EPL Talk - Latest Comments in Wise Move by Stewart Downing?

Re: Wise Move by Stewart Downing?

BillE Shears — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 11:27:49 -0000

I don't think that signing a contract really makes that much of a difference. The Boro would like to keep him but if he really wants to leave he is going to do so. I think the club are just covering their asset hoping to bump up the transfer fee.

As far as England is concerned, I just don't think he has the class to make it, perhaps as a reserve for the Starting XI.

Re: Wise Move by Stewart Downing?

Michael — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 10:00:06 -0000

That's true, but Boro isn't going anywhere as a team and Downing is playing on a team where he's one of the two or three best players; there's no impetus or motivation for him to get better as a player during training.

Would you rather play for Juande Ramos, who has a pretty nice managerial resume, or Gareth Southgate, who does not, to say the least? To me, Downing would improve and put himself in a more prominent position by joining Spurs.

I think he would start there over Malbranque, if not right now but in the very near future. Downing is a left-footed player and is younger than the Frenchman.

Re: Wise Move by Stewart Downing?

LemmusLemmus — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 08:51:32 -0000

Of course, you could make the opposite argument: At Boro, he's more likely to play regularly than at a bigger club, and playing regularly helps you improve.

Re: Wise Move by Stewart Downing?

wanderer_abroad — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 00:24:32 -0000

I think this is more of a case of Downing realizing there aren't too many destinations for him. The only realistic place where Downing could have fulfilled his promise on a European stage would have indeed been Spurs. However, that is a considerable risk considering Spurs' recent history of buying every player under the sun (eg. Boateng, Andy Reid, Zokora, Bent etc...) It would have been hard pressed to have expected Downing to sacrifice a solid starting position for the likelyhood of playing backup to Steed Malbranque. I, also, somehow doubt that Juande Ramos is interested in Downing. I could possibly see the young Diego Capal arriving in North London from his old club. This would be even more likely if Sevilla don't qualify for Europe and start selling players like their chairman has already promised.

Re: Wise Move by Stewart Downing?

Michael — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 22:50:43 -0000

That's definitely one way to look at it, but I take the opposing view and say that this is a player who's satisfied with being a big fish in a relatively small sea.

I completely understand wanting to have loyalty and there's something to be said for that, but when you look at the most successful players, one thing they all have in common (besides talent) is their ambition; they strive to be the best players they can and win as much as they can. I don't see that drive and passion from Stewart Downing.

Re: Wise Move by Stewart Downing?

Hudsonland — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 22:24:16 -0000

Loyalty, maybe? Not enough of it around these days if you ask me...