James Milner

[nellyonthewing]

Quite a few City fans agree with him on that.

Not that the manager always knows best all the time - but since we're currently the champions, then questions about how much Milner wanted to play last season are truly utterly irrelevant, as are the views of any fans who agree with Jimmy. Those fans, and Jimmy, should probably look at the fact we're champions and then respect the managers decisions based on that rather than whine either in the press or on forums.

I'll whine all I want thanks......

 

[jimharri]

Legend, our Jimbo!





Yes, I'm aware it's a parody account, thank you very much!

 

[Saddleworth2]

i havent looked at stats but it would be interesting to contrast Milner and Nasri's. My guess would be that they show James works harder and has more assists on average by a margin. I hope he gets the game time and signs a new contract, we would be a weaker squad without him imo.

 

[neel]

Needs to improve his shooting and atleast try to hit the target.

 

[1dart]

Great squad player, not nearly as good as Nasri though.

 

[xirtarg]

Great squad player, not nearly as good as Nasri though.

It's horses for courses though. If you need someone to dig in and work hard, then Nasri isn't your man I'm afraid.

Creativity wise, Milner isn't your man, although some of his Gerrard type "hollywood" balls are pretty impressive...Just not often enough!

 

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

Milner played a decent number of games last season, but he was not treated like a potential member of our first 11. He was treated like someone who comes in, does a job, & then gets dropped again.

His role was stopping the tricky winger in a tough away game or filling in when someone got injured. I imagine he wants to be allowed to play his own game from time to time & be given the same kind of leeway to find form, that people such as Nasri have had.

How many chances does Milner normally get to cement a place in our strongest 11 ? He has one good game, one average game, dropped. Nasri for example, can turn in ten average games & even if dropped once or twice, he's still more likely to be brought back into our strongest team.

I imagine Milner wants a bit of faith shown in him, so that if he plays a blinder, it isn't forgotton because he's not as good in the next one & he gets a few more starts, to show that he can do it again, rather than being instantly cast aside as a 'squad' player.

Quite a few City fans agree with him on that.

I really rate Jimmy, but can't agree with this, particularly the last part. I suppose there'll be a measure of agreement that if these players are fit, they get selected in the starting line-up: Sergio, Yaya, Merlin, Vinny. Myself, I'd add Zabaleta to that. They are automatic choices because they are world class players, who can change a game on their own. Jimmy's a very good player, but he's not at that level. Every other position is up for grabs, and there's no shame in being a squad player, because this is a very big club now. You take your choice: if Jimmy wants to go to, say, Everton, he'll be in the starting line-up every time (as Gareth Barry now is). But he won't be playing against Bayern, as he did brilliantly last season. I absolutely hope he stays, but no manager in his right mind would "guarantee" him a fixed, quantified amount of playing time. And this is where Pellegrini's man management skills are going to be called on to the full. Look at Dzeko. He couldn't get a place in the starting line-up as long as Beast was on fire and Sergio was fit, last season. He bided his time, because he knew that he finally had a manager who believed in him. And look at him yesterday. But when Jovetic comes back, there's a "problem". Well, a nice problem as far as we're concerned. . .

 

[silverback]

You would start yourself in the starting line up? :)

 

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

Nah, I'm realistic. This is abig club now. Jock strap washer squad?

 

[mastermind]

Milner played a decent number of games last season, but he was not treated like a potential member of our first 11. He was treated like someone who comes in, does a job, & then gets dropped again.

His role was stopping the tricky winger in a tough away game or filling in when someone got injured. I imagine he wants to be allowed to play his own game from time to time & be given the same kind of leeway to find form, that people such as Nasri have had.

How many chances does Milner normally get to cement a place in our strongest 11 ? He has one good game, one average game, dropped. Nasri for example, can turn in ten average games & even if dropped once or twice, he's still more likely to be brought back into our strongest team.

I imagine Milner wants a bit of faith shown in him, so that if he plays a blinder, it isn't forgotton because he's not as good in the next one & he gets a few more starts, to show that he can do it again, rather than being instantly cast aside as a 'squad' player.

Quite a few City fans agree with him on that.

Milner shouldn't complain but rather should get on with his job. If he's not picked, it is his fault and nobody else's fault. We have a squad of 22 players who all want to play and the only way to play regularly to is to perform in training and on the pitch. He didn't perform against Hull and therefore deserves to be on the bench against Roma in my opinion.