I know MFG comes in and will probably blow a load of "judging after a year" but he has been ****e day one, under two different managers.
The only thing you know is how to blow smoke up Brendan Rodgers' ass.
So, "judging after a year" what did you make of Lucas? Or Jan Molby? Or Ronaldo at Utd? But more than a year has gone and I'm already on the record as saying it's over for Downing, not because he's ****e - MotM when we won the cup and better recently - but he hasn't realised his potential and that's because he's a confidence player whose confidence has been ripped apart by fans who do judge within ten games and after a season sell them on. Bye, Lucas. Bye, Molby.
Was it unfair? It happens in the media from media-savvy managers. Some players need it, as Rafa knew, but some players need a loving arm around them and a bit of encouragement, which Rafa also knew because he had Gerrard to work with. A good manager knows when to do it in the media and when to do it at Melwood. I have noticed Fergie tends to build up his players in the media, especially when he knows he's going to have to depend on them.

