15 Feb 2015

Next Transfer? LFC make official offer for 'outstanding' £15m attacker. Done Deal in the summer?

Liverpool continue to be linked with a move for Manchester City star James Milner, and in a disturbing turn of events, it appears that the Reds have actively taken concrete steps to try and seal the deal.

According to an alleged exclusive from the Daily Express:

* Liverpool and Arsenal have submitted official offers for Milner.

* The 28-year old is actively 'considering' the offers.

Liverpool are regularly linked with £15m-rated Milner, and in a recent press conference, a journo put the following question to Rodgers:

"James Milner is a player who's been particularly strongly linked. Is he a player that's interesting you?"

Rodgers insisted that he'd 'never speak publicly about a player until he's signed and in the door', but then proceeded to do exactly that, when he raved:

"James is a wonderful player. He's an outstanding footballer, and has been since I saw him at Leeds as a young player, but players are linked here regularly by Agents"

'Wonderful' and 'outstanding'? Maybe it's just me, but I definitely hear the shrill wail of alarm bells ringing in the background. Rodgers hailed Mario Balotelli in similarly gushing terms prior to the Italian's £16m move to Anfield, and it appears that the manager has his eye very much on Milner.

It doesn't surprise me at all that Rodgers rates Milner. The harsh reality is that LFC's manager cannot attract the European elite, so he sticks to targets within his reach, i.e. inexperienced young players, or overpriced Brits (Allen, Lallana, Milner etc).

Reds legends Graeme Souness and Gary Gillespie will be happy if Rodgers brings in Milner, though. Analysing the England team ahead of the recent victory over Scotland, Souness raved:

"I really like him [Milner]. He’d be one of the first on the team sheet for me — both at Man City and with England. He’s improved greatly in his time at City. Apart from being a workaholic, he’s now added quality to his game"

When asked in October about Liverpool's alleged interest in Milner, Gillespie enthused:

"He [Milner] is a manager's dream. He doesn't upset the apple cart, and you know what you're going to get. He doesn't really catch the eye, but he works his socks off, and doesn't get the rewards he deserves".

Milner is a steady, reliable payer, but his pedestrian brand of huff-and-puff football is definitely not going to take Liverpool to the next level. Milner's creative stats over the last 4 years:

* 2014-15: 4 goals/8 assists in 33 apps (so far)
* 2013-14: 2 goals/15 assists in 44 apps.
* 2012-13: 4 goals/7 assists in 35 apps.
* 2011-12: 3 goals/5 assists in 37 apps.
* 2010-11: 3 goals/8 assists in 42 apps
* TOTALS: 16 goals/44 assists in 191 apps
* Goal every 11.9 apps | Assist every 4.3 apps.
* Goal/Assist every 3.1 apps.

Milner is in the midst of a consistent run of games right now, but it's likely that he'll return to bench duty once Yaya Toure returns to the side. Milner wants regular first team football, and Arsenal legend Charlie Nicholas insist that he'll only move if he's guaranteed that. He told Sky Sports:

"He's an intelligent footballer, he's one of those guys that is a real team player. He might just go somewhere he's going to play rather than be a substitute."

If Liverpool sign Milner, is he likely to be a regular?

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87 comments:

  1. Nicolas Chamberlain12:55 am, February 15, 2015

    Milner could give us that extra experience. Every time I watch City play he is mostly one of their best performers. Hopefully we can sign him.

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  2. Putting a negative spin on a utility player who has a goal/assist in every 3 appearances. You're stats actually undo your argument.

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  3. Please replace the "you're" with "your" in my previous posting. Not sure what happened there...

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  4. I am surprised to see only 53% negative vote. Guys, we have to come out of this English Talent delusion. I am sure if he is available for 15mn, he 'll charge over 100K/week for at least 4 years contract. At 28, over 4 years, that's more than 38mn - hell no, no, no.


    Can't we search outside UK?

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  5. 'Disturbing' - no, not really. An unduly harsh assessment of a player who at the very least, always gives his all. If I'm not mistaken, just the other day he broke the Premier League record for the greatest distance covered in a single match in City's 4-1 win against Stoke. I'd hardly call that 'pedestrian'. BR is probably (justifiably) attracted to Milner's athleticism, excellent work ethic and directness; fine qualities. Add to that the fact that he may be available for a reasonable price and would add further depth and experience to our squad. Dirk Kuyt's creative stats weren't brilliant either, nor was he a flashy player, but he was a fan favourite because he worked his bollocks off, and had a handy knack of scoring important goals; quite similar to Milner in many ways. And by the way, that free kick he scored against Hull last week and rescuing a point for City in the process was absolutely sublime.

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  6. Fact is we're losing Gerrard this summer. He might not give us the impact we're losing, but he can certainly add a good experience head in the lockerroom. Plus, he's still got some good years left on him, unlike Lambert and Toure to an extent, so it's not like that's the only reason we'd be getting him. We lack a go to man off the bench for CM, and he could be it. However, I'm not so sure he'd be okay with that... Either way though, he's definitely an upgrade to Allen.

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  7. On a free transfer and much more quality than the likes of Borini, why wouldn't you sign him?

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  8. I think maybe there's something with Milner's face/appearance that doesn't make him look like a good player, coupled with the fact that he's name isn't Milnerinho or something. He's a steady, reliable, experienced and skillful (yes he is) player who will always give 100% and not complain and sulk when he's not picked. I'm pretty sure those who criticise him hardly watch him play.
    For me he's a slightly better version of Henderson.

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  9. Personally I think Milner is under-rated and on a free transfer would be s very useful addition to the squad. Is he going to take us to the next level? Probably not but not every player you sign is going to be a game changer and Milner is a significant upgrade on Allen and dare I say probably Hendo as well

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  10. Come on Jaimie, just because he's English... ;)

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  11. Milner would be a first class signing for Liverpool could see him competing for the midfield places and with Gerrard and Johnson and possibly Lucas

    leaving the club his experience would be an vital assist to the squad.

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  12. Free, experienced and is a quality player. with a few players rumoured to be leaving he would slot right into the midfield

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  13. If there is a yellow bar next to your avatar on a comment you made, does that mean the comment is being moderated?

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  14. any player is an upgrade from Allen Joe.

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  15. I don't agree to taking in Milner but he's still much better than Allen !!!!

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  16. Exactly , with Gerrard going and maybe Lucus as well , Milner's would be a far better option than Allen .
    Lets hope for Milner and Ings next season !

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  17. At least you know you're not pregnant...

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  18. His introduction for City against us last year (at Anfield) turned the game in their favour and released Silva. It was only due to Coutinho's late winner that this has been forgotten.

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  19. When you click on any comment, it shows the yellow bar. Click on the time mention on the right of title. It will show the yellow bar.

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  20. James Milner would be a dream signing IMO. He is hardworking, no personal issues, technically decent, scores goals and creates chances, top level experience, hardly injured, consistent, strong. He is every managers dream.

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  21. He would offer more than what Gerrard currently is but FSG wlll not be looking to offer him a a long or lucrative contract. We have already seen this with Glen Johnson.


    So unless Milner is willing to take 2-3 year and less than what he is earning at City then it ain't going to happen.

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  22. I still want to see Balo and Sturridge play a full game together. Just a standard Premier league game, vs Southampton, and see what they two can do

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  23. And Cleverly the new Scholes

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  24. B Rodgers should forget about J Milner(28) and instead bring these two class quality pacey quick wingers to the club in the summer:


    J Montero(25) Of Swansea for £6-£9M to compete with R Sterling(20)


    Y Bolaise(25) Of Crystal Palace for £6-£8M to compete with Ibe (19) and Markovic(20) next season

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  25. Players who I reckon need to be moved on this coming summer:
    Coates, Enrique, Skrtel, Aspas, Luis Alberto, Brad Jones, Lambert, Balotelli. If we can get average £5m a player then that could be added to whatever funds are made available by FSG which ain't going to be much unless someone like Sterling does not sign his new contract and is sold.



    Gerrard is leaving, Johnson and Toure will leave on a free too. I also believe Lucas will leave unless he is guaranteed playing time and his contract is up in 2017 so he possibly would want to negotiate a new deal too.


    Youngsters that should be part of the squad next season:
    Rossiter, Flanagan, Ibe



    Players on loan who should be brought back
    Ilori, Origi, Wisdom


    Our squad would then look like this
    Mignolet, Ward

    Lovren, Sakho, Ilori, Wisdom, Flanagan, Manquillo, Moreno
    Henderson, Allen, Rossiter, Can
    Markovic, Sterling, Coutinho, Lallana, Ibe
    Sturridge, Origi, Borini


    So we will need four top quality players. GK, CB, CM and ST.


    I have gone with Borini to stay as for me he is a better option on the bench than Balo or Lambert.


    The only way we will push on next season is to sign players who are good enough to start matches from the word go and make an immediate impact.

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  26. I cannot think of many people who look less like Fairclough ;-)

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  27. He is humble, His stats are good, the price is right, and he's neither English nor Italian but might he crumble under the weight of playing for Liverpool? ;-)

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  28. Said it before, but whenever Henderson wears that armband he becomes twice the player. He is ready.

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  29. On a free transfer? It's a no-brainer. If Milner chose to come to Liverpool to fight for a regular spot, leaving behind the big money, title chances and guaranteed CL football of City, he'd certainly have the right attitude. He's got the skill set required and his assist count in particular in the past 18-24 months is impressive. No, he's not going to take Liverpool to another level but he'll add valuable experience and depth to the squad. He'll help push everyone else in the team during training and he'll have all the attributes that Rodgers values in terms of working for the team. With Gerrard leaving the club needs to ensure they have enough experienced leaders-by-example in the team. Milner will quietly go about his job and do it well, showing the young players that it doesn't matter who you are or where you go, you need to put in a hard shift and when you do you'll be rewarded. I'm not convinced he'd start every game but Liverpool will expect to compete across 4 competitions in any given season. There will be enough games to go around and he's the kind of player who can fit into a number of different roles. Rodgers will use him extensively.


    Rodgers referring to someone as "outstanding" is a non-event. He'd say the same thing if you asked him about the performance of the plumber who installed his new toilet. It's his default word for referring to anyone he wants to say something nice about. You could base a drinking game around it while watching one of his interviews.

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  30. I think it just goes to show that new players need time, and some more than others.


    Migs has gotten a lot better recently.
    Markovic has improved over the season.
    Can is turning in to a great talent
    Balo is starting to show some return.


    Sure some of them still have a way to go, but the signs are there that the team are improving.

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  31. Let's see how he finishes his season. Personally goals are more important than all the hidden skill in the world. In that regard Ings comes out on top.

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  32. Players who I reckon need to be moved on this summer: 
    Coates, Aspas, Luis Alberto, Brad Jones, Lambert, Borini, Gerrard (free), Johnson (free) and Toure (free)

    Youngsters that should be part of the squad next season:
    Rossiter, Flanagan, Ibe

    Players on loan who should be part of the squad next season:
    Ilori, Origi, Wisdom

    New signings:
    Lacazette, Khedira and another keeper to challenge Mignolet.
    I would also be happy to take Milner on a free (a good solid experienced player to fill some of the Gerrard void)

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  33. Jamie K. Can you please let me know if you are actually a true red? As I have read your blog for a while and it seems that you want the team to fail. Whatever happen to YNWA? I read the comments about BR going to Italy and it really seemed that because you have this hatred for him, you wanted us to falter against Palace. As a true red I will support the team and manager as I truly believe we are the 12th Man when singing from the Kop.

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  34. Jesus brother people have to interpret my posts rather than reading them. It's no big deal.

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  35. Agreed. I keep saying this on here but Balo was never intended to be used as lone striker...he does not move across the front line and run into the channels as intelligently as a Sturridge, nor does he quite have the lightning acceleration. It is not because of his work rate because Opta stats show that he has covered the same distance as Suarez average per game when he has played. He is a 'laid back' trainer though which is what Rodger alluded to. The point is though that he was bought to play up front with Studge and that is the main reason he is back in the squad now. People talk about his attitude but if you read any interview with past teammates you can't find any negative comments really....just the opposite. Mancini and Mourinho have fallen out with him but Mancini has had flare ups with people all through his career and as for Maureen, he left Real with only two players on speaking terms with him, so I don't think we should put to much on Mario there. The Italy manager just used him as a scapegoat (he comically blamed Mario for a bad performance against Croatia when he was out injured and never even played). Berlusconi called him a cancer despite Mario single handedly firing the worst Milan team in memory to the CL, but that was about money....Milan could no longer afford his wages of 150k. He took a 50% pay cut to come to us (admittedly with success add ons) but nobody talks about that. I think he could be an important player still

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  36. So despite Lucas being one of our most important players recently you'd still get rid of him? What more does he need to do to prove we're a better team with him in it. Is it a coincidence that in the last few games whilst he's been injured we've not looked as solid at the back. We don't need wholesale changes in the squad as you've suggested, another striker another midfielder and maybe another keeper. I think if this season has proved anything it's that we can't make massive changes to the squad and expect them all to settle in straight away.

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  37. We can forget Lacazette. He gets to cherry pick any team he wants now.

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  38. Your definition of top class players is way off mate..

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  39. I just feel that if we're patient with Balotelli, he'll be twice the player Ings is.

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  40. You really are running out of things to moan about Jaimie. If Milner is such an average player why are City so keen to keep him. Are 15 assists in 44 games last season really 'pedestrian' given that a good number of those are from the bench (and City won the league last season) Milner is the classic victim of his own versatility. When City had no strikers, who did they turn to? Find one football expert who says he is not a fantastic player and then I will listen but otherwise this is just a very far out opinion on your part. On a free transfer this is a no brained. And while we are on the subject of your matter of fact criticism that Rodgers can't attract Europe's best players. Well can Pellegrini? He is not internationally renowned...yes he managed Real Madrid for one season...but so did Carlos Quieroz...but he is no Mourinho in terms of and he can attract players....the reality is that we are the 5 times times Euro cup winner and provided we are in the CL regularly and the right wages are offered we will be able to compete for any players apart from stupid £60m fees.....Rodgers is proving you don't need to do that any way (so are Chelsea) we can develop through the loans system etc. By the way if Ball plays well and Lovren sorts it out then all of this players that you berated Rodgers for signing look like they are going to be a success.....what are you gonna moan about then????

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  41. Havent heard Real Barca United City Chelsea or Bayern call him yet still a bit of a chance in my books.

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  42. Same goes for Gerrard.

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  43. I get where your coming from mate. I just in any kind of number form, any kind of tangible evidence that idea falls apart. I see those incidents where he flashes something that looks like phenomenal potential but up to now the reality doesn't back it up. I would love him to prove me wrong but it wold take exceptional management to get that from him.

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  44. That's why Rodgers get paid exceptionally big bucks.

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  45. Hey Chirag, I don't remember Agger performing well in his last year or two at the club. At times he was terrible. I remember him getting skinned after his last comeback by Waters of Stoke, a stocky little prop forward of a player, who beat him for pace over 10 yards. How deep would you have to defend to accommodate someone that lacking in fundamental fitness? Agger was done.

    He had leadership, you say. But I never felt that. He was a nice mascot for fans, with his tattoos and his much-advertised love of LFC. And he's no doubt likeable -- one of these guys who likes to say things as he sees them, as he says. That attitude can be a problem, though, can't it, in a team. At times it can mean having someone who speaks with spontaneity and directness, which is often useful. But at other times it means having a loudmouth, someone who's entitled himself to pronounce on everything, and who is unwilling to think through the consequences of what he says.

    The thing with people like this is that they tend not to be very bright. Smart people tend to be more interested in seeing the points of view of others and don't tend to be so bold in their pronouncements. So you get this arrogant, egotistical guy, who is not the sharpest tool in the box, and loves the sound of his own voice, entitling himself to pronounce on things as he sees them. And he sees them in a limited and inflexible way, which usually has other people's failings featuring prominently.



    This leads to trouble, because our opinionated "leader" will inevitably take against the actual boss, for the obvious reason that the actual boss, if they have any sense whatsoever, will probably not agree with the boorish loudmouth too often. This will leave our loudmouth feeling ignored and angry -- which is basically what Agger says about Rodgers. This is a problem.

    Agger also, very emphatically, calls Rodgers a "brilliant" coach, and a "clever" manager in the Telegraph interview. And this is the crucial moment for me, because there's a real contradiction: Agger is able to perceive that his opinion does not conform with that of someone whom even he must recognise as "brilliant" and "clever". But he is not able to adjust his opinion in light of this. Rodgers may be clever and brilliant. But for Agger, only Agger is right about Agger. Only Agger's opinion is important where Agger is concerned. He has an inflexible and egotistical mindset. Though he believes he is able to see things as they really are, he is really only able to see things as they are in relation to his own personal advantage. This doesn't sound like a leader to me. It sounds like a second-rate performer who has set himself up to protect himself from criticism, even though he is *just* smart enough to recognise that he probably deserves it.

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  46. I can't wait for a Jimmy v Jaimie shitfight to erupt here...

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  47. Nicolas Chamberlain12:28 pm, February 15, 2015

    You like average players?
    These two won't cut it. Milner has already proven himself.

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  48. You live in a fantasy world. Although they might destroy Alaba and Carvajal on career mode they certainly won't in real life.

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  49. What did he say - anybody?

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  50. Not necessarily exceptional management. It comes a lot more down to Mario than anyone else.

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  51. Still a way to go yet this season, but the result against Palace was an excellent one for not only now, but for the future. The press can stop calling Liverpool a one man team. Sturridge is slowly coming back and still banging them in, Sterling will hopefully come back firing soon as hopefully his foot injury isn't too serious. Balotelli is starting to look like the player we know he can be but a lot of that is down to playing next to Sturridge. Lovren is coming on and doing well, I hope he gets some form so we can push the excellent Can into midfield. Can is showing what BR said he was capable of, Markovic is starting to show what he is capable of too, can't wait to see him when he hits top form. Lallana is starting to play consistently well, Ibe has come back from loan and is on fire. Mignolet seems to have found his mojo and is playing better now than at any time in his Liverpool career so far. We are playing better without Gerrard than with him, probably because he can't play the pressing game for long periods. This bodes well for the future though. Looking forward to the rest of the season, hopefully we can play to the level we played last season, even without Suarez it is possible.

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  52. Too right Greg, I've already had this debate with Logan, not sure how he is so adamant. I think we have a great chance if we really push for it

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  53. For us yes. For prem managers? I am not so sure.

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  54. True but getting Mario to change has befuddled other managers.

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  55. Since Can turned up I think our fans are getting hair obsessed.

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  56. He has to mature eventually

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  57. Logan is adamant about everything he says ;)

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  58. What does adamant mean, wrong?

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  59. I'm surprised it's taken this long. I imagine Jaimie spraying coffee across his screen when he reads it... :-)

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  60. He's still opening cards....

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  61. hidden skill is a good way of describing it

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  62. And therein lies the problem...

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  63. Playing solitery and drinking coffee?

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  64. I wish English wasn't my first language. ;p

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  65. Well if Jaimie figures this out I'll just say I did'nt know what 's sniping..

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  66. Lucas(28) has been the only descent defensive midfielder we have at club for last 4 years, so it is obvious he is best playing the DM position for club. Not Rocket science


    But he is no Fernandinho(28), Matic(26) or Schneiderlin(25) whyis that?


    Because L Leiva(28) lacks the energy, legs, mobility, pace or speed the other three all have those key traits. Otherwise L Leiva(28) would be rated as highly as those two.

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  67. Its not the massive changes that effected the team as much , is the money was spent on wrong players?


    Did we need Lovren(25)for £20M? Did we need Markovic(20) for £20M when we had Ibe(19)?


    has the £25m we spent on Lallana(26) been justified? He is top class player but did we really need him.

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  68. Milner on a free will be a brilliant deal and he can play so many roles at once a bit like Can. He will definitely get more love and playing time here than at alienating City. Over here, we will make him feel valued and that might make him a really valuable asset.

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  69. Sakho gave his shirt to one kid after Palace game... You have to love the guy..

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  70. Ibe has already been brought back and should be regular now as he has shown me more than Markovic. Balotelli, if he gets into good form, could be devastating with Sturridge. If he finds himself, Origi, Sturridge, Balo and Borini could be a great attacking four.

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  71. Think he would be a good player for us... His stats are credible enough and has loads of experience. For free as well it would be a good deal specially with Gerrard leaving.

    He can also be a threat from a free kick whcih apart form Gerrard we do not have.

    I definitely think he is a victim of his own versatility, be he is a solid player. We need that in our team.

    I wouldn't called it a pedestrian style but I guess he is a good all rounder so maybe does not excel at something specific but has different tools he is good at.

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  72. Mario has a great free kick, from bigger distances especially...

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  73. its easier still to have a pop on a keyboard

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  74. balo should of been dropped earlier and used off the bench more .....ps i like that dog wont hunt

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  75. im really only happy accepting about 90% of the credit as im sure he took notice of other posts on the forum ,no on second thoughts after reading a few ill take 100% credit

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  76. You do it all the time? Are you sure your not a Manc! \

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  77. I think Henderson is turning into a better version of Milner. That pass to Sturridge showed real craft.

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  78. Pretty sure he's out of contract in the summer and therefore a free agent. Why wouldn't we take him on? Excellent EPL experience, desire to win, strong work ethic, rarely injured, reasonable return for a midfielder and the list goes on. Very low level of risk - and no transfer fee.

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  79. Only one? Probably unsettled the rest of the kids there. Bet he looked awkward to boot. Still not good enough.

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  80. I don't think he will. He doesn't want to satisfy us.

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