Riera

[Rudo]

On the subject of wingers, i've always quite liked Stewart Downing.

Not lightening quick but he's skillful, he stays wide and he delivers a great cross. Can play both sides too.

[Kenneth]

Definitely blows hot and cold. ()

He seems to go missing for weeks on end and then strings a few good performances together. He still cuts inside too often too.

[Craig_H]

I reckon danperkins probably rates him highly

[Rudo]

Definitely blows hot and cold. ()

He seems to go missing for weeks on end and then strings a few good performances together. He still cuts inside too often too.

I rate him dude, i really do. To me he seems to lack a little belief but with the right Club, Manager and team-mates i reckon he would show his full potential on a regular basis.

Had a few bad injuries in the last few years but he seems to be back on track this season.

[Kenneth]

Worth the £12m Villa paid?

[Craig_H]

In the context that a world class winger would probably cost about £25m+, then a decent but 'nothing special' winger for £12m seems about right, in the highly inflated idiotic market that is football transfers.

[dww]

I can't decide on Downing he would be a decent call for an English Riera. However I would worry that after initially talking him up after very limited time in the the England set up he was discarded by Capello. I'd think that around £8m-10m would be the right value for him. If we had a team where that was the only problem I think he could be good value at the £12m Villa paid.

The trouble with having a manager like Hodgson who can bring the worst out of anyone is that it is hard to think of players who would make a difference. Particularly when restricted to realistic targets.

[Gibbo]

In the context that a world class winger would probably cost about £25m+, then a decent but 'nothing special' winger for £12m seems about right, in the highly inflated idiotic market that is football transfers.

Where would you stick Bastos on that scale Craig?

[Craig_H]

Where would you stick Bastos on that scale Craig?

Difficult to say at this stage, as he hasnt yet tested himself outside of Le Championnat other than when he was a kid playing in Holland - but he's certainly an exciting player and he'd fetch big money if/when he leaves Lyon. He also has the added benefit of being a prolific goalscorer (for a winger), which (if he could reproduce it in a stronger league) would make him one of the top left wingers in the world.

Big if though. And you'd be forgiven for thinking he'd be more likely to 'make it' in La Liga, than he would in the PL.

If you were asking about transfer fee, i think he'd top £20m if he was to move.

[Lee]

Riera is a good player.

Not world class, not amazing, but one of the better left-sided players that we've had in recent years. He's another player that I'd have back instantly

[Craig_H]

Happy birthday too fella.

[Lee]

Happy birthday too fella.

Thanks geez.

Wrong thread though

[Craig_H]

I do thing my own way

[Rudo]

We just need a winger that gives us natural width, that has a trick or two and can deliver a mean cross and/or shot...is that so much to ask for?

[red g]

I do thing my own way

including making your own birthday thread