Have to agree with the above post General - Downing said he owed the club so much and hyped up the talks of a new deal, sadly according to this interview he's stalling and drops a hint he wants out to go to a club with Champions League football...sounds like someone has tapped him up, its obvious he is planting little seeds in the media for other clubs (Liverpool) to take notice.
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/9048541.Downing_in_England_fold_and_he_intends_to_stay/?
Struan Marshall is Steven Gerrard's agent by the way, so that could be a hint!
Barry, Milner, Ashley Young, Friedel (whos off to the scousers or Tottenham apparently) and now Downing, who do we have in the pipeline General? Or was the 5 year plan meaning to take it up the backside from clubs. AMBITION has now become so cliche I'm sick of hearing it - Maybe I can see why Doug sold the club to Randy.