Stewart Downing - West Hahahaham player

[dww]

I think he's a decent squad player.

[Cormack74]

I think he's a decent squad player.

[Fredo]

I think he's a decent squad player.

[Fosterbloke]

I think he's a decent squad player.

[McDermotX]

A 20m squad player.........


Hold on tight lads, we're finally hitting the big time !

[RedSince1964]

A 20m squad player.........


Hold on tight lads, we're finally hitting the big time !

[Rowan]

I think he's a decent squad player.

Yup. I've not been his biggest fan but find it staggering that a set of stats that demonstrate his positive contribution to the team are used as a cue for the masses to pillar him

Poor Stewie just can't win.

[RedReet]

I don’t mind him, but of our attacking quartet of Sturridge, Suarez, Coutinho and him, he is the obvious candidate to be upgraded.

If we received a decent offer for him I’d take it, but equally I’m happy for him to stay for another season.

[Fredo]

Thing is with Downing, is that him coming from the bench doesn't hold too much as well. You wouldn't believe he could turn a very even match on its head would you? So, he'd be great if we have injuries and he could come in and do a job, but I'm pretty sure he wouldn't settle for that after spending most of this year playing for the first team. So selling him now would be a good deal, especially as he'll be 29 this year.

[dww]

A 20m squad player.........


Hold on tight lads, we're finally hitting the big time !

The point is that we wouldn't get £20m for him and I think he is likely to do as well as most if not all players we would get in for the price he would fetch. At the minute he is a useful, versatile member of the squad. For my money there is value in having some continuity in the squad. I think there will be enough change happening without selling/replacing Downing.

[dww]

Thing is with Downing, is that him coming from the bench doesn't hold too much as well. You wouldn't believe he could turn a very even match on its head would you? So, he'd be great if we have injuries and he could come in and do a job, but I'm pretty sure he wouldn't settle for that after spending most of this year playing for the first team. So selling him now would be a good deal, especially as he'll be 29 this year.

But he could come very realistically come on to shore up the team when we have a lead. I think we'll see enough rotation for him to be happy as a squad player.

[McDermotX]

..........B]For my money there is value in having some continuity in the squad. I think there will be enough change happening without selling/replacing Downing[/B].

I actually partly agree with this. I never rated Downing down the years, and was mortified when we stumped up that much for him, and to be honest, I'm fed up with a large portion of his performances this season. There may have been an improvement in the latter part of the season, but I still feel its a somewhat exaggerated 'improvement', which could also be partly explained by our improvement all around the pitch - certainly our ability to hold onto the ball in the opposition half has improved.

But there is something to be said for retaining a squad which really is going to have major surgery done over the summer (or at least, appears to need it). If another option appears along with a decent return for Downing, then I'd be all for it, but not just to satisfy the anti-Downing mob.........it has to make sense for the squad overall.

Certainly Nigey hit the nail on the head there regarding Downing's effectiveness to impact a match coming off the bench. He's just not capable of 'exploding' into a game. But then again, we have absolutely nobody who can do that realistically and we really do need one.

[Shaggy]

£8m to West Ham? Yes please

http://m.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/jul/08/luis-suarez-liverpool-arsenal?CMP=twt_gu

Liverpool have held talks with West Ham United over a possible move for Stewart Downing, as Rodgers continues to remove expensive signings from the club's wage bill. West Ham have followed up their £15m signing of Andy Carroll with an inquiry for his England international colleague, who has entered the final two years of his Anfield contract. That position would impact on Liverpool's negotiating stance and, though no bid has been received for Downing, West Ham would have to pay in excess of £8m to land the 28-year-old winger.

[Fivex]

He'd be perfect for whipping those crosses in for Carroll.

[The_weatherman]

He'd be perfect for whipping those crosses in for Carroll.

Downing, Jarvis and Carroll.........is Commolli back?