James Milner

[oakiecokie]

How about some stats to back up that outrageous claim?

Dont need stats.Anyone who was at the game will confirm it !!

Most of the team was terrible. To pick an obvious example - Milner worse than Hart who let in a goal 1-on-1 at his near post?

"Don't need stats" => I have my bias and don't bother with stats

By the same token then,Ferno was fortunate to have scored the opening goal for us then ???

 

[Mr. Aguia]

We've averaged twice as many goals when he doesn't start and almost a point more per game, so I'm not sure he really has been underused

I would argue it's because when Milner has started more often than not MP has made wholesale changes and that's the reason for that stat. Those games where he sat both starting FB's and were missing key attacking players like Nasri, Dinho, Yaya, Aguero etc... The fact that when he came on the Liverpool game totaly changed for the good is all the proof needed that he's a good player.

 

[stimo]

anybody see him boot the ball away at the final whistle? seems frustrated!

 

[Dribble]

anybody see him boot the ball away at the final whistle? seems frustrated!

I wouldn't blame him, he's worth so much more than being used as a sparing last resort. He shoukd have replaced Silva at half time at the very least.

 

[Chrisja1000]

Instead of getting frustrated why doesn't he focus on playing himself back in the team? I'm still not sure why he is frustrated as he was truly awful against Sunderland and needs to put a few decent displays in.

 

[Pubteam Lomas]

anybody see him boot the ball away at the final whistle? seems frustrated!

Yes saw it and thought the same as you. Think he was angry when he was pushed on to the right to accommodate Kolarov coming on. Only on 20 mins but asked to play two positions.

In any interviews I see he, talks regularly about playing in the middle. Think he's only played there once at Newcastle in the cup when he was fantastic.
Understandable frustrations.

 

[Jacks77]

Well if he has any ambitions to be a regular here, he is up to dissapointments all the time. I dont rate him very much, but I am on the opinion that he can be a valuable squad player. But yeah he always will be pushed around, on the left, on the right, if we would have more injuries in the middle (like Yaya, Fernandinho together), and also plays mostly being a sub. Thats his role, and its hardly will change. Actually can see his playing time becoming less next year as along as Txiki lines up someone in the attacking midfielder/winger department.

I am sure he would want to play trough the middle in a little bit more free role, like Nasri sometimes. But again its hardly going to happen. I 5think its pretty rare troughout the season that he started 3 games in a row. Certainly he could feel that no matter what is his form he just wont start 3-4-5 games in a row.

What would be really great tho is Nasri with Milners mentality, or Milner with Nasris skills. Now we have both but both are lacking things that weould make them really great.

 

[stonerblue]

Who are these 'technically better players' then?

Is that a serious question?

Yes.
Leave out Merlin and Fern but any of the others you can have.

-- Mon Apr 21, 2014 9:54 am --

Is that a serious question?

I laughed at that. I mean, who is NOT technically better? Lescott? Kolarov, possibly. /End of list.

I like Jimmie for his professionalism, commitment, workrate. He's a decent utility player who can be very good on his day. But he his a bit of a donkey tbf.

And he had an absolute stinker on Sunday. Truly truly awful. Shockingly awful.

OK chippy boy, describe what constitutes 'technically better' then name a player.

no takers then...?

 

[Petetheblu]

There's some right shite in this thread.

James Milner has been fantastic for City and at times has been the stand out player. Okay he wasn't a shining button against Sunderland but who was? Every single player has quiet periods or bad games, you can throw Silva, Komps, Yaya and Zabsin there to.

The bile that's written about this lad from halfwits is just shocking, he's a great player who plays almost always like Zab at 110%.

If you are going to have a go back pick your shining example from the team and we'll do a little head to head. Aguero is in my eyes the only player who hasn't really had a bad game.

 

[Originals]

Is that a serious question?

Yes.
Leave out Merlin and Fern but any of the others you can have.

-- Mon Apr 21, 2014 9:54 am --

I laughed at that. I mean, who is NOT technically better? Lescott? Kolarov, possibly. /End of list.

I like Jimmie for his professionalism, commitment, workrate. He's a decent utility player who can be very good on his day. But he his a bit of a donkey tbf.

And he had an absolute stinker on Sunday. Truly truly awful. Shockingly awful.

OK chippy boy, describe what constitutes 'technically better' then name a player.

no takers then...?

to be honest, Milner is desrcibed as this "good engine hard working and gets up and down all day" or shall we say a typical english player

technically gifted players are Nasri Silva Fern Yaya Aguero Navas Kompany(maybe??)

They've got abit more trickery about them abit of flair can keep the ball all day long can get out of tricky situations confident on the ball willing to go passed players.

I like Milner but he isn't a player good enough for a regular starting 11 position he is a good squad player though. Away games against good sides he should start for me.

 

[Chippy_boy]

Who are these 'technically better players' then?

Is that a serious question?

Yes.
Leave out Merlin and Fern but any of the others you can have.

-- Mon Apr 21, 2014 9:54 am --

Is that a serious question?

I laughed at that. I mean, who is NOT technically better? Lescott? Kolarov, possibly. /End of list.

I like Jimmie for his professionalism, commitment, workrate. He's a decent utility player who can be very good on his day. But he his a bit of a donkey tbf.

And he had an absolute stinker on Sunday. Truly truly awful. Shockingly awful.

OK chippy boy, describe what constitutes 'technically better' then name a player.

Sorry I missed this, although I suspect you may be trolling since it is so bleeding obvious.

How about first touch, close control, vision and awareness. Who's better than Milner at these things? Well, Silva of course; Nasri yes; Aguero obviously; Negredo without doubt; Fernandino as well; Yaya obviously. Then debatably you might include Navas; I would include Jovetic.

So there's 3 attributes and 6 to 8 players better than Milner. If I was to have picked only "vision and awareness" it might have read worse.

MIlner is a good utility player, hard working and not without skill. I like the bloke and am happy for him to get game time. But no-one can credibly argue that he is technically one of our best, he just isn't. That's not what he brings to the table.

Happy now?

 

[Shaelumstash]

Him and Silva is our most intelligent combination behind the front man/ men!

Silva is the most intelligent player in the league, Milner looks good alongside him because he makes runs in behind and Silva can pick the pass to find him. Take Silva out of the side and Milner doesn't look quite so intelligent, Wednesday against Sunderland being a good example. Dreadful.

Reminds me a little of the Ireland situation, for the season when he had Elano and Robinho pulling the strings he looked a different player and I was so glad when we got rid in the Milner deal ironically. When they left he looked ordinary. I would never think of selling James but he has to realise his own limitations. Great squad and team player.

Great post.

 

[Shaelumstash]

anybody see him boot the ball away at the final whistle? seems frustrated!

Yes saw it and thought the same as you. Think he was angry when he was pushed on to the right to accommodate Kolarov coming on. Only on 20 mins but asked to play two positions.

In any interviews I see he, talks regularly about playing in the middle. Think he's only played there once at Newcastle in the cup when he was fantastic.
Understandable frustrations.

He also played there away at Norwich and was dreadful.

 

[lasereyes]

Is that a serious question?

Yes.
Leave out Merlin and Fern but any of the others you can have.

-- Mon Apr 21, 2014 9:54 am --

I laughed at that. I mean, who is NOT technically better? Lescott? Kolarov, possibly. /End of list.

I like Jimmie for his professionalism, commitment, workrate. He's a decent utility player who can be very good on his day. But he his a bit of a donkey tbf.

And he had an absolute stinker on Sunday. Truly truly awful. Shockingly awful.

OK chippy boy, describe what constitutes 'technically better' then name a player.

Sorry I missed this, although I suspect you may be trolling since it is so bleeding obvious.

How about first touch, close control, vision and awareness. Who's better than Milner at these things? Well, Silva of course; Nasri yes; Aguero obviously; Negredo without doubt; Fernandino as well; Yaya obviously. Then debatably you might include Navas; I would include Jovetic.

So there's 3 attributes and 6 to 8 players better than Milner. If I was to have picked only "vision and awareness" it might have read worse.

MIlner is a good utility player, hard working and not without skill. I like the bloke and am happy for him to get game time. But no-one can credibly argue that he is technically one of our best, he just isn't. That's not what he brings to the table.

Happy now?

Negredo, you have to be kidding. On his day yes (can't forget his goal against Spurs and his cross-field ball against Fulham). But since the West Ham game, he's looked like a novice at times. And it's too long a period to blame on an injury. Part of your quality as a player is the ability to bounce back from an injury and recover your form. So at best you can say the jury is out on him.

Fernandinho vs. Milner on those attributes is a close call. Fernandinho's first touch has often been lacking this season - look at some of his shooting, and look at the free kick last night before West Brom's counter-attack goal.

And Nasri is the polar opposite. Much flashier, but less consistent. I am a fan personally, but there are too many matches where he disappears. That's why he is unlikely to make France's World Cup side. Nasri vs. Milner is at worst a draw.

Navas - no way. He has shown pace and occasionally good crosses, but his ability to take on players 1-on-1 << Milner.

As for vision and awareness, I've no idea what you're talking about. Milner is generally good, at times outstanding. Jovetic, nobody has any ability to judge. We've only seen cameos from him. So he shouldn't even be in the comparison.

So you are left with Silva and Aguero as the only two who clearly eclipse Milner -- and you're talking about two World Top 10 players there (maybe top 5 in Silva's case).

 

[bluemooninho]

Yes.
Leave out Merlin and Fern but any of the others you can have.

-- Mon Apr 21, 2014 9:54 am --



OK chippy boy, describe what constitutes 'technically better' then name a player.

Sorry I missed this, although I suspect you may be trolling since it is so bleeding obvious.

How about first touch, close control, vision and awareness. Who's better than Milner at these things? Well, Silva of course; Nasri yes; Aguero obviously; Negredo without doubt; Fernandino as well; Yaya obviously. Then debatably you might include Navas; I would include Jovetic.

So there's 3 attributes and 6 to 8 players better than Milner. If I was to have picked only "vision and awareness" it might have read worse.

MIlner is a good utility player, hard working and not without skill. I like the bloke and am happy for him to get game time. But no-one can credibly argue that he is technically one of our best, he just isn't. That's not what he brings to the table.

Happy now?

Negredo, you have to be kidding. On his day yes (can't forget his goal against Spurs and his cross-field ball against Fulham). But since the West Ham game, he's looked like a novice at times. And it's too long a period to blame on an injury. Part of your quality as a player is the ability to bounce back from an injury and recover your form. So at best you can say the jury is out on him.

Fernandinho vs. Milner on those attributes is a close call. Fernandinho's first touch has often been lacking this season - look at some of his shooting, and look at the free kick last night before West Brom's counter-attack goal.

And Nasri is the polar opposite. Much flashier, but less consistent. I am a fan personally, but there are too many matches where he disappears. That's why he is unlikely to make France's World Cup side. Nasri vs. Milner is at worst a draw.

Navas - no way. He has shown pace and occasionally good crosses, but his ability to take on players 1-on-1 << Milner.

As for vision and awareness, I've no idea what you're talking about. Milner is generally good, at times outstanding. Jovetic, nobody has any ability to judge. We've only seen cameos from him. So he shouldn't even be in the comparison.

So you are left with Silva and Aguero as the only two who clearly eclipse Milner -- and you're talking about two World Top 10 players there (maybe top 5 in Silva's case).

It's all pretty subjective, but I think you will be hard pressed to find people who agree with most of those comments.

I like Milner and in any other team you may say that he is technically good (compared to those around him) but to say that he is on par with Nasri and Fernandinho is, in my opinion, rediculous. He is solid and reliable but he is nothing special. Nasri may not be getting in to the French squad, but Milner wouldn't even be considered.

Then there's Yaya, who is technically superior to Milner in every aspect. I can't see you having any argument with that.

Although, I have to agree with you on Navas. He has speed going for him but at times, his passes are poor and I think he relies too much on pure pace.

For a team with title ambitions, Milner will always be a squad player. There is a definite solidity about his game but there is no real flare. He never stops and he has a lot of heart/passion. These are his greatest attributes, but they do not make him a technically gifted player. Just a solid, reliable, hard working good midfielder.

 

[somethingelse]

citys first goal v Liverpool could not of been created by just a solid hard working midfielder ,it was created by an international standard player with the vision and ability to unlock the top of the leagues tight defence and put in a ball for Silva that would of been harder to miss than score,
the comments on this thread are actually bizarre

 

[lasereyes]

citys first goal v Liverpool could not of been created by just a solid hard working midfielder ,it was created by an international standard player with the vision and ability to unlock the top of the leagues tight defence and put in a ball for Silva that would of been harder to miss than score,
the comments on this thread are actually bizarre

Spot on. Check out the third goal against Bayern too - his positioning, his waiting for the right moment to strike and pinpoint accuracy - quite brilliant execution. Every bit as good (I would argue better as further out and against a better team) than Nasri's goal in the League Cup Final.

 

[stonerblue]

Is that a serious question?

Yes.
Leave out Merlin and Fern but any of the others you can have.

-- Mon Apr 21, 2014 9:54 am --

I laughed at that. I mean, who is NOT technically better? Lescott? Kolarov, possibly. /End of list.

I like Jimmie for his professionalism, commitment, workrate. He's a decent utility player who can be very good on his day. But he his a bit of a donkey tbf.

And he had an absolute stinker on Sunday. Truly truly awful. Shockingly awful.

OK chippy boy, describe what constitutes 'technically better' then name a player.

Sorry I missed this, although I suspect you may be trolling since it is so bleeding obvious.

How about first touch, close control, vision and awareness. Who's better than Milner at these things? Well, Silva of course; Nasri yes; Aguero obviously; Negredo without doubt; Fernandino as well; Yaya obviously. Then debatably you might include Navas; I would include Jovetic.

So there's 3 attributes and 6 to 8 players better than Milner. If I was to have picked only "vision and awareness" it might have read worse.

MIlner is a good utility player, hard working and not without skill. I like the bloke and am happy for him to get game time. But no-one can credibly argue that he is technically one of our best, he just isn't. That's not what he brings to the table.

Happy now?

I'm not really sure what 'trolling' is.

First touch and close control is a start on the technical ability front but awareness and vision are vague descriptions of ability, and nowt to do with technical. So i'll stick to touch and control.
Apart from the 2 i mentioned, which weren't up for debate as i said, we've got Nasri, Aguero, Yaya and Negredo.
In backwards order, Negredo hasn't managed to control a ball for 2 fuckin months, never mind closely. Yaya's first touch can be woeful but his strength (a technical attribute) usually gets him out of trouble. Sergio i'm not gonna argue with. He, like Silva, has velcro on his boots. Now we're left with Nasri, whose touch and control is excellent. Just like Milners and everybody else in the team, Dzeko aside.

Now i can't question your maths as it makes no sense whatsoever and i've really tried so i'm gonna swerve that bit.

Nobody really is arguing that he's 'technically one of our best'? I asked you who you thought was technically better which is a different thing entirely.

I'm very happy now thanks. Had a lovely 70's brekky tea and that. Omelette was glorious. Cheers

 

[Bill]

still reckon he's a centre mid man.

 

[Dr Jacoby]

still reckon he's a centre mid man.

In a team with title aspirations? Hell no.