James Milner

[superchimp]

Gotta say, wasn't totally convinced as many on here by him when he first arrived.

He doesn't really do that much does he? His work rate is very good but does he actually add anything else to our team?

I'm often left confused as to what value he adds apart from run a lot and make a few interceptions.

It appears most the time he's working hard, but not smart.

 

[Mystic]

Gotta say, wasn't totally convinced as many on here by him when he first arrived.

He doesn't really do that much does he? His work rate is very good but does he actually add anything else to our team?

I'm often left confused as to what value he adds apart from run a lot and make a few interceptions.

It appears most the time he's working hard, but not smart.

Nah, that's wrong, we need his industry in our attacking line badly, it was evident against Palace, just like Henderson, the guy does a lot of the stuff that gets unnoticed but is vital for our team to be able to play.

 

[Judge Jules]

Absolutely. Every successful side includes its share of James Milner-type players. He's a top pro and I'm glad we've got him.

 

[Modo]

I think he's a top class player.

 

[Judge Jules]

Gotta say, wasn't totally convinced as many on here by him when he first arrived.

He doesn't really do that much does he? His work rate is very good but does he actually add anything else to our team?

I'm often left confused as to what value he adds apart from run a lot and make a few interceptions.

It appears most the time he's working hard, but not smart.

This reminds me of the "What have the Romans ever done for us?" bit in "Life of Brian".

 

[ILD]

I really like him. He's a top class pro and I trust him.

He will have less running to do when Henderson is back and perhaps he will get an opportunity to focus on different aspects of his game bar covering every blade of grass for us.

 

[Modo]

So if Hendo's in, who's out?

 

[ILD]

Hmmm. Will depend on the game I suppose. Milner will play wide right a good bit too I'd say.

Options, options, options.

 

[Hansern]

I really thought he'd miss that penalty last night.

He just looked like he was trying to impress everyone all the time. Seem to have settled down a bit more after Klopp took charge. Top player and we benefit from his work rate.
He'll get better and better as the season progresses imho.

 

[mom]

Good player.

 

[Judge Jules]

Hendo will have to earn his place back - nobody'll get a free pass under Klopp. When he does ('coz I'm pretty sure he will) I doubt it'll be a case of just one player dropping out to make room for him. I can see any of Can, Lucas or even Milner himself being benched depending on the opposition.

 

[Modo]

Hendo will have to earn his place back - nobody'll get a free pass under Klopp. When he does ('coz I'm pretty sure he will) I doubt it'll be a case of just one player dropping out to make room for him. I can see any of Can, Lucas or even Milner himself being benched depending on the opposition.

I'd leave Lucas out of that equation unless Klopp suddenly turns Hendo into a DM.

 

[Judge Jules]

I know you would, but I don't think Klopp's so fixated on any one player, nor should he be. There will be games for which Klopp considers Lucas a necessity, at least unless or until we buy another DM in January. I very much doubt that will apply to every single game without exception though.

 

[Portly]

The problem with Milner is that he is very slow.

 

[Judge Jules]

So was Sami though, Ports old fruit. Milner's quick enough to do what he needs to do.

 

[Portly]

There's a difference between what you want from a centre back and what you want from a creative midfielder, though. Milner's lack of pace was particularly noticeable in last night's match against Bordeaux.

 

[Judge Jules]

There is a difference, certainly, but if anything I'd have thought speed would be at more of a premium for a centre-back. I agree Milner didn't look exactly pacey last night, but I didn't think it led to major problems and, as others have said, he's having to try and be more mobile in Hendo's absence than he'll have to be when Hendo gets back.

 

[Aidan O' Neill]

There's a difference between what you want from a centre back and what you want from a creative midfielder, though. Milner's lack of pace was particularly noticeable in last night's match against Bordeaux.

I think he's more tired than slow.

 

[Mamma Mia]

I think he's more tired than slow.

This.

 

[mark1975]

He's a good workhorse, which history tells us will always split opinion - see Hendo, Kuyt, Riise, Lucas, etc. I think he gives alot in terms of movement, pressing and he delivers a good cross. I'm not sure he's the calming influence many expected, but he's certainly alot more defensively tuned and capable of getting across the pitch than Gerrard was in the last few years.

He's a good player and with him and Hendo, it gives us two similar options of a good standard to call upon. He's not a worry for me, squad player perhaps rather than ever present, but he's the typical under-appreciated player who busts a gut each game and puts in the hard work that often goes unnoticed, but gives us a platform to let the more technically gifted players do their stuff. That's not to play down his own technical ability either, but you get my drift.

 

[doctor_mac]

I hate when he tries to dribble past people though. He tries it several times a game and he always loses the ball. Always.

 

[keniget]

As Mark said, good player but I don't know about "top class".

 

[manwithnoname]

has been exactly what I expected. Good player. Decent signing

 

[the count]

 

[Gary25]

I've not been impressed with Milner at all, but I actually think he's slowly playing his way into a bit of form.
Don't like him in the middle though...not in a two anyway.

 

[ILD]

I hate when he tries to dribble past people though. He tries it several times a game and he always loses the ball. Always.

Yeah a few of his dribbles have led to him venturing down dead ends but he did experience a lot of joy dribbling for city. I remember being suprised with how jinxy (think I made that word up) he was going at players for them.

 

[Delinquent]

He's solid and dependable, just as he's always been. He's never offered anything out of the ordinary, so there's no reason to assume he'll start now.

His work rate will probably make him a regular feature of the team under Klopp. That is, until we acquire some players with a bit more quality.

I'd be surprised if he's a regular starter for us beyond this season.

 

[moron]

How about in terms of what he adds:-

1) Maturity to what is quite a young team
2) Knows what it is to play for a champion team - think he has a cool head in pressure situations.
3) I don't know about many of you but I feel more comfortable when he is playing when Can and Lucas are on. When he is not then I expect one of those two to f*ck it up.

Other than that mistake against Man City - he has not done anything bad at all. I was really glad he arrived knowing that SG was going out.

 

[dmishra]

How long is his contract here? I hope it's not more than 3 years. He's a good player, but I can't see him having any utility beyond that.

 

[Judge Jules]

I think it may be a 5-year deal but, given the precedent of Sir Gary Mac, I don't think that need necessarily be a problem.