Scottish Mag 3 Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 EVERTON have emerged as the latest club interested in James Milner, raising the possibility of an auction for the England Under-21 winger. The Yorkshireman has been one of the Magpies’ most consistent performers in recent seasons but with manager Kevin Keegan under pressure to cut his wage bill this summer, the former Leeds United player could be sacrificed. Unfortunately for Milner, his last Newcastle appearance coincided with the nadir of their season under Keegan. He broke his foot in the 3-0 defeat at Liverpool, the last game before results finally picked up. It was followed by a seven-match unbeaten run which featured all four of the wins Newcastle have managed during Keegan’s second spell as manager. The drastic improvement was based around an extremely settled side in a winger-less 4-3-1-2 formation. When Keegan switched back to 4-4-2, his side began losing again. That could make Milner, who missed the final nine games as he recovered from injury, surplus to requirements. Everton are interested in the 22-year-old and with Middlesbrough, Aston Villa and Liverpool also keeping tabs, that could help push the price beyond the £5m Newcastle are said to want for Milner. Toffees manager David Moyes is in the market for a right-sided midfielder and although there is uncertainty over Mikel Arteta’s future, they will not be deterred even if the Spaniard keeps his word and rejects the possibility of a return to his homeland. With another Uefa Cup campaign on the horizon and his team having faded badly in the last part of 2007-08, Moyes is anxious to have more options at his disposal next season and Milner’s versatility and work ethic make him the sort of player the Scot likes. Everton appear to be the best option available to Milner as he tries to push his claims for a first international cap. Middlesbrough would represent a step down from Newcastle, who seem to have missed out on Richard Dunne, the Irishman now on the verge of joining Tottenham Hotspur. Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez’s fondness for squad rotation and the number of players he has available might not make joining the Reds a great career move. Aston Villa, where Milner spent a season-long loan in 2005-06, have been repeatedly linked with a move but sources in the west Midlands suggest their interest is not as strong as has been suggested. Milner was minutes from joining Villa in 2006 until he was called back to Tyneside when Newcastle failed to sign Mark Viduka. But Milner’s former Leeds boss David O’Leary was the manager at Villa Park then. O’Neill would be interested were the player available at the right price, but he is not high on a shopping list where other positions – notably goalkeeper – are regarded as higher priorities. Meanwhile, Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni believes United keeper Shay Given could play into his 40s if he wishes. The 32-year-old’s last two seasons have been disrupted by persistent groin injuries but his international manager does not believe time is running out on Given’s career. “Goalkeepers are lucky, because they can play until they are 40,” he noted. “It is a position in which it is very important to have experience. “Shay Given has played very many games, and it is a pity he is injured, but in two or three months he will come back.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 71 Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 I think bigger goalkeepers can play longer, not so sure about the small ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fop 1 Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 I can't see how getting rid of Milner benefits the team, squad or club. He's decent, young, fairly versatile and relatively cheap (and I'd not sure winger is actually the position from which he might develop most potential anyway). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gejon 2 Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 I can't see how getting rid of Milner benefits the team, squad or club. He's decent, young, fairly versatile and relatively cheap (and I'd not sure winger is actually the position from which he might develop most potential anyway). Spot on. Er you big, smelly bad guy you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooj 17 Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 I can't see how getting rid of Milner benefits the team, squad or club. He's decent, young, fairly versatile and relatively cheap (and I'd not sure winger is actually the position from which he might develop most potential anyway). Yup. Would be pointless to sell due to the situation with the current squad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 14021 Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 We have a small squad and with Emre gone we would certainly be moving backwards. Also with uncertainty regarding Joey Barton(in prison), Duff (to Sunderland?), Butt (getting old), Geremi (shite cross +he's 29) we better watch our steps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo 175 Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 I'm still not convinced about Milner, he falls into the Dyer category for me, all the build up but little end product. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul 0 Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 I'd like to keep him but if we were to bring in someone such as SWP I reckon Milner would fancy a move away Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooj 17 Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 I'm still not convinced about Milner, he falls into the Dyer category for me, all the build up but little end product. I agree and also think if he has a future it lies in the middle as he was awful on the right last season when he played, but it makes no sense selling someone with his versatility as it will be of further detriment to our already thin squad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 71 Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 I'm still not convinced about Milner, he falls into the Dyer category for me, all the build up but little end product. I agree and also think if he has a future it lies in the middle as he was awful on the right last season when he played, but it makes no sense selling someone with his versatility as it will be of further detriment to our already thin squad. Something like this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo 175 Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 I'm still not convinced about Milner, he falls into the Dyer category for me, all the build up but little end product. I agree and also think if he has a future it lies in the middle as he was awful on the right last season when he played, but it makes no sense selling someone with his versatility as it will be of further detriment to our already thin squad. Something like this. Agreed, Milner's best play has always been when he's tracked across to the middle, he is totally wasted on either wing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooj 17 Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 I'm still not convinced about Milner, he falls into the Dyer category for me, all the build up but little end product. I agree and also think if he has a future it lies in the middle as he was awful on the right last season when he played, but it makes no sense selling someone with his versatility as it will be of further detriment to our already thin squad. Something like this. Agreed, Milner's best play has always been when he's tracked across to the middle, he is totally wasted on either wing. Looked better on the left I thought as well than the right last season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NobbySol 22 Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 I'm still not convinced about Milner, he falls into the Dyer category for me, all the build up but little end product. Yeah i agree but opposing defenders aren't scared of milner as he as no pace at all, if he had pace he'd b a wright phillips imo (similar end products) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I R Toon Fan 0 Posted May 31, 2008 Share Posted May 31, 2008 I think that Keegan has to change his five players in idea. We need more than five players in, in my opinion we need a striker to replace Viduka a attacking midfielder to replace Dyer a defensive midfielder to replace Butt two centre backs for the squad a back up right back a new left back a left winger a right winger. I know we have to be realistic but we could buy decent players in those positions for £30-40 mill and we need to be in that range to improve i think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fop 1 Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 I think that Keegan has to change his five players in idea. We need more than five players in, in my opinion we need a striker to replace Viduka a attacking midfielder to replace Dyer a defensive midfielder to replace Butt two centre backs for the squad a back up right back a new left back a left winger a right winger. I know we have to be realistic but we could buy decent players in those positions for £30-40 mill and we need to be in that range to improve i think. If half the speculation turns out to be correct we'll need a fair bit more than that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norbert Colon 0 Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 I'm still not convinced about Milner, he falls into the Dyer category for me, all the build up but little end product. Yeah i agree but opposing defenders aren't scared of milner as he as no pace at all, if he had pace he'd b a wright phillips imo (similar end products) Totally agree - not enough skill to compensate for the fact he has no pace - however a good team man and worker and i think if eighty percent of the rest of the squad had his attitude we would have been top eight last season - personally wouldn't like to see him go but would have to accept a back up role on the bench - unless daft money was being waved about then ok Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triggy99 0 Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 I'm still not convinced about Milner, he falls into the Dyer category for me, all the build up but little end product. dyer was a much better player than milner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckyluke 2 Posted June 1, 2008 Share Posted June 1, 2008 I'm still not convinced about Milner, he falls into the Dyer category for me, all the build up but little end product. dyer was a much better player than milner When he wanted to be, and wasn't crocked. Which was hardly ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fop 1 Posted June 2, 2008 Share Posted June 2, 2008 I'm still not convinced about Milner, he falls into the Dyer category for me, all the build up but little end product. dyer was a much better player than milner When he wanted to be, and wasn't crocked. Which was hardly ever. Well in fairness Dyer probably had a lot more to deal with biochemically (), which frankly is another +1 for Milner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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