POLL - Has Vieira Still Got What it Takes?

[Original Dub]

To make it in the premier league...

Obvously we can only speculate, but I'm going for a no - I thought he was beginning to falter in his last season or so and I haven't seen him as outstanding too often in the slower Serie A.

What you think?

[MaineRoadMemories]

No idea! Its a gamble but I'm sure we'll find out very quickly after his first couple of games to see if he has the legs.

Lee Dixon said it took Vieira longer to recover than any other player at Arsenal after a match. I can only see him been used sparingly.

[Beeks]

In the short term of his loan deal...without a doubt

[Original Dub]

No idea! Its a gamble but I'm sure we'll find out very quickly after his first couple of games to see if he has the legs.

Lee Dixon said it took Vieira longer to recover than any other player at Arsenal after a match. I can only see him been used sparingly.

Well I suppose that's the key - he'll be back up, more or less I think. Thing is, I think some believe we are getting the old Vieira who's gonna boss the midfield and take premier league games by the scruff of the neck on a regular basis and that's the part I can't see happening TBH.

I fucking hope so, but I doubt it.

[Blue Blood]

On the back of what i saw today, absolutely. He'll slot back into the league like he's never been away.

A big yes from me.

[edge275]

Yes.

[BlueSince72]

Yes, for cover and the experience he will bring on and off the pitch.

He's still only 33 which is not "pass it"...players look after themselves very well these days and carry on playing a lot longer than they did 20 years ago. I'm sure he'll be fit as a fiddle with Inter's training methods.

[Original Dub]

Yes, for cover and the experience he will bring on and off the pitch.

He's still only 33 which is not "pass it"...players look after themselves very well these days and carry on playing a lot longer than they did 20 years ago. I'm sure he'll be fit as a fiddle with Inter's training methods.

So why was he not good enough for them then?

[13021J]

On the basis of todays game these Inter fans certainly think so:

http://www.inter.it/aas/partita/mc?idpa ... gelle&L=en

[saulman]

I voted yes simply because if Mancini wants him, then so do I.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Yes, for cover and the experience he will bring on and off the pitch.

He's still only 33 which is not "pass it"...players look after themselves very well these days and carry on playing a lot longer than they did 20 years ago. I'm sure he'll be fit as a fiddle with Inter's training methods.

So why was he not good enough for them then?

Jose seems to disagree with you as he made it quite clear it wasn't his decision.

And we aren't signings some perma-injured never was for nearly 20m but giving one of the most succesfull footballers ever 6 month contract.

[yorkieblue]

Nope

[Blue Toy]

I have full faith in Mancini, but if I'd read about Vieira joining a less glamorous club say Portsmouth or even Bolton, I would have probably just thought to myself "not a bad signing for a struggling team".

I just can't get excited about it.

[The Man In Blue]

And we aren't signings some perma-injured never was for nearly 20m but giving one of the most succesfull footballers ever 6 month contract.

well put - we will know within 20 minutes of his first game whether he can still cut the mustard. if he can, mint. if not, he'll be back up for the rest of season and will be fucked off in the summer.

i cannot see how we could lose on this deal.

[Mr Miyagi]

I think some believe we are getting the old Vieira who's gonna boss the midfield and take premier league games by the scruff of the neck on a regular basis and that's the part I can't see happening TBH.

I agree with this. So I voted no.
The only plus point I can see is the "off-the-pitch" side of things. And a player with Vieira's reputation will help attract more star players.
But in strict footballing terms I don't see what he will add.

[ENIAM NAM]

I have no idea, but i do know that if there was a poll like this for bellamy before we bought him, the majority wouldn't have wanted him, so i am happy to see who comes in and make my judgement based on their performances in a city shirt!

[The Man In Blue]

But in strict footballing terms I don't see what he will add.

what happens if NDJ or Barry (or both) have an injury lay-off for a month or so? who, from current squad comes in?

who else could we sign with his pedigree who would not upset the balance of the MF? ok, say we went all out and signed mascherano or yaya toure. mint - but one of Ireland, Barry or De Jong would have to go. and i personally think Baz and Nige are the heartbeat of the side when fit.

Vieira will not play every game, but we dont need someone to play every game. we need quality cover - and this is how i think vieira will be deployed.

[Mr Miyagi]

Vieira will not play every game, but we dont need someone to play every game. we need quality cover - and this is how i think vieira will be deployed.

If he is being bought as "quality cover" how does that match his stated ambition of wanting to get into the French World Cup squad? He wants a guarantee of first team football, that he isn't going to get at Inter. Vieira is not moving to be a bench warmer.

[kinkylola]

Im going with yes.

I know he is getting on in the years, but his experience alone is invaluable. He has been places and done things that no other midfielder in our team has come close to yet and that alone would be worth it in my opinion. Also there is the fact that while some people would argue that he couldn't oust stevie/NDJ/Barry from the midfield ... what happens if/when any of those three get injured? Vieira, while certainly at the tail end of his career can provide cover, and I believe quality, to a midfield that definitely needs reinforcement. I would view him as another version of Hamann when we had him ... but with a bump up in quality.

[BobKowalski]

I am not sure I am bothered anymore than I was 'bothered' with the signing of Sylvinho. If we sign Vieira it is more about him slapping the medals on the table and telling the rest this is how Mancini wants it done and 'did I mention I went a whole season in the PL unbeaten?'

I was pretty much agin the idea of Hughes signing anymore players in January on the basis we have a very good squad and can't we get this lot to play together first and I am of the same mind with Mancini. No doubt he will sign some players because all new managers do but if he restricts himself to a couple of seasoned pros and buckles down with the squad we currently have I'll be happy and even a bit impressed in a "new manager works with existing squad shock" kind of way.

Actually as this poll will probably run longer than Vieira's contract I am struggling to summon the enthusiasm to even fin...