The Milner Novela... Final episode page 296

[dublinfran]

Welcome aboard dublinfran.

Cheers mate..

[TheSandman]

I genuinely think hyperbole of my last post aside that the thought process goes like this

1. Hmm £130K a week...
2. They have lots of money and are signing players with good reputations like Toure and Silva.
3. Because of this they have a far greater chance of winning things.
4. See ya!

To be utterly and depressingly honest we genuinely can't compete with that. I'm a supporter and even I believe Man City have far more chance of winning things next season and would be very surprised if we finished above them. In my opinion we need one or more of a number of things to get above them. We need one of: A manager who is totally brilliant and can work minor miracles (Really not sure the incumbent is that man); A player who no one else is scouting that can provide such undeniable quality he can drag the club to the next level (Snorts derisively at any suggestion Milner is that good... He may be awesome but we need someone a level or two higher); Massive investment or finally and possibly most likely other sides such as Man City, Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal to under perform. Whilst the latter is most achievable it is the least within our control.

[Greg N'Ash]

think if he goes, we can guess there's'no exciting signings joining. i'm sure he'll ask what mon's plans are before making a decision.  my guess is he'll hear the transfer target list and run a mile

Whilst I frequently agree with you, I think you've upped your level of gloominess to insupportable levels recently, Greg (your posts have been a bit like being stuck in a lift with Ronnie Irani whilst Muse are blasted in at top volume of late. No offence).

However, on this one, you've touched on a decent point. Last year we were told Barry was sitting down with MON to hear his plans. He left. This year we've heard Milner is doing the same. If he leaves, is it about the plans not ringing true?

Or is it all purely about money? And if it is about money, it is surprising to hear it from a player many have touted on here (me too, probably) as being "not the type to be all about the money".

Maybe the players aren't all that convinced by the club's vision? Just a thought.

players go for ambition first, money 2nd (hence citeh haven't attracted any mega-stars). like barry, milner will sit down and decide whether citeh's signings, or possibly a summer of the likes of keane will be the best bet. i think we all know the answer

[KevinGage]

I see what you're saying, but just because Citeh look the better bet (and they undeniably do at the moment) doesn't mean it will pan out that way.

You often see better organised and happier teams achieving more than a collection of highly talented individuals. This WC has shown that countless times.

[Dante Lavelli]

I genuinely think hyperbole of my last post aside that the thought process goes like this

1. Hmm £130K a week...
2. They have lots of money and are signing players with good reputations like Toure and Silva.
3. Because of this they have a far greater chance of winning things.
4. See ya!.

I completely agree with your list.  I just wish the FA/Capello could sometimes act as the players' conscience on their other shoulder:

"go to man city and not play XX games and you'll no longer be in the England Squad.  We want you playing every week and that is more likely at Villa."

If Capello has a hope in hell of discovering a decent team then he's going to have to start throwing his weight around and upsetting the bigger clubs by discouraging young up and coming players to sign for "the big 4".  Today it's Milner, yesterday Scott Parker, SWP, Sidwell and to a lesser extent Barry.  All stalled their careers by joining a big club (too early).

This of course assumes that the players see representing their country as a privilege and winning the world cup as the pinnacle ambition for a footballer.  Hmmm I see where I've gone wrong...

[Greg N'Ash]

i know i'll be accused of wanton doom again but i can't imagine citeh finishing below us especially if they have milner. if selling your best players helped in the long run then arsenal would have won the premier the last 5 years and they have a far better ability to attract quality replacements then we have

[JJ-AV]

It's getting to the stage where I'd be very dissapointed if we kept him.

Keep him and we plod along in 6th-8th.

Sell him and we can completely revamp the whole team and come back a new force. Atleast we'd have a bit of excitement. It's a policy that's worked for some of the top clubs in the big leagues all around Europe and has worked for Spurs the last few years.

£28million, bite their hands off. Replace for a third of the price, and add the right back and new centre forward we're craving.

[Greg N'Ash]

rarely works out that way jj.

[JJ-AV]

It does for Spurs, Sevilla, Lyon, Porto etc. Don't think it's nailed on we'll improve with the money, but I'd back MON to spend it wisely.

If his targets are the likes of Ireland and Keane to replace Milner and Heskey, no matter what you think of those players you can't argue they're players who keep the ball of the floor. Along with Warnock, Collins and Downing coming in, it's obvious he's trying to make us a better footballing side.

Atleast that's something positive, that the signs are he's looking at a different approach?

[Greg N'Ash]

and there's the rest it ain't worked for


ho hum. another day, another story


City prepare final bid for Milner as Villa postpone contract talks with England winger - Exclusive
Published 23:01 06/07/10 By James Nursey
Recommend

Aston Villa have postponed contract talks with James Milner as they await Man City's latest bid for the England midfielder.

City had an opening offer of £18million plus £2m in add-ons rejected by Villa at the end of the season.

And Villa are now braced for another approach from City despite the Eastlands club signing midfielders Yaya Toure and David Silva last week.

Villa held initial contract talks between Milner, 24, boss Martin O'Neill and owner Randy Lerner before the ace went to the World Cup.



Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Manchester-City-transfer-news-City-prepare-final-bid-for-James-Milner-as-Aston-Villa-postpone-contract-talks-with-England-winger-Exclusive-article517851.html#ixzz0swxs623J

[ozzjim]

The Star are claiming this morning that Martin is holding out for 15, Ireland and Onourha. I would be well pleased with that as a deal.

[eastie]

The Star are claiming this morning that Martin is holding out for 15, Ireland and Onourha. I would be well pleased with that as a deal.

So would I !

[TimTheVillain]

Yep, I'd be pleased with that deal too.

I just want it done and dusted now so we can prepare for next season.

[Mazrim]

It's getting to the stage where I'd be very dissapointed if we kept him.

Keep him and we plod along in 6th-8th.

Sell him and we can completely revamp the whole team and come back a new force. Atleast we'd have a bit of excitement. It's a policy that's worked for some of the top clubs in the big leagues all around Europe and has worked for Spurs the last few years.

£28million, bite their hands off. Replace for a third of the price, and add the right back and new centre forward we're craving.

Why would we plod along 6th-8th if we keep him?
We can buy players without selling him and add to him. Its not like he's stinking our team out. All we need to do is keep him and add a couple of quality players which is quite possible.

Of course, if he does go we can take the opportunity to change things around and freshen it up, I know what you mean. But keeping Milner is still a very good idea by my reckoning. Especially if Man City take the piss and dont meet our valuation.

[Mazrim]

Ireland , Onuoha and £15m is acceptable.

Ireland, Hart and Richards wouldn't be too shabby either.