How were you guys feeling when Downing was signed for 20 million back in the summer?
I remember a few friends of mine, who were liverpool fans, being fairly excited about the signing.
I couldn't understand why they were so happy. I immediately thought that if Liverpool wanted to challenge for the top 4 or even the title, they needed better players than Stewart Downing.
He is average at best. Not good enough for a club challenging for a champions league place.
I could understand the Henderson signing because the guy is still young and has lots of potential. He can also improve but I've noticed he's made progress lately and liverpool fans have been fairly impressed with him.
But I genuinely don't understand the signing of Downing, especially for 20 million, also considering the fact that he's 27 years old.
He was decent for Villa last season, nothing special. He put in some good performances but you wouldn't look at him and say 'This guy needs to play for a bigger club'.
This is just my opinion.
What do you guys think?
Arsenal fan in genuine peace
posted on 15/1/12
SLM whoever is warming our European seat
posted on 15/1/12
Europa League seat you mean?
posted on 15/1/12
Europa is only for mancs.
posted on 15/1/12
if we dont sign those brittish players anymore, maybe we will improve.
posted on 15/1/12
I think Downing can perform better than he has.
Transfer fees don't bother me, it's not my money, so as long as the club has it, why should I care?
So far, regardless of transfer fee, other than the first month of the season he hasn't been good enough, but I don't think we have seen his best yet.
Whether he reaches that best is debatable, but he is good enough to be in the squad of a CL team.
He shouldn't be starting every game though, but thats the lack of depth we have in wide areas.
We have four players capable of playing wide, three are over 30, and two of those are really strikers who 'do a job' in the wide position.
Until we buy top class players who can play wide (they don't have to be wingers, wingers are a dying breed anyway), we won't make the top 4 because the competition is too fierce.
I would be happy with Downing as a squad player to be rotated, but we haven't got the quality to do that at the moment.
posted on 15/1/12
Let's be honest, Kenny's signings have been no better than Hodgson's, and the difference is Hodgson didn't fork out half as much on them.
posted on 15/1/12
Eh Spurtle?
Like Konchesky and Poulsen
Go wash your mouth...
posted on 15/1/12
Konchesky or Enrique?
Poulsen or Henderson?
Hmm tricky one.
posted on 15/1/12
Kenny has spent upwards of £100m in 6 months.
posted on 15/1/12
Poulsen, Cole and Konchesky and 70 million or Carroll, Downing and Henderson? It is a tricky one actually. Think I'd rather have the former and spend the money on better players.