The Milner Novela... Final episode page 296

[Chris Smith]

As always Chris, you'll see what you want to see.

And that differs from you, how?

I suspect that you haven't read the article I posted earlier, if you had you would see many people who have worked with Milner being unsparing in their praise for him both as a man and as a footballer. I'd rather base my views on that sort of informed opinion than on a couple of post match interviews.

In the same way that when Bellamy was getting the usual abuse on here I posted an article about his African foundation which gave me a completly different perspective from the over simplistic one picked up from how he is usually presented by the media.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

If only you were so open minded on Villa matters, Chris. (winky)

[hilts_coolerking]

I suspect that you haven't read the article I posted earlier, if you had you would see many people who have worked with Milner being unsparing in their praise for him both as a man and as a footballer. I'd rather base my views on that sort of informed opinion than on a couple of post match interviews.

I agree that this is the generally accepted view of what sort of bloke Milner is.

Which makes me wonder to what extent money is the major factor in a possible move to Man City.  He just doesn't strike me as the kind of bloke who is motivated only by money.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I suspect that you haven't read the article I posted earlier, if you had you would see many people who have worked with Milner being unsparing in their praise for him both as a man and as a footballer. I'd rather base my views on that sort of informed opinion than on a couple of post match interviews.

I agree that this is the generally accepted view of what sort of bloke Milner is.

Which makes me wonder to what extent money is the major factor in a possible move to Man City.  He just doesn't strike me as the kind of bloke who is motivated only by money.

If only the same could be said for his agent.

[David_Nab]

I suspect that you haven't read the article I posted earlier, if you had you would see many people who have worked with Milner being unsparing in their praise for him both as a man and as a footballer. I'd rather base my views on that sort of informed opinion than on a couple of post match interviews.

I agree that this is the generally accepted view of what sort of bloke Milner is.

Which makes me wonder to what extent money is the major factor in a possible move to Man City.  He just doesn't strike me as the kind of bloke who is motivated only by money.

If only the same could be said for his agent.

I throught he didnt have an agent ?Doesn't he have someone from the F.A who deals with his contracts ?

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I suspect that you haven't read the article I posted earlier, if you had you would see many people who have worked with Milner being unsparing in their praise for him both as a man and as a footballer. I'd rather base my views on that sort of informed opinion than on a couple of post match interviews.

I agree that this is the generally accepted view of what sort of bloke Milner is.

Which makes me wonder to what extent money is the major factor in a possible move to Man City.  He just doesn't strike me as the kind of bloke who is motivated only by money.

If only the same could be said for his agent.

I throught he didnt have an agent ?Doesn't he have someone from the F.A who deals with his contracts ?

Alex Ferguson's son, Jason is his agent. Before him, Milner was represented by the PFA,

[Rip Van We Go Again]

I suspect that you haven't read the article I posted earlier, if you had you would see many people who have worked with Milner being unsparing in their praise for him both as a man and as a footballer. I'd rather base my views on that sort of informed opinion than on a couple of post match interviews.

I agree that this is the generally accepted view of what sort of bloke Milner is.

Which makes me wonder to what extent money is the major factor in a possible move to Man City.  He just doesn't strike me as the kind of bloke who is motivated only by money.

It's not just money, he sees Man City as a much better bet than us for trophies and the Champions League.

[Greg N'Ash]

yep. can't imagine anyone would argue otherwise

[Mazrim]

If we get £25-£30m plus for this sponsorship deal, which is quite feasible

You reckon we're getting close to £10m per season? I'd be astonished if it were close to that.

I reckon £5m-£7m per year over 4 or 5 years is reasonable.

The OS says the deal is over 3 years. So £15m over 3 years is still a nice amount of money to play with and if it brings in another James Collins (or similar) each summer then it's certainly useful.

But it's hardly the realm of pushing forward with our new-found financial muscle.

It could be more than £15m and I didn't say it alone would move us forward but allied to selling the fringe players (circa £20m) and whatever Randy can add could possibly move us on a level.

The point being that we dont have to sell Milner and could still afford some considerable steps forward without taking Citys money.

[Dave]

It could be more than £15m

It could also be less than £15m.

[Mazrim]

It could be more than £15m

It could also be less than £15m.

True, although I've heard it isnt, for what its worth.

Its not vital either way. Whatever it is, it will help a lot.

[KevinGage]

As always Chris, you'll see what you want to see.

And that differs from you, how?

I suspect that you haven't read the article I posted earlier, if you had you would see many people who have worked with Milner being unsparing in their praise for him both as a man and as a footballer. I'd rather base my views on that sort of informed opinion than on a couple of post match interviews.

In the same way that when Bellamy was getting the usual abuse on here I posted an article about his African foundation which gave me a completly different perspective from the over simplistic one picked up from how he is usually presented by the media.

That's great, more power to you.

It still doesn't alter the fact that Milner's main motivation for quitting Newcastle is because he felt a contract that was perfectly acceptable and worth committing to for four years in 2007 was beneath him in 2008.

So there is clearly a precedent. Clubs come in with bids = Milner believes his wages should automatically shoot up. Milner joined us for £12 million in 2008 and signed on the dotted line for a wage reported  to be in the region of £40-45k. By 2010 his value has more than doubled so should it automatically follow that his wages should be what,  £100k+ now?
And if we don't pay that we're not valuing him highly enough?

Why not? He can surely make the argument that clubs are willing to pay close to £30 million for his services now, so his wages should fall in line with the increased valuation.

Great if he can swing it, fair play.
But spare me the naive and sentimental claptrap that Jimmy is somehow  different. It sounds like the yampy and delusional outpourings of a girlfriend about to be ditched.

I really don't see how it's a grey area, or open to misinterpretation.
If you choose to go the route of ignoring the words that actually came out of his mouth there is clearly no reasoning with you.

[KevinGage]

Milner wanted to be paid in line with other first teamers, Newcastle refused.

Not just first teamers Mark.

I doubt very much he'd have agreed a new long term deal with them in 2007 for a wage more in keeping with a reserve or youth team player.  This was no rookie being taken advantage of.

He wanted parity (or very close to it) with the top earners, the senior players like Duff, Martins, Smith and co in 2008 despite only being 22. As was reported at the time. He  felt he was worth it because other clubs were coming in offers. We can debate whether his contribution for Newcastle justified such an increase so soon after a new contract had been agreed less than 12 months previous ( I'd personally say it probably did, though they were just entering a period when cutbacks were kicking in.)

Fact remains that he handed in a transfer request when he didn't get his way and moved to a club who would give him the pay increase he felt he merited.

Why is it so inconceivable to some that he's more than capable of doing the same again?

[Rudy Can't Fail]

He wanted parity (or very close to it) with the top earners, the senior players like Duff, Martins, Smith and co in 2008;

I never knew that. I remember him saying he played every first team game but was being paid like a kid/reserve.

Fact remains that he handed in a transfer request when he didn't get his way and moved to a club who would give him the pay increase he felt he merited.

I doubt, even now, he's earning anything close to what Newcastle were paying Duff, Martins, Smith and co in 2008.

Why is it so inconceivable to some that he's more than capable of doing the same again?

I think the fact that he's a Yorkshireman should not be overlooked and goes a long way more to explaining things, especially compared to some other aspects of his flawed character you've highlighted.

[ozzjim]

Is the figure of this deal (sponsor) somewhat silly to be discussed as a lump sum, as it will simply be 4/5 million a season, which will help wages wise, but not going to add a huge wedge to MON's transfer budget realistically.

And if we are offered 30 million Milner will go, he is a professional and should go, if I were playing for Everton and was offered the deal being offered to Milner I would take it. If he grew up a Villa fan it would be easier to pull on the loyalty card, but he didn't and the modern game means money talks.