Stewart Downing - West Hahahaham player

[Craig_H]

I've just seen enough signs that he can be a good player and that there's something to work with. It's not so much that i believe he's gonna be amazing - i just think he's got something and has shown enough thus far to warrant more time.

Fact is, in recent times, we play much better (and win more) when Andy starts than when he doesnt.

[red g]

I've just seen enough signs that he can be a good player and that there's something to work with. It's not so much that i believe he's gonna be amazing - i just think he's got something and has shown enough thus far to warrant more time.

Fact is, in recent times, we play much better (and win more) when Andy starts than when he doesnt.

While I am not a Carroll fan, In his defence I think he is one of those players that you have to watch live to appreciate, I came away after watching him more impressed anyway. He is a brute of a man and if he had more skill, vision and a deft touch we would be looking at one hell of a player.

[saj]

Probably Gaizka Mendieta was the biggest flop on there, given the inflation index since he was signed. Another one that isn't on there, but if you factored it up would be Gianluigi Lentini, he was £14m in the early 90's - phenomenal money

But those players had played at the highest level to almost justify that cost. Big Andy had as good a season in the Championship as Nugent, and half a Premier League season as good as Marcus Stewart. Now I'm not saying he won't improve, but there can be no argument that he's the most ridiculous of the players in that list.

I wouldn't really call him a flop. He was fantastic for Milan up until he had that car accident and was in a coma. Capello said he was never the same after that

[Trippendicular]

Craig is right on the Carroll front. Too many fans want to have it both ways, and the knives would certainly have been out had we not made a major signing after Torres left. Also, the transfer fee is now irrelevant, look up 'sunk cost fallacy'.

[Kenneth]

Does he stick out that much? There's quite a few on there who moved and flopped.

Er yes he does, like a saw thumb.

[Exiled_red]

wasnt some of the justification for getting the likes of Downing that they will settle straight in know what the prem is like. Rather than foreigners who take a year or so to settle

etc etc etc

I seem to remember the point being raised that the players bought were not good enough for European footy so what we had essentially done was purchase some players who would need to be replaced/improved upon pretty sharpish.

I've said before but I think this is a myth. I don't think British bought players are much more likely to settle than players bought from other leagues.

[RedReet]

So what about this Stewart Downing fella? Any good?

[Norbs]

IMO, and I know it doesn't hold sway on here, but I think Downing is a very good player. So it stands to reason that Downing is capable of pushing on.

To be fair, and without wanting to sound like an arse licker, I think your opinions on here are received pretty well. You know your stuff, imo

[ric.williams]

looks like the goal meant a lot to him

well done stewie

[Chris]

Quality finish that, he's improving. I'm sure instead of praise he'll get a load of "he was **** bar the goal" type comments though.

[RichC]

He got the goal, we won and are through to the Semis. No need to over analyise what he did and didn't do imo today.

[Exiled_red]

Hopefully this goal can give him another boost and he can push on from here.

[Mostar]

He was **** bar the goal.

[Lee]

Hopefully this goal can give him another boost and he can push on from here.

Been a good month for Downing.

[RedReet]

The first time lay off on the volley from him in the build up to the goal was lovely too.

I do worry about his movement off the ball though. When one of our players has the ball and are looking for Downing to get free or even make space, he doesn't really seem to know what to do or where to run.