The Milner Novela... Final episode page 296

[pauliewalnuts]

If Milner does depart, it would present us with the opportunity to sign a player (or two) to reshape the midfield and give it a better balance. Maz mentioned Kallstrom, there is also the Danish lad who plays for Wolfsburg (Kahlenberg). They would be more orthodox CM's (though can play wide). Then you have someone like Diame who would be more of a defensive midfielder, or Hleb/Bentley who are better out wide. Finally someone like Ireland who would be better as a link between the midfielders or forwards.

None of those are similar to Milner, but any two of them could offer us more variation and ideas in the middle of the park. Lets be frank, even with Milner on board last campaign we struggled in that dept, particularly at home.

If we got Hleb in, it would go a long way to getting over the disappointment of losing Milner.

[supertom]

Kallstrom has consistently been inconsistent. He's as talented a player as Sweden have, bar Ibrahimavic, but he's never done the business. He's hardly been a regular for Lyon over the seasons either, nor the National side for that matter.

Good player, but you'd have to seriously question his attitude. He is too slow as well. Barry is a slow runner that's true but he has quick fit, and can get himself out of tight spots. He's played for 13 years in the top flight, so he knows the ropes.

Not in a million years would O Neill sign Kallstrom. Too risky. I personally think he'd offer some guile we lack, but how often is debatable.

[KevinGage]

As long as MON doesnt come out and say " I absolutely think Sidwell can replace young James , I didnt want to lose him but steve Sidwell will be terrific in his position "

There might be a few tipped for the door this summer that might remain.

Davies for one. I still think there is a decent player in there, and I'd be pretty certain he could be one of those players we regret letting go if he does the business elsewhere. In fact, I'd say he's the most likely out of all the players linked with a move away who would fall into that category.

NRC might stay. As much to give himself better options in 12 months. As a free agent I could see a number of sides taking a punt on him, sides we might even think are better than us at present.

But Sidders and Shorey should be on the way out, please god.
And I can't see Beye sticking around either.

We might not get big darts for any of that trio, but their departures should give us more room for manoeuvre as far as the wage bill is concerned.

[Clampy]

we survived, yes.  thought we were aiming higher than that nowadays

We are, and i'm sure that's the club's aim too, but if a situation arises where a player wants to go elsewhere and we're being offered silly money, sometimes you have to move them on.

[Matt Collins]

I really like the Mexican no 3 too - Salcido. Plays for PSV. He does seem quite two footed, so not sure if he can play at right back . . .

I have a feeling Milner may stay, but if not, Ireland and Hleb would soften the blow considerably. And I'd definitely go 4-5-1 in that instance.

[Mazrim]

Kallstrom has consistently been inconsistent. He's as talented a player as Sweden have, bar Ibrahimavic, but he's never done the business. He's hardly been a regular for Lyon over the seasons either, nor the National side for that matter.

Good player, but you'd have to seriously question his attitude. He is too slow as well. Barry is a slow runner that's true but he has quick fit, and can get himself out of tight spots. He's played for 13 years in the top flight, so he knows the ropes.

Not in a million years would O Neill sign Kallstrom. Too risky. I personally think he'd offer some guile we lack, but how often is debatable.

What on earth are you talking about? Do you have the right player? He plays loads for Lyon and has 78 caps for Sweden and he's only 27.
And he is not slow.
How can signing Kallstrom on a free be risky? How many Scandinavians struggle in the PL?

And sorry peter, we would have to pay him something. That's how it works.

[john e]

if Man City dont buy him,
 theres no way Man Utd will pay 25 mill for him, dont know about Chelsea but i would suspect not.

[supertom]

Kallstrom has consistently been inconsistent. He's as talented a player as Sweden have, bar Ibrahimavic, but he's never done the business. He's hardly been a regular for Lyon over the seasons either, nor the National side for that matter.

Good player, but you'd have to seriously question his attitude. He is too slow as well. Barry is a slow runner that's true but he has quick fit, and can get himself out of tight spots. He's played for 13 years in the top flight, so he knows the ropes.

Not in a million years would O Neill sign Kallstrom. Too risky. I personally think he'd offer some guile we lack, but how often is debatable.

What on earth are you talking about? Do you have the right player? He plays loads for Lyon and has 78 caps for Sweden and he's only 27.
And he is not slow.
How can signing Kallstrom on a free be risky? How many Scandinavians struggle in the PL?

And sorry peter, we would have to pay him something. That's how it works.

He's spent a lot of time on the bench for both. Not so much in the last year since Juninho called it a day, and in the absence of Larsson and Ljungberg for the nationals. But he's never fulfilled his promise, by any stretch.
I personally wouldn't mind him, but O Neill just won't go there. Plus, would he be happy with anything less than top dog status? I don't think he'd appareciate spells on our bench, nor do I think we can afford to carry him in bad spells.
But on a free, I suppose he's as good as there'd be out there in the freebie market.

[Moorski]

You are looking at a straight cash deal for Milner.

[JUAN PABLO]

Milner decided to leave, over a month ago..

[Mazrim]

Says who?

[JUAN PABLO]

Says who?

Trust me Maz

[Dante Lavelli]

Juan Pablo can you give us a clue who has told you that Milner will leave?  No names like, just confirmation that your certainty is based on information passed to you rather than a strong hunch.

[ROBBO]

The main reason Milner was better in the middle than on the wing was his lack of pace, he could never beat a defender on the outside. Better players have left us and we survived, no player is bigger then Aston Villa.

[IFWaters]

1. Why didnt we sign him up to a longer deal ? 4 yrs seems very short to me for someone who we all knew was going to be class. We are now in a position after only 2 years of sell now or take a loss on his maximum value.

2. Getting quite sick of the moneybags effect - its not like he's moving to a bigger, better side (same goes for Chelsea). It really is starting to feel like its you have to be owned by a gazillionaire or forget it nowadays.

3. The money recouped needs to go (primarily) on finding new talent - maybe a bit on someone like Keane, but 3/4 of it should go on players aged 19-23.