Stewart Downing (with added allegations Reply#103)

[john e]

Perhaps not Fratton Park

i love that ground, its like going back in time, its shit but in a good way

[Somniloquism]

It is the most idiotic thing to say. Not 1 goal or assist for a winger at Liverpool is criminal, even the most unlucky would have notched one by now... Robbie Keane was better value for them!

Whilst I readily join in the Downing bashing, the assist thing is a bit of a red herring to some extent as it was his corner that caused the first goal against us, but someone flicked it on to the actual scorer, and so they got the assist. And I suspect other similar things probably happened on some crosses. But still officially having none is still bad for him at this stage of the season.

Actually I just checked his stats over the years as he was supposed to be quite high in assists and they don't make good reading anyway. I have only included Prem matches as he mostly seems to do it in cup matches and for England and the opposition can vary greatly. His best ever season seems to be the one he broke through in early on. It is also interesting to see his shots have got more wayward as he has gone from almost half his shots on target to just about a quarter.

GS   SB   G   A   SH   SG            Season
19   3   0   0   47   14             11/12
38   0   7   7   98   26             10/11
23   2   2   1   46   13             09/10
37   0   0   3   82   20            08/09
38   0   9   5   85   45             07/08
34   0   2   7   70   32             06/07
11   1   1   4   23   12             05/06
28   7   5   11   70   45             04/05
7   13   0   1   6   6               03/04

GS: Games Started, SB: Used as Substitute, G: Goals, A: Assists, SH: Shots, SG: Shots on goal,

[villajk]

Can't agree with you about Fratton, John.  It's an absolute shitehole.  At some time during your visit you will have to wade through puddles of urine. 

[dave.woodhall]

That story is here...

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2012/01/21/bolton-v-liverpool-fc-preview-kenny-dalglish-s-belief-in-stewart-downing-unwavering-100252-30167724/

A quote from Dalglish taken from that article..

“For me, he’s better than I thought he was going to be,” Dalglish said.

Just what exactly was he expecting for twenty million? Own goals and assists for the opposition?

It is the most idiotic thing to say. Not 1 goal or assist for a winger at Liverpool is criminal, even the most unlucky would have notched one by now... Robbie Keane was better value for them!

Some lovely comments in there. What would Shanks a' said?

[olaftab]

They were discussing KK's wasted £100M on talksport today. Shaun Custis described things Downibg can't do:
Tackle
Track
Cover
Cross
Pass
Score

Other than that he has been worth all of his £20M.

[pauliewalnuts]

The comments under that Liverpool Echo story are brilliant.

[PeterWithe]

I particularly like the one '£20m for a lad who can kick the ball into a bin?, good job the bins cant tackle'

[PeterWithesShin]

I watched the 09/10 season review DVD earlier. I still hate the weasley rat-faced coward for the way he bottled that header against Arsenal. Twat!

[Clampy]

That story is here...

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2012/01/21/bolton-v-liverpool-fc-preview-kenny-dalglish-s-belief-in-stewart-downing-unwavering-100252-30167724/

A quote from Dalglish taken from that article..

“For me, he’s better than I thought he was going to be,” Dalglish said.

Just what exactly was he expecting for twenty million? Own goals and assists for the opposition?

It is the most idiotic thing to say. Not 1 goal or assist for a winger at Liverpool is criminal, even the most unlucky would have notched one by now... Robbie Keane was better value for them!

Did'nt he score the other week in the FA Cup against somebody or another?

Although i hated the way he buggered off, we truly robbed Liverpool of £20m.

[Percy McCarthy]

Hope it goes completely tits up for him, but to be honest he did look a good player for us last year.

[Brend'Watkins]

Downing, as was the way with us needs a season to settle in, something the Liverpool faithful don't look prepared to give him. 

Although he was as Percy said very good for us last season he still had those traits that make him the wuss that he still is.

Scared of tackling
Goes missing in games
Not a game winner

Over half the season gone with league stats of no assists or goals along with his alleged women beating antics added to his current credentials does not look good business at his true value.  Add in KK Kenny's ridiculous supportive comments for a player who cost £20M then you know Liverpool have a problem.

[LeeB]

I particularly like the one '£20m for a lad who can kick the ball into a bin?, good job the bins cant tackle'

I liked "How come he can't deliver a ball to the 6ft 5 inch trash can in the center then?"

[KevinGage]

Hope it goes completely tits up for him, but to be honest he did look a good player for us last year.

Agreed Perc.

It surprises me that he's been as dire as he has there.

He was never the all action midfielder type who flies in with tackles and bosses a game.

But to read that he can't cross, can't pass and can't shoot -and that his impact on the right has been minimal (whereas with us, it's probably where he was at his best) is weird.   Even if he wasn't running the show, he was always capable of those moments of quality that can turn a game.

From memory, I think on his league debut for them he cut in from the right and hit the bar. In a run very similar to the kind of thing he was doing for us last year.  If that had gone in for him things might have been different.  But no sympathy for the tart at all.   At least Ash left regular first team football for us and has gone on to be a bit part player for a club in contention for honours.  Downing doesn't even have that consolation. And could well miss out on a place at the Euros.   Shame.

[Drummond]

Downing's best season could arguably for us last season or in 04/05. We did well to make so much profit.

As for Liverpool's downfall, I only wish it was terminal.

[Ger Regan]

Downing's best season could arguably for us last season or in 04/05. We did well to make so much profit.

As for Liverpool's downfall, I only wish it was terminal.

While maybe not terminal, I would say that the owner's heavy investment is very much like Randy's under MON. If the investment doesn't result in Champion's League football within the next 2 seasons then it's highly probable that they could undergo a similar trimming. I've not seen their accounts (and let's not go into that old argument again), but surely they can't be turning a profit?

EDIT: and for the record, keep it up KKKenny, you're doing a super job.