I'm happy with the signings of Downing and Adam because they will add something to our midfield that we lack which is a) width and crossing, b) a deep lying playmaker who can spray passes. Yes, we may have overpsent but they are in positions that we needed to fill and both have the quality to succeed. The only signing I was unsure about is Henderson, but that's because I'm not sure what he will add to the team.
Can we just stop all this overspent nonesense. KK and DC know how much they believe a player is worth and they also know when too much money is being asked. If they are satisfied that we either got a good deal or paid a fair price then that is good enough for me. We and visitors may 'think' whatever they like but it is really of no consequence at the moment. The proof of their value will be at the end of the season. Only then can we se what they have contributed and compare that to what we think was the buying price.
I have to admit I've been umming and arring about Downing ever since we've been linked with him. I've spoken to Red mates at the pub about him over the last few weeks, including last night. Someone posted on here yesterday saying McLeish said he wasn't for sale, which didn't really bother me that much. However, he does have some impressive stats, particularly with AC in mind, and apparently, he's a model pro who always puts a full shift in, which Kenny will obviously like. I guess I was just blinded by wanting Mata so much. KK knows what he's doing, so let's hope he delivers. I don't think about the money now, it's all obscene!
Does anyone know of his exact stats last season.Ive heard that he crossed the ball the most in the premiership and that he has alot of assists and few goals but was just wondering why Wenger and Comolli were after him so much...he must have mental stats you'd think like high percentage of crosses converted and high percentage of passes in the right areas of the pitch.
I think considering previous seasons we were employing a sell to buy policy, its definately surprising to be seeing such high bids being brandied about for players(albeit english and we know how their prices are inflated).Also we havent seen much of the 'Net Spent' being mentioned lately...which can only be a good thing !
I think he'll balance the team nicely. He'll have white paint on his boots, hug the touchline and create space for Luis and Gerrard to wander whilst being a constant out ball. Of course, his real job will be to service Carroll, but he looks very capable of one touch link up play. I suppose we'll have to wait and see.
KPH. Exactly. The same ones were complaining last summer we weren't spending money,We're spending money now and they are still complaining.I said all along that this is a different Liverpool...one thats prepared to flex its muscles.Well thats what the premiership is facing now.The 2009 and 2010 Liverpool is gone.Now lets see how they handle it. As for Ruffian.He's under the delusion that only Manchester United can spend money,and only Manchester United have a divine right to win the league...because Paul Scholes has ginger hair..and they are the bestest club in the world because the Yernited fans said so.
Stats, from twitter. 324 crosses last season (the most for anyone over the last three seasons) 79 successful 7 assists 77 chances created BALE 250 crosses 60 successful 1 assist 48 chances created
Downing completed more crosses in open play - 135 - than any other player in the Premier League last season. No other player has beaten that amount for any of the last three campaigns. ^ That's from the BBC, so somebody on Twitter has gone wrong somewhere.
Why is it that we get a (reasonably) good debate going on here, then someone new to the thread chimes in with '20m for Downing. Oh dear' or a silly face like this guy above ^? It adds nothing to the discussion and doesn't really need to be said. Ok KPR did his usual MU rant, but you don't have to respond to it EVERY time Utd fans.
1. i think seeing bale missed a large portion of the season it's not fair to compare to him. 2. we don't actually know what the fee is yet. 3. I don't really see how the team will line up with these 3 new midfield players so am still wondering if he'll start the majority of the time.
I would like it if we have paid £15M with add-ons which rose to £18-19M instead of playing £18-19M which is what we have paid according to press reports. The stats in this thread do make good reading and the more I think about this signing, the more i'm being swayed torwards it being a excellent signing. Still not 100% sure about the price but there is nothing we can do about it. If he comes, i'll give him my support like every Liverpool fan should.
I was, as a Liverpool fan, simply expressing my dismay in a short sentence at the signing of IMO an average player for £20mil. Surely that's what football forum's are all about OPINION'S. Am I allowed to think Downing is average?
I think we have to get used to a new way of judging players.The moneyball approach is to solely base it on pure stats and not on the ancient craft of scouting a player and guessing if he do a good job and also listening to complete fools like Journos and TV pundits.This approach to scouting players is also about their mentality to win,their family life and the ability for them to fit in with squad at a personal level.Everything is calculated so that the possibility of the transfer being a massive error is minimised.This is the future every club with any cop on is now doing it so we may not think hes Messi but im sure he can do an extremely good job and he is obviously gunning to play for us like the other signings which can only be a great thing.
20Mill is the price you currently pay for a player of his calibre, Ashley Young went for around that figure despite only having a year left on his contract. The same with Henderson, look at what Spurs are knocking back for a good player in Moderic but he is hardly Iniesta. Look at how much Utd paid for a back-up young centre back, and people question 20Mill for a proven 26 year old (who will be hitting his peak soon) who cost Villa £12Mill 3 years ago. Im not saying its a bargain, im not saying its not an obscene amount of money to pay for someone, but thats the market.
Must read on Downing... http://tomkinstimes.com/2011/07/is-...ign=Feed: TheTomkinsTimes (The Tomkins Times)
Cheers! The more I read about Downing and the more stats I find, the more I think this will be an excellent signing. I wasn't sure at first but I honestly believe he will be an excellent signing.
Delivered with the customary lack of any wit, intelligence or articulacy that we are all now so used to. You truly do beggar belief when it comes to flat out ****wittery. Out of interest, why was I brought into this? I made a fair assessment last night on a player who has been around a while and who has so far NEVER ceased to dissappoint me, be it for Boro, Villa or England. Like I said, in my opinion he is average and only time will tell if he can step up to the mark. I am perfectly entitled to that opinion by the way.
