Barney 0 Posted December 14, 2007 Share Posted December 14, 2007 Milner can only get better Dec 14 2007 by Alan Oliver, Evening Chronicle James Milner NEWCASTLE United boss Sam Allardyce is backing winger James Milner to go from strength to strength as he continues his top-flight education in tomorrow’s game with Fulham at Craven Cottage. The England Under-21 international was the star of the show as United left it late to see off Birmingham City at St James’s Park last weekend despite playing in a less accustomed role. Milner’s makeshift partnership with emergency left-back Charles N’Zogbia has proved a major bonus for Allardyce so far this season, and the manager is confident there is even more to come as he heads for South West London tomorrow. Before flying to London, Allardyce said today: “James Milner is a hugely experienced Premier League player now at 21, and he can only get better from here. “Energy is massive in the Premier League today, and the energy and quality he has got really caused most of the problems for Birmingham. “Charles N’Zogbia linking up with him was a very strong partnership from our point of view in terms of creating a lot of opportunities.” Allardyce will hope for more of the same as United attempt to secure their first away win since the opening day of the season at his former club Bolton Wanderers. Spirits have been raised on Tyneside in recent weeks after United ended a run of poor results, including successive demoralising home defeats by Portsmouth and Liverpool, had left their 53-year-old manager on the ropes. However, although defensive frailty once again cost them dearly in their last away game at Blackburn, where they lost 3-1 after taking the lead through Oba Martins, they responded with a hard-fought draw against leaders Arsenal and then edged past Alex McLeish’s side last weekend courtesy of defender Habib Beye’s last-minute winner. Having addressed his side’s home form, Allardyce will now look to improve things on the road, where his side has not kept a clean sheet in the Premier League for more than a year. Fulham, however, have won only one of their last 14, and United may never have a better chance of improving upon their total of just five away points all season. It has been a tough few weeks for Allardyce, who has seen his injury-hit side struggle to find its best form, although he believes the signs are there that they are starting to gel. He added: “Joey Barton is coming to fruition, for me, not just because of his quality, but also the energy he has. “He played three games in a week last week and finished for the first time this season against Birmingham – and he did not look that fatigued, so that’s very important. “We are getting to know each other a bit more – Alan Smith up front, Steven Taylor at the back, Habib Beye at right-back showing the sort of form he did at Marseille. “Players are starting to play to their best on a regular basis, and that’s what will get us consistent results.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Dynamite 5905 Posted December 14, 2007 Share Posted December 14, 2007 (edited) Well he could get worse. He could play like Geremi, Barton or Smith do on the wings! Charles N’Zogbia linking up with him was a very strong partnership from our point of view in terms of creating a lot of opportunities Looks like our £6mil left back is due for a bit more time on the bench then! Edited December 14, 2007 by J69 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toontoasey 0 Posted December 14, 2007 Share Posted December 14, 2007 Well he could get worse. He could play like Geremi, Barton or Smith do on the wings! None of them are wingers though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Dynamite 5905 Posted December 14, 2007 Share Posted December 14, 2007 Tell BS that. Milner isnt strictly a winger either. He prefers playing in the middle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammynb 2929 Posted December 14, 2007 Share Posted December 14, 2007 He prefers playing in the middle. Seems to the preference of every fucking midfielder we've signed over the last five seasons! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Patrokles Posted December 14, 2007 Share Posted December 14, 2007 What's up with this thread title? Are people genuinely so silly that they're starting to treat Milner with contempt too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NobbySol 0 Posted December 14, 2007 Share Posted December 14, 2007 Milners consitent and puts a hell of alot of effort in.... i think hes a good professional and can only improve to his game atm. Although he does perform the same trick constantly which can be his downfall when attacking defenders Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Dynamite 5905 Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 His downfall, that Sam seems to have missed, is that he can rarely cross with his left foot and nearly always cuts back in. If he was played on the other wing and put crosses in first time every time hed be a lot more useful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gram 0 Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 His downfall, that Sam seems to have missed, is that he can rarely cross with his left foot and nearly always cuts back in. If he was played on the other wing and put crosses in first time every time hed be a lot more useful! Or his right for that matter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney 0 Posted December 15, 2007 Author Share Posted December 15, 2007 What's up with this thread title? Are people genuinely so silly that they're starting to treat Milner with contempt too? It was just a joke. Should have put a smiley face up there evidently. I quite like Milner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gejon 2 Posted December 15, 2007 Share Posted December 15, 2007 Good player who will always do something for the team (ie if he isnt having a great day attacking he will have still worked his arse off defending). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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