The Milner Novela... Final episode page 296

[KevinGage]

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.

That's where we'd probably differ a wee bit Mark.

I wouldn't necessarily see him looking for (and eventually getting in a roundabout way) the pay increase he received in 2008 as a character flaw.

It's run of the mill standard practice for footballers and top flight footballers in particular nowadays. Outside of club loyalty we as fans have, if we were in a fortunate enough position to do so in our own careers I'm sure most would.

I just object to the notion that Jimmy is somehow different to the majority of footballers as far as club loyalty and finance is concerned.

[eastie]

It's similar to lescott last season , he was quite happy at everton but once he realised the money on offer at city for wages and players he soon decided he wanted a part of it- who wouldn't?

Milner would be crazy not to want a part of what city can offer, it is hard to accept but without significant spending we will fall behind the big spenders, if the milner cash is spent well it could be to our benefit as when platt was sold!

[BannedUserIAT]

Seems to me that many are drawing the conclusion that, as he asked for more money at Newcastle, he's a typical mercanary footballer.

I'd spin it a different way and say that if Milner is happy here, then I'd suggest that, provided Villa offer a salary package in line with his peers at the club, he could well be staying with us.

[hawkeye]

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.

i agree the reason we will are under pressure to lose our star players is because we are a top 6 not top 4 team, we seem to be happy to accept our place in the second tier of the PL and we have a manager than can virtually garauntee that

[Ross]

Indeed Troy. I think Milner's attempt for higher wages at Newcastle was for parity. There were plenty of others earning twice as much and doing half the work Milner was.

I get pissed off knowing some people I work with earn more and do less. He has earnt the right to be one of our top earners, and I am sure he'll be offered a fair deal. We'll see whether that is enough in due course.

If I were Milner, without affiliation to Villa that we all have, I'd be take the cash at Citeh. No problem at all.

[Mazrim]

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.

Not really. Although the sponsorship money will come in the form of annual payments there's nothing to stop Randy giving that money to MON to spend up front, knowing its going to come in anyway.

[hawkeye]

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.

Not really. Although the sponsorship money will come in the form of annual payments there's nothing to stop Randy giving that money to MON to spend up front, knowing its going to come in anyway.

Sponsorship deals are usually connected to success including league position and progress in the cups, there is a base fee for the shirt advertising etc but the real money comes with cup success

[Rich]

I feel suicidal reading this lot.
I'm sure his decision will be primarily about what suits his career best in the long term - maturing as a player, money, caps, trophies e.t.c. are all part of that and he may well be served best at Villa at this time rather than risking warming Man City's bench amongst a load other highly paid competition. I'm sure he's smart enough to realize it's not as simple as some on here would make out.
For us what suits us best is probably not selling our best players to our immediate competition.
What a bunch of pessimists we are.

[old man villa fan]

It's similar to lescott last season , he was quite happy at everton but once he realised the money on offer at city for wages and players he soon decided he wanted a part of it- who wouldn't?

Milner would be crazy not to want a part of what city can offer, it is hard to accept but without significant spending we will fall behind the big spenders, if the milner cash is spent well it could be to our benefit as when platt was sold!

Players' views of Man City now could well be different from 12 months ago.  The view then could have been, 'spending all this money, they can't fail'.  Whereas now it could be, 'they may not succeed based on the evidence of last season'.  The slight difference in views may well be the difference between players going to Man City or to other clubs.

Milner still has a long career in front of him and he is still not an established international player.  He could go to Man City and spend two years in and out of the side, with a knock-on effect on his development.  He has time on his side to stay with Villa and further develop into a top player so that when he does move on to a top club he is an automatic selection for the team.  No doubt there are people advising him differently, saying "it's your chance to play in the CL and earn an extra £50k a week".  Whether these people have his best interests at heart is open to debate.

[Dave]

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.

Do all Yorkshiremen like to keep things grim and settle for enough money to keep them in whippet food?

Or is it just like all Scousers having a great sense of humour?

[Mazrim]

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.

Not really. Although the sponsorship money will come in the form of annual payments there's nothing to stop Randy giving that money to MON to spend up front, knowing its going to come in anyway.

Sponsorship deals are usually connected to success including league position and progress in the cups, there is a base fee for the shirt advertising etc but the real money comes with cup success

These would be considered bonuses and besides, all contracts are different. They can be specified in whichever way suits both parties.
There may be some incentive for league position or cup success or there may be none, but the great likelihood is that the bulk of any deal, this deal will be a fixed rate for advertising the name on the shirt. That is after all the point of the deal.

[Dave]

So basically, there's no point arguing about what is or isn't in the small-print of our new sponsorship deal as nobody on the forum actually knows?

[phantom limb]

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.

Do all Yorkshiremen like to keep things grim and settle for enough money to keep them in whippet food?

Obviously not but I think that it is now universally agreed that the purpose of their being is that at some point they must don a flat cap and push a bike up a long cobbled hill while the Hovis music plays in the background. Even superhumans like James Milner are not exempt from such things, and I'm sure that his time will come. God help him.

[Mazrim]

So basically, there's no point arguing about what is or isn't in the small-print of our new sponsorship deal as nobody on the forum actually knows?

I'm not particularly fussed what's in the small print but rather what a fairly significant cash injection could mean to our plans for next season and the summer.

But, whilst we're on the subject, there are people who are claiming to know some details and I have heard something of them but, with respect to those person(s), I'm going to wait and see how true they are before properly commenting on them.

[BannedUserIAT]

...No doubt there are people advising him differently, saying "it's your chance to play in the CL and earn an extra £50k a week".

When did the FA bring in this new ruling that Man City are playing Champions League? I must have missed it with all the World Cup Hubub.

Since that Sinatra fella came into Man City, everyone has been saying that they're a certaintly for CL football and yet, through various managers and untold fortunes, they've not cracked it.

I know, I know, they'll do it next year.

Yeah, right-oh.