbery - bite their hands off.  I really wouldn't see the problem with that.