Millner vs. Ireland - alternative thread

[gio's side step]

Ok, before someone informs me that there is already a thread about Ireland potentially going to Villa, I want to consider raising a direct discussion about the differences between them as players, and subsequently, what type of player we need more.

For me, Millner offers the following

- Good engine, lots of energy, can drive forward from midfield, decent delivery if played out wide, use both feet, appears mentally tough and self driven, has a goal in him, versatile

Ireland offers the following

- Composure on the ball, good football brain, can pick out a first time pass which many others wouldnt see, use both feet, links well with the better technical players, has a goal in him, mentally can suffer at times

Additionally, both seem to be the type of player who don't naturally fit into any real system. It's hard to define what their best position is. For example, Villa bought Millner as a versatile player, but who mainly played out wide, yet he wasnt the Adam Johnson 'go at players' type of wide player, more of an up and down, good engine, and more focus on crossing from deep. It was only last season where Villa moved him more centrally. Having watched him, I would say he offers nothing exceptional in terms of playing as a central midfield player, he might offer energy (which Barry lacks for example), but he's not an Arteta, Fabregas so it is difficult to see how he could naturally fit into our team. If he had been a Xavi, or Xabi Alonso, Arteta, then I could see how he would solve one of our big problems, which an inability to keep posession at times.

Ireland however, offers composure, technique, but again, he doesnt naturally fit into what we appear to believe is Mancini's preferred style of playing. My worry here is, that Ireland will play more centrally in a 4-4-2 at Villa, and might settle better with one deeper player next to him, than Millner will in our team. Some of you might offer an alternative way of seeing this, and offer a different description of their qualities and weaknesses etc (please do), but I am coming to the conclusion, that really, we need NEITHER. Not as starting players anyway. Just don't see how either naturally fit into the team, other than Millner to give us a bit of energy, or Ireland to play a one touch pass (when he gets on the ball, which is about once every 30 minutes)

As a result, I am a bit concerned about how much we are paying for Millner and how much we are letting Ireland go for.

 

[LYNX]

Milner>ireland

 

[Brendan110_0]

If he let's Ireland leave then for me Mancini is an idiot (and I wouldn't care if he was sacked).
Ireland had been on an upward curve until he feinted at Fulham, that set him back for the rest of the season.
At 23 he deserves the chance to prove his ability this season.

 

[leighton]

Milner is a Jack of all trades midfielder type of player. He can play any position accross the midfield and at a push even full back. This is what I feel hampers Milner. For in my opinion in either position accross the midfield he is no better than what we already have to be fair. I would favour Johnson over him on the wings and Bellers / Silva / even at a push SWP. Central area I dont think he will get in ahead of better defensive players that Mancini tends to play.

As for Ireland days are numbered which is a poor decision my Mancini in my opinion. Silva looks lightweight ans will need time to get used to the English game. For that reason you would think Mancini would want to hold onto Ireland for his vision , passing ability and if he can reproduce form of old his goals from midfield. Milner scored a lot last season from set pieces I cant see him getting near any set pieces here because of the other players at the club.

I would honestly stick with Ireland over Milner as he offers something different to what the majority of our central midfielders offer apart from Silva but IF Silva gets injured we will be left to what happen last season lack of creative play in the final third.

 

[Brendan110_0]

Milner is a Jack of all trades midfielder type of player. He can play any position accross the midfield and at a push even full back. This is what I feel hampers Milner. For in my opinion in either position accross the midfield he is no better than what we already have to be fair. I would favour Johnson over him on the wings and Bellers / Silva / even at a push SWP. Central area I dont think he will get in ahead of better defensive players that Mancini tends to play.

As for Ireland days are numbered which is a poor decision my Mancini in my opinion. Silva looks lightweight ans will need time to get used to the English game. For that reason you would think Mancini would want to hold onto Ireland for his vision , passing ability and if he can reproduce form of old his goals from midfield. Milner scored a lot last season from set pieces I cant see him getting near any set pieces here because of the other players at the club.

I would honestly stick with Ireland over Milner as he offers something different to what the majority of our central midfielders offer apart from Silva but IF Silva gets injured we will be left to what happen last season lack of creative play in the final third.

That's Mancini's style though, shit negative football, no flair but hard work, will be crap to watch again as last nights game showed, we only perked up when SWP came on.

 

[stadiumcat]

Good post, and I think you are right, I would be tempted to let Ireland go out on loan rather than sell. It gives him the games and our team a chance to settle and see if there is a place for him, because at the moment I don't think there is.<br /><br />-- Sun Aug 08, 2010 11:31 am --<br /><br />Good post, and I think you are right, I would be tempted to let Ireland go out on loan rather than sell. It gives him the games and our team a chance to settle and see if there is a place for him, because at the moment I don't think there is.

 

[Marvin]

If he let's Ireland leave then for me Mancini is an idiot (and I wouldn't care if he was sacked).
Ireland had been on an upward curve until he feinted at Fulham, that set him back for the rest of the season.
At 23 he deserves the chance to prove his ability this season.

But we have to make choices.

When you have players like Weiss, Silva and AJ in your team it makes the decision easier to make. I really hope that we can make a team out of all these gifted players to show he world what great players we have at City.

 

[moomba]

That's Mancini's style though, shit negative football, no flair but hard work, will be crap to watch again as last nights game showed, we only perked up when SWP came on.

You're kidding right?

 

[Rob J]

If he let's Ireland leave then for me Mancini is an idiot (and I wouldn't care if he was sacked).
Ireland had been on an upward curve until he feinted at Fulham, that set him back for the rest of the season.
At 23 he deserves the chance to prove his ability this season.

We're not talking about a novice here. Ireland has made close to 200 appearances for City and his best performances have come against Hull.

I don't like the fact that again we're paying hugely over the odds for a player (Milner) but I think that the supposed valuation of Ireland at £10M is correct.
Ireland's a great player on his day, but we've been waiting for that day to come again for what seems an age.

 

[sweep]

The price of Milner bothers me but if we get him I'd see him playing most weeks, as we set up yesterday I'd have him replacing Barry as a first choice CM, if Yaya is injured or rested I'd expect Milner and Barry to play together.

I'd be inclined to keep Ireland as long as he'd accept being primary back up to Silva, this type of player didn't really fit to our system last season, with the changes we've made they certainly can this season (assuming yesterday is anything to go by).