Stiliyan Petrov - update

[Dante Lavelli]

We're there rumours that MON pushed Milner out of the club rather than Milner wanting to leave?

[AV82EC]

We're there rumours that MON pushed Milner out of the club rather than Milner wanting to leave?

I seem to recall that was the case and was confirmed by pelty at one point.  Apparently and this is conjecture Milner had no intention of leaving until MON saw the opportunity for big bucks and leaked it that he wanted to leave which Milner and his agent immediately denied which I definitely remember reading in the papers, so it must be true.

[not3bad]

My mate's sister's hairdresser's boyfriend reckons that Milner was doing MON's missus while Ireland was having it away with Mancini's so that's why there was a swap.  That's why Ireland wanders round the middle of the pitch looking lost - he's remembering those holidays in Napoli.

[russon]

Bloody hell what thread is this? I must be lost.

quite. it's turned into some sort of Milner/Barry debating chamber. Folk will be posting their experiences of poor sh*thouse etiquette next

[Steve R]

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

Depends upon how much of a footballing achievement you consider those medals alone to be. None of them will regret their moves, the medals are worth having. But they have not furthered their careers as footballers.

[pauliewalnuts]

We're there rumours that MON pushed Milner out of the club rather than Milner wanting to leave?

I seem to recall that was the case and was confirmed by pelty at one point.  Apparently and this is conjecture Milner had no intention of leaving until MON saw the opportunity for big bucks and leaked it that he wanted to leave which Milner and his agent immediately denied which I definitely remember reading in the papers, so it must be true.

I'd like that to be true, but the only thing in there that casts doubt on it for me is the notion that MON would have given a second's thought to raising money by selling players.

[Concrete John]

We're there rumours that MON pushed Milner out of the club rather than Milner wanting to leave?

I seem to recall that was the case and was confirmed by pelty at one point.  Apparently and this is conjecture Milner had no intention of leaving until MON saw the opportunity for big bucks and leaked it that he wanted to leave which Milner and his agent immediately denied which I definitely remember reading in the papers, so it must be true.

I'd like that to be true, but the only thing in there that casts doubt on it for me is the notion that MON would have given a second's thought to raising money by selling players.

When you consider that was the summer Lerner tightened the budget up, where we had that article about 6 players being allowed to go (NRC, Davies, Shorey, Harewood and I forget the rest) and he eventually walked out over what appears to be money/control, then perhaps it seems more likely?

The scenario being he's told at the start of the summer he needs to sell.  Tries to get rid of the deadwood, but can't as he's paying them too much.  Then the Man City/Milner interest starts and he sees that as his 'get out of jail free card' due to the over the top fee he can get from them.

[saunders_heroes]

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

Depends upon how much of a footballing achievement you consider those medals alone to be. None of them will regret their moves, the medals are worth having. But they have not furthered their careers as footballers.

Barry became an integral part of Man City's trophy winning team and continued to be an England international. He's getting on a bit now but I don't see how you can claim he hasn't furthered his career. Milner's different though, he may have medals but he's only playing here and there. He certainly hasn't furthered his career.

[Concrete John]

I'd argue Milner has gone backwards as a player.  He was emerging as 'the new Gerrard' for me in central midfield, but since going to Man City has rarely played there, if ever. 

[saunders_heroes]

I'd argue Milner has gone backwards as a player.  He was emerging as 'the new Gerrard' for me in central midfield, but since going to Man City has rarely played there, if ever. 

Yes. He should have stayed put at Villa. If he was forced out at Villa I doubt if it was by O'Neill. More like a combination of Milner wanting a move and Lerner wanting to cash in.

[supertom]

For all O Neill's faults he's no idiot. He fawned all over Milner since he joined. There's no way he'd have decided to get rid of our player of the year for the good of the team. We got an offer Lerner couldn't refuse, and that probably turned Milners head too. I believe O Neill left, in large but down to the Milner deal.

[Simon Ward]

I'd argue Milner has gone backwards as a player.  He was emerging as 'the new Gerrard' for me in central midfield, but since going to Man City has rarely played there, if ever. 

I agreed with a Leeds fan on this very fact yesterday!

[Clampy]

I'd argue Milner has gone backwards as a player.  He was emerging as 'the new Gerrard' for me in central midfield, but since going to Man City has rarely played there, if ever. 

I would'nt say he's gone backwards exactly, he just has'nt moved on from where he was. Was'nt he voted in the team of the season prior to leaving us? Yeah, he was great in that centre midfield for us. Whenever i see him out wide for them and England, it just seems like a waste.

[eastie]

I'd argue Milner has gone backwards as a player.  He was emerging as 'the new Gerrard' for me in central midfield, but since going to Man City has rarely played there, if ever. 

I would'nt say he's gone backwards exactly, he just has'nt moved on from where he was. Was'nt he voted in the team of the season prior to leaving us? Yeah, he was great in that centre midfield for us. Whenever i see him out wide for them and England, it just seems like a waste.

I'd agree with that clampy , he looked better in centre midfield for us although he does play a fair amount of games for city and their fans seem to rate him highly due to his always giving a 100% which several city players seem not to do.

He could have progressed at villa as a player but i understand why he went to city .

[usav]

For all O Neill's faults he's no idiot.

You don't have to be an idiot to make stupid choices - and he made plenty.