tinofbeans 86 Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 Amazing what a decent manager does to a player.... if we'd had oneill as head coach about 2-3 years ago we'd have been in a much better place.... 4. James Milner is becoming a top-class player Most players move imperceptibly through the career gears – average to good to very good to great – but occasionally a player's ascent is tangible. James Milner is in such a phase. He has clearly gone up a notch this season, and his range of skills is greater than any other winger in England. He is a pure footballer, an excellent crosser from open play or dead-ball situations, a subtle dribbler, an indefatigable worker, a humble team man, and versatile enough to play on both flanks or even in the centre. The fact that he is not genuinely fast will probably stop him getting a place in England's first XI at the World Cup – the right wing is the only obvious place where Fabio Capello can get blistering pace in his attacking sextet, and he is not going to displace Steven Gerrard on the left – but his versatility and quality should earn him a squad place. And at 23, he has scope for even more improvement Full article http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2009/...-premier-league Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig 6321 Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 MON should have taken over when Souness went but Shepherd pissed him around too much. That said, there's something fucking annoying about O'Neill - can't put my finger on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew 4252 Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 I know what you mean craig, wouldn't have wanted him at the time, not to say I wanted souness btw hindsight eh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooj 17 Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 He's still looked the same old James Milner when I've seen him play for Villa. Selling Milner wasn't the issue, not investing in a replacement was the problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooj 17 Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 I blame Gemmill for us not getting MON btw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMoog 0 Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 O'Neill's a bigger bottler than Keegan's ever been, backed out of the chance of managing any of the big teams at every opportunity. That said I'd have taken him instead of Souness at the time without doubt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJS 3989 Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 My reservation was always that his teams were football murderers - especially Leicester. I'm not sure about Villa. The last time we could have got him was ruined by timing on his wife's illness iirc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig 6321 Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 The last time we could have got him was ruined by timing on his wife's illness iirc. I seem to remember he'd been out of football and was making noises about making a return. We were pissing him about in about May / June 2006 and Villa appointed him in August of the same year (importantly it was AFTER we appointed Roeder full time). While we're at it, I've just had a look at our 'manager history' on Soccerbase.com and since we sacked Robson 5 years ago we've had 11(!!!!) managerial changes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 I like Milner but he's a decent player having a purple patch rather than someone on the verge of becoming a top class player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 The last time we could have got him was ruined by timing on his wife's illness iirc. I seem to remember he'd been out of football and was making noises about making a return. We were pissing him about in about May / June 2006 and Villa appointed him in August of the same year (importantly it was AFTER we appointed Roeder full time). While we're at it, I've just had a look at our 'manager history' on Soccerbase.com and since we sacked Robson 5 years ago we've had 11(!!!!) managerial changes! At the time I got the feeling MON was virtually begging for the job via Alan Oliver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo 133 Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 anyone know what Milner's stats are this season ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Castell 0 Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 36-28-34 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gloom 19931 Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 he's s good young player with some nice touches of skill. still reckon his lack of pace and poor delivery will prevent him being a top class winger. i always thought he would be better used as an attacking central midfielder but it seems none of his managers have agreed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew 4252 Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/player...843&cc=5739 not mega impressive really, people are always impressed by a winger with a work rate though, its what got jonas by for a long time and seems to be something of a rarity these days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo 133 Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 that was the thinking behind my comment about his stats, I thought he got a lot of over the top praise by people that clearly didn't see him play much, crap at corners, crap at free kicks, 4 or 5 goals a season, but what he's always had is a good engine and a great work ethic, i just dont think much has changed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew 4252 Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 I think it just makes him look better being in a better team Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papa Lazaru 0 Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 He's still looked the same old James Milner when I've seen him play for Villa. Selling Milner wasn't the issue, not investing in a replacement was the problem. Exactly. I couldn't believe how much we got for him, it was an excellent deal...but only if all that money was given to Keegan to bring in the right players he wanted and we needed. As for Milner, he obviously has the lack of pace and inconsistent crossing, but also lookes like he will always chip in with a share of assists and goals and he always worked his arse off. I don't think he's on the verge of becoming a worldbeater either, but efinitely will be an effective prem player in a good side i'd think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Kenneth Noisewater 0 Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 Didn't MON get arsey when he found out Shepherd wanted Shearer to sit in on the interview? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snakehips 0 Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Didn't MON get arsey when he found out Shepherd wanted Shearer to sit in on the interview? That was opta Allardyce. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 70 Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 anyone know what Milner's stats are this season ? 100m in 19.8 secs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaser 1071 Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Hasnt his crossing improved this season though? When I've seen him in action, he looks a much better player. I think thats been the problem at our club for too long. Promising young players coming to the club without ever having the infrastructure in place to develop them with the promise they had. Milner isnt the only one to fall foul of this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Didn't MON get arsey when he found out Shepherd wanted Shearer to sit in on the interview? That was opta Allardyce. Aye, it was. Hallegedly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewerk 26668 Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Which was fair enough imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Aye, of course. Can't see how Shepherd would have thought otherwise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinofbeans 86 Posted October 27, 2009 Author Share Posted October 27, 2009 Hasnt his crossing improved this season though? When I've seen him in action, he looks a much better player. I think thats been the problem at our club for too long. Promising young players coming to the club without ever having the infrastructure in place to develop them with the promise they had. Milner isnt the only one to fall foul of this thats the one. when he was on loan at villa first time round he was good as well. not ( in my opinion) a coincidence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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