Riera

[Vermilion]

I think Ian Wright just remembers the silly passes Riera played when still in our third of the pitch. And I believe he meant weak link in defence, not overall.

Personally I have no problem with Riera, though I will reserve full judgement on him until the end of the year. It would be unfair on him other wise. So far so good though.

Maybe, bit unfair to describe him as a weak link at all imo though, after all he's not a defender.

But yes, a while yet before he's regarded as proven.

[DannyMan2006]

His ability to hold on to the football in tight areas is impressive. I always think he is going to lose it, brilliantly uses his body as a shield, a small trick and he is away from them. One of the slickest footballers I have seen.

He should be the next James Bond. Whenever he is cornered and enemies shoot at at up he would just control the bullets with his left feet, drop of a shoulder, one or two stepovers and run past them and escape.

Now there's an idea!

Already been done.......... Kind of

http://megadrivecorner.co.uk/markos-magic-football-sega-megadrive-game-p-12.html

[Matt]

If Arbeloa is a waiter, Albert Riera looks like a classical musician.

I can imagine him in his tux playing the cello.

[glynner]

And to think we could have had Stewart Downing instead

[pondus]

And to think we could have had Stewart Downing instead

True, it's a ****ing disgrace!!! Parry needs to go

[Roboklopp]

Aye, the ball just seems to stick to him- I remember him looking like he'd lost it yesterday, but sticking his foot behind him & still breaking into the pen area & delivering a quality ball in.

My mate was right- he isnt very pacy & that does matter a bit, but he's still a top quality addition & draws extra opposition players to him, which leaves more space for the likes of Stevie, Nando & Robbie in the middle.

[slimbimjim]

We just need Joaquin on the other wing...

[Guest]

thats probably because the last fan club on here belonged to the pony tailed turd.

riera has been a pleasant surprise, i'd love him to destroy chelsea today in the manner kewell destroyed chelsea in the cup a few seasons ago.

I'm on your case to make you eat your words and I'll be relentless till you really do it. How can your 'opinions' be taken with any serious hint of credibility when you dismissed his signing as being a poor one!

Riera has proven that he's a top top class player. I don't reckon having seen a player as skilful as him patrolling our left wing since err ... Johnnie Barnes!! He's always been very skilful even at Man.City, but he was probably a little bit lightweight there. He did impress me when City beat United at the time as he tormented Gary Neville.

[SB]

We just need Joaquin on the other wing...

If Joaquin thought he had something to prove like Riera obviously fely he did, then I'd love him to sign. Rafa would know about his temperament so if he's fired up then we mat go in for him.

TBH when we were in for Riera I thought Rafa was stark raving mad. He'd failed in his last attempt (so so maybe? ) and no-one else except the bitters were chasing him so why would we even consider him?

Fair play to Rafa though and I'm happy to eat humble pie.

[Nicey]

Everytime he gets the ball I expect him to do something positive with it .. and I think the defenders he is playing against fear him because he takes them on with ease .. a fantastic player and does not look out of place .. he has quickly made the left wing position his own.

I am very very happy with the squad of players we have now .. Qwality all over the park .. and nice balance too

[yukpo]

Having been totally unimpressed with him at City, I was extremely sceptical about his signing, but he has completely proved me wrong so far and I am absolutely delighted about it.

agree with shaggy, so happy he came and not barry.

imagine had barry come in and alonso left?

[Guest]

agree with shaggy, so happy he came and not barry.

imagine had barry come in and alonso left?

How do you know that Barry would have been signed to play on the left??? I think he was signed to play in Xabi's position as it would have been a straightforward swap. We still would have signed Riera.

[Kenneth]

How do you know that Barry would have been signed to play on the left??? I think he was signed to play in Xabi's position as it would have been a straightforward swap. We still would have signed Riera.

Buying Barry for 18 million and selling xabi for about 13/14million, would we have spent the extra few million to get Riera? No idea.

[Craig_H]

I'm on your case to make you eat your words and I'll be relentless till you really do it.

Get a life fredo.

How can your 'opinions' be taken with any serious hint of credibility when you dismissed his signing as being a poor one!

Oh the irony.

Riera has proven that he's a top top class player. I don't reckon having seen a player as skilful as him patrolling our left wing since err ... Johnnie Barnes!! He's always been very skilful even at Man.City, but he was probably a little bit lightweight there. He did impress me when City beat United at the time as he tormented Gary Neville.

Riera has been very good. Your posts are better when you stick to the topic and leave out the point-scoring.

[Norbs]

Having been totally unimpressed with him at City, I was extremely sceptical about his signing, but he has completely proved me wrong so far and I am absolutely delighted about it.

I would never have bought West Ham's Mascherano either.