Stiliyan Petrov - update

[Steve R]

Milner got kudos for the way he played in his final game for the club, the 3-1 win against West Ham. He knew he was on his way but didn't take it easy. How asking the club for a move can be described as some kind of underhand 'engineering' is beyond me.

Had he suddenly decided to go on the piss every night, became disruptive in the dressing room or wandered gormlessly around the pitch on matchday then yes, but Milner did none of those things.

Barry gets pelters for the pantomime he and more especially his agent created over the move to Liverpool. And rightly so.

Of the four players that left for big money, I don't think any one of them has furthered their football career. They're all a good deal richer though.

As I remember it, Milner's move was delayed until after O'Neill left because Ireland got stroppy with a loyalty payment. I also recall General K. justifying Ireland's arrival with no manager in place by saying that we were already committed to it.

 

[john e]

I agree with Saunders on this one,
 there were some seasons when I came away from games thinking Barry was the only thing worth turning up to watch,
 he gave us many years service then went on to further his career by winning the league and playing for England more times than he would have playing for us
if a player wants to move and the club wants to keep him then it always gets a bit tetchy, if the club do a quick deal then the player looks good because he doesn't have to kick up a stink, ie Young and Milner, who went as they all go for money and a better chance of winning stuff

[Steve R]

Gareth Barry was an England regular when he left us. Now he no longer even makes the sqaud.

[johnc]

Of the four players that left for big money, I don't think any one of them has furthered their football career. They're all a good deal richer though.
 

Hard to argue that Milner and Barry have not furthered their football careers. They have won cup and league winners medals and have played CL football and in international tournaments. Young has also won a league medal and played CL. Admittedly with more of a supporting role. As for Downing he's a c**t, tahts about as coherent an argument I can put together for him

[johnc]

Gareth Barry was an England regular when he left us. Now he no longer even makes the squad.

Well he is 4 years older, that could have something to do with it. He went to Man City not into suspended animation

[Duncan Shaw]

Of the four players that left for big money, I don't think any one of them has furthered their football career. They're all a good deal richer though.
 

Hard to argue that Milner and Barry have not furthered their football careers. They have won cup and league winners medals and have played CL football and in international tournaments. Young has also won a league medal and played CL. Admittedly with more of a supporting role. As for Downing he's a c**t, tahts about as coherent an argument I can put together for him

Have to agree with every word of this.

[supertom]

Barry's definitely come off well from that move. He's been a key part of their squad since joining and stayed pretty solid in the one position.

Milner on the other hand has been ruined in my opinion. For me he was fast becoming one of the best central midfielders in the league in his last season here. He was sensational. Since going to City, of course he's had winners medals, shed loads of cash, but he's been more a utility player and rotation option. City fans have probably never quite seen what the fuss is about. Some appreciate his hard work and attitude, but scratch their head regarding the quality. He's largely played as a winger, which he's fairly average at, or occasionally filled in as a second striker, which might potentially have suited him given a consistent run of games, but he's not gonna get that there. He's not had a decent stab in CM for them.

If there's one player I'd take back from the big money exits of the last 5 years, it's Jimmy Milner. Still young, and as long as we put him back where he belongs in CM, he'd flourish again. Won't happen though.

[pauliewalnuts]

If there's one player I'd take back from the big money exits of the last 5 years, it's Jimmy Milner. Still young, and as long as we put him back where he belongs in CM, he'd flourish again. Won't happen though.

I think if you gave us all on here that choice, have one of them back, almost every one of us would opt for Milner.

[pauliewalnuts]

Barry wanted out and we know because he told us so. That's being honest. Milner kept his mouth shut and organised a move as soon as he could and yet he's treated like a hero whenever he returns while the player who gave us 11 years service is treated like a leper. That's hardly me twisting words now is it.

Well, it is.

Milner was offered a move and took it, just like hundreds of players every year.

Saying he "engineered a move" implies some sort of skullduggery, of which there is zero evidence.

Barry "told us so", yes. He also embarassed us in the press with his begging letter and sad face. I don't hold a grudge for the bloke, he's gone, and good luck to him, but that business in the press is one of the most undignified bits of mental wrangling I've ever seen a Villa player engage in.

[Risso]

If there's one player I'd take back from the big money exits of the last 5 years, it's Jimmy Milner. Still young, and as long as we put him back where he belongs in CM, he'd flourish again. Won't happen though.

I think if you gave us all on here that choice, have one of them back, almost every one of us would opt for Milner.

Ahead of Downing?!  Are you completely mental?!

[saunders_heroes]

Barry wanted out and we know because he told us so. That's being honest. Milner kept his mouth shut and organised a move as soon as he could and yet he's treated like a hero whenever he returns while the player who gave us 11 years service is treated like a leper. That's hardly me twisting words now is it.

Well, it is.

Milner was offered a move and took it, just like hundreds of players every year.

Saying he "engineered a move" implies some sort of skullduggery, of which there is zero evidence.

Barry "told us so", yes. He also embarassed us in the press with his begging letter and sad face. I don't hold a grudge for the bloke, he's gone, and good luck to him, but that business in the press is one of the most undignified bits of mental wrangling I've ever seen a Villa player engage in.

I think the reason he went to the press was because he thought he owed Villa fans an explanation to why he wanted out. I think he had all the best intentions but it backfired on him. I haven't got much time for Milner (even though I wish he was still a Villa player) because he jumped ship after such a relatively short time at the club. Barry gave us good service and I don't think he deserves the stick he gets from some Villa fans.
Mind you both have gone, so feck the pair of 'em.

[Matt C]

We had the best years out of Barry whereas it felt like Milner was just getting started.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

If there's one player I'd take back from the big money exits of the last 5 years, it's Jimmy Milner. Still young, and as long as we put him back where he belongs in CM, he'd flourish again. Won't happen though.

I think if you gave us all on here that choice, have one of them back, almost every one of us would opt for Milner.

Ahead of Downing?!  Are you completely mental?!

Exactly. Get Downing back. Two games a season just isn't enough time to boo the ******.

[eastie]

Of the four players that left for big money, I don't think any one of them has furthered their football career. They're all a good deal richer though.
 

Hard to argue that Milner and Barry have not furthered their football careers. They have won cup and league winners medals and have played CL football and in international tournaments. Young has also won a league medal and played CL. Admittedly with more of a supporting role. As for Downing he's a c**t, tahts about as coherent an argument I can put together for him

Correct .
Barry has been a regular for city and won the league , fa cup, and played champions league football , he is 4 years older now and lost his England place because hes past his prime - of course he has furthered his career , rather than being in a struggling team for the last 3 seasons.

Milner also has furthered his career too at city where the crowd appreciate his hard work.
As for young he has been so-so at utd and done ok but not looked the player he was at villa, where he stood out more.
Downing after a poor start at anfield was one of the better players last season for them and won Rodgers over.

[Clampy]

Like i said a few pages back, I don't think Milner has become a better footballer for moving there. I can understand why he went there but if and when he does move on, he needs to be somewhere where'll he'll get a regular spot. He's a Lambert type player actually so it would'nt surprise me to see him back at some point.