Micah Richards - Released

[Yossarian]

We need someone who can raise the bar amongst the squad and especially the back line. Richards can do that and he's a leader.

I don't want any of our defenders raising the bar; it makes it easier for the opposition to score.

[rafter]

He's having a medical on Tuesday.

[kippaxvilla2]

He is very fast and physically very strong.  Both these factors more than compensate for his apparent lack of height.

[villan from luton]

He is superb in the air, load of tosh. Still cannot believe some Villa fans are thinking he is not a good signing, he is a class player and seems a winner to me

[pauliewalnuts]

He is superb in the air, load of tosh. Still cannot believe some Villa fans are thinking he is not a good signing, he is a class player and seems a winner to me

In which case, lock the thread.

Definitive judgement has been reached.

Thanks for letting us know.

[kippaxvilla2]

Anyone remember Tosh Lines from The Bill?

[olaftab]

We need someone who can raise the bar amongst the squad and especially the back line. Richards can do that and he's a leader.

Sorry but where and how has he proved that?

[Ads]

He's always seemed very vocal on the park and we know he's a winner, because he's got the medals to back it up. I agree with Silhill in that respect.

The more mentally strong players we can have out there, of genuine quality like Richards, the better.

[olaftab]

I have no problem with this signing and should improve us but let's not hype him up too much. I have seen no evidence of leadership or winner mentality from him. He may have "won" a medal as being part of a very very talented squad but he was quite happy to sit on his arse (apart from loan spell with Fiorentina)  and see out his his lucrative contract with city and that's not leadership.

[Nastylee]

Given his playing history and where the club is placed currently then this is a good signing. Only his injury record can spoil it.

[Clark W Griswold]

Its certainly one that you can't guarantee will go well, but fingers crossed. Is a total outlay of around £12m over four years (for arguments sake) really that much of a risk these days for a 26 year old former England international defender who i think we would all agree looked like one of the best young defenders in the league a few years back?
He has time on his side, unlike Joe Cole who we signed last summer, and could play for us for the best part of a decade if it goes well.

[claret and blue blood]

Our new McGrath ?

[Percy McCarthy]

Our new McGrath ?

I'd say he's more like McGrath, Laursen, James Cowan and Frank Barson rolled into one.

But I agree with olaftab, let's not hype him up too much.

[N'ZMAV]

Our new McGrath ?

seriously?

[john e]

Our new McGrath ?

seriously?

Rory