Quote ="Sthelens RLFC"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.'"
His name isn't Stewardo Dowdiniho and he doesn't do 20 stepovers before beating a man seven times and crossing into row Z.
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.
I love it when people say we should sign player x from abroad. They don't know if he'll want to come, how much he'll cost, if the club will sell, how much wages he'll want, will he adapt and most importantly, is he someone the manager wants. Too much Football Manager going on these days and not enough realism. Personally, and I've said this before, doesn't matter how much he costs, if they can't afford it they wouldn't have paid it. The manager has a player he wants and even if he cost £20m, that's still half of what we'd have had to pay in interest payments this time last year. Some people have very, very short memories.
There'll be better players go for less and worse players go from more, that's just the way it is.
