SSN: "Downing won't commit to Villa"

[Karl Bridges]

The way I understand it is that it is usually not the full wage over the remainder of the contract but similar to a signing on fee that is part of the contract and payable when sold or forfeited if a transfer request is handed in.

[PeterWithe]

It used to be the case that the player was entitled to 10% of the transfer fee, unless he's handed in a transfer request when he got fuck all.

[Concrete John]

The way I understand it is that it is usually not the full wage over the remainder of the contract but similar to a signing on fee that is part of the contract and payable when sold or forfeited if a transfer request is handed in.

One of the things that winds me up most in the modern game.  A player can say he wants to go, talk to the other club via his agent and even agree terms, but unless he actually hands in a written transfer request he still gets paid to go.  Fucking disgraceful and actually gives you an element of respect for those that do hand a request in.

[pauliewalnuts]

So am I right in saying if you have a contract and the club sells you they have to pay that up ? A ''loyalty bonus ''

So if SD is on 50k a week is that £5.2 mil he will lose for handing in a transfer request ?

No.

I think Karl Bridges has it about right.

[hawkeye]

So am I right in saying if you have a contract and the club sells you they have to pay that up ? A ''loyalty bonus ''

So if SD is on 50k a week is that £5.2 mil he will lose for handing in a transfer request ?

No.

I think Karl Bridges has it about right.

The fact is that when a player is sold within the contract period, the setllement is determined at that time often regardless of what it may say in the contract. There is a massive mis-understanding about contracts.

[Legion]

Piss off

[hawkeye]

If they want him and he is prepared to go then do the deal, anything over £15mil is good business

[Brend'Watkins]

I can't see Downing putting in a transfer request, the thought of handing it to AM would probably frighten the life out of him.

He reminds me of Zilly* from 'Stop the Pigeon'.

*Zilly (voiced by Don Messick) is a pilot in the Vulture squadron. He is a cringing coward, forever running away and having to be fetched by Muttley. Each new plan fills him with dread, and he usually utters his catchphrase, "Oh dear! Oh my!", before retracting his head into his collar. Dastardly puts up with his cowardice because he is (1) a reasonably competent pilot who is needed to fly planes....

reasonably competent, cringing coward....that's Downing

[phantom limb]

I doubt he'd personally hand a transfer request in anyway, I'd imagine his agent would do it for him. The big fanny.

I can't understand why Liverpool don't just pay the fucking money anyway. It's not hard is it? We've been through this game of brinksmanship with them before with Barry and it didn't work then. While I didn't want Ashley Young to leave at least Man U sorted it out relatively quickly and seemed to actually pay what we were asking for. Ditto Man City with Barry himself.

[hawkeye]

I like the sound of this Barry Himself fellow.

[phantom limb]

I like the sound of this Barry Himself fellow.

He's Raab's older, fatter, slower brother.

[Dante Lavelli]

Personally I think Downing would be pretty easy to replace so - after what's happened - I would prefer it that he leaves.

I also have a feeling that a few of the crowd would get on his back if he stayed and I do not think he has the character to deal with that, resulting in poor performances and a plummeting transfer value. At least now we're likely to get close to £20m (which is roughly what Mata is valued at!).

[TheSandman]

I can't see Downing putting in a transfer request, the thought of handing it to AM would probably frighten the life out of him.

He reminds me of Zilly* from 'Stop the Pigeon'.

*Zilly (voiced by Don Messick) is a pilot in the Vulture squadron. He is a cringing coward, forever running away and having to be fetched by Muttley. Each new plan fills him with dread, and he usually utters his catchphrase, "Oh dear! Oh my!", before retracting his head into his collar. Dastardly puts up with his cowardice because he is (1) a reasonably competent pilot who is needed to fly planes....

reasonably competent, cringing coward....that's Downing

I think the only reason he has not spoken out publically is that he is too much of a coward and is trying to keep his options open. Indeed I imagine him telling Dalglish that he is deperate to leave and then taking putting him on hold to tell McLeish that he loves the club and will stay until the end of the career.

[Louzie0]

The thing is, if he stays, what kind of reception will he get from the fans. If he has a bad start to the season, he will be accused of not "having his heart" in it, and could lead to a downward spiral. In the worst case scenario, he'll have a falling out with the McLeish, won't play, and then will be worth half as much next summer, or nothing the summer after!

Don't think I have read any quote from Downing that he wants to leave now or that he wants to join Liverpool this summer. 

I've read and heard lots of crap about how liverpool is his destiny and that he should come running if Kenny calls - and that the villa should be thrilled that (gasp!) Liverpool want one of their players and send him gift wrapped for a couple of million because they are in Europe/CL apparently (I must have missed that) and we can't offer him the chances they can.  Any amount of repeated stories in the press and on the radio along these lines still don't make any of this true.  Can we calm down until and if he slaps in a transfer request?  Then I'll believe it.

Slagging off a player for something he hasn't done is a shortsighted way to go about building a squad, whether you like him or not.  And what's not to appreciate about the Player of The Season 2010-2011?

[Ross]

I don't think I've heard much from Downing lately to quash these rumours - he could have done so easily.