The Milner Novela... Final episode page 296

[caster troy]

We can't read too much into Milner's comments. Put it this way, even a die hard Villa fan playing for the club would have to realise that at some stage Man City might make an offer so huge that it would be impossible to turn down. He can't come out and say he's going nowhere because they could bid £50 million tomorrow and we could hardly say no to that given the players we could bring in with that sort of cash.

The key issues here will be our valuation of the player, and how much City are prepared to pay. If they meet our valuation which I imagine will be pretty big, he will go. If they fall short then Milner will have to make a decision. For now he can say nothing in the press and see how the bidding plays out. He may also wait to see who else comes in for him, although managers like Fergie won't want a bidding war with City.

I'd love us to make him a great offer, give him the captaincy and sign 2 top players in July that make him choose us ahead of money alone. Can't see it happening though.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Could somebody clear up once and for all whether Milner has an agent or not?

He has an agent. He worked with a PFA agent until he joined Villa.
I've heard from a trustworthy source that Milner's agent was in talks with Citeh a few weeks ago. I think it's more the agent touting Milner looking to cash in, rather than James requesting a move.

From page 6.
The only things to add to the above is the source is extremely trustworthy and they thought the agent was one of Ferguson's lads but couldn't confirm at the time. He did give me the name of his former rep at the PFA but I've forgotten who it was.

[not3bad]

This is my attmept to categorise all of O'Neill's signings.

Good at this point in time.
Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Delph, Milner, Young, Carew, Freidel, Cuellar.

Were good but stopped playing.
L Young, Reo-coker, Davies.

Jury still out.
Guzan, Downing

Unbelievably shit.
Beye, Shorey, Heskey, MFH.

Seems a bit harsh on Beye considering he hardly got a look in.

[pedro25]

And the club captain fits in where?

[boboonthecorner]

This is my attmept to categorise all of O'Neill's signings.

Good at this point in time.
Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Delph, Milner, Young, Carew, Freidel, Cuellar.

Were good but stopped playing.
L Young, Reo-coker, Davies.

Jury still out.
Guzan, Downing

Unbelievably shit.
Beye, Shorey, Heskey, MFH.

Seems a bit harsh on Beye considering he hardly got a look in.

Shorey too in my opinion. Arguably our best player at the end of 08/09.

With regards to Milner, why is it Villa players never ever say 'Yeah Im happy here and I intend to see out my contract'? I think when Barry left last year it took a lot of my interest in football away. If Milner goes then it will probably end it. If we're going to settle for 6th place every season theres no point even bothering. Might as well scrap the Prem and just have a european super league with teams that actually compete with each other......

[eastie]

Sadly I think the price on offer for milner will rise until we cannot refuse - if mon plays it right though he could get a couple of decent city players and a fair chunk of cash as part of the deal.

The key is whether man u will match what city finally offer but I couldn't blame milner for wanting to go and he would maybe treble his wages in the process.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

And the club captain fits in where?

Were good but stopped playing (normally from exhaustion around the 70 min mark).

[garyfouroaks]

I hear that Fabregas is unsettled.

[Concrete John]

With regards to Milner, why is it Villa players never ever say 'Yeah Im happy here and I intend to see out my contract'?

Probably because we'd take that as them fancing a Bosman in a couple of years and argue about whether we should cash in now or not.

[Concrete John]

Well, I'm saying they are bad signings John.

I know you do, but you're wrong.

And you still haven't answered this, by the way:-

And if he's so bad at signing players, how has he taken a relegation threatened side and finsihed 6th three times running?  It can't be the money if you think he's wasted most of it?

[Darcy and the Curtains]

I`d Be suprised if he joined city. No champs league, won`t win prem title
  next year and the manager could be gone by xmas  (  unless he            
  over achieves  ). Too unstable their.  In two years time they`ll be a force
  but not before ( see Chelsea a few years back ).                                  
                                                                                                           
  Mon can laugh at city but not at man utd. He can let city inflate the price,
  let utd turn milners head and play hardball ala G. Barry a few years back.
  We should then get top dollar or keep the player. Not the end of the world
  either way.

[boboonthecorner]

With regards to Milner, why is it Villa players never ever say 'Yeah Im happy here and I intend to see out my contract'?

Probably because we'd take that as them fancing a Bosman in a couple of years and argue about whether we should cash in now or not.

I'd have far more respect for them if they saw out the contract they signed. Although I'm sure none of them will lose sleep overt whether or not I have respect for them.....

In an ideal world Sky would go bust and the Premier League would implode but we know that aint gonna happen :(

[john e]

With regards to Milner, why is it Villa players never ever say 'Yeah Im happy here and I intend to see out my contract'?

Probably because we'd take that as them fancing a Bosman in a couple of years and argue about whether we should cash in now or not.

I'd have far more respect for them if they saw out the contract they signed. Although I'm sure none of them will lose sleep overt whether or not I have respect for them.....

In an ideal world Sky would go bust and the Premier League would implode but we know that aint gonna happen :(

Why do you want Sky to go bust ?
 Premier League Darts on thursdays is great

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

There is a world of difference between the Barry situation and Millners. Unfortunately, it may be the same conclusion. Everybody has their price.
If he did finish up leaving, from James Millners point of view a move to Man U would be far preferable for his career. Apart from MON he has had no managerial stability, instability could be expected to return going to Man City or Chelsea.
From our point of view, you never want you stars to leave but it can work to your advantage. Ron Atkinson was able to build a fine side with the help of money received for David Platt. On the other hand, it took us years to recover from Dwight Yorke leaving, perhaps we never fully recovered and got left behind at a vital time.

[hawkeye]

Well, I'm saying they are bad signings John.

I know you do, but you're wrong.

And you still haven't answered this, by the way:-

And if he's so bad at signing players, how has he taken a relegation threatened side and finsihed 6th three times running?  It can't be the money if you think he's wasted most of it?

£240million?