Downing Completes Liverpool Transfer

[Toronto Villa]

We need to stop pretending that Downing was shit as if to help soften the blow of his departure. Having said that, he's not so far ahead of the likes of N'Zogbia that we cannot replace his production. What is without doubt is that Downing is a prize wanker.

[PaulTheVillan]

Downing wasn't shit.

This time 12 months ago I'd have took £10m for him & fucked him off anywhere.

[TopDeck113]

I've been tied up with lots of end-of-term stuff at work,  so not had chance to comment before now.

Downing = typical football mercenary circa 2011. One good season and he/his agent have illusions of grandeur and the next big pay day.  If the money is sensibly invested, he won't be missed.

[Ger Regan]

We need to stop pretending that Downing was shit as if to help soften the blow of his departure. Having said that, he's not so far ahead of the likes of N'Zogbia that we cannot replace his production. What is without doubt is that Downing is a prize wanker.

He's not shit, but neither is he great. I think that N'Zogbia is at the same level as him already.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

We need to stop pretending that Downing was shit as if to help soften the blow of his departure. Having said that, he's not so far ahead of the likes of N'Zogbia that we cannot replace his production. What is without doubt is that Downing is a prize wanker.

Agreed tv, Downing wasn't shit but he wasn't 20m worth of footballer either!
For that money I'm glad to see the back of him. Wanker for doing what he's done, but a wanker on the pitch as well...for all the reasons already posted on this site.
I reckon N'Zogbia/Vargas would be superior team players and far more effective individuals than the spotty part-time DJ (apparently!). Full time tosser more like!

[A|C]

When I think of Downing all I can think of is Judas.

[Malandro]

When I think of Downing all I can think of is Judas.

Is that like when I think of the chap in Casualty, I think of Jesus?

[Walmley_Villa]

Downing was our player of the season although considering we are talking about last season that does not say much!
Having said that when you look at the quotes attributable to him and the total shift after obviously being tapped up then he deserves every single Eff and Jeff Villa fans will give him. No thanks to the club or anything. The only player I have ever wished injury on previously is Roy Keane. Add to that Downing - wanker.

[andyh]

Downing was just a little less shit than most others last season.
Even at his best, his poncing around meant he would never be the world beater some seem to think he is.
The amount of tackles he bottled, the amount of times he did not track back or help to protect his full back was there for all to see.
£20millon for that !!! We have absolutley robbed those scouse fuckers !
We should be laughing all the way to the bank.

[KevinGage]

The most disappointing aspect of the Downing affair for me is the fact that we rescued him from 'Boro after they had been relegated, despite the fact that he had a long-term injury, looked after him, gave him the opportunity to regain his form and re-establish himself in the England set-up and he repays our faith in him by pissing off at the first sign of what he perceives to be a better offer.

I've heard that reference to his injury a few times (that he owed us because of it)  and I'm not entirely sure I agree.  We weren't signing an Owen Hargreaves, Jonathan Woodgate or even a Paul McGrath - all who could be considered major risks due to the nature of their previous injuries.

Downing's injury was serious enough, but it's the type that players come back from all the time now and his career was never in threat. It just meant a few months before we could access the goods -effectively instead of the start of the season in August 09 we had to wait until November.  Because of the injury, we also benefited from a good few million shaved off the asking price -and had less competition for his signature.

Two years later, he's doubled in value. I'm as miffed as anyone that three of our better players have wanted out in the past 12 months -and I do wonder if things had been different had we made more of a stand on Barry.  But when a player decides that the club I support isn't worthy of him and wants out, they're dead to me.  You can point to Fabregas staying at Arsenal despite wanting to go to Barcelona as proof of a successful alternative approach. But Arsenal has been a big part of his life and -by all accounts- he's torn on the decision as he has a degree of affection for them.

 Maybe Barry and Ash did regarding us, Maybe even Jimmy did too. But I never felt Downing was in for the long haul.

[bertlambshank]

I have told everybody on here how shit Downing is all season.Do
I win a prize.

[Compass]

I bet all the fans who are slagging him off fell in love with him when he came out and said he would stick with us even if we were relegated. Fickle springs to mind.

Downing would have been sold even if we was relegated anyway. We know how tight Randy Lerner is at the moment.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Downing's injury was serious enough, but it's the type that players come back from all the time now and his career was never in threat. It just meant a few months before we could access the goods -effectively instead of the start of the season in August 09 we had to wait until November.  Because of the injury, we also benefited from a good few million shaved off the asking price -and had less competition for his signature.

Two years later, he's doubled in value.

He was all set to join Spurs for £12m before the foot injury. We signed him for £12m, so not a case of "a good few million shaved off the asking price". I don't need to tell you that we sold him for £20m, thus not doubling his value but indeed a healthy profit.

[KevinGage]

I recall something about a £14/15 million bid going in from Tottingham in 08/09, but it being rejected as Downing was obviously central to Boro's attempts to stay up.  That obviously worked. The suggestion was 'arry would then follow it up in the summer. But he never did.

There seems to be confusion over the exact amount we paid, as I've seen it listed as £10 and £11 million previously.

[KevinGage]

Spurs bid rejected