Quote: Pemps "For me a truley great player is someone who can change a game single handed. Farrell, Hanley, Kenny, Edwards, Gregory, Offiah, Robinson, Miles, Barrett, Tomkins even Carney showed this ability. Richards doesn't. I can't remember him beating a man one on one with a dummy, drop of the shoulder, step or putting someone through a gap with a short or cut out pass.
A great player? Not for me. He has been a very good player and a great ambassador for the club in his 8 years though (well, the last 7 of them anyway). Nice fella too.'"
This.
The only thing I would add is that I rate Richards as an outstanding professional and that will be the biggest hole he will leave.