Gaz Baz

[Roboklopp]

The point is we are at the stage where we need a player of top quality to add to the 1st team attacking unit, not a squaddie. He needs to be up there with Steivie and Nando near enough, not just a squaddie. Noone can argue the Downing is that good.

[dww]

The point is we are at the stage where we need a player of top quality to add to the 1st team attacking unit, not a squaddie. He needs to be up there with Steivie and Nando near enough, not just a squaddie. Noone can argue the Downing is that good.

I'm not sure that is the case actually. I think the impact of the likes of Riera, Kuyt and Benayoun this season shows that players of that ilk but that give the right things to the team and the options he desires to Rafa can be as useful as obviously world class players.

I do quite rate Downing but I don't think that (unless we sell Riera) he brings the right qualities that we need. I think we need to add pace and a genuine wide right option and another player capable of scoring goals to the mix.

[Pablo]

Downing has been absolute garbage every time I've seen him this season. Boro's only decent player this season has been Tuncay. If we were talking about £3-4m as a squad player maybe he'd be an option but you'd be talking £10m+ and theres absolutely no chance at that price. Lets Spurs have him!

[Roboklopp]

I'm not sure that is the case actually. I think the impact of the likes of Riera, Kuyt and Benayoun this season shows that players of that ilk but that give the right things to the team and the options he desires to Rafa can be as useful as obviously world class players.

I do quite rate Downing but I don't think that (unless we sell Riera) he brings the right qualities that we need. I think we need to add pace and a genuine wide right option and another player capable of scoring goals to the mix.

I know you're mot sure cos you'ev said it before at least once.

I don't doubt that those players are invaluable. However, hate it tho we all do, the blueprint for success is the Scum & Chavs, who have more than just the 2 big hitters. We've seen the effect our big 2 have on the opposition defences even when they are off form- the defenders brick it & focus their attentions on them which frees up space for the others. I dont think it is a coincidence some of our other players are finding the net more often now Nando is back.

Any effect of such a player is exponential. What we really lack is a player who can beat a man with trickery & pace. Riera has the former, not the latter. I love Kuyt & the job he does out right, which is why I think we need to look at this player to be on the left with Riera as back up. I think we can cope with that on one side, but we really need more incision on at least one flank.

[dww]

I know you're mot sure cos you'ev said it before at least once.

I don't doubt that those players are invaluable. However, hate it tho we all do, the blueprint for success is the Scum & Chavs, who have more than just the 2 big hitters. We've seen the effect our big 2 have on the opposition defences even when they are off form- the defenders brick it & focus their attentions on them which frees up space for the others. I dont think it is a coincidence some of our other players are finding the net more often now Nando is back.

Any effect of such a player is exponential. What we really lack is a player who can beat a man with trickery & pace. Riera has the former, not the latter. I love Kuyt & the job he does out right, which is why I think we need to look at this player to be on the left with Riera as back up. I think we can cope with that on one side, but we really need more incision on at least one flank.

But people keep saying we need top class players so I'm going to keep disagreeing as I'm a stubborn sod.

I think that the likes of Kuyt this season have shown that they can contribute as much as say Tevez, Berbatov or in terms of goals Rooney even. I think we still lack pace/acceleration as a squad but for example I think someone like Valencia (maybe even Lennon) would provide what we lack without necessarily being world class.

I think people are undervaluing how well Benayoun and Kuyt have done in terms of goal getting and creating this season. The way they have played this season they really deserve to be thought of as in the category of players who are considered 'big hitters'. If anything I think over the season our problem has come from defensive areas and in terms of playing the games in the right areas of the pitch. These problems to my mind come from problems in the back 6 (defined here as the back 4 + two deep lying CMs). Some of those problems I think were unfortunate in that Agger's injury robbed us of our most technically gifted CB and the Olympics ruined Mascherano for the first half of the season. Others though such as the fact that Arbeloa is not the sort of fullback who bombs forward and the fact that all of our CMs (Mascherano, Alonso and Lucas) tend to like to come onto the play from deep and not play so much in the final third and (possibly as a consequence of those factors) don't score many goals.

I think that the effects of the right player is always exponential and it is not necessarily always the best players that have the biggest impact. Carrick to United (when he first went) being a prime example. He is not a world class player but he was exactly what they needed.

The number of players with the attitude and ability of the likes of Torres can be counted on one hand in all likelihood and many of them play for clubs where we couldn't get them. I think we have to look for either players on the way up or ones that offer the right attributes we are missing and the right attitude but who are a step below world class.

I agree we need another forward capable of scaring defenses if Torres is out but we actually did pretty well in terms of points gained when he was out. I can imagine the likes of Nemeth or Ngog stepping up at least to the point where we have someone who can make the team work in the same way as when Torres plays.

I really struggle to see how we would accomodate many of the players talked about such as Aguero or Van Der Vaart without compromising the most effective part of our team which is the Gerrard - Torres axis and none of these top line players would be willing to sit on the bench.

[Mattshark]

If Alonso leaves and i really hope he doesn't then Schweinsteiger of B Munich would be a better option than Barry imo

Not really in the same position though are they. Swchweinsteiger is a winger, not a cm.

[gentingfrmhell]

i would lovvvee to see barry coming in. firstly, this would take away villa's captain. ok top four secured. i believe he would provide us with quality depth with alonso staying n lucas moving.

[MrsB]

O'Neill opens door for Barry

By James Dall, 1st May 2009
Sky Sports

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill would not stand in Gareth Barry's way should the midfielder desire a move to a top-four side.

After a hugely protracted saga last summer, Barry ultimately remained at Villa Park despite strong interest from Liverpool.

It is reported the Reds could make a fresh bid for his services at the end of this season, with Villa all-but out of the running for a UEFA Champions League berth.

O'Neill would still prefer to keep the England international in the Midlands, but confirmed on Friday he will allow Barry to leave if he so chooses.

The Villa boss said on Sky Sports News: "If he wanted to go this season, having asked previously for the extra year, then I wouldn't begrudge him that opportunity to go if a top-four side has come in.

"So from that viewpoint, that is something that has remained pretty constant.

"The overriding aspect is of course that we would love him to stay at this football club and I think that would be a great boost if that was the case.

"But I have not given it any more consideration."

[Neil Young]

If true, this is good.

[Joe King]

We don't want Downing - he is a one trick pony. No, let me rephrase that, he is a donkey. He is an English version of Riera. No, let me rephrase that. He is worse than Riera - that says something about his 'ability'.

We need David Silva - someone who has guile, trickery and creativity which we have lacked against some of the smaller clubs who park the bus.

[Will]

Barry 1 year left on his contract? if so then no more than 10mill considering we sold crouch for 10mill to pompey with only a year left on his deal. Adam Johnson is a better winger than Downing and has way more potential and can play left or right and runs with the ball. Id rather Johnson than Downing and i think Johnson is still a teenager or might just be 20. Pennant will be off on a free this summer so we do need more english players for the european campaign. David Wheater as 4th choice centre half? he will only get better and especially with someone like Carragher to partner and mentor him. I seen that Lucas alledgedlly in the Daily Mirror is leaving for 6mill with italian and spanish clubs intrested, how about Tom Huddlestone to take his place? maybe not

[DannyMan2006]

Am I the only person on this forum that rates Downing? I think he would be a great addition. I challenge anyone to go to Boro and try and stand out, and I think he does. They totally lack creativity and edge but anything that is produced tends to be from him. Get him in a bigger team, some room to develop further and I think he'll be even better. Alright, he's not Messi but other than the obvious who is?

I would definitely not be disappointed if we signed Downing (although it seems bizarre with Riera being here already). Same for Barry, although I'm at more of a loss as to where he would fit in than I was with Tevez.

I think Downing would only be brought in if Riera was to leave. I think they are of similar ability, but Downing is younger, has a better cross on him and is English. Riera has more fancy flicks and is more adapt at keeping the ball in a tight situation. Personally I'd be happy to see Riera leave for £8m and Downing brought in for £10m.

I think we've seen the levels that Riera is likely to achieve, with Downing I think there is alot more to come. He is and never will be a Ronaldo or Messi, but not many are. But he'd be an improvement and is one who can progress.

If on the other hand we have mega bucks then maybe we can look at bringing in Frank Ribery.

[Whelan5]

I haven't seen his name mentioned anywhere but what about McGeady from Celtic. I know he's only playing (sometimes!) in Scotland at the moment but his performaces in the CL and internationally suggest he can make the step up.

He is gettin more consistent as he get's older and has huge potential, very tricky on the ball with a cross that's getting better and is 2 footed, also very quick off the mark so can go by his man with both pace and skill. Reckon he could be available for less than £10m.

Definitely would prefer him to Downing. Thoughts?

[Parm]

I haven't seen his name mentioned anywhere but what about McGeady from Celtic. I know he's only playing (sometimes!) in Scotland at the moment but his performaces in the CL and internationally suggest he can make the step up.

He is gettin more consistent as he get's older and has huge potential, very tricky on the ball with a cross that's getting better and is 2 footed, also very quick off the mark so can go by his man with both pace and skill. Reckon he could be available for less than £10m.

Definitely would prefer him to Downing. Thoughts?

didnt he have some disciplinary problems this season?

[Whelan5]

didnt he have some disciplinary problems this season?

Had some sort of falling out with Strachan but don't think it was that major from mcg point of view and never heard of any issues with Ireland.

Bit of controversy over the w-e with him as he was dropped to the bench for the old firm game but most journalists/fans are having a go at strachan for that.