I came across this article comparingreviewing all our wingers over the last 10 years and seeing how they compare to Downing. It really highlights how poor we have been with signing wingers for years. In fact Downing looks like one of the more successful ones (though also the most expensive). It does not just cover strict wingers. It is based on players who have been signed to play out wide. I'd copy and paste it in here but it is to long. Here is the link: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...re-with-10-lfc-wingers-from-the-past-10-years
i hear a lot of reds who always say the last time we had a proper winger was probably Mcmanaman, scary thought when you think when he used to play for us, and we haven't really had anyone since him. only one i can think of that i thought might come good was Reira (personally opinion) but we should have known from his time at think it was City who got rid, Pennant had an attitude where he thought he was better than he was, which was a shame he had potential. still not convinced on Downing, i am judging him on 18 months here not the last 5 games or so when he has performed reasonably well, and that's only because he has been told he can leave.
It's not so much a problem with the players but more the managers signing strikers and playing them on the wing
And full backs. That list could have also included Aurelio and Kromkamp. What was everyones opinion of Harry Kewell? He had so much promise when he signed...
He should have been the one to have solved all of our problems down the left hand side. I was really when he signed but was such a big disappointment but we only paid around £5m for him I think? So it wasn't a big financial loss but more of a let down of what we expected of him.
Whilst Kuyt may not have been a traditional winger or as exciting as McManaman, he delivered in terms of goals, assists and workrate. Kuyt would be slated for not being quick, lacking a decent first touch - but I would take his goals etc over someone like Sterling who may be exciting but hasn't delivered in terms of productivity (I know Sterling is young and still developing, but I'm just using him as an example to prove substance over style is key).
Kuyt made that right wing his own. I just realised that articke missed out Benayoun. Riise was also very good on the wing (as well as left back).
