Downing - that left midfielder....

PT · Feb 4, 2008

It just came back to me.

Half way through the transfer window that was January 2008 and after many rumours that we were chasing this guy, there was a small bit of tv footage of an interview with him.

I'm sure it was Downing and not his agent. He was saying that he welcomed the interest in him and was flattered that a top club like Spurs were in for him.

Unfortunately it didn't pan out, for one reason or another, but how does Downing feel now? Almost in limbo? Out on a limb with his team mates?

Is it unfinished business for Spurs as we allegedly still search for that elusive missing key to a Premiership title chasing squad?

I'd love him at spurs - he would provide natural balance and an endless supply of deep crosses for Berby (insert alternative lanky striker if you see fit). I hope we get him in the summer.

Marty · Feb 4, 2008

He wants to leave Boro, think he made that pretty clear during the last few days.
Southgate was having none of it though. Can understand him, selling Woody and Downing within a few days would definitely not go down well with the fans.

Predict Downing will be on his way in the summer. Hopefully to us, although I do believe we would cope without him. Would be a very good addition though.

Pedro · Feb 4, 2008

he said (or his agent did) that he will run down the rest of his contract, think its 2.5 yrs. the longer we leave it the cheaper he will become. I think he will end up here eventually, but only at a much lower price than is currently being spoken about. maybe in the summer, or next jan or next summer depending how quickly his value goes down. I think we would be prepared to pay around about 7m for him, which is probably his true value anyway.

DJS · Feb 4, 2008

It'd be great to have Downing at Spurs! :up:

jambo · Feb 4, 2008

I would love to have him here, imo though he will hold his value until he as 18 months left on his contract like defoe did. I hope we get him in the summer but borough will still want between 9-12 million for him until they get to the desperation point of having to sell him like whats happened with defoe.

bomberH · Feb 4, 2008

I wouldn't mind him here.

But a double signing of Villa & Albelda would make me wank til my cock falls off.

Never gonna happen i know (the signings that is, my cock has every chance of falling off) but that would be like Ossie & Ricky all over again. How fucking great would that be.

Downing would be a welcome addition.

SpurSince57 · Feb 4, 2008

(Stands back in astonishment)

A Downing thread, and not one 'Noooooo! He's shit!' or 'He's not a Ramos player' response?

Bizarre.

Jody · Feb 5, 2008

he's shit. he'd be a comolli signing

:up:

Kendall · Feb 5, 2008

SpurSince57 said:
(Stands back in astonishment)

A Downing thread, and not one 'Noooooo! He's shit!' or 'He's not a Ramos player' response?

Bizarre.

It's past the idiots' bed time.

MrWoolley · Feb 5, 2008

I'm not sure how I'd feel about Downing signing, from what I've seen of him at club level he seem's a good player with a lovely left foot, but at International level he's never cut it. I also wonder how much he's progressed over the last two years? He reminds me a bit of Simon Davies (shhh), in that maybe from the potential and good performances, he's never pushed on.

I think alot would depend on the price, and also how good Gilberto does, as if he performs at LB/LM then it would allow Bale to maybe take up the LM position, which he seemed to pick up really well. And then there's Steed, I loved Steed and if he continues his form, he's the first player on the teamsheet.

I'm so torn!

SpurSince57 · Feb 5, 2008

Just forget the international level, Mr W. It's totally meaningless.

Can I interest you in Steven Gerrard?

Nah, he's shit for England.

And if Downing hasn't progressed over the past two years, look no further than Borat.

eViL · Feb 5, 2008

I think Middlesbrough were probably taking the piss with his valuation.

He'll be ours eventually.

guy · Feb 5, 2008

Why would we want him with Malbranque, Bale and now Gilberto to cover the left? And Taarabt and Rose coming through?

I think he's missed the Spurs bus and he will now go to a little club like Pompey/Wetspam!

Ramos doesnt want him enough to pay the asking price. That to me says he doesnt really want him fullstop.

The future is Bale!!!!

Blotto · Feb 5, 2008

Downing? meh. If he's signed in the summer I won't be angry, but I wonder like apparently many others if we actually need him. I think that Bale is our future LM, and I think he'll be brilliant if given the chance. Perhaps we should be looking for a long-term LB...?

General Levy · Feb 5, 2008

Downing and Bale down the left would be awesome.

guy · Feb 5, 2008

Bale = Downing with more pace/a better left peg/youth/more height/more athleticism!!

I agree with Blotto we should be looking for a long term LB in a cpl of years!

jondesouza · Feb 5, 2008

Quality player that I would love at the Lane. Would give us another option on the left and would be a perfect counterpoint to having Lennon on the right - Lennon taking men on and stretching the play; Downing able to whip crosses over from the left.

nickspurs · Feb 5, 2008

I think that ship has sailed. If it was going to happen it would have been in January.

He's good but not £12M good. I think we successfully 'turned his head', tried to get him a bit cheaper (£7M) and Boro got stroppy and dug their heels in on £12M. JR probably just thought that £12M could be better used elsewhere and represented a questionable investment. Yes, DC 'brought him to the table' but I'm sure JR would have been fine with signing him had the Boro valuation been more realistic.

I suspect we had a few irons in the fire on the left side throughout the window (Gilbo being one of them which did pan out). I presume the club lines several options up as best it can for targeted positions. It then makes a final call on the ones if can make happen. As it turned out with Downing, the player was keen, the price was there but we felt it was too high and so we moved on.

Maybe though, life will be different in the Summer. I hope not but Berba might go and we get in a target man who scores with his head for fun (not saying Berba can't but he has other attributes that play to his strengths). If that's the case, Downing's crosses fromt the left might be worth paying up for - but with 6 months less on his contract, Boro will have to accept a lower number if he hasn't signed a new one.

Michey · Feb 5, 2008

bomberH said:
But a double signing of Villa & Albelda would make me wank til my cock falls off.

Dammit....that wasn't a picture i wanted in my head early tuesday morning

:wink:

About Downing....can't see it happen. I put my money on Capel in the summer.

N10toN17 · Feb 5, 2008

Good player Downing, but I think Ramos will have his eye on somebody else come the summer if at all.

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