Mata

[Mostar]

He'll do well where ever you put him.

Something like Silva.

[SB]

He'll do well where ever you put him.

Something like Silva.

[BrooklynRed]

seriously, if this club only waits for mid-tier English players because they adapt and then pays over the odds for them, I will be very very dissatisfied. I want to know who questioned Mata's adaptability. Pure **** that philosophy; I'll defend going after value targets, but being blind again on real talent because of this myth will push me over the edge.

Sport cliches; how many years have I listened to this bull****? Same arguments over and over again. If Comolli buys into this bull**** point of view he should go, as the game has passed him by.

[SimonNo7]

seriously, if this club only waits for mid-tier English players because they adapt and then pays over the odds for them, I will be very very dissatisfied. I want to know who questioned Mata's adaptability. Pure **** that philosophy; I'll defend going after value targets, but being blind again on real talent because of this myth will push me over the edge.

Sport cliches; how many years have I listened to this bull****? Same arguments over and over again. If Comolli buys into this bull**** point of view he should go, as the game has passed him by.

You're right about not going for a player purely on the 'will they adapt' line but the fact remains some players do need time to adapt, usually a season (roughly), Ronaldo, Malouda and Overmars to name but a few.

[The_weatherman]

seriously, if this club only waits for mid-tier English players because they adapt and then pays over the odds for them, I will be very very dissatisfied. I want to know who questioned Mata's adaptability. Pure **** that philosophy; I'll defend going after value targets, but being blind again on real talent because of this myth will push me over the edge.

Sport cliches; how many years have I listened to this bull****? Same arguments over and over again. If Comolli buys into this bull**** point of view he should go, as the game has passed him by.

What if it's Kenny who prefers Downing to Mata?

[cream]

What if it's Kenny who prefers Downing to Mata?

In that case, it's ok.

[SB]

What if it's Kenny who prefers Downing to Mata?

Sack Kenny then cause he's lost the plot

[Muddled]

I'm going to believe we're after Mata and the reason we are stalling on Downing, is because we are seeing if we can get Mata - we get Mata, we leave Downing high and dry.

Mebbe.

[SB]

I'm going to believe we're after Mata and the reason we are stalling on Downing, is because we are seeing if we can get Mata - we get Mata, we leave Downing high and dry.

Mebbe.

High Fives all round

[Exiled_red]

I'm going to believe we're after Mata and the reason we are stalling on Downing, is because we are seeing if we can get Mata - we get Mata, we leave Downing high and dry.

Mebbe.

I was hoping the same thing

[Shanks]

Sid Lowe on TS

Lowe:
There isn't any chance of Aguero going to Liverpool but Juan Mata could join..

Two main issues for him not coming..
Price and PL experience..

http://www.talksport.co.uk/radio/all...ata-could-join

[cream]

I think we're after both Mata and Downing, not one or the other. Mata to increase the quality of the first eleven, Downing to increase squad depth and give us options.

[SimonNo7]

I think we're after both Mata and Downing, not one or the other. Mata to increase the quality of the first eleven, Downing to increase squad depth and give us options.

I think this is a possibility too. Time will tell.

[BrooklynRed]

What if it's Kenny who prefers Downing to Mata?

I think it is one thing to only be looking for one LW player and to prefer one over the other; Downing is a quality player on the wing, chips in with goals and assists and would be a fine addition, IMO. I could understand if, looking at each of them, you might find things you like about one over the other. But not because one is "foreign" and "will he adapt" and he "costs more"-- the reason Mata would cost more to any club is because he is a better and more dynamic player than Stuart Downing. Everything Downing does, Mata will do better, especially if Kenny wants to bring back the pass and move of old (which seems clear). So, if Kenny actually prefers Downing for footballing reasons, I think it's a suspect decision but I'll trust in him to deliver results. If it is for mythological footballing reasons he can't know-- "adaptation," which, if I would have been asked, I would have guessed David Silva would have struggled with the physicality of the Premiership-- I think we have a philosophical problem as a club.

Seems to me the press in particular love jumping on this meme (Rafa only buys foreigners, etc), but if you're giving me the choice of Downing or the possibility fo someone with David Silva-like ability on the wing, I'd roll the dice for Mata any day. I don't worry if Mata would adapt-- in my head, we are building our team around Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll getting goals and Gerrard pulling the strings. I worry more about Downing in that scenario than Mata.

And I STILL prefer Arda Turan, who could be had with a bid.

[dww]

I think this is a possibility too. Time will tell.

I would have though that the expense of Downing would make this impractical. That's not to say I think it is a bad idea. I suppose it would make more sense if we decided to sell Ngog and not add an extra specialist forward to the squad.