Downing Completes Liverpool Transfer

[pauliewalnuts]

The rumour on here was that the Bent transfer was paid for by the Milner money. Then we started to hear people saying it is the Young money (in advance) that paid for Bent.

God only knows which is true, I just know it is depressing as fuck to have sold our four best players in the last three seasons.

And, incidentally, I don't care if Arsenal sell Fabregas to Barcelona or Nasri to Man City, I care about our seeming susceptibility to this every year.

It is depressing but I'm not sure what we can do about it. Players clearly see us a stepping stone and unless we can match the spending of the clubs who are poaching them it will keep happening.

And match the aspirations of the players.

[hilts_coolerking]

Yes, sorry, thought I had said that already Hilts. I guarantee it. Every team, bar possibly Chelsea that I can think of, sells its best players in the premier league...

Four times in three seasons?  Come off it.

[Nev]

I don't see the point in sounding off at Downing. He's a modern generation footballer.

In the time he's been at the club our ambition has utterly nosedived so if he has the chance to jump ship he is going to do it.

In the modern game clubs such as ours have to work very hard to keep their best players, and the anger thats felt by the fans following a poor and unambitious managerial apointment is because we know what it will inevitably lead to.

Put your loyalty and support to one side for a moment and consider how attractive Villa currently are to potential targets.

[Summers]

Also - an odd time for a fee to be agreed. Hm.

[Risso]

To lose one England winger in a summer is unlucky.  To lose two is just rank crap ownership and a sure sign that the flame of ambition at Aston Villa was snuffed out long ago.

[bertlambshank]

We must keep hold of Bent.I don't care what it cost's Randy just do it.

[Jimbo]

How very 'Villa' to finally sign a top striker, then lose our two main providers within weeks of each other. *Sighs, cries, vomits*

[boboonthecorner]

He'll only need to supply Bent for this season because he'll be gone this time next year. Why would anyone seriously want to stay or even sign for this club, I'm honestly not trying to wind people up here! Please give me a good reason???

[Redman]

About this reported £20m fee, I'd wait for a bit to see if that's accurate or not.

[richard moore]

Yes, sorry, thought I had said that already Hilts. I guarantee it. Every team, bar possibly Chelsea that I can think of, sells its best players in the premier league...

Four times in three seasons?  Come off it.

You're moving the goalposts now hilts, that isn't what you said originally. Actually, come to think of it, Everton is a club who are remarkably good at hanging on to their best players...

[Chris Smith]

Mat Kendrick thinks we're looking at McGeady. Pass the Luger.

Oh the irony.

Ha, won't this place be fun if that happens.

[pauliewalnuts]

About this reported £20m fee, I'd wait for a bit to see if that's accurate or not.

To be honest, I wouldn't really be going down that line this evening, Redman, it'll end in tears.

[willywombat]

Sickening. I'm no great fan of the big soft shite, 20 million for him is great business and I think we can replace him with better. That being said, he's down there with Hodge in my eyes because of the way he's gone about this. F*cking tosser

[Clampy]

By the way I think anything above 15m for Downing is a great deal. Just didn't think this club would take the direction it has the last couple of seasons. I don't trust Lerner in the slightest with this club anymore, he's made tidy profits on selling our prized assets 3 years running now.......

In fairness. the three that have left (Young, Milner and Downing) all wanted to leave and when that happens, there's not much you can do. Let's not forget, he spent £24m in January, so before we start slagging Randy off, let's see how much he gives Eck to spend this time round.

[TheSandman]

The next few weeks are now (as if they weren't before this) absolutely massive for villa. Get the fucking finger out and start sorting some transfers.

Agreed. We really need to make at least three or four solid acquisitions on the back of this.