‘ Ryan Giles ‘

Middlesbrough are in talks with Wolves to sign Ryan Giles on loan for next season.

Boss Chris Wilder wants the 22-year-old to be his left-sided wing-back for the upcoming campaign having impressed at Cardiff City last term, Football Insider report.

Giles spent the first half of last season in south Wales, playing 29 times for the Bluebirds, laying on nine assists. Wolves recalled him in January but the Bluebirds were keen to bring him back to the Welsh capital. In the end, however, manager Steve Morison couldn't wait and he went for Alfie Doughty from Stoke City instead which had a mixed run of games.

I thought he was better during Mick's reign when he was more advanced. SM played him as a genuine wingback and he wasn't as effective.

Wingbacks are so en vogue at the moment but it requires special attributes. Drameh was a physical monster but Giles had more technical quality. IMO he is 442 wide midfielder but that's so old-fashioned at the moment, so an attacking midfielder in a 4231

I liked Ryan Giles when he was with us. He was for some time, literally, our ONLY natural winger and the only player with some pace in our team.

Morison is though recruiting players with pace and some flair. Looking at Tanner, Collins, Romeo, Adams, Daley-Campbell and O'Dowda, all outfield signings are quick and 5 of the 6 play out wide as either a winger or wing-back or full-back.

So while I wouldn't be adverse to Giles coming back, I am not too worried as we have numbers in there and while some of them are a bit unknown at this level, at least we will not be reliant on ONE loan player for all pace and guile in the team!

If he’s played in the right system then he’s one of the most dangerous players in this league. The reason he did well for us is because we played to his strengths. We had a lot of big men for him to aim for and therefore had more margin for error when putting it into the box. I think his finishing really let’s him down as an attacking outlet. A few chances spring to mind where he should have easily scored I.e Bristol city at home and the Jacks away in the first 10 mins. What a different story those games could have been if he had scored.

I think he looked better for us a lwb. His pace got us out of trouble on many occasions and he could still deliver a few dangerous crosses when he was given the space (he didn’t need much time to get the ball out of his feet and whip it in).

Whoever he signs for he will be an important part od their team and I don’t look forward to coming up against him either.