The Milner Novela... Final episode page 296

[jembob]

If we get Ireland and one or two other decent players, I'll stick my neck and say we'll nick 4th place this season.

That would depend on a lot of things going our way.

- Citeh and their mercenaries not settling/  underperforming
- Tottingham caught up in a busy season and prioritising
- Or possibly one of Liverpool/ Arsenal having a 'mare (I wouldn't bet against it all going tits up for Woy up there)
- Little/ no injuries for us at crucial times of the year
- Ourselves still being relatively fresh going into March

One or two of those scenarios might play out, I can't see them all coming off.We will be helping ourselves enormously though if we move with the times and continue with 4-4-1-1 as we have been in pre season. And Ireland for Milner in a straight trade will help us in that regard, nevermind the cash adjustment.

If we sign a top class forward though between now and the end of the window (ie not Keane) and a RB worthy of the name, I might start to share your optimism.

Me? I'll be happy with a push for fifth, some big European nights at VP and less game-time for Heskey. But maybe I'm just easily pleased.

Sounds great but you know what's going to happen whoever comes in:

- We'll ALWAYS play 442 and get over run in midfield every game.
- Heskey will play a significant part of the season
- Cuellar will be default RB
- We'll continue to play the long ball up to which ever big guy is playing
-  Or promising youth players won't get a look in, as the trusted few play match after match
- Good, reliable players (NRC, L Young) as sold for a pittance when they still had a vital role to play.

I hate to piss on your chips, but things won't change while MON is around. You can't help but love him though!!!

[Monty]

No thanks, I think Ireland would offer us exactly what we need. But not in a midfield two with Stan, it'd have to be Stan and Reo behind Ireland.

Judging by MON's comments about "discussing transfer options" with Randy the Milner thing goes through, and if I'm right that we wanted Ireland well before City came in for Milner, I think MON wants to sign another midfielder in addition to Ireland to replace Milner, in which case I hope it's him and Petrov with Ireland, as I'd like to think we can buy better players than NRC these days.

[PaulWinch again]

I'd like once he gets fit, Delph- Ireland- Petrov/another.

[jembob]

I'd like once he gets fit, Delph- Ireland- Petrov/another.

I think that Delph, Ireland and Coker would be quite awesome. If we can improve on NRC then great.

[Monty]

I see Delph as the long-term replacement for Petrov, so we need another fairly young midfielder to fill the three.

[KevinGage]

If I was a betting man I'd put money on Jenas being the other midfielder.

But I'm not, so I won't.

[Monty]

Not sure about Jenas. I suppose he'd be our 'upgrade' on Sidwell - like the Ginge Ninj he does nothing, but I suppose he does it in a more stylish way than Sidwell.

[Mazrim]

First post on flash new site. I feel I should take my shoes off or something.

Anyway, Hart is making noises about wanting out if he's not first choice (he should be, he's better than Given).
What are the odds of adding him to the cart and checking out?

I know Friedel has done a fine job and I rate Guzan, who'll become a really good keeper. But Hart would solve our first choice keeper issue for a long, long time.

[manic-road]

Just seen Mancini on the box intimating that Ireland is part of the deal for Milner, hope so as that would be bloody good business if it happens.

[abc123cox]

MANCHESTER CITY expect to complete the signing of James Milner from Aston Villa this week - with or without Stephen Ireland moving in the other direction.
The two clubs have been in deadlock for weeks over Milner, but it appears the summer's longest-running transfer saga will end in compromise.

Villa wanted £30million, while City have insisted they won't go higher than £24m.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill is keen on Ireland, but not at any price. City value their former trainee at £20m, but Villa think he is worth only £12m in any exchange deal.

Nor are Villa willing to match Ireland's current deal at Eastlands, which is believed to be worth £60,000 per week plus £10,000 per appearance.

Ireland's chances of earning many appearance bonuses at City in the coming season look slim, and Villa can offer him regular first-team football in return for accepting a drop in wages.

Milner's transfer should kickstart the market after a relatively quiet summer.

O'Neill wants to raid former club Celtic for Aiden McGeady, has shown interest in Tottenham's Robbie Keane and is also keeping a close eye on West Ham's Scott Parker.

[Risso]

I hope we don't piss about too much over the Ireland deal.  Whatever cash we get means that we're getting a great deal, so £10K a week extra wages is only £1.5m over a three year deal.

[abc123cox]

agreed mate, however £20m for ireland is a bit mad, £12m  + Ireland is good all round, still enough left over for 2 more signings i hope!

[Chris Smith]

agreed mate, however £20m for ireland is a bit mad, £12m  + Ireland is good all round, still enough left over for 2 more signings i hope!

I wouldn't be happy at that, anything that values Ireland above £10m would be a rip off.

[Risso]

agreed mate, however £20m for ireland is a bit mad, £12m  + Ireland is good all round, still enough left over for 2 more signings i hope!

I wouldn't be happy at that, anything that values Ireland above £10m would be a rip off.

Don't be ridiculous.  He's a much better player than Downing, who we spent £12m on.

[Chris Smith]

agreed mate, however £20m for ireland is a bit mad, £12m  + Ireland is good all round, still enough left over for 2 more signings i hope!

I wouldn't be happy at that, anything that values Ireland above £10m would be a rip off.

Don't be ridiculous.  He's a much better player than Downing, who we spent £12m on.

agreed mate, however £20m for ireland is a bit mad, £12m  + Ireland is good all round, still enough left over for 2 more signings i hope!

I wouldn't be happy at that, anything that values Ireland above £10m would be a rip off.

Don't be ridiculous.  He's a much better player than Downing, who we spent £12m on.

No, he's not. He might have been once but he's been average for 12 months and reports say that he's not going to be in Mancini's 25. Under those circumstances we'd be mad to let them use him as an excuse to drive down Milner's value.

My concerns about Ireland still remain, when he's on form he's a very talented player but we will need to compensate elsewhere for his style of play and so might need the Milner money to buy somebody to do that.