Stewart Downing - West Hahahaham player

[Exiled_red]

Does that mean Cole does work hard?

It could also mean Rodgers has forgotten about him (I keep doing that). Or it could be that he isn't fit enough to make a judgement on yet.

[red g]

Does that mean Cole does work hard?

No but you would not put him in same group with Enrique and Downing who were played consistently last season even when piss poor, Joe Cole hasnt had a regular run of games to prove how **** he is yet.

I love the Interview as well. Think the Kids will be working even harder now, knowing that hard work can equal opportunities something we havent had for a long, long time

[el matador]

I think he should play downing left back.

If we want someone to get up and down the pitch and put good crosses into the box and offer good width hes the one.

Got to try it because this whole inverted winger thing isnt his game.

[JohnDoe]

I think he should not play Downing. Ever.

[danperkins]

I think he should not play Downing. Ever.

[RichC]

I don't think he'll improve IMO the best option is to get rid in Jan, clearly not got the mentality to be playing for us - he is actually a decent footballer but mentally he's not strong enough and needs to head to a Villa or Stoke sort of team, that is his level where the expectations are to be perma mid table with maybe a cup run now and again

[yamiedo]

I think he should play downing left back.

If we want someone to get up and down the pitch and put good crosses into the box and offer good width hes the one.

Got to try it because this whole inverted winger thing isnt his game.

I think we should stop wasting our time on a failure and concentrate on the future, Robinson and Wisdom.

[Mostar]

I think he should not play Downing. Ever.

[Shaggy]

Stewart Downing: "It's different, obviously I'm not at all happy about the situation but the only thing you can do is go out and perform. It's hurting, you're trying all week to impress the manager and every player wants to play, the manager has decisions to make. It's disappointing but you just have to keep chipping away and hopefully when you get that chance you can prove yourself."

[destinydude]

Never really liked Downing and never thought he was a fighter but fair play to him if he wants to train well and impress the manager.

[Muddled]

Is this a dig at Kenny?

That's the way I read it too; it's clearly a dig at the previous regime - in my opinion - and would tie in with the rumours that Kenny wanted to mix and match his time as manager with the golf course.

[Lee]

Stewart Downing: "It's different, obviously I'm not at all happy about the situation but the only thing you can do is go out and perform. It's hurting, you're trying all week to impress the manager and every player wants to play, the manager has decisions to make. It's disappointing but you just have to keep chipping away and hopefully when you get that chance you can prove yourself."

FFS, nothing is ever his fault is it.

He's been an average PL player for ten years, he was fortunate enough to sign for us last year, he was ****, he got dropped, he got given a couple of chances and didn't take them.

He needs to take some responsibility. Muck. Get rid.

[danperkins]

Stewart Downing: "It's different, obviously I'm not at all happy about the situation but the only thing you can do is go out and perform. It's hurting, you're trying all week to impress the manager and every player wants to play, the manager has decisions to make. It's disappointing but you just have to keep chipping away and hopefully when you get that chance you can prove yourself."

Stuart Downing The Persecuted!

Shocking footballer,worst signing in our history IMO and comes across as a feel sorry for me type. Never your fault eh Stuart!

[Shaggy]

Deluded Downing

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2012/10/04/liverpool-fc-s-stewart-downing-says-he-ll-fight-for-his-anfield-future-100252-31962188/

STEWART DOWNING has vowed to fight for his Liverpool FC future as he insisted: “I don’t want to play for anyone else.”

The out of favour Liverpool winger admits he was stung by the recent comments of Brendan Rodgers who warned that he needed to show more ‘hunger and desire’ if he wanted to remain at the club beyond the January transfer window.

However, Downing has taken the manager’s criticism on board and is determined to knuckle down and force his way back into Rodgers’ first choice line up.

“I was disappointed by what was said but if that’s the way the manager sees it I have to take it,” said Downing.

“That’s fine. I’ll fight, I’ll fight every day.

“I have done that since I was 10 years old when I was trying to get through at Middlesbrough.

“I fought very hard when I was at Aston Villa to do well for them and get a good move to Liverpool.

“The only thing I can do is keep working hard and when the chances come make sure I take them.

“I’ll fight for a place here. My aim is to get back in the team and prove the manager wrong.”

Downing, who became the fourth most expensive player in the Reds’ history when he was signed for £20million from Villa last summer, hasn’t started a Premier League game since the opening day defeat at West Brom.

The England international didn’t even make the bench for the recent clash with Manchester United and was an unused substitute in last weekend’s victory at Norwich City.

But the 28-year-old is quick to dismiss suggestions that his days at Liverpool are numbered.

“I haven’t even considered the idea of leaving here,” he said.

“I’ve still got three years left on my contract and I intend to see that through. In fact I want to stay even longer than that.

“I love playing for Liverpool and it’s a great club with great fans. I don’t want to leave and I don’t want to play for anyone else.

“I’m enjoying it here. Yes, I’m disappointed that I’m not in the team at the moment but football is a funny game.

“Things can quickly change. This time next month I could be playing every week.”

This season had started promisingly for Downing with his long range strike securing victory over Gomel in Rodgers’ first competitive game in charge.

But after starting at the Hawthorns in August, he slipped down the pecking order with Fabio Borini and Raheem Sterling preferred on the flanks. Downing has also seen Suso and Oussama Assaidi picked ahead of him in recent weeks.

“It’s been frustrating,” he said. “I started off well with getting a goal in the first game but after the defeat at West Brom I was left out.

“It’s been difficult to take, especially as I felt when I came on against Arsenal and Sunderland when we were chasing the game I made a bit of an impact.

“I thought I might have got more time but obviously the manager has seen things differently. That’s his decision, you have to respect that and get on with it.

“In football you have your ups and downs. It’s all about how you respond to them.”

Despite the fact they have been promoted above him, Downing admits he’s been impressed by the manner in which teenagers Sterling and Suso have adapted to first team football.

“They have done very well,” he said. “Raheem is only young and has probably got his chance earlier than he thought but he has taken it with both hands. Fair play to him.

“Suso has played less games but started last weekend in a good win at Norwich. They both have talent and they have to keep improving and working hard.

“It’s important for the club that every player in the squad is fighting for a place. If you’re not performing you know you’ll be taken out.”

Having to impress a new boss following the departure of the manager who bought him is nothing new for Downing.

It happened following his £10million switch to Villa from Middlesbrough in 2009 as just 12 months later Martin O’Neill walked away and was replaced by Gerard Houllier.

“I’ve had that all through my career,” he said.

“After Martin O’Neill bought me, I was out injured and only played for him for four or five months and then he left. I was thinking ‘I didn’t come for this’ but Gerard came in and I probably had the best season of my career under him.

“Hopefully something similar will happen to me here. I know I have to impress Brendan.

“But it was the same last season. Even though Kenny Dalglish bought me, I still had to impress him to prove I was worth a place every week.

“In football you have to rise to every challenge and I have to turn things around here.”

That mission starts tonight with Downing expected to line up against Udinese in the Europa League at Anfield.

Having kicked off their Group A campaign with a remarkable 5-3 win over Young Boys a fortnight ago, the Reds entertain the Italians, who drew 1-1 at home to Anzhi Makhachkala in their opening game.

“Hopefully I’ll start and if I do it will be an opportunity to show the manager that I’m here to fight,” said Downing.

“I saw Udinese the other day against Milan and they are a decent side. They have had a similar start in the league to us and are a similar sort of team. They like to move the ball around and it will be a tough test for us

“For any of our young lads who are involved it will be a great experience for them to be part of a European night at Anfield where the atmosphere is always great.

“I’m looking forward to it and hopefully I’ll play a part in us getting another win.”

[danperkins]

He's such a feel sorry for me case, can't his attitude never mind his lack of footballing ability.