âI spoke to the manager and he said he wanted me to stay. So Iâm disappointed that one minute I was staying and the next minute Iâm gone," âIt was a surprise because it happened so quick. One minute I was in the starting XI for Liverpool, and the next I was on my way to London." Downing stated. When asked if he was surprised to hear Rodgers' comments that he had been offered an 'incredible' deal at West Ham and wanted to leave because of it, he replied: âI donât know about that. âMaybe for the club it was an *unbelievable offer, I donât know." The Daily Mirror reports he has actually had to take a pay cut to join the Hammers, with Downing stating âhaving the opportunity to play was the big thing. At my age, I need to play. And in a World Cup year, I need to be in with a chance."
Let's face it Stewie, you were dumped. But then again, all the signs had been there for a long time. So, if you were surprised that's down to your own failings. Don't bleat, make the most of the opportunity you have - thousands of kids would give their right arm for the chance!!!
England have to qualify first and if they do Woy would have to be crazy to take Downing. Then again he did sign Poulsen, so Downing might be in with a chance
He was only first choice because we simply had no one else. I'm guessing Rodgers wanted to keep him until he had a replacement lined up and signed.
backup player on silly wages what did he expect? you say up until confirmed they have gone, that a player is in your plans, or they get pissed off and sulk, not sure why he is winging about Brendans comments, when he has been paid very nicely for 2 years worth of shiiite performances on the pitch, and his ****ing shhh to the crowd! should have been grateful we paid the muppet what we did, as he certainty didn't warrant it.
Get the impression that Brenda speaks with forked tongue. Don't get me wrong, he has to be ruthless and both Shankly and Paisley were known to blow hot and cold with players depending where they were in their career cycle and many who've worked with Benitez just found him inscrutable, but IF he's going to get the best out of Henderson I'm all for it, because of all the dalglish/Comolli splurge he was the one I had most hope for. Hey, we knew this wasn't going to be pretty.
That really annoyed me. It's as if that one goal made up for 2 years of mediocre performances. He may think that he played well over the past year - he did improve, but he only improved from being 'utter dogsh1te' to 'just below average'.
I'm happy with our management at the moment. As you say, we're being ruthless. We've gotten rid of Shelvey, Adam, Carroll and now Downing. These 4 players represent mediocrity IMO (may be a bit harsh in Carroll's case).
I think most of you are missing the point. He is not complaining about having to go, he is commenting on the way it was handled. He claims to have been told he was wanted but then shoved out the door. For me, Downing speaking out makes it worse. Fair enough if you do it in ten years time but a few days after moving? He's trying to make BR and the club look like the ****s of the deal!
Sorry; in what way was he misled? Every window under Rodgers he was told he could go. That's pretty bloody clear you weren't rated or wanted by the manager. You were quite basically only used to justify the fact we were paying you so much (our fault not yours) although standing still on the pitch might as well have been standing still off it. Hate whiney bastards like this. Boo hoo you didn't match up to your 70k a week for playing a game so now you're only getting a paltry 30k a week to play a game at another club.im sure you'll fight as hard there...
He's too stupid to realise that he's actually an average player who was told he's doing great to keep his head up and get a few more decent performances out of him. Rodgers is hardly gonna tell him he's out the door at first chance if there's no guarantee he can shift him out. If he did, Downing's performances would drop even lower.
Is that possible BR is obviously going to encourage and motivate as best he can. I guess the question is, did BR tell Downing he was part of his plans for the season?
Exactly! If there was a chance that Downing could go then he shouldn't be told he is wanted. I realise people will say you can't tell him he isn't wanted because if he stays it causes a problem, therein bring us back to the main problem; BR can't shut his mouth!
Probably did, in case we couldn't replace him with another winger. Nothing wrong with that. Players are assets. Standard management to play them up when needed and chew 'em out when not. He needs to grow a pair and stop crying. He's still on around 50k a week probably - I'd be happy with that much a year!
