Barney 0 Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 NEWCASTLE manager Kevin Keegan has hinted that James Milner may be used in a central midfield berth next season after praising his impact in that role in United’s pre-season curtain raiser at Hartlepool. As Keegan continues his efforts to bolster Newcastle’s threadbare resources with four “quality signings” before the start of the season, he is ready to increase his options in one of his problem areas by shifting Milner into the middle. It was a position that the former England Under-21 winger filled with some aplomb in the victory on Saturday, and while much stiffer tests would await Milner in that role in the Premier League it is a positional change that both the player and his manager have discussed in the run-up to the new season. Keegan believes Milner’s phenomenal work-rate and fitness level – which the manager rates as among the best that he has encountered in his managerial career – makes him an ideal foil for a holding player like Nicky Butt. “I know James can play on the right but he’s got so much energy – he’s the fittest player at this football club and one of the fittest football players I’ve ever seen when I played or since I’ve been in management,” said Keegan. “But if you’re out wide you have to wait for the ball to come to you whereas in the centre you have a bit more chance to go and find it. “I thought he did well at Hartlepool.” Milner’s future has been the subject of speculation over most of the close season, with long-term admirers Aston Villa and Liverpool both keen to lure him away from St James’s Park. But with the winger content to remain on Tyneside, and Keegan insistent that the club don’t let one of their most committed and hard-working professionals depart, he is now almost certain to start the season in the black-and-white of United. However, it appears that finding a niche for Milner in Newcastle’s starting line-up won’t be quite as easy as keeping him. The 22-year-old lost his place when Keegan tried out a 4-3-3 formation at the end of last season, and with new signing Jonas Gutierrez primed for a right-wing role when the campaign kicks off the positional experiment makes sense. But while sound tactical reasons lie behind the decision to shift Milner into a more central role, it is also a demonstration of the paucity of United’s resources in the run-up to the Premier League season. With Joey Barton’s future far from certain, United enter the new season with only Nicky Butt, Geremi and new signing Danny Guthrie as contenders for two central midfield places in a 4-4-2 formation. It is an area that Keegan may strengthen – along with central defence and the left-back slot – but converting Milner would be a ready-made solution and give the player a much-needed niche. Keegan is looking for at least four more additions to his threadbare squad before United kick off their Premier League campaign on August 16, but it has been a frustrating summer of recruitment so far. Newcastle have received plenty of knock-backs as they look to make the sort of additions that will give them a realistic shot at Uefa Cup qualification next season, and it appears that they will get little joy if they return to Blackburn Rovers with another offer for left-back Stephen Warnock this week. United’s interest in the England defender remains, but the player has indicated that he’s only interested in life under new manager Paul Ince at Ewood Park. “We are a club that is moving forward and we are all looking forward to the new era under the new manager,” said Warnock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fop 1 Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Still think that may well be his best place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooj 17 Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Guthrie had a lot more of an impact playing through the middle than Milner did on Saturday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 A few of us have been saying that if he is going to be a good player, that'll be his position. That's mainly down to him having a good engine and the realisation he's pretty ordinary out wide though rather than any outstanding qualities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JawD 99 Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 He does have a good engine like so to speak. We also know that his crossing is woeful. He is a talent though and I would rather he stayed at the club. I think having Jonas, Duff, Zog & Milner that gives us some good options at our level across the midfield. They can all play outside and Zog/Milner maybe do ok inside. Id certainly not see our midfield as a priority at the moment anyway. Not yet. I still think a forward, left back and centre (sounds like a hair cut...). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 You see I think that while we need a bit of cover at the back and a top CB or two would be great I think the forward you mention and a bit of creativity in midfield is where we're lacking. I know we've signed this winger but it's more the middle of the park I'm on about. You can make do with an average back four as we did under Robson. Even last season it was the lack of goals (and the pressure that subsequently put on the back four) that was the real problem imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 71 Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Oh dear. Milner the new Deco. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holden McGroin 6936 Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 He has got a decent shot on him as well. More handy when playing in the middle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JawD 99 Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Well yeah, I think while I think we could make do with the m/f as it is now, I do agree we need creativity there, someone who can link with the forwards and more so get a few goals themselves. Trouble with Milner is he's not really one for getting amongst the goals, not sure if that would change in the middle. While I think Zog maybe could, again poor at crossing but is maybe more dangerous than Milner running into the box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 71 Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Squad player before, Squad player nowthink charlie would be better in centre mid than milner, but i'd still much rather we got a proper one in than a makeshift Charlie is on another planet compared to Meewner, especially in the middle imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gloom 22535 Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 he's always lacked the pace to scare the best defenders when he plays out wide. inside could be his best bet. ifrc, that's where he started out at leeds where he first impressed. might be our only option given the number of players in that position who've turned us down. although i'm still not massively charmed by the prospect of a central midfield pool of butt, milner, smith, barton, guthrie and geremi for the season ahead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Squad player before, Squad player nowthink charlie would be better in centre mid than milner, but i'd still much rather we got a proper one in than a makeshift Charlie is on another planet compared to Meewner, especially in the middle imo. Don't know what that's based on because he's never actually played that well in the middle. I prefer N'Zogbia but he's so overrated in some quarters it's untrue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gloom 22535 Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Squad player before, Squad player nowthink charlie would be better in centre mid than milner, but i'd still much rather we got a proper one in than a makeshift Charlie is on another planet compared to Meewner, especially in the middle imo. Don't know what that's based on because he's never actually played that well in the middle. I prefer N'Zogbia but he's so overrated in some quarters it's untrue. i thought he did alright in the middle when we were a midfield 3 - iirc in the tail end of roeder's first season in charge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toontoasey 0 Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Can see him doing well for us playing in the middle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandman02uk 0 Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Well yeah, I think while I think we could make do with the m/f as it is now, I do agree we need creativity there, someone who can link with the forwards and more so get a few goals themselves. Trouble with Milner is he's not really one for getting amongst the goals, not sure if that would change in the middle. While I think Zog maybe could, again poor at crossing but is maybe more dangerous than Milner running into the box. I would like to see Milner play in the middle, hes got a cannon for a foot and whilst he cant pick out a cross for shit he can hit the net, would be interesting to see how we perform with him in the middle Who knows it could be the start of something good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 71 Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Squad player before, Squad player nowthink charlie would be better in centre mid than milner, but i'd still much rather we got a proper one in than a makeshift Charlie is on another planet compared to Meewner, especially in the middle imo. Don't know what that's based on because he's never actually played that well in the middle. I prefer N'Zogbia but he's so overrated in some quarters it's untrue. He hasn't played that well in the middle cause we've never really had a middle. Put him in a top 8 side and it would be another story I've no doubts about that. Marvelous talent, we should keep him and Krul. KK needs to keep him interested so we can get the Zoggy back from 2 years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fop 1 Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Squad player before, Squad player nowthink charlie would be better in centre mid than milner, but i'd still much rather we got a proper one in than a makeshift Charlie is on another planet compared to Meewner, especially in the middle imo. Don't know what that's based on because he's never actually played that well in the middle. I prefer N'Zogbia but he's so overrated in some quarters it's untrue. He hasn't played that well in the middle cause we've never really had a middle. Put him in a top 8 side and it would be another story I've no doubts about that. Marvelous talent, we should keep him and Krul. KK needs to keep him interested so we can get the Zoggy back from 2 years ago. Need to keep and try to bring on all 3, otherwise I dunno what we're supposed to be doing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Squad player before, Squad player nowthink charlie would be better in centre mid than milner, but i'd still much rather we got a proper one in than a makeshift Charlie is on another planet compared to Meewner, especially in the middle imo. Don't know what that's based on because he's never actually played that well in the middle. I prefer N'Zogbia but he's so overrated in some quarters it's untrue. He hasn't played that well in the middle cause we've never really had a middle. Put him in a top 8 side and it would be another story I've no doubts about that. Marvelous talent, we should keep him and Krul. KK needs to keep him interested so we can get the Zoggy back from 2 years ago. Imo he hasn't got the intelligence in terms of making the right decisions and he isn't a good enough passer of the ball either. I know he's made noises about playing in the middle in the past too but sometimes players don't know what their best position is and perhaps he wants to be in the game more. He's an out and out winger for me, he has all the attributes and all his best attributes - pace, a bit of skill, workrate, a good (if consistent cross) and a good shot make him suited to playing there. Why even try and convert a good left-wnger* to a central position anyway? *They're worth their weight in gold they're so rare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Squad player before, Squad player nowthink charlie would be better in centre mid than milner, but i'd still much rather we got a proper one in than a makeshift Charlie is on another planet compared to Meewner, especially in the middle imo. Don't know what that's based on because he's never actually played that well in the middle. I prefer N'Zogbia but he's so overrated in some quarters it's untrue. i thought he did alright in the middle when we were a midfield 3 - iirc in the tail end of roeder's first season in charge Probably drink more than I should before games these days but I thought he played on the left of a four mostly in the spell you're on about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tooj 17 Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Squad player before, Squad player nowthink charlie would be better in centre mid than milner, but i'd still much rather we got a proper one in than a makeshift Charlie is on another planet compared to Meewner, especially in the middle imo. Don't know what that's based on because he's never actually played that well in the middle. I prefer N'Zogbia but he's so overrated in some quarters it's untrue. i thought he did alright in the middle when we were a midfield 3 - iirc in the tail end of roeder's first season in charge Probably drink more than I should before games these days but I thought he played on the left of a four mostly in the spell you're on about. No probably about it Sir. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 71 Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Squad player before, Squad player nowthink charlie would be better in centre mid than milner, but i'd still much rather we got a proper one in than a makeshift Charlie is on another planet compared to Meewner, especially in the middle imo. Don't know what that's based on because he's never actually played that well in the middle. I prefer N'Zogbia but he's so overrated in some quarters it's untrue. He hasn't played that well in the middle cause we've never really had a middle. Put him in a top 8 side and it would be another story I've no doubts about that. Marvelous talent, we should keep him and Krul. KK needs to keep him interested so we can get the Zoggy back from 2 years ago. Imo he hasn't got the intelligence in terms of making the right decisions and he isn't a good enough passer of the ball either. I know he's made noises about playing in the middle in the past too but sometimes players don't know what their best position is and perhaps he wants to be in the game more. He's an out and out winger for me, he has all the attributes and all his best attributes - pace, a bit of skill, workrate, a good (if consistent cross) and a good shot make him suited to playing there. Why even try and convert a good left-wnger* to a central position anyway? *They're worth their weight in gold they're so rare. Totally agree with all of that. Just saying if it comes down to Meewner or Zoggy for the odd game in the middle (and it might) then I'd play Z there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 71 Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Squad player before, Squad player nowthink charlie would be better in centre mid than milner, but i'd still much rather we got a proper one in than a makeshift Charlie is on another planet compared to Meewner, especially in the middle imo. Don't know what that's based on because he's never actually played that well in the middle. I prefer N'Zogbia but he's so overrated in some quarters it's untrue. i thought he did alright in the middle when we were a midfield 3 - iirc in the tail end of roeder's first season in charge Probably drink more than I should before games these days but I thought he played on the left of a four mostly in the spell you're on about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Squad player before, Squad player nowthink charlie would be better in centre mid than milner, but i'd still much rather we got a proper one in than a makeshift Charlie is on another planet compared to Meewner, especially in the middle imo. Don't know what that's based on because he's never actually played that well in the middle. I prefer N'Zogbia but he's so overrated in some quarters it's untrue. He hasn't played that well in the middle cause we've never really had a middle. Put him in a top 8 side and it would be another story I've no doubts about that. Marvelous talent, we should keep him and Krul. KK needs to keep him interested so we can get the Zoggy back from 2 years ago. Imo he hasn't got the intelligence in terms of making the right decisions and he isn't a good enough passer of the ball either. I know he's made noises about playing in the middle in the past too but sometimes players don't know what their best position is and perhaps he wants to be in the game more. He's an out and out winger for me, he has all the attributes and all his best attributes - pace, a bit of skill, workrate, a good (if consistent cross) and a good shot make him suited to playing there. Why even try and convert a good left-wnger* to a central position anyway? *They're worth their weight in gold they're so rare. Totally agree with all of that. Just saying if it comes down to Meewner or Zoggy for the odd game in the middle (and it might) then I'd play Z there. See where you're coming from. The difference in my stance really is that N'Zogbia has the tools to be a very good LW. Milner on the other hand will never be that good out wide but might turn out to be a good player in a more central role. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isegrim 10017 Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 I still think N'Zogbia could do really well in a free role behind the strikers because of his dribbling and shooting skills. But he certainly doesn't have the stature and authority as well as the intelligence to dictate a game. His passing is also far too bad for a "playmaker" role. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 71 Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 I still think N'Zogbia could do really well in a free role behind the strikers because of his dribbling and shooting skills. But he certainly doesn't have the stature and authority as well as the intelligence to dictate a game. His passing is also far too bad for a "playmaker" role. We're crying out for an intelligent player with passing attributes and timing in the middle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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