Stewart Downing - West Hahahaham player

[BrooklynRed]

We'll never negotiate a bargain ever again. Was feeling confident about this season, but starting to feel a little nervous because I'm not overly convinced with the massive fees we've dished out this season when you look at what we've gotten in return.

Thankfully the perception of bargains does not count for anything in the table. It may be fun to sit in the pub and boast about how we fleeced some club, but titles are won by players on the field earning points. Let's see how we do there, no?

[Mostar]

We keep forgetting few key things.

Whether you consider Downing, Adam, Henderson to be good signings for us or not, we have to keep in mind that we finally have owners that have money to spend (I have to say that I'm very impressed with that), are willing to spend and we don't need to sell to buy.

I'm perfectly fine with how things are developing and will reserve my judgment until the summer is over and until I see how all the pieces fit together or not.

[Zapater]

Maybe so, but seeing that money isn't and undless resource to us, as it is for some clubs I'd prefer that it's spent wisely as spending above our means (not that I know what our means are) could be damaging in the future. Anyhow, I haven't said anything in either which way, just that when looking at what we've spent, on paper we do look a bit light.

For example looking at just a transfer fee Yaya Toure was around 24m. Where someone like Downing is nowhere near that stature. But if he fills a specific void in our team effectively which a better pure footballer can't, then it's money well spent, I'm just concerned that perhaps he's a bit limited to give that extra something which one expects from players whom command such a fee.

[Mostar]

It seems that we had been mostly successful in landing most of our first targets and even though you and I may not be too impressed with the quality of those signings it would be only fair to give Kenny a chance to demonstrate that those purchases were smart and good buys and that those players he opted for will take us forward, at least I hope so.

[little dave hedgehog]

It seems that we had been mostly successful in landing most of our first targets and even though you and I may not be too impressed with the quality of those signings it would be only fair to give Kenny a chance to demonstrate that those purchases were smart and good buys and that those players he opted for will take us forward, at least I hope so.

this. management has identified targets, and the owners have backed them. happy days so far.

[Trippendicular]

He loves attacking the back post.
He can whip in some superb balls at times
He does have a bit of acceleration and can beat a man down the wing
He's got a powerful left foot
Good player to have when breaking on counter-attacks
Good player to have to supply Good strikers
But he does tend to have alot of average games where he does very little
He could potentially be brilliant or he could be just another Albert Riera

It's not the catchiest player song

[yamiedo]

this. management has identified targets, and the owners have backed them. happy days so far.

So true, I have trust in them and the management. I think its all positive so far. Would like to see a left back and then maybe a creative flair player who can play on the wings or through the middle. Maybe a Spaniard perhaps...Maybe a Valencia player would be good, preferably beginning with M.

[Mostar]

@LFCtransfernews
Stewart downing fees reportedly around 15mp+3m addon depending upon euro qualification.

[Icon]

Song anyone..?

[little dave hedgehog]

Song anyone..?

don't mind if i do.

"Ironic"

An old man turned ninety-eight
He won the lottery and died the next day
It's a black fly in your Chardonnay
It's a death row pardon two minutes too late
And isn't it ironic... don't you think

It's like rain on your wedding day
It's a free ride when you've already paid
It's the good advice that you just didn't take
Who would've thought... it figures

Mr. Play It Safe was afraid to fly
He packed his suitcase and kissed his kids goodbye
He waited his whole damn life to take that flight
And as the plane crashed down he thought
"Well isn't this nice..."
And isn't it ironic... don't you think

It's like rain on your wedding day
It's a free ride when you've already paid
It's the good advice that you just didn't take
Who would've thought... it figures

Well life has a funny way of sneaking up on you
When you think everything's okay and everything's going right
And life has a funny way of helping you out when
You think everything's gone wrong and everything blows up
In your face

A traffic jam when you're already late
A no-smoking sign on your cigarette break
It's like ten thousand spoons when all you need is a knife
It's meeting the man of my dreams
And then meeting his beautiful wife
And isn't it ironic...don't you think
A little too ironic...and, yeah, I really do think...

It's like rain on your wedding day
It's a free ride when you've already paid
It's the good advice that you just didn't take
Who would've thought... it figures

Life has a funny way of sneaking up on you
Life has a funny, funny way of helping you out
Helping you out

[Icon]

Great stuff!

Not sure Mr Downing will know it's about / for him though..?

[SB]

Agree 100%. He's staggeringly average and adds nothing other than being able to kick with his left foot.I couldn't possibly be more underwhelmed

You've forgotten last season signings already ?

I have only 3 words for you

POULSEN, KONCHESKY ,JOVANOVIC

[JohnDoe]

We're getting the players our manager wants and it's encouraging. There are a lot of positives to take from this signing.

Downing gives us balance in midfield, the natural width we've sorely missed. He's a great complement for Carroll and Adam, because he's a very good crosser of the ball and provides an outlet for Adam's diagonal balls. I think his productivity will surprise a lot of people.

We seem to be looking at players who are not necessarily star players, but productive and efficient ones. I'd have liked to get someone who is more dangerous in isolation with a defender, but it looks like Kenny emphasizes team offense rather than individual offense. Adam, Henderson and Downing are all great passers and it's going to help us tremendously in breaking down inferior teams, which has been our biggest problem. I love the balance this front six brings:

Henderson Gerrard Adam Downing
Suarez Carroll

I also feel we could at times, especially in away games, see:

Henderson
Gerrard Adam
Suarez Carroll Downing

Taking advantage of Henderson's versatility and ability to start passing sequences from deep. Downing is not a one dimensional player, he plays very well on the right and has the ability to find his niche in a more fluid system.

Anyway, I trust Kenny's judgment. We just need a LB now, that's the only position in which we have a glaring hole.

[SB]

We're getting the players our manager wants and it's encouraging. There are a lot of positives to take from this signing.

Downing gives us balance in midfield, the natural width we've sorely missed. He's a great complement for Carroll and Adam, because he's a very good crosser of the ball and provides an outlet for Adam's diagonal balls. I think his productivity will surprise a lot of people.

We seem to be looking at players who are not necessarily star players, but productive and efficient ones. I'd have liked to get someone who is more dangerous in isolation with a defender, but it looks like Kenny emphasizes team offense rather than individual offense. Adam, Henderson and Downing are all great passers and it's going to help us tremendously in breaking down inferior teams, which has been our biggest problem. I love the balance this front six brings:

Henderson Gerrard Adam Downing
Suarez Carroll

I also feel we could at times, especially in away games, see:

Henderson
Gerrard Adam
Suarez Carroll Downing

Taking advantage of Henderson's versatility and ability to start passing sequences from deep. Downing is not a one dimensional player, he plays very well on the right and has the ability to find his niche in a more fluid system.

Anyway, I trust Kenny's judgment. We just need a LB now, that's the only position in which we have a glaring hole.

Can't help but think we'll be after a backup striker after our interest in Wickham

[wavydavy]

Can't help but think we'll be after a backup striker after our interest in Wickham

Still defo a LB and CB too, big summer for us this.