Re: Football Chat Thread : Thu Jul 14, 2011 3:19 pm  

Sthelens RLFC wrote:

It is as long as Carroll delivers. Huge pressure on the lad, although Dirk can take some of the pressure off his shoulders.

He didn't start off too bad though did he, some good performances and goals since he signed. whether he can do it consistent over the season though.

Sthelens RLFC wrote:

N'Zogbia is more of a playmaker than a winger is he not? We've already got Suarez and Gerrard for that role. We're all allowed opinions and if N'Zogbia was signed to play solely as a winger I'd still rather have Downing. N'Zogbia's attitude is reportedly not the best and I'd say that his play on the field can sometimes mirror that. He's brilliant when he's on form but I wouldn't say that is consistently.

He's versatile, I think he spent a bit of time on the wing last season. He can play down the middle but also right or left wing too. Plenty of pace, scores goals - an all round good player. You're right his attitude has been questioned at times but he seems consistent enough over a season. I think he'd have been a good buy, especially being able to play a few positions.

Sthelens RLFC wrote:

EDIT - NZogbia made 122 crosses last season to Downings 324.

It's about quality not quantity

Re: Football Chat Thread : Thu Jul 14, 2011 3:20 pm  

Dan_FC wrote:

How?! how did he have a better season?! I'll say it again they both scored 7 goals but Young had 10 assists and Downing had 7 - where does that tell you that he had a better season? the stats say it different. I can't believe if anyone had a choice of the two they'd pick Downing over Young. If Young wouldn't have been in the last year of his contract there's not a chance he'd have gone for under £20 million, he'd be looking £25m plus, easily.

Thing is though, goals and assists don't tell the whole story. How many tackles has Downing won? How many moves has he been part of that has created a goal? How many times has he tracked back? etc. Downing was player of the year there so I don't know how you can begrude him of being better than Young last year.

I've said it many times: he's not world class and he's not worth 20 million pounds, but he'll do a good job for us in what we need him to do. He'll give us pace & versatility. He'll also give us great delivery somehing we've been lacking for years.

Re: Football Chat Thread : Thu Jul 14, 2011 3:22 pm  

Dan_FC wrote:

He's a quicker, better skilled and more direct player meaning he'll always create more chances and I would wager score more than Downing in most seasons.

So would you rather have Young than say a Beckham when he was in his mid 20's?

Re: Football Chat Thread : Thu Jul 14, 2011 3:24 pm  

Lord Tony Smith wrote:

Thing is though, goals and assists don't tell the whole story. How many tackles has Downing won? How many moves has he been part of tht has created a goal? How many times has he tracked back? etc. Downing was player of the year there so I don't know how you can begrude him of being better than Young last year.

I've said it many times: he's no world class and he's not worth 20 million pounds, but he'll do a good job for us in what we need him to do. He'll give us pace & versatility. He'll also give us great delivery somehing we've been lackin for years.

I'm not saying Young was better, I'm not saying Downing was better but the stats goals and assists tell us they were pretty similar. In terms of the other things you put out there tackles, tracking back etc we don't know because we don't have the figures. I don't think either player was a lot better than the other tbh. Out of pure ability Young would get the nod, he's a better player although he doesn't show it all the time, he comes across as very moody too but on form he's brilliant. I think we'll see much more of him for United than Villa.

Re: Football Chat Thread : Thu Jul 14, 2011 3:27 pm  

Ashley Young is a better footballer than Stewart Downing, the LFC fans with a brain on here even admit it. No point comparing the two.

Re: Football Chat Thread : Thu Jul 14, 2011 3:56 pm  

Mark wrote:

Ashley Young is a better footballer than Stewart Downing, the LFC fans with a brain on here even admit it. No point comparing the two.

Mark, I agree he is. Just saying that Downing had a better season last year, hence him winning player of the year.

Re: Football Chat Thread : Thu Jul 14, 2011 3:58 pm  

Lord Tony Smith wrote:

Mark, I agree he is. Just saying that Downing had a better season last year, hence him winning play of the year.

What makes you so convinced he had a better season then?

Re: Football Chat Thread : Thu Jul 14, 2011 4:08 pm  

Dan_FC wrote:

What makes you so convinced he had a better season then?

I've just said, because he won player of the year over Young, voted for by the fans that watch them both every week. That's a good enough judgement for me anyway.

For example: Gerrard is a better player than Lucas, but Lucas had a better season than him last year.

Re: Football Chat Thread : Thu Jul 14, 2011 4:21 pm  

Lord Tony Smith wrote:

I've just said, because he won player of the year over Young, voted for by the fans that watch them both every week. That's a good enough judgement for me anyway.

For example: Gerrard is a better player than Lucas, but Lucas had a better season than him last year.

I take the point but fans view can often be distorted though, it was probably obvious to them Young was going to leave. They could've easily taken a dislike to him for that, who knows. As I said I haven't picked one over the other who had the better season, personally I don't know. I don't think one was that much better than the other. I still think Downing is very average and Villa must be delighted with the fee they've received.

Re: Football Chat Thread : Thu Jul 14, 2011 4:36 pm  

Dan_FC wrote:

but fans view can often be distorted though

oh the irony.