The Milner Novela... Final episode page 296

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Exactly as I see it, Mazrim.
I'd hope that freeing him up will give him more time to spend with the players. It's where his focus should be.

[Chris Smith]

sorry John, but I'm certain something HAS changed.  The General always made such a big point of telling us how closely O'Neill and Lerner worked together.  Quotes like:

"Whatever they come up with, we will go with. I am not going to be running around dictating. If you own a football club, you can do what you want with it."

don't seem to indicate that that is the case any more.

Ten days ago the General said "Randy has NOT lost his passion for the Club or has he lost his vision of the goal he has always set for the Villa. He has spent more time in the UK in the last 2 months than he has ever done before...he has been focused on the Club and has been working closely with MON."

Doesn't look like anything has changed to me but that won't stop people reading into it what they want to believe.

[Mazrim]

I dont think there can be any doubt that Randy works closely with MON. They have to. They need to.

[ozzjim]

They do indeed, and that would still be the case if MON is doing less of 'everything' and more or specified managerial tasks. Chris, you have a unique ability to turn a blind eye to what others see, and it is clear from the comments there has been a shift, and certainly IMO a positive one for the club that MON is having to take a more advisor and not direct negotiator type roll where transfers are concerned.

[Des Little]

Does anyone know if Jimmy's 'bad back' is any better today?  If it is, get him sold sharpish

[Chris Smith]

They do indeed, and that would still be the case if MON is doing less of 'everything' and more or specified managerial tasks. Chris, you have a unique ability to turn a blind eye to what others see, and it is clear from the comments there has been a shift, and certainly IMO a positive one for the club that MON is having to take a more advisor and not direct negotiator type roll where transfers are concerned.

You have a far from unique abiloity to take a titbit in the press and turn it into a fully formed theory.

There might have been a change in policy, who knows, but MON not being involved in negotaiting the size of the transfer fee gives no evidence to support it and there is equally nothing to back your claims that he's somehow going to be upset by it. It's what you want to believe therefore it is the truth.

[Risso]

sorry John, but I'm certain something HAS changed.  The General always made such a big point of telling us how closely O'Neill and Lerner worked together.  Quotes like:

"Whatever they come up with, we will go with. I am not going to be running around dictating. If you own a football club, you can do what you want with it."

don't seem to indicate that that is the case any more.

Ten days ago the General said "Randy has NOT lost his passion for the Club or has he lost his vision of the goal he has always set for the Villa. He has spent more time in the UK in the last 2 months than he has ever done before...he has been focused on the Club and has been working closely with MON."

Doesn't look like anything has changed to me but that won't stop people reading into it what they want to believe.

O'Neill has stated that he has left the Milner transfer to Randy and Faulkner.  He also says he doesn't know who else is coming or going.  That is clearly different to when he and Randy worked on transfers together.  If anybody's reading things differently to how they actually are, it's you.

[Chris Smith]

sorry John, but I'm certain something HAS changed.  The General always made such a big point of telling us how closely O'Neill and Lerner worked together.  Quotes like:

"Whatever they come up with, we will go with. I am not going to be running around dictating. If you own a football club, you can do what you want with it."

don't seem to indicate that that is the case any more.

Ten days ago the General said "Randy has NOT lost his passion for the Club or has he lost his vision of the goal he has always set for the Villa. He has spent more time in the UK in the last 2 months than he has ever done before...he has been focused on the Club and has been working closely with MON."

Doesn't look like anything has changed to me but that won't stop people reading into it what they want to believe.

O'Neill has stated that he has left the Milner transfer to Randy and Faulkner.  He also says he doesn't know who else is coming or going.  That is clearly different to when he and Randy worked on transfers together.  If anybody's reading things differently to how they actually are, it's you.

The first bit is no different to the Barry transfer, once we have set a price it is then up to the clubs to come to an agreement. There is nothing for the manager to do in those circumstances.

The second is just a statement of fact. He can't know who is leaving until a bid is accepted but he has clearly decided who is surplus to requirements if we get the right offer. As for who is coming in, when has he ever said anything before it happens?

[dave.woodhall]

Unconfirmed, but I've heard Milner's had a fall out with Martin, refused to play and will be gone by the weekend. Time will tell.

[Legion]

It wouldn't surprise me. This 'back injury' seems rather dubious.

[PaulWinch again]

Unconfirmed, but I've heard Milner's had a fall out with Martin, refused to play and will be gone by the weekend. Time will tell.

I hope it is resolved by the weekend, this is just getting tedious.

[Matt C]

Thanks for the memories, James.

[PaulTheVillan]

Bye James.

Ugly ******

[The Man With A Stick]

I pray it's true, just so we can put an end to this tedious little fiasco.  Get £25m for him then get some bodies in (McGeady and Jenas need not apply).

[pauliewalnuts]

I'm sure that at the start of the friendly last night, the team line up showed Milner starting.

Whether that's because MON gave them the team expecting him to, but he then refused, I don't know.

^^ idle conjecture, by the way