Re: Football Chat Thread : Thu Jul 14, 2011 10:52 am  

Got so many good midfielders now 'Pool. Downing, Gerrard, Henderson, Poulsen, Lucas, Adam, Maxi, Meriles. A lot of depth there. Can see them challenging for top 4 this year again, if they get a good start.

Re: Football Chat Thread : Thu Jul 14, 2011 11:44 am  

Roddy B wrote:

This signing of Downing gives me an odd feeling, a feeling not experienced since the surprise when we went all in for Robbie Keane. I actually rated the signing of Keane back then, quite blindly, but now I'm more cautious.

People compare Downing to Young. If both were under long contracts, Young would definitely go for more. Many say Downing had a better season last year, but there's no doubting that Young is a better player on his day who is more versatile. Some are saying the signing is 'risk free' and he'll adapt straight away, but the signing of Keane was risk free and he lasted a few months. The thing is, every signing in football carries a risk, it's the ability to judge how big the risk is, and whether it's worth taking, that many seem to struggle with in modern football. Downing could turn out to be a well taken risk, but I know that, in 2-3 years time, I'll look around Europe and I'll see better players go for less, and I'll see unknown players become known and become better. Considering we have somebody whose only role is to scout and find players, I am mystified that after covering all corners of the globe, Stewart Downing was the one that aroused us the most.

Lastly, I am very confused by the shape of the current squad, I just can't understand how it all fits. With no European football this year, rotation isn't needed as much as it's usually claimed, so we should be looking at a settled first XI for periods.
Tell me, where do Henderson, Gerrard, Adam, Lucas, Downing, Meireles(?), Aquilani(?), Suarez, Kuyt, Carroll, and possibly a few others, fit in? Not only that, but where's the prolific speed in there? I'm confused by everything at the moment, hopefully when a few players finally go, things will take a better shape, but for now, we seem overcrowded in some spots, yet lacking in others.

Would Kenny play a 442?

Reina

Johnson
Carragher
Agger
Kelly

Downing
Gerrard
Adam
Henderson

Suarez
Carroll

Re: Football Chat Thread : Thu Jul 14, 2011 11:50 am  

keithcun wrote:

That fact he has pace (contrary to what the clueless think), he's intelligent, can play on either flank, can cross a ball and beat a man just seems to be forgotten these days.

You should've stayed in the shadows mate

Of course he has pace, most players do. The fact is he hasn't got much more pace than most FB's anyway, so he won't be getting too far away from any. How many times do you see him beat a man? not all that often, Downing is at his best when FB is caught up field and he has plenty of space to run into.

Man Utd got Young and you're getting Downing

Ajw71 wrote:

Got so many good midfielders now 'Pool. Downing, Gerrard, Henderson, Poulsen, Lucas, Adam, Maxi, Meriles. A lot of depth there. Can see them challenging for top 4 this year again, if they get a good start.

I know United, Chelsea, Arsenal and City must be terrified with that much ability . It's like Kenny's having a central midfield collection this summer.

Re: Football Chat Thread : Thu Jul 14, 2011 12:07 pm  

Sthelens RLFC wrote:

I can understand people/fans having an issue with the amount we are paying for Downing. £20 million or thereabouts (hearing rumours of £17 million, to go with the £13 million we spent on Henderson...not bad when it's reported we've spent £40 million on the pair) seems like a lot for a 27 year old. As far as I am concerned though, it isn't my money and again it shows that the owners are backing Kenny's judgement in the transfer market. We still have at least £6-£7 million to recoup in selling Konchesky, Poulsen, Jones, and possibly Ngog and Cole, which will hopefully be put towards signing Cissokho.

What I am puzzled by is fans reaction to the signing of Downing. For YEARS all we have heard is that we need a good winger. Therefore Kenny goes out and buys a lad who got 7 assists last year, put in more crosses than any other player in the league, scored a decent amount for a midfielder and who, importantly, should hit the ground running. Who were the alternatives? Mata is/was looking like a pipe dream and although his ability and skill would definitely shine through at Liverpool, he would need a settling in period. Downing won't need that, he'll know his job and will be putting balls in for Carroll all day long.

On a side note, nice to see a St Helens lad scoring for the reds yesterday. Coady looks to have a decent future with us if he continues to progress.

On the SUN website, it says he's liverpool born. Go and have a look.

Re: Football Chat Thread : Thu Jul 14, 2011 12:37 pm  

Dan_FC wrote:

Man Utd got Young and you're getting Downing

Downing had a better season than Young last year, hence him winning Villa's player of the year so I'm failing to see what your getting at.

Re: Football Chat Thread : Thu Jul 14, 2011 12:39 pm  

Mark wrote:

Might have a chance of Europa League with that team.

Improvement year on year is all I ask for Mark.

Re: Football Chat Thread : Thu Jul 14, 2011 12:39 pm  

Lord Tony Smith wrote:

Downing had a better season than Young last year, hence him winning Villa's player of the year so I'm failing to see what your getting at.

That's the argument done then.

Re: Football Chat Thread : Thu Jul 14, 2011 12:41 pm  

Mark wrote:

On the SUN

I stopped reading there.

That monstrosity would argue the sky is red if it would sell papers.

Re: Football Chat Thread : Thu Jul 14, 2011 12:42 pm  

Jeez, that was easy. I thought I'd have an empty net. That's tea sorted.

Re: Football Chat Thread : Thu Jul 14, 2011 12:46 pm  

Lord Tony Smith wrote:

Downing had a better season than Young last year, hence him winning Villa's player of the year so I'm failing to see what your getting at.

How?! how did he have a better season?! I'll say it again they both scored 7 goals but Young had 10 assists and Downing had 7 - where does that tell you that he had a better season? the stats say it different. I can't believe if anyone had a choice of the two they'd pick Downing over Young. If Young wouldn't have been in the last year of his contract there's not a chance he'd have gone for under £20 million, he'd be looking £25m plus, easily.