The Milner Novela... Final episode page 296

[abc123cox]

So, what of this announcement regarding James Milner then?

i have no idea troy, thats all he said to us, i have another 9 mates all heard him say the same...

[Rancid custard]

I've just read Shay Given throwing more fuel on the fire in this mornings red tops.

[pendinevilla]

ps get down villa for the England / Villa shirt combo, it looks mint and at £15.00 not bad price.

Are they being sold on line? I have had a quick look and couldn't see one.

[SoccerHQ]

He left a few years back (maybe immediately after Randy came in?) but I'd assume he'd still know people and what's going on.

he was at the players entrance gate, he had a villa tie on and when we asked him what he was doing he said he was still working in communictaion with the villa!

he spoke about deadly's son he also still works at villa!

Oh dear, wait until Gregnash reads this!

[cb]

I've just read Shay Given throwing more fuel on the fire in this mornings red tops.

Clearly Given's got little enough to be doing this summer.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

£20m + Hart and Ireland and they can have him.
Although my first preference is to keep him as I don't want our myopic manager wasting the proceeds on the likes of Cole, Zamora and Doyle.

[TopDeck113]

That'll be Shay 'Soon to be Citeh's number 2 keeper' Given, I suppose?

[Mazrim]

£20m + Hart and Ireland and they can have him.
Although my first preference is to keep him as I don't want our myopic manager wasting the proceeds on the likes of Cole, Zamora and Doyle.

I dont want him to go and the thought annoys me but, done.

[Monty]

£20m + Hart and Ireland and they can have him.
Although my first preference is to keep him as I don't want our myopic manager wasting the proceeds on the likes of Cole, Zamora and Doyle.

I dont want him to go and the thought annoys me but, done.

Disagree. There's no point in getting Ireland without having Milner, as we'd be left with the same problems with the lack of creativity, especially in depth. At best we'd be standing still. We need to add to Milner, because even he, on his own, is clearly not enough.

There is the argument that we'd get the £20m as well as Ireland with which to buy more creativity and replace Milner further. Well, I say that we cannot replace Milner, especially if we are seen to be selling him to a competitor. Selling him to Man Utd or Real Madrid would be a different matter, but if we are selling him to Manchester City, there would be a clear sense that we are distancing ourselves from our rivals for fourth, especially after Modric signed his new contract, and players wouldn't want to come here.

Also, swap deals are incredibly sticky. They're only really done if both sides wanted those players anyway, and would have gone in for them regardless (Zlatan-Eto'o is the uber-example). If MON doesn't want Ireland, for whatever reason, he shouldn't sign him and won't sign him, and that's that.

[Concrete John]

Also, swap deals are incredibly sticky. They're only really done if both sides wanted those players anyway, and would have gone in for them regardless (Zlatan-Eto'o is the uber-example). If MON doesn't want Ireland, for whatever reason, he shouldn't sign him and won't sign him, and that's that.

Yes they are.  Player A needs to want to sign for club B and club A has to be prepared to sell him.  Then add to that that Player B has to also want to join club a.  A lot of links that should one not click the deal is off.

That having been said, should Milner leave then I'm sure Martin would see Stephen Ireland as a potential replacement.

[Mazrim]

Well, Ive often said that I'd prefer to see Milner play WITH Ireland but if we are thinking of selling Milner then Ireland (circa £10m) Hart (the best young keeper in the league, possibly the world) and £20m would represent fantastic business. Probably too good to refuse.

The question would be, could we replace Milner for £20m. Well, maybe not exactly but we could buy players who would suit us. Kallstrom for instance is on a free this summer and then maybe a top defensive midfielder with amybe some left over for a new right back. That's without us spending a penny of our own kitty.

I restate, keeping Milner is my first choice but selling him needn't be the disaster I first thought it to be, if we got the sort of deal Fletch mentioned. Quite the contrary.

[Risso]

The question would be, could we replace Milner for £20m.

If we get Ireland, we'd already have done.  With a better player as well I reckon.

[Legion]

I prefer Milner over Ireland. Wouldn't say no to Joe Hart signing for us, either.

[Ads]

The question would be, could we replace Milner for £20m.

If we get Ireland, we'd already have done.  With a better player as well I reckon.

I think he’s a better attacking central player. The obvious downside is that we lose a hell of a lot of industry. As long as we bring in another central midfielder to replace the ineffective Sidwell, and who can complement Ireland, then we’ll be stronger.

Throw in a top right back, a couple of strikers and another midfielder and we'll be well away.

[JJ-AV]

Ireland is no better or worse than Milner IMO.

What Milner gives us in hard work and endeavour Ireland will make up for in creativity and an eye for a pass.

Ireland will give us that creativity we lack in the home games.

/

I just wish we'd get an announcement soon, I was gonna get a Milner England shirt for the World Cup, but shall opt against if his future isn't sorted.