Mata

[Roboklopp]

It's done scum no harm at all of late having players like Ronald, Rooney, Tevez & to a lesser extent Berbatov & Giggs.

Similarly, Lil Luis and Benni were important players for us. We haven't replaced Benni really.

[Rich]

I think Mata's game is to drift while Downing is much more likely to stay out wide.

I think that's why we've gone for Stewie over Juanie.

[Roboklopp]

Cannot read that name without it being said in a Lois Nu Joisey accent in my head nowadays...

[Harv]

So what is Downing better at than Mata? Mata can be a Downing type of player if he need to be it and be better at it. Can Downing be a Mata type of player. No.

How many years left at the top for Downing? Say two or three. How many years left at the top for Mata? Say seven or eight.

Mata would simply been the better signing. He would have offered us more short and long term.

If he want to leave in three years time or so then we would almost certainly be able to get £25m+ for him. Downing will most probably be finished as a starting XI player at a top club at that time.

**** i hate you Arn.

[wiw]

What's a 'Downing type player' exactly?

A not top quality winger, who doesnt have electric pace, doesnt skin defenders and isnt anywhere close to being world class?

If so, bingo - we've got one!

But he is quick, and you don't have to skin defenders every time do you he knicks half a yard by using his brain ( ) and gets the ball in the box.

[Roboklopp]

Bit of an overreaction.

[Harv]

But he is quick, and you don't have to skin defenders every time do you he knicks half a yard by using his brain ( ) and gets the ball in the box.

Yeah but he's English Will, and has a boring name.

[wiw]

Yeah but he's English Will, and has a boring name.

Silly me

[Harv]

He'll prove a lot of people wrong. He's a solid player, a very solid player....and a player that is going to make others better. Andy Carroll for instance.

Mata's not a classic winger. No matter what Arn says. He can't play the same way as Downing.

[CJ]

if mata plays like downing as arn suggests does that make mata ****?

[Craig_H]

Think you are being harsh on him

One thing Downing is, is an out and out winger who has good delivery (Beckham never had electric pace or got past people yet he could put in great crosses)

Whilst Mata is a far better player technically I'm none convinced that hes an out and out winger

Hes a winger in the same manner that Garcia was, ie not a winger

Could Mata play out wide most probably, could he be as effective as he is inside - I'm not sure. Is he what we need out wide - again I'm not sure

Pennant is an out and out winger too, doesnt mean we should re-sign him. Downing can put in decent delivery, no doubt. I just want a bit more from wide players. And interesting that you mention Beckham - he wasnt an 'out and out winger' but he did alright for himself. Mata, winger or not, would play out wide and do a better job of it than Downing IMO, because out and out winger or not, Mata is infinitely better player than Downing and no amount of posts on here are going to make me rate Downing more than i rate Mata.

But he is quick, and you don't have to skin defenders every time do you he knicks half a yard by using his brain ( ) and gets the ball in the box.

He isnt my idea of quick. And i still dont know what a 'Downing type player' actually is, or means.

I very much doubt many of us were on the edge of our seats, gagging to see the club sign Downing a year ago.

[Nick77]

The bottom line is this - 21 million Euros is less than what we paid for Downing & Mata is a superior player to Downing (in ANY position), furthermore Mata is younger than Downing. I can understand if Mata chooses not to join us but I can't understand us not bidding for him at all - in fact it would ****ing infuriate me!!

[Shaggy]

It'd be ****ing galling if Spurs signed Mata.

[Craig_H]

It'd be ****ing galling if Spurs signed Mata.

But why? We've got Downing

[Cormack74]

It'd be ****ing galling if Spurs signed Mata.

It would but then again Spurs being Spurs he'll be off somewhere else next year.