Stewart Downing has been issued an ultimatum to greatly improve his quality and commitment or he's gone in January. Enrique is in the cross-hairs as well. You heard it here first
really... downing's reacted badly to the new manager and having 17 year olds displacing him... enrique also looks really bad right now but he at least seems to be bigging up suso etc...
Great to hear. They either buck up or ship off. Win-win. I always want an LFC player to succeed but sometimes it just doesn't happen. Downing's been as bad as Poulsen was.
that is probably a sad but fair statement. sadly his 20mil investment has been a total disaster... not even a let down as i think most fans, myself included, were not in favour of him day 1... if he's just been error free, ran his wing and worked he'd have been not so bad but the way he turns his back on play, kicks it out over the sideline, is so inaccurate with passes and vansihes for half a game is not good is it. ah well... all the more for assaidi and sterling i suppose... perhaps suso to play i nthe front 3 also.
In short: no courage. Pond got too big. Which is terrible considering the position we were in when he joined us.
It's a shame because I thought he could have been a good player for us. He would have served a purpose - we needed a winger and somone who can cross and he fit the bill. But as mentioned before, he lacks courage. He doesn't want to make a mistake so will just pass it and generally take the easy option. As a result, we have a creative player who doesn't provide any creativity. He's merely a player who is making up numbers and not contributing to the team. He does track back and is decent defensively. With Sterling, Assaidi, Suso and Sahin, they look like players that can contribute to he team and make a difference. Sterling and Assaidi has beaten their man a number of times and created chances, Suso has had his hand in a couple of goals already and Sahin dominated the midfield and scored twice.
If true,then fair enough. If you don't perform at least adequately over a prolonged period then your future is in doubt.Downing's piss poor form is there for all to see. Improve fast or **** off!
Cant say I am surprised or bother to be honest. Not keen to see Enrique go though as LB is our weak spot in terms of numbers.
It is our weak spot at the mo,but at least we know there is a decent LB in Enrique somewhere. If he can find his form of the first half of last season then all well and good. Downing,on the other hand.......................
Do you guys think they'll both actually go in January if they don't pick up a bit of form? Or is that just being said as motivation for them to step up their game.
BR already shown that if he doesnt think a player is good enough or isnt trying hard enough then he'll get rid. Problem is how much would we realistically get for him and who the hell would want to buy him?
Should give Downing more of a chance at LB and see how he gets on. A lot of full backs these days are converted wingers, Jordi Alba, Dani Alves to name but 2. It also takes less pressure off him to perform in an attacking sense and might just give him that bit of freedom to get forward and produce his best. Also he's always been a decent cover for defenders when playing in midfield. Would also give competition to Enrique, something he's been missing since he joined.
Heard BR was takin with some journos off the record the other week and apparently he wasnt exactly singing the praises of Downing
Think it was just a wake up call but i think it will fall on deaf ears with him and another one that no one will take of us permanent another Cole i think
The reasons for Brendan Rodgers making these comments are simple, these aforementioned players aren't putting in the hard work. We've seen the difference in the others that are putting in the hard work. Look at Jack Robinson and Suso for example, both are willing to take games by the scruff and impose themselves on the opposition. Last sunday, Suso made total idiots out of Valencia and Rafael, he took them apart, and this was just after the restart. Brendan Rodgers won't tolerate sloppy players that look disinterested and won't put in a shift. Thats why Adam and Aquilani left.
We could literally have 3 Assaidis (on around 30k per week) for the cost of Downing, going by wages alone. Probably 4 or 5 when you factor in transfer fees.
I'd give Enrique a longer period of time, he's not been so poor like people on here make out. He's had a few poor weeks, maybe a little less FIFA and more training and he'll be better. Downing on the other hand has never even shown promise other than a few matches. I also don't buy this "play him at LB" rubbish. Alba and Alves were switched when they were younger - they had time to learn. Downing is 27 (or 28?). He's past the point where he can adapt and learn new things. He's a flop. Sell him on to anyone that wants him.
