Should we have Downing back ?

[Barca 2011]

Downing? not in a million years. Jumped ship last time at the first opportunity.
Weasel!!

[nigel]

How much do Liverpool still owe us from the original transfer?

[nigel]

It's a tough one, in my opinion.
We do need a player who can deliver a good cross, and, if we're honest, Downing can.
As I mentioned above it's been said that Liverpool still owe us a wedge from the original transfer, if it's around £8m have him back and call it quits.

[MoetVillan]

whoa.  id take him back, but not for 8million.  We know he can play to this level, but we havent seen any evidence for 18 months.  4million and a pittance a week until he starts delivering

[Damo70]

I can console myself with the fact that he used us as a stepping stone on the way from the championship to a club where he felt he would win things, play in the Champions League and cement his England place due to the fact we made a tidy profit on someone who bottles out of tackles and he has been a flop. I don't see why we would want to be a stepping stone on the way back down again. Sunderland for 8 million then Boro for 4 million then Hartlepool on a free. Who are we to disrupt his natural caeer path?

[Witton Warrior]

Let me think...

NO

He would never be accepted back would he?

[ACVilla]

Yes, definitely. See if he can recapture his firm from his last season here.

It won't happen though.

[levico]

Actually I think he could do a job for us by giving Benteke and Weimann something to get on the end of. Problem is I don't think he is Lambert's type of player so it's a moot point.

[kippaxvilla2]

No way. I wouldn't have him back ever. I detest him more than any other player who I have seen leave villa.

What - worse than Steve Hodge? Or are you too young for that there era?

[kippaxvilla2]

He will be nailed on for Sunderland.  It's MO'N's plan b, have another person to deliver to the big man.

[Mister E]

If he doesn't fit into the Rodgers playing system why would he fit into Lambert's?
I don't think it'd work for anyone.

He'll end up at Sunderland.

[Clampy]

The fact that he fucked off at the first sign of a big move makes it a no for me.

[andrew08]

whoa.  id take him back, but not for 8million.  We know he can play to this level, but we havent seen any evidence for 18 months.  4million and a pittance a week until he starts delivering

Well this is what you and I would do but in the parallel universe that is footy, he will have his contract paid up and then sold for a modest fee of around £8m to someone like Fulham. He will be earning a little bit less than he currently is per week. The whole 'Downing experience' will have cost 3 premier league clubs in the end the thick end of probably £70. -80 mill a massive chunk of which will have ended up in his sky rocket.

Do you think he gives a flying fish when we boo him ? I wouldn't.

[SirSteveUK]

Let the weasel bastard, wanker disappear into the obscurity of the championship.
He won't be missed.

Fucker !!   

I cannot better this description, tbf

[Rip Van We Go Again]

yes, I'd have him back despite him being a massive cock. He'd instantly be an upgrade to N'Zogbia and Albrighton and his set pieces are far better than Bannan. I think Liverpool still owe us for him too. I don't have to love the man for him to be playing in our shirt. He's not Joey Barton or Marlon King. He's just a selfish tosser, but a talented footballer. If he helps make us better then that's all I'm after. We're not so flush with talent that we can be so fussy.

He's got the talent, he just hasn't got the balls to use it.

We can do better.

skill players don't need to be hard men. If he can beat the full back and plant the ball on Benteke's head then that's where he'd be useful. Other players can win the ball for him.

Thing is though, for £8m i'd want better than Downing.
If we can get Benteke for £7m, there must be other gems in Europe in that price range.