I can see similarities between Milner and the Lescott of 12 months ago, and not 'overpriced' or 'not a top 4 player.' Milner and Lescott came from Villa and Everton respectively as we all know, both missed pre season with us, and both of those sides play(ed) 'good old fashioned British football.' Direct, 100mph, 'get stuck in' style of play.
Now as we all know, Lescott didn't set the world on fire when he joined us, in fact if it weren't for Kompany being injured until November(ish) he probably would have been dropped from the side after his first few games, and in my opinion he struggled because he took time to adapt to our style of play, i.e use your brain. He was one of the main targets for criticism on here, until the 5th December when we played Chelsea at home. He was absolutely outstanding, had Drogba(the eventual golden boot winner) in his pocket all game. When Bridge went off injured Hughes even put Barry at left back instead of Lescott because of Joleon's domination. From that game until March (when he got an injury to put him out for the season) he was our best centre half and a cert for the England World Cup squad, if not the first XI.
Now it would seem Milner is taking time to adjust to our style of possession football instead of feeding off knock downs from a Carew/Heskey, but what I think he needs is a Lescott v Chelsea watershed kind of game, and then we will see the best of him. Especially now Super Mario is back and there will be someone in the box to actually get on the end of Milner's crosses. I have great faith in Mancini and Marwood's judgement regarding MIlner, and I have no doubt that his 'watershed game' is just around the corner.
