Stewart Downing (Liverpool -> West Ham)

Am I seeing something different to other people? Yes he may have chipped in with a couple of assists which is great, cant take that away from the lad but he still looks like the weak link in our attacks. Other than them 2 assists I barely remember him even being on the pitch. His form has picked up but that's only because it was so sh*te to begin with, hopefully now though we can get a few more bucks from his sale and recoup a bit more of the £20mill! Shop window!

Thought him and Glen Johnson were awful yesterday, the cross for the first was hardly difficult as it was just a lob into the box. He was the weak link on so many occasions it was really frustrating. Think I commented at about 4 - 0 up that despite us playing so well he'd still managed to look sh*t and I stand by that.

The weakest link of our attack without a doubt, our greatest opportunity to improve next season. Downing may have earned a place in the squad but I'm really hoping we'll have someone better regularly starting on this position next season.

If we could find someone like Valencia (when the mancs signed him) I think it would be great, I mean in terms of quality and style of play. Valencia can do the hard work and support the fullback defensively, and also offer width and quality delivery from the wide areas. It would add a nice balance to our other options that tend to cut inside most of the time.

(I don't mean we should go after Valencia, I'm just saying a player in his mould)

James Pearce from the Echo said in his webchat today that Downing has done enough to stay at the club this summer. I'm fine with that. His performances have improved, though I'd still love a goal-scorer on the wing if we can land one.

James Pearce from the Echo said in his webchat today that Downing has done enough to stay at the club this summer. I'm fine with that. His performances have improved, though I'd still love a goal-scorer on the wing if we can land one.

agreed afte seeing what Robben and Ribery did to Barca!

James Pearce from the Echo said in his webchat today that Downing has done enough to stay at the club this summer. I'm fine with that. His performances have improved, though I'd still love a goal-scorer on the wing if we can land one.

If we add a more attacking and goalscoring player to the front three then I feel Stewart has done enough to earn a place here next season and will be a steady player to call upon while also giving the likes of Raheem another season to gain experience.

Mentioned in the tactics thread that BR seems to be settling on a 4-4-1-1 formation as it seems to bring the best out of a number of our players and it gets the best out of the Lucas/Gerrard pairing at CM.  That being said, our RM and LM need to combine industry with creativity and be productive on both sides of the ball.  Despite the fact that he is not as elegant or skilled as Coutinho/Suarez, Downing does a good job of tracking runners to not leaving us exposed on the counter attack, and he has been chipping in with a few goals/assists lately.  I think he is definitely a keeper as a squad player for next year, but do agree that this is an area that we should look to strengthen over the summer. 

So Downing said through the week that he can't see any reason to leave Liverpool FC, my first thought was, I can, you can't get a ball from the line to one of our lads in the box, you can't take a corner without it falling short to an opposition player, there's two Stewie. Sort it out.

Please sell this player. I hate seeing such average player playing for us.

This guy depresses the hell out of me!!

Had enough of him. I don't care if we get 5 million pounds for him. Take another hit on the price we paid for him but get rid of. Still have 6 weeks to find someone more capable than Stewart.

Had enough of him. I don't care if we get 5 million pounds for him. Take another hit on the price we paid for him but get rid of. Still have 6 weeks to find someone more capable than Stewart.

Sterling and Ibe are already more capable than him! He's crap and he was never and will never be good enough for us.

He covered Johnson a couple of times but his attacking display/prowess was woeful. If that's fighting for your place we're in trouble.

He is capable of going missing for a good amount of time in any match. When that happens, it's like playing with 10 men. I wonder where is his value add.

Looks like Stuey might be on his way according to the Echo.

Looks like Stuey might be on his way according to the Echo.

He's become a decent squad cover, but no real loss if he was to go. Wages are probably a little high for a squad player too.

Just forget how much we paid for him the in the first place...

Looks like Stuey might be on his way according to the Echo.

Sitting in the hospital waiting for a lift and saw the above!!
Heard on the radio that Newcaste were taking him off our hands for 5m, a 15m loss in terms of what we paid for him.
What part of that makes good business sense?

Sitting in the hospital waiting for a lift and saw the above!!
Heard on the radio that Newcaste were taking him off our hands for 5m, a 15m loss in terms of what we paid for him.
What part of that makes good business sense?

The £80k a week we're saving on his wages mate. 

The £80k a week we're saving on his wages mate.

Of course it screams out, as lunatic decisions tend to Debs.

Of course it screams out, as lunatic decisions tend to Debs.

Precisely mate.

Sitting in the hospital waiting for a lift and saw the above!!
Heard on the radio that Newcaste were taking him off our hands for 5m, a 15m loss in terms of what we paid for him.
What part of that makes good business sense?

The £80k a week we're saving on his wages mate. 

Of course it screams out, as lunatic decisions tend to Debs.

Precisely mate.

Let's be honest here: The phrase "good business sense" and "Stewart Downing" have never belonged together. Hell, not even the word "good" in general can be applied.

To be honest he can go for free for all I care, we are going to be extremely lucky to get £5million for him. Offers absolutely nothing to them team, just there getting a very good wage for doing sod all!

Actually played really well on weds looked like he was trying to push on his level again

May still be useful.. injury to enrique or Ibe loses form fast

So do we expect a new winger now that Downing has left? I think so.