The Milner Novela... Final episode page 296

[PaulWinch again]

Liverpool could never afford him. Ludicrous.

[Monty]

How do they keep a straight face whilst inventing this bullshit?

Man City I could understand because of the money involed. Man United because of the cachet involved, and the likelihood of bothering silverware on a regular basis.

But Liverpool? That must surely be up there with a return to Newcastle in terms of likeliness to happen.

In fairness, they did say it was his "dream move", so it must be true.

[Mazrim]

My God, the articles really are nothing but tripe now aren't they?

Greg, if you're to be our newshound, any chance you can quote where the articles are from?

That last one smells of Mirror.

[Villa'Zawg]

He joined Chelsea in 2001.

For someone with a fetish for stats, you aren't all that when it comes to facts and figures, are you?

So, a West Ham stalwart, the same age as Milner was this season, scored 7 goals in 54 games for Chelsea that season and finished 6th on 64 points.

What's your point?

[Greg N'Ash]

My God, the articles really are nothing but tripe now aren't they?

Greg, if you're to be our newshound, any chance you can quote where the articles are from?

That last one smells of Mirror.

soz, notw.

[KevinGage]

Liverpool could never afford him. Ludicrous.

I think there may be a degree of logic to it.

If he genuinely dislikes Manure as much as is suggested (personally I'm not sure about that one, it's one thing to have a childish dislike of a team as a youth born and raised in Leeds. Quite another to turn down the offer of competing for the best trophies at one of the few clubs where you're practically guaranteed honours.) then Liverpool are possibly the next best thing.

Famous club, solid tradition. Having a bit of a 'mare with the current owners. It would still appeal to many, the idea of being part of the movement that returns them to their former glories.

Moreso that joining a club like Citeh, who have had years of wilderness but now are throwing money about like typical nouveau riche desperadoes.

But their well documented financial difficulties precludes them, I'd have thought. Even if MON pitches up there. Unless there is a buyout before the end of August.

[Greg N'Ash]

Sunday papers are full of stories saying Gerrard is leaving so i'm guessing thats the reason they'd want him and have the money to afford him.

[KevinGage]

He joined Chelsea in 2001.

For someone with a fetish for stats, you aren't all that when it comes to facts and figures, are you?

So, a West Ham stalwart, the same age as Milner was this season, scored 7 goals in 54 games for Chelsea that season and finished 6th on 64 points.

What's your point?

Ok.

So he joined Chelsea in 2001?
Help me out on this one stat fans, but  2010 -9 = 2001. Is that right?

So that's nine years ago.

He's what, 31?
So he joined Chelsea nine years ago. 31-9= ...

I have 22 years old, what does everyone else have?

From about 2002 onwards he was a key player for them. Not playing in different positions, not being rotated. The focal point of that side. 2003 seven years ago (24 years old) he was a vital part of that Chelsea side despite Abramovich rocking up and firing £50 pound notes at their rivals.

Even giving you the (extremely generous) latitude of discounting his early contribution to that side based purely on goals scored (7 and 8 in his first two seasons), how to you arrive at the conclusion that Jimmy is better than both Fat Frank and Steve G-bag at the same age?

This will be Steven Gerrard who was an England regular by 2001 (aged 20),  played an instrumental role in Liverpool's treble win that same year and bagged a EC by the age of 24 (virtually dragging them back from the brink in the final single-handedly).

I admire partisan, one-eyed support on all things Villa. But your argument just doesn't stack up.

[Villa'Zawg]

He joined Chelsea in 2001.

For someone with a fetish for stats, you aren't all that when it comes to facts and figures, are you?

So, a West Ham stalwart, the same age as Milner was this season, scored 7 goals in 54 games for Chelsea that season and finished 6th on 64 points.

What's your point?

Ok.

So he joined Chelsea in 2001?
Help me out on this one stat fans, but  2010 -9 = 2001. Is that right?

So that's nine years ago.

He's what, 31?
So he joined Chelsea nine years ago. 31-9= ...

I have 22 years old, what does everyone else have?...

Date of birth  21-06-1978

Chelsea PL debut 19-08-2001

What do you make it now?

[KevinGage]

By jove, he's cracked it.

I take it all back.

For the difference of a few months James Milner is indeed better than Frank Lampard, Steve Gerrard, Maradona and the Chinese boy Emperor Pǔyí at the same age.

Not impressed, VD.

Must try harder.

[Villa'Zawg]

By jove, he's cracked it.

I take it all back.

For the difference of a few months James Milner is indeed better than Frank Lampard, Steve Gerrard, Maradona and the Chinese boy Emperor Pǔyí at the same age.

Not impressed, VD.

Must try harder.

Yeah, i can see how you won that argument, what with Maradona and the emperor and all.

[Percy McCarthy]

I'm fairly sure that when Martin brings in the removal men to re-locate this site to the new server he'll find a considerablle number of lost marbles where the settee was.

Heard similar claims before, when I said Liverpool will drop out of the top 4... Gabby will convert from a winger and make it as a centre-forward ... Milner will make a good centre-mid...

I realise it sounds smug, but when you are called a crackpot it's very tempting to remind people of it.

Well, as I remember it, you were predicting meltdown for Liverpool rather than an exit (which may be temporary) from the top four.

Converting Gabby from a winger to a centre forward is a bit of a weird one as he really only played one season out wide in the first place.

Milner had already played centrally for Newcastle several times (and their fans wanted him played there more often) and played there in his last game for them before joining us, at Coventry, where he excelled, and scored.

Other than that, I shall will you on to predict us to win the league next year, just in case you really have got something.

You remember wrong. I said Liverpool would struggle to maintain the differential between themselves and financially healthier clubs  with their huge debt, plans for a new ground, and crowds that are nothing special for a club with their history, and would have to make some tough choices about paying their debts or competing. As I remember it, you said that at the first sign of them not finishing top 4, there would be a line of billionaires queueing round the block to bail them out. My answer to that was that a relatively debt-free club like Man City would perhaps be more attractive to a potential buyer.

This was what had you, Fletch and Dave Woodhall queueing up like a line of billionaires waiting to buy Liverpool, calling me a nutter, and a bit thick basically.

The Gabby stuff, I said in the summer before MON arrived, venturing that he would establish himself in the first-team as a winger, and end up a striker when he got stronger. Suggested Milner signing for us as a centre-midfielder while he was still at the Toon. 'He is NOT a central midfielder', said the sages who often educate us with their 'he is not a right-back/play people in their correct position'-type 'wisdom'.

In an case, we all venture so many opinions on here that we're bound to get some right. It was just the dismisal of mine as pie-in-the sky dreaming and a basic lack of understanding re: the eternal supremacy of Liverpool, that irked so much.

[PaulTheVillan]

So Milner has told friends he wants to
go to Liverpool.

Surely he isnt that fucking stupid?

[LeeB]

Delph will be better than Milner, and not far off as good as Gerrard.

This is the bit where you go and see a head doctor

There's a good chance he'll be right IMO.

I happen to agree also.

[Yossarian]

Point of order: Milner, just like The Kaiser Chiefs, is not from Leeds but from Harrogate. I am not sure if Man Utd hatred is as big in Harrogate.