The Milner Novela... Final episode page 296

[Concrete John]

What is taking so long? SSN said it was going to be completed within the hour and that was at 10 o'clock this morning.

And thinking those muppets know anything was your first mistake.

[Brend'Watkins]

What is taking so long? SSN said it was going to be completed within the hour and that was at 10 o'clock this morning.

Transfer deals always seem to involve fax machines. Perhaps somebody's fax machine broke down and they had to root round a few antique shops to find a replacement

That's the sort of excuse Harry would come out with 2 hours after the transfer window slams shut on the 31st August. 

[hilts_coolerking]

Not individually. But is it the right team for him? I have my doubts. James is an unassuming, head-down-and-work character, and they have a dressing room of egos to assuage (word of the day). I'm not saying he'll never play, but if it's a choice between him and a "star" player, he won't be first choice.

Personally I no longer have any interest in how many games Milner plays.  As it goes, I think he'll play a lot because his character is exactly what that Man City side needs.

What worries me from a Villa perspective is that a) we've lost our best player of last season, and b) we are replacing, as you say, a totally professional individual with someone who is the exact opposite.  That's not to say Ireland has no ability - he clearly does - but in terms of his attitude and professionalism, he's a big step down from Milner.

The total value of the transfer is more than Milner is worth so in theory it's a good deal for us - but in practice it depends on who we buy with the money.

[Concrete John]

What is taking so long? SSN said it was going to be completed within the hour and that was at 10 o'clock this morning.

Transfer deals always seem to involve fax machines. Perhaps somebody's fax machine broke down and they had to root round a few antique shops to find a replacement

That's the sort of excuse Harry would come out with 2 hours after the transfer window slams shut on the 31st August. 

'onest Guv - we ran outta toner!

[taylorsworkrate]

Is my memory failing but didn't Milner play a big part in helping us stay up one year?

Paying us the amount they did for Barry and what they will for Milner represents two of the best deals they have made in the last few years.

what they paid for Milner,(by all accounts) is around £17 million cash and Ireland who they value at around £8 million.  Thats £25 million.  I think Milner is probably around a £20 million pound quality player.  So that would be £5 million more than his value (imo of course). 

Add to that i think they have underrated Ireland by about £5 or 6 million (probably even more judging by his form 2 seasons ago).

I agree that Milner could be an excellent signing for them, if they give him a fair crack(which they won't). 

We have definitely got the better end of the deal.

[Mazrim]

Ireland can be a bit eccentric but I dont recall any examples of being unprofessional.
He's supposedly very hard working.

What we've lost in Milner is a genuine jack of all trades. What we've gained in Ireland is (perhaps) a master of one.

[taylorsworkrate]

Not individually. But is it the right team for him? I have my doubts. James is an unassuming, head-down-and-work character, and they have a dressing room of egos to assuage (word of the day). I'm not saying he'll never play, but if it's a choice between him and a "star" player, he won't be first choice.

Personally I no longer have any interest in how many games Milner plays.  As it goes, I think he'll play a lot because his character is exactly what that Man City side needs.

What worries me from a Villa perspective is that a) we've lost our best player of last season, and b) we are replacing, as you say, a totally professional individual with someone who is the exact opposite.  That's not to say Ireland has no ability - he clearly does - but in terms of his attitude and professionalism, he's a big step down from Milner.

The total value of the transfer is more than Milner is worth so in theory it's a good deal for us - but in practice it depends on who we buy with the money.

I think there is a bit of a misconception about Ireland's attitude.  Yes he's had issues in the past, but in the last few years he has got his head together.  I remember reading a newspaper article before the start of last season, commenting on the  large amount of extra training he was putting in.  He also gives a lot of money to charity and helps out with general good causes. 

I also think hes the sort of player who could be adored at the Villa.  He seems like the sort of guy who wants to be appreciated.

[Monty]

Ireland can be a bit eccentric but I dont recall any examples of being unprofessional.
He's supposedly very hard working.

What we've lost in Milner is a genuine jack of all trades. What we've gained in Ireland is (perhaps) a master of one.

That's the way I feel. Milner is 7/10 for almost everything, perhaps 8/10 for footballing brain and of course 20/10 for work rate. Ireland has good work rate, however, and like you say is much more of a master of his particular trade.

[TimTheVillain]

Stephen Ireland does have a soft side to him.

http://www.stephenireland.com/charity/

Nice to see, specially when he's only just going on 24 yrs of age.

He may turn to Acorns ?

[Concrete John]

Ireland can be a bit eccentric but I dont recall any examples of being unprofessional.
He's supposedly very hard working.

What we've lost in Milner is a genuine jack of all trades. What we've gained in Ireland is (perhaps) a master of one.

That's the way I feel. Milner is 7/10 for almost everything, perhaps 8/10 for footballing brain and of course 20/10 for work rate. Ireland has good work rate, however, and like you say is much more of a master of his particular trade.

Disagree.  I think Milner's work rate seems to almost disguise how good a footballer he is with it at his feet.  We're getting a good deal, and as I said I don;t think Man City will see the best of Jimmy for various reasons, but I do think he's a better player than Ireland.

[deanl123]

It's interesting to read all of the positive posts. My own view is quite different, even though I realise from a business point of view the financials of the deal are sound for Villa.

I believe Milner is a better player than Ireland. I see Ireland as a player that can perform exceptionally on occasions, but does not have the consistency that we have seen from Milner over the last couple of years (in fact I can't name one player who is as consistent as Milner!).

I'm not overly concerned about Ireland's professionalism, as I'm not privy to that type of information, but what does bother me is that Ireland is allegedly our highest paid player. I can see this unsettling other players in the squad, which could lead to requests for increased salaries, or players leaving for pastures new, should Ireland fail to out-perform the rest of the squad.

[JJ-AV]

[hilts_coolerking]

I can't help but take all of this pro-Ireland stuff with a massive pinch of salt.  Particularly when you consider virtually the only mentions he ever got on here prior to us being interested were his baldness, his pink wheels and his granny's fake funeral.

If we get the player of two seasons ago and if his head is right then he could be a good player for us. He has certainly got his work cut out in terms of replacing the goals and assists that Milner got last season.

[Toronto Villa]

I can't help but take all of this pro-Ireland stuff with a massive pinch of salt.  Particularly when you consider virtually the only mentions he ever got on here prior to us being interested were his baldness, his pink wheels and his granny's fake funeral.

If we get the player of two seasons ago and if his head is right then he could be a good player for us. He has certainly got his work cut out in terms of replacing the goals and assists that Milner got last season.

I'm no sure that's true hilts. I think a lot of people, especially 2 years ago were saying how good a player he was. The other stuff was just the fringe stuff that makes the gossip columns.

[TimTheVillain]

In fairness to 'here' Hilts, since when did we give any players wearing anything other than the claret and blue of Villa a positive slant ?

He is a very very good player.

We have another £18 million in the bank to boot as well, hopefully a quality striker can be scooped up with that.

Good business.