Downing: Wanted by Spurs
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Stew better than Spurs - Southgate
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate insists winger Stewart Downing should be aiming higher than Tottenham Hotspur.
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Downing requested a transfer from his hometown club earlier this week, as Boro rejected bids from Spurs for the England star.
The North London club have a long-standing interest in Downing, dating back to 2005 - but they have never been able to prise the 24-year-old away from The Riverside.
Southgate, though, feels Downing should be looking at joining a bigger clubs than Spurs - who are currently embroiled in the Premier League relegation battle alongside Boro.
"I don't think it [a move to Spurs] is in the interests of our club or in the interests of Stewart," said Southgate.
"There's a certain level that, if Stewart's going to leave this club, he should be going to.
"I'm not knocking Tottenham but I've had plenty of conversations with Stewart about his future, the majority of which I'd prefer to keep private. He totally understands I want the best for him."
Southgate admits that if Boro had been more secure in the league, rather than fourth from bottom, they may have been more inclined to let Downing leave.
"If we'd had seven more points now it could quite possibly have been a different situation," said Southgate.
"I've had several talks with Stewart this week and he knows I can't put him first at the moment.
"Timing is the key issue. Stewart is such a talent, such an important player to us that, at this time of year, there's no way of replacing him.
"We'll be a lot more sympathetic to players at the end of the season when we have time to adjust plans but it's very difficult to bring replacements in during January."
Southgate also stressed it is not easy adding to his squad, as he appears to be trying to lure both Ben Watson from Crystal Palace and Newcastle's Alan Smith - in a possible swap deal with Mido - to the club.
"It's difficult to get players to come to a club such as ours and particularly when we're in our current league position," he said.
"There was a time when we paid the sort of wages very few other clubs were paying but that's not the case anymore."
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jc84 (Tottenham Hotspur) : "...Just found out that Harry is is going to make a 15m bid for Joe Cole. This will happen once 8m sale of Zakora goes through. Should Chelsea regect, HR will go for second choice Downing. Crouch and Zaki also being monitored. Crouch certain to leave but..." view full rumour
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Your Comments
Chavlyuchenko (Tottenham Hotspur fan)
"hahaha cheers southgate, you've just saved us 15 million squid!!"
mr. boro (Middlesbrough fan)
"Chrisberbatov- Boro were in the UEFA Cup for 2 years before you were and got to the Quarter Finals and the Final, come back when you've done anything other than talking up Spurs every year and finishing in similar positions to us...Who do you Spurs fans think you are? Pittiful Middlesbrough (not Middlesborough you tits) we're on the same points as you at the minute and you've spent about 10 times as much as we have on your squad and have had a lift by bringing in a new manager! Still on the same points as the Boro! You are the biggest flops in the Premiership! P.S. August 15th 2008 Boro 2-1 Spurs. Now p.o. and go back in Arsenal's shadow. Come on Boro"
rfc_478 (Reading fan)
"Having supported my team from Division 2 up to the Prem, I loved it thanks! And will love it again next season. I'll give you a wave on MOTD next season when you're struggling in the Championship"
sofaking (Tottenham Hotspur fan)
"ha ha, if Southgate thinks that one of the big 4 or a big European club will come in for Downing, he's sadly mistaken. He's only highly rated by Middlesbrough. I don't know of any Spurs fan that wants Downing. hopefully Harry reads this "your say" page! "
Mackem in Exile (Sunderland fan)
"It's pretty clever from Southgate really - all this will do is either make sure the Spurs fans all let Redknapp know they don't want him (which is happening) in which case he'll be more likely to stay, or they'll end up paying more than he's worth. Southgate's clearly happy for him to be at Boro, but since they have a ready-made replacement in Adam Johnson if he does leave, they might as well try to get a significant payoff for him and strengthen other areas."
KingLedley26 (Tottenham Hotspur fan)
"rfc_478 - What a mug you are. How was your 2 year stint in the big league, do you remember it?"
KingLedley26 (Tottenham Hotspur fan)
"rfc_478 - What a mug you are. How was your 2 year stint in the big league, do you remember it?"
chillbanana (Tottenham Hotspur fan)
"Love the gripe from the Reading fan telling us to enjoy Chumpionship football next season. Nice one. All Spurs fans know we're not a big competitive club these days. We do however have more aspirations and offer better opportunities for players than Boro."
jimmyhedge (Tottenham Hotspur fan)
"Of course Southgate is going to say that, he's hardly going to say going to Spurs would be a great move for Downing is he?? And as for the Reading fan having a pop; we know what we are thanks very much. "
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