Middlesbrough favourite Stewart Downing admits he is considering retirement

2008/9 season
wikipedia view
During December, the club told reporters that there were no funds available for transfers, meaning they needed to sell before they could buy, although at the same time the club were not looking to move on any of their best players either.[25] This became a key element of the January transfer window.
The transfer window was once again dominated by reports linking Stewart Downing with a move to Tottenham Hotspur, but this time there was a basis for such reports. Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp announced his interest in Downing towards the end of December.[26] With the transfer window open, Spurs put in a bid for the player, reported to be around £6 million, which was described as "derisory" by Middlesbrough chief executive Keith Lamb.[27] An improved offer was submitted and immediately rejected. Middlesbrough told Tottenham that the player was not for sale and any further interest they had would not be entertained, while chairman Steve Gibson told the media that no senior player would be leaving the club in January. Shortly afterwards, Downing submitted a written transfer request. The request was considered before being rejected.[28] Downing's father, Stewart Senior, revealed his son's reasons for submitting his transfer request, stating that "when he signed his new contract [in February 2008] he was assured that there would be significant investment in the squad", arguing this had not happened.[
 
Badonde said:
2008/9 season
wikipedia view
During December, the club told reporters that there were no funds available for transfers, meaning they needed to sell before they could buy, although at the same time the club were not looking to move on any of their best players either.[25] This became a key element of the January transfer window.
The transfer window was once again dominated by reports linking Stewart Downing with a move to Tottenham Hotspur, but this time there was a basis for such reports. Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp announced his interest in Downing towards the end of December.[26] With the transfer window open, Spurs put in a bid for the player, reported to be around £6 million, which was described as "derisory" by Middlesbrough chief executive Keith Lamb.[27] An improved offer was submitted and immediately rejected. Middlesbrough told Tottenham that the player was not for sale and any further interest they had would not be entertained, while chairman Steve Gibson told the media that no senior player would be leaving the club in January. Shortly afterwards, Downing submitted a written transfer request. The request was considered before being rejected.[28] Downing's father, Stewart Senior, revealed his son's reasons for submitting his transfer request, stating that "when he signed his new contract [in February 2008] he was assured that there would be significant investment in the squad", arguing this had not happened.[
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The club were going to sell Downing to Spurs in the January (£12m I think) but that changed when the bank said that they couldn't spend the money on players.. it was all to go paying back debts. Harry Redknapp proposed a cash plus players deal that included Hossam Ghaly, Gilberto and Adel Taarabt.. Gareth Southgate wanted Gareth Bale as part of the deal and it eventually fell though.

This was the same January that we sent back trialist Nemanja Matic after baulking at the asking price being close to a million pounds. We opted instead to play it safe and choose to pay £3m for Ben Watson.

We turned our noses up at a few players Mark Proctor had recommended including Charlie Adam, Graham Dorrans, Robert Snodgrass & Steven Fletcher. Matty Bates and Josh Walker chosen instead to shore up the midfield.
 
I was sure I remembered Downing being made Captain that winter.
It didn't feel right considering he had made a transfer request.
 
newyddion said:
The club were going to sell Downing to Spurs in the January (£12m I think) but that changed when the bank said that they couldn't spend the money on players.. it was all to go paying back debts. Harry Redknapp proposed a cash plus players deal that included Hossam Ghaly, Gilberto and Adel Taarabt.. Gareth Southgate wanted Gareth Bale as part of the deal and it eventually fell though.

This was the same January that we sent back trialist Nemanja Matic after baulking at the asking price being close to a million pounds. We opted instead to play it safe and choose to pay £3m for Ben Watson.

We turned our noses up at a few players Mark Proctor had recommended including Charlie Adam, Graham Dorrans, Robert Snodgrass & Steven Fletcher. Matty Bates and Josh Walker chosen instead to shore up the midfield.
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Ben Watson would have been a brilliant signing. Unfortunately he chose Wigan and went for £2m. Scored the winner in an FA Cup Final IIRC
 
Badonde said:
Ben Watson would have been a brilliant signing. Unfortunately he chose Wigan and went for £2m. Scored the winner in an FA Cup Final IIRC
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I think we'd have avoided relegation had we managed to sign a decent midfielder. All our eggs in one basket.

Warnock would have had us finishing top four.
 
I think its pretty sad and pathetic the way people talk about him. He is probably the best technical player we have produced. The second time round it didnt work out but hes a confidence player and karanka never believed in him or wanted him. We offered him the deal thats not his fault. He may have asked to leave to but why shouldnt he want to progress his career maybe if gibbo got a decent manager in we wouldnt have been in a position for him to leave.

Weve had plenty of players dissert us who are idolised on here, players who have earnt a fortune and not delivered what he did. We wont produce another downing we should be proud of what hes acheived with us and as an international.
 
Terryterrycooper said:
His first stint and don’t think anyone would knock the lad , he did a fantastic job for us .

and yes on his second stint it was our daft fault for offering him a lengthy contract on high wages , but if he had anything about him he would of put 100% effort in .
he really did play like he just could not be a**** And like we had 10 men many times
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What a crock. He was a 7 out of 10 player week in week out in his second stint. In his first stint he was brilliant, as others have said was instrumental in an iconic boro moment.

He was messed about by boro contract wise, he stayed when sprus came calling and we looked like getting relegated.

Quite simply the best boro player in the modern era, when you consider the number of games he played for us.
 
Terryterrycooper said:
Opinions are opinions 👍

but I dont appreciate the name calling 👎
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there was no name calling like. I remember Aitor ask Downing to warm up from the bench which he seemed very surprised at.. then he told him he'd be playing at left back. Downing rolled his eyes and went out and did his job.

Imagine signing Paul Merson and asking him to play left back.. then making out like he was a bag of dog todd
 
Messed about with broken promises from Mr Gibson on both occassions it sounds?

Downing was a superb player for us in his first spell and took a step down when he came back to play in the Championship. He then wasn't treated particularly well by the Spanish manager who didn't really want the 'gift' (see also Jordan Rhodes)
 
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