The Milner Novela... Final episode page 296

[GullyFoyle]

Eh! Whoops! Sorry, thought I was on the James Milner thread. Must need new galoshes.

[MoetVillan]

I guess I am the only one on this site that wouldnt be disappointed if Heskey was still here in August?  (Unless there is a replacement thats better of course)  I dont want him going without us replacing him with someone that can control long balls, bring midfielders into the game, and generate pages of H&V discussion

[KevinGage]

I want him gone.

He's not the worst player in the world, but it will be like a festering sore for as long as he's on the books.

Ivanhoe can't help the fact that when we had a genuine chance of cracking the top 4 in Jan 09 the manager went the route he did.

He's game enough, a trier (though I believe he's selective as far as his effort is concerned and conserves his best energy for England) and all the rest of it.

But few sides can carry a forward who poses less of a goal threat than a typical centre-half. We're certainly not good enough to carry such a player. We don't score anywhere near enough goals from other departments to make it even a worthwhile debate. Getting down to brass tacks, Ivanhoe hasn't exactly helped our other forwards or midfielders fill their boots either.

[Legion]

Do you think this thread could get back to discussing the awesome James Milner, please?

[Californian Villain]

Do you think this thread could get back to discussing the awesome James Milner, please?

OK then.

I'm thinking that Milner will be staying now - after his performance against USA, he'll be lucky to get on the pitch again at the WC. and Citeh should have crossed him off their list of targets by now.

[Legion]

Thanks.

I think he'll play again. He had been suffering from a virus.

[Californian Villain]

Oh yeah, the virus....I think this is a load of **** to cover up what was a really awful performance: two touches of the ball and committed two fouls in 30 minutes.

The focus has been on the goalkeeping blunder - and rightly so - otherwise Milner would have been torn to pieces by now.

[TheSandman]

Regardless of whether or not he has a good world cup I'm not totally sure he'll be leaving... In fact I think he will stay in the end.

[Dave]

Oh yeah, the virus....I think this is a load of **** to cover up what was a really awful performance: two touches of the ball and committed two fouls in 30 minutes.

Even thought he was well-reported to have had the virus all week?

Maybe the media and the England camp assumed he was going to play badly and made up the story well in advance to cover it up?

[Grande Pablo]

Credit to Milner that Capello was soon keen to play him ahead of Joe Cole & SWP irregardless of his physical condition.  I wasn't the right move though.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Really dont think Milner will get another game. Barry holding mid-field and Gerrard, Lampard + Cole to assist the forwards .............

[MoetVillan]

I think he will get another game or two, probably as sub.  Capello rightly sees his awesomeness.  I think the game the other day was just one of those off days.  He was so keen to do a good jb, its almost as if he tried too hard, remember him at VP 2008-09 season.  Trying his heart out, but end product not quite right.  It will come.

[Merv]

Felt sorry for Milner on Saturday. Clearly not fit, he's then used wide left and out of position, then hauled off after getting booked. He looked like he was breathing out of his arse. A very un-Milner like performance.

To be honest, and I know it's early days, I've been very disappointed with Capello so far in this World Cup. Didn't agree with his final squad, found his tactics and selection for the USA game very odd.

Fingers crossed James recovers and gets a second crack at it. I'm sure he'll feature again.

[Rancid custard]

I'm leaning towards him staying now, for another year anyway. MON will do what he did during the first rumblings of the Barry Liverpool saga, scare them off with a huge price and make a couple of promises to James. A new striker and maybe midfielder with maybe the promise of captaincy, don't get me wrong, Stan's been a great captain but as many have said he gets tired around 60 minutes, we need someone who can perform for all 90 minutes, whether MON has the balls to make the call is a different matter.

[Concrete John]

I'm leaning towards him staying now, for another year anyway. MON will do what he did during the first rumblings of the Barry Liverpool saga, scare them off with a huge price and make a couple of promises to James. A new striker and maybe midfielder with maybe the promise of captaincy, don't get me wrong, Stan's been a great captain but as many have said he gets tired around 60 minutes, we need someone who can perform for all 90 minutes, whether MON has the balls to make the call is a different matter.

I think that's a dangerous tactic for a player who will have one year left on his contract by summer 2011.  With Barry it cost us about £5m (Liverppol went to £17m in 08 and sold for £12m in 09), but with Jimmy that could be £10m+, which I don't think we can afford to ignore.

Either he signs a new contract or we take the oil money!