Stewart Downing

We have been trying to get rid off him all summer and now decided to give him away for £5m. Another high earner who is on the hit list along with Skrtel. If he goes I hope he is replaced as we will be lacking players who can play on the right as we know Ibe, Sterling and Coutinho all prefer to operate on the left.

Get rid, flog the deadwood

Deadwood was valid when referring to players like joe cole.

Downing, Reina and Skrtel are not deadwood, unfortunately they are victims of a new manager (perhaps less so Reina).

We need to let the club get on with it and offer our opinions once the window closes.

I like Downing's versatility and for that reason I think he is decent member of the squad.

However, if we're looking to bring in Costa, or another attacking player, then Downing would fall down the pecking order in his wide position. LB would be the other option as he has played there under BR. However, if we cover that position, which I think is likely, then he chances of playing are further reduced.

Factor in his age, his wages and the young players coming through Ibe and Sterling (although are better suited to the left) can play on the right, plus our reduced fixture list due to not having European football, reluctantly I agree it's time to sell.

My only concern would be if we sold him prior to bringing in an attacking option and a LB. I would hope we could do it the other way round, by getting players in first, ensuring we are not short in an area like we ended up last summer.

Downing has noooo creativity what so ever get rid of him rogers

I don't think Downing's quality is in question but his whole career he has been about beating his man and getting a cross in. He's just not suited to the system. He does a lot better when Sturridge is up top but it's painful to watch him waste his career with us.

You have got to factor in his stupid wages with the fee received.

If Newcastle or whoever, have to pay him near his current wages, lets say they pay 50k a week on 4 year deal, that's another £10m, which is why the fee has to he relatively cheap if we want to offload him.

Nobody is going to commit a £8m fee and another £10m in wages for Downing.

Not unless Kenny and Comolli rock up as manager and DOF somewhere else.

Get his wages off our sheets at least. He's cack and alwasys will be. Wouldn't sell for only 5m though - especially the way Newcastle behaved with Carroll.

Downing is a decent squad player, I'd be gutted if we got rid without a replacement first.

Provided we get a genuine first team replacement then selling Downing is not a problem.