The Milner Novela... Final episode page 296

[Salsa Party Animal]

I hope the crowd will encourage him to rethink and stay at Villa Park. I would love it if we could get Ireland and keep Milner.

[Countryside Villain]

I'd love him to stay far more than I'd love the money to re-invest.  We could do a lot with £20 mill ploughed back in to the team but I think we would struggle to replace him, even on his mediocre days.

If he stays though, I want him tied to a new contract immediately.  Don't need the same distractions come January.

[Arsey]

On paper the Milner deal looks too good to turn down but I am not sure it is.  We need him and the deal is only good if the 18 mil is re-invested to improve the side.  We are not going to be able to do that until a new manager is put in charge and it seems as though before any new signings are to be made other players have to be sold to reduce the wage bill.

I think we should tell them to stick their money up their arses.

[BannedUserIAT]

I've no idea where the quote is sourced from or it's accuracy but I just saw this on Bluee Moon:

Some interesting comments by Petrov today:

"When you are a good player and teams want to pay £20million, £30million for you then you can do nothing about it.

"He is giving everything for he club like he always does. He's a great pro and people should learn from him.

"He deserves the standing ovation because you don't see many more honest players in the world coming out and playing like that with such heart.

"He was flattered by the reaction - and when you make the fans happy and see them behind you, it makes it even harder to leave.

"After today he may even decide to stay."

Sorry if this has already been covered.

[Beijing Villan]

Great post by OMVF on the previous page. A contract is a contract. Ireland has not asked for a move and has not asked for the contract to be broken. Citeh need to pay up by at least making up the difference between Ireland's prospective wage at Villa and his Man City wage, difference x weeks outstanding on his MC contract. However, the sticky part is probably the 10k playing bonus, I guess the number of games he has played last season (or average over last two/three seasons) would be a good place to start.

I think that Villa should go back to a cash only deal though as I don't see Ireland filling Milner's role.


Interesting post by Troy as well, I guess wishful thinking by Petrov. But how marvellously, fan-bleeding-tastic would it be if Milner turned round and told Man City that he has decided to stay. I think Jimmy would be instantly deified by the Villa fans!

[eastie]

Maybe he feels the whole mood at the club has lifted now o neill has gone , I'd be delighted if he stats but can understand him going if he leaves and would applaud him if he returned in whatever colours.
He will captain England for many years in
my opinion- another Bryan robson.

[E I Adio]

Interesting post by Troy as well, I guess wishful thinking by Petrov. But how marvellously, fan-bleeding-tastic would it be if Milner turned round and told Man City that he has decided to stay. I think Jimmy would be instantly deified by the Villa fans!

Did anyone else notice that during Milner's rather muted goal celebration Petrov was speaking in his ear at some length after which Milner nodded and ran off? Just wishful thinking on my part to interpret this as anything significant I expect, but I was wondering what it was he had to say to him at the time.

[BILL DE VALL]

Manc citie are not a team
they are a collection of overpaid individuals
They played like they had never met yesterday
and yes the lads at bodymoor will be buzzing this week really looking forward to the season
All the manc players will be looking at a hard season of worry and insecurity and will not be rushing into training like our lads-despite being paid twice or three times as much

[Clampy]

It would only be worth him staying if he signed a new contract.

[alan_clarke]

Betfair are running a market on whether Milner will stay or not.

Last week he was 1.03 to leave.

Now he is 1.3

Make of that what you will. Probably about accurate.

[Villafirst]

I say let him go but insist on first refusal when he gets fed up of being a bit part player. I can see this mirroring the Robbie Keane scenario with Liverpool, where he didn't settle and ended up back at Spurs in no time. Do you agree??

[pmk1981]

no news is good news.  i hope its all gonna fall through :-)

[Namaste]

no news is good news.  i hope its all gonna fall through :-)

Yep, I hope so too. Thing is Milner's under contract and Villa do not want to sell, that should really be the end of the matter unless Milner hands in the transfer request?

Rumours are that Manc. City are after Yoann Gourcuff from Bourdeaux for 25million EURO.

[mshurst]

I've grown to dislike Milner recently because of this transfer saga.

However, after viewing Milner's reaction on MOTD on Sunday morning he had that look about him. The look that said "I really, really wish I was staying".

What Petrov said was true. He's been the centre of a lot of talk and for him to still play with such amazing-ness is the sign of a true footballer.


I hope he stays. He'll be happier, KMac will be happier and the fans will be happier. And 'if' (a big 'if') he stays then I think he can be put in the book of Villa legends.



Providing he wins us a final, of course.

[TheSandman]

I thought he was a money grabbing mercenary twat up until Saturday. He put on a professional performance and for that I thank him. I wish him all the best if he is to leave but if that is to Man City as likely it will be against a backdrop of hoping his club fail miserably.

He will be a hard player to replace, mind. Saturday's performance convinced me of that. Will we get a player that balances his talent set? I'm not sure. Ireland is a more skilful player but I don't think he has the work-rate of Milly.

I hope he stays now but sadly don't think it's likely.