It is all over the press this afternoon that Martin O’Neil has spoken to Sky Sports and said the following.
“Eventually if players do want to leave the football club, or any football club for that matter, then it becomes more difficult than ever before,”
“But what I will say is we have a better chance of performing in the manner in which we did last season if we could keep the best players and James Milner comes into that equation.”
I posted last week a story which said that ‘Mysterman’ on Villatalk plus other ITK’s were saying that Milner is all but a done deal. No matter how some try and spin these comments it is not saying that Milner will stay or even if he wants to negotiate a new contract and not that we will be speaking to him.
In fact it is quite conclusive in stating he does want to leave, ignore the IF that is for show, MON has resigned himself and his tone of language shows this that Milner wants to go and there is little he can do to stop him.
That is the fact of modern Premier league football, a fact I hate but one we must admit is there and the power of oil money is far to large to resist.
Aston Villa News 24/7
I’ve resigned myself to the fact that he will depart. Now I just want to know, what is the price and who will replace him? Milner is great, and will become greater, but he isn’t irreplaceable. Just as Dunne stepped in for Laursen, so, too, we can find someone to step in for Milner. With all of the money that we’ll receive, we may even end up a better team.
yep hope so, if we get certain players and change the system who knows ?
We repace him with a better player or two n get 4th rather not as I will be gutted but I said that bout Barry like I know let’s cash in now if he wants the cash n shit on villa who made him the star he is now let’s hope we replace him n get a striker aswell. Up the Villa
I’ve already said Milner’ll go imo, but I’m not convinced that MON is totally resigned to losing him as you suggest.
He’s too canny to come out with something so blatant.
Of more interest to me is this story;
http://www.tribalfootball.com/villa-fringe-players-dig-their-heels-bosman-dream-ticket-971071
I suspect that one is very true, especially in NRC’s case.
When you consider the combined money they’re on (approaching £125k a week?)the mind boggles.
But I guess that’s the price you have to pay for back up players.
Badger that is only tribal but I believe it is correct. Players care only for money, sod if they never play first team football for a year.
If I was a footballer with a chance to go to a decent club, play first team and establish myself I would take the pay cut because they do well they can easily regain it
lesson that all clubs should learn and control the pay, except Man City of course who do care about their impact.
“If I was a footballer with a chance to go to a decent club, play first team and establish myself I would take the pay cut because they do well they can easily regain it”
I was having this discussion with a group of lads earlier.
Question is, would you really though?
A couple of the lads said “pay me £50k a week and I’ll sit on the bench, no problem”.
You have to see their point.
3 years of that grosses £7.5 million! with another deal after it, on a free, for more big money.
Whereas if you get an injury that retires you, you’ve had it.
The contract is paid up and that’s it.
Financially, it makes perfect sense, although as you suggest, you’re probably on the way down.
You also have to remember they’re being advised by agents taking a cut, so it’ll always be “take the money now” imo.
Getting back to the subject in hand (sorry, I’m sick of the transfer speculation, as you know) it’s why I’m quite disappointed in Milner.
I really thought he was better than that.
All I can say Badger is that I would hate to not be playing and not to be involved regardless of money but maybe that is me.
My brother has told me that Stephen Ireland has a meeting Monday afternoon with villas representatives about a possible swap for James milner plus £19 million, also Steve Sidwell, Nicky Shorey, Luke Young and Emile Heskey seem to beaaying there goodbyes
charisma, if you can drop me a mail at ianrobo1@virginmedia.com with some further details, cheers, Ian.
Wasn’t a fan of Milner playing centrally. His crosses are 2nd to none and was more of a threat switching with Young. If we can seriously sign Ireland, who’s much better centrally and get a striker that can score while keeping Carew, Gabby and loan out Delfouneso we can make a huge roar.
Andrew, look at Milner’s assists 4th best in the whole league ..
that is why he is so valuable
ianrobo
I know how valuable he is, but I still don’t think he’s a central midfielder. I think he’s still a much better winger, showed it for England and showed it 2 seasons ago. We get a RB that likes to attack more and can actually pass and cross (unlike Cueller) and we’re in business. Something like Johnson/Milner was for England.
“We get a RB that likes to attack more and can actually pass and cross (unlike Cueller) and we’re in business.”
This is where I disagree Andrew.
That is nowhere near the solution imo.
We often get over-run in the centre and placing emphasis on going too wide is just so wrong.
It’s specifically why Cuellar has been played at RB imo, in that his major role is to help the defence, while looking to get forward if he can.
It’s also why our central defenders get caught out of position too (particularly Dunne).
They all move across to cover the weak link at the time.
I really don’t understand why people don’t see this, but it’s just opinions.
I’ll just mention Glen Johnson as an attacking RB and leave it at that.
We need a goalscorer first and more meat in the middle (someone who thinks like Petrov, but with a lot more energy).
Agree with Badger—see last season against Spurs, when their midfield completely overran us. We need a CM who can get stuck in, more in the mold of De Jong and Palacios. Petrov is a fine good player, kind of like a poor man’s Xabi Alonso. But he his defensive qualities aren’t that good.
well. i guess that fabled ‘milner loyalty’ was a myth. it might be detrimental to us as a football club’ but right now, i value loyalty higher than ability. my opinion of milner has sunk right down too. only a few seasons after MoN and villa gave him the opportunity to excel, he’s off. loyal? my foot.