Stewart Downing - West Hahahaham player

[kingfunk]

Sign a LB, than that will be phase one of the spending over, then bring on the top guns, a couple 30m+ players? according to Lissssspy Tony.

[Charly]

The only problem I have is the lack of pace on both wings. Most of our pac is through the middle, although granted, Suarez likes dropping into the channels.

[SB]

I'm pleasantly surprised this TW that we've made our big signings first and not the freebies and squaddies being 1st. Hopefully we can add a few quality squaddies after the big spending has been done. We've spent what ? 40mil ? and only sold the Konch for 1.5 m? What a change hey !

[Exiled_red]

The only problem I have is the lack of pace on both wings. Most of our pac is through the middle, although granted, Suarez likes dropping into the channels.

Isn't Downing supposed to be faster than people give him credit for?

[yamiedo]

Getting rid of Konchesky and signing Downing straight afterwards. I'm in heaven.

[red g]

Isn't Downing supposed to be faster than people give him credit for?

yes, but thats only coz everyone thinks he is a snail

[Alex]

Isn't Downing supposed to be faster than people give him credit for?

That makes no sense. Are you saying he can go faster, but doesn't?

[Mostar]

Kuyt is better than Carroll and Downing so I expect him to be in 90% of our starting line-ups next season.

He's not better than either of those 2 and he won't play nearly as much as he played in the past.

I'd be surprised if he is a starter against Sunderland bar some unexpected injuries or some being short of match fitness.

[Kenneth]

He's not better than either of those 2 and he won't play nearly as much as he played in the past.

I'd be surprised if he is a starter against Sunderland bar some unexpected injuries or some being short of match fitness.

Downing will play mostly on the left, so it's a pointless comparison. Carroll still has it all to prove but will no doubt play more than dirk in the cf position. Don't see why either downing or Carroll makes a huge different to kuyt's position on the right and I can't see Henderson displacing straight away.

[danperkins]

Welcome Downing, hope he proves me wrong and can turn out to be the missing link at LM. Best of luck

[Cormack74]

Isn't Downing supposed to be faster than people give him credit for?

Yes, - at least according to George Burley (speaking on radio Beeb on monday evening).

[Muddled]

I've had my reservations about Downing, but if he is shortly to be a Liverpool player, then he has my full support. Kris made a good post earlier, that I hope doesn't get lost in the pages; his pro's certainly outweigh his cons and I think that having naturally left-footed players in our starting line-up, can only help the balance of our side.

Whether or not Kuyt will be replaced - only Kenny knows, but having the option to bring him from the bench over Wash is a bonus already. Perhaps Kuyt is now bracketed under 'striker' and is back up to Carroll, or a key element if we play with three up front?

Perhaps if we are keen on wide players supplying Carroll, then we then need to look at the right side of midfield, as becoming reliant on Downing for delivery makes us predictable.

[Mostar]

Downing will play mostly on the left, so it's a pointless comparison. Carroll still has it all to prove but will no doubt play more than dirk in the cf position. Don't see why either downing or Carroll makes a huge different to kuyt's position on the right and I can't see Henderson displacing straight away.

Downing can play on either wing as he has done plenty of times for Villa last year and with everybody being available Kuyt will be on the bench.

[Chris]

I dont think he will be, this gets said every transfer window and it never happens. He's better than Henderson, was better than Carroll since he's been here and has pretty much no other competition on the right unless Gerrard goes there. He'll start v Sunderland and start loads of league games.

[Muddled]

Have SSN got it right, in that Kenny is travelling back from China today to discuss terms with Downing?

I think it's that personal touch that can swing it for players - a feeling of being wanted - you can see how he interacts with players; both the young academy players (Robinson coming on against Arsenal) and he seems to get on well with Carroll (Boyzone *concert*) ... I think it's great to see.

Or, I guess we need the air miles.