Summer Transfer Thread: News, Rumours and Speculation

Youstolemyname · 25 Apr 2009 at 11:17

Tombstone said:
Each to their own of course, but Downing is usually in the top three in the league in optastats for number of crosses (something we really need), could be that Downing is just average, could be that he needs to go to a bigger club in order to truly shine (as many other players have in the past).

Personally I would be up for giving him a chance, but thats just me and it would be a dull forum if we all agreed on everything.

Wasn't Pennant somewhere up there for number of crosses at one point too? Downing is sooooooooo slow he makes Hyypia look like Carl Lewis.

daz · 25 Apr 2009 at 11:32

Tombstone said:
Yeah, now see I would much rather Liverpool spent 25 million buying Anelka and Downing than 30 million on Tevez.

That's what I was thinking - Anelka at £15m... arguably one of the best proven goalscorers in the premier league.

Ripper · 25 Apr 2009 at 12:26

Youstolemyname said:
Wasn't Pennant somewhere up there for number of crosses at one point too? Downing is sooooooooo slow he makes Hyypia look like Carl Lewis.

Hah I was about to mention Pennant. When Liverpool signed him he was "just what they needed" and people on here wouldn't shut up about some stupid stat about his crossing. Yawn.

NokkonWud · 25 Apr 2009 at 12:31

The reason Downings cross count is so high is because he can't get past people, so throws the ball in. The better stat would be to look at number of goals scored by the team he played for, that's better evidence for the number of crosses.

Anyway, why do long ball Liverpool need a crosser? The ball is already pumped in long before it gets to the wide-men

.

Tombstone · 25 Apr 2009 at 12:55

Youstolemyname said:
Wasn't Pennant somewhere up there for number of crosses at one point too? Downing is sooooooooo slow he makes Hyypia look like Carl Lewis.

Yes, Pennant was up there for crosses, but just because one player is like that it quite clearly doesnt mean that you can then extrapolate that to all players.

Tombstone · 25 Apr 2009 at 12:56

NokkonWud said:
The reason Downings cross count is so high is because he can't get past people, so throws the ball in. The better stat would be to look at number of goals scored by the team he played for, that's better evidence for the number of crosses.

Anyway, why do long ball Liverpool need a crosser? The ball is already pumped in long before it gets to the wide-men .

Hardly a fair stat though, as quite obviously the number of goals scored would also be dependent on the quality of the people up front.

Like I say though, for 10 mil, I would be willing to give him a chance. Plus he is english, and if FIFA do get their way and manage to push through this 6 of your starting 11 must be homegrown lark, then we need more english players anyway.

Kind of answered your own question on the long-ball crossing issue

Chong Warrior · 25 Apr 2009 at 13:23

Middlesbrough will sell Stewart Downing in the summer, with Liverpool the favourites to beat off competition from Tottenham to land the £10m-rated England winger. (Daily Mail)

Of all the rumours, please let this be true

BFCTom · 25 Apr 2009 at 14:05

Downing is total gash and always has been. Anyone buying him for more than £5M are off their heads.

Tombstone · 25 Apr 2009 at 14:19

BFCTom said:
Downing is total gash and always has been. Anyone buying him for more than £5M are off their heads.

Count me as being off my head then

English (and we may well find ourselves in dire need of english players if FIFA do get their way), 24 years old (so still a while before reaching the usual peak) , and 23 england caps. I'd give that a 10 mil punt to see if it works out. I can think of a lot worse 10mil buys and rumoured potential buys.

Thats just me though and as I say, everyones different. Otherwise the football league would only need 1 manager

Tummy · 25 Apr 2009 at 14:20

Downing isn't THAT bad, you can do a lot worse.
Saying that you can do a lot better.

5 Million is too much for him, but the transfer market is massivly overpriced, you always end up paying too much for average players.

Tombstone · 25 Apr 2009 at 14:25

Tummy said:
Downing isn't THAT bad, you can do a lot worse.

Exactly..thats the thing. He is a winger, and we need wingers. There just arent exactly an abundance of wingers around that we could get, particularly english ones (just in case). I see potential there, all you can do with potential is see if it can be worked out or not. Then again I am from the better to have tried and failed than not tried at all mentality in life

Tummy · 25 Apr 2009 at 14:28

I'd pay about 3-4 mill for Downing, *you'll end up paying more, because he's english, and the transfer market is always over priced*

You could do worse.
Liverpool don't have any wingers do they ?

Tombstone · 25 Apr 2009 at 14:32

Tummy said:
Liverpool don't have any wingers do they ?

Not what I would consider proper wingers no. Like you say though, if the player is English you do pay more, and if FIFA do push through the 6+5 ruling then we'll see English players prices going even higher.

BFCTom · 25 Apr 2009 at 14:38

Riera is a winger isn't he? So is Babel.

I just think there are better options available to clubs like Liverpool than the extremely average and overrated Downing.

Tombstone · 25 Apr 2009 at 14:40

Riera is, Babel...I'm not sure even Babel knows what he is, frankly I would very much like us to sell Babel because I am tired of his performances and his arrogance and ego.

Who would you buy as a winger? (English and a realistic target)

BFCTom · 25 Apr 2009 at 14:44

Ashley Young.

Tombstone · 25 Apr 2009 at 14:45

Has he suggested that he is willing to leave Villa?

Tummy · 25 Apr 2009 at 14:46

Tombstone said:
Riera is, Babel...I'm not sure even Babel knows what he is, frankly I would very much like us to sell Babel because I am tired of his performances and his arrogance and ego.

Who would you buy as a winger? (English and a realistic target)

Money being no problem ?

Young.
Lennon.

Realisticly, not sure who Liverpool should go for, I'd say downing, isn't there another young winger at middlesboring that's rated highly ? adam something ?

Might be able to pick them both up for about 10 million.

Liverpool have money, they spent 25 million on Torres.
Liverpool need another winger, striker, center back, and need to remove dead wood. Bring in some English players.

Babel hasn't played enough to be able to hold down a position, he looks quite good, he's quick and has good feet. Hopefully gets more palying time next season.
Reira ? sorry but I don't think he's that good

Average winger.

BFCTom · 25 Apr 2009 at 14:48

A club of Liverpool's stature should be able to prise him away from Villa, especially with the temptation of CL football.

Why does the winger have to be English though? Plenty of European talent out there at better value.

Tummy · 25 Apr 2009 at 14:49

BFCTom said:
A club of Liverpool's stature should be able to prise him away from Villa, especially with the temptation of CL football.

Why does the winger have to be English though? Plenty of European talent out there at better value.

Because this is England ! :mad:

**Summer Transfer Thread: News, Rumours and Speculation**

Summer Transfer Thread: News, Rumours and Speculation