James Milner

[baitman]

When hes getting done for pace he rightly realises he needs to put a toe onto the attacker and takes a card, but thats not something we can consistently get away with.
A model professional but there are signs.

[Mark79]

Agree that 36 is old for a footballer, but is he showing signs of getting too old? I Feel like he’s the same player as he was 2 years ago. Maybe he doesn’t play quite as much, but when he does, he does the same job. As that utility player, that’s in the squad, and can cover a few positions, I think he’s great. They won’t need to make any decisions until nearer the end of the season, but if he’s still in the same form that he’s in now, I hope we give him another year.

It’s not like we are risking much - it wouldn’t be a 5 year deal or anything.

That’s not really the angle I’m coming at it from though.

Put it this way, would you be happy going into 2022/23 with the exact same group of midfielders that we have now?

Or would you like at least new one from Mickey Edwards list?

If so, who else is going to make way in the squad? Obviously Ox would probably be expendable than Milner, but he may not be as easy to move on as someone who’s out of contract.

[Mr Pink]

That’s not really the angle I’m coming at it from though.

Put it this way, would you be happy going into 2022/23 with the exact same group of midfielders that we have now?

Or would you like at least new one from Mickey Edwards list?

If so, who else is going to make way in the squad? Obviously Ox would probably be expendable than Milner, but he may not be as easy to move on as someone who’s out of contract.

Yaaa that’s a fair point actually, my bad. I think it’s one thing having a sell to buy policy, but I’d be annoyed if it was milners wages stopping us from buying in another midfielder. Especially if he was happy to take a pay cut, given he’ll have a reduced role going forward.

If that was the case, I’d honestly rather see us let ox go on a free than let Milner go (assuming the sport science team, etc think that he has another season in the tank).

What do we do about the right back spot then, also? Milners already played there in 4 games this season (if you count the 20 min on Saturday between Trent going off and neco coming on). It’s a position that I’d like us to strengthen in, in general, but just highlighting that it’s another hole that Milner is plugging at the moment.

[Mark79]

Yaaa that’s a fair point actually, my bad. I think it’s one thing having a sell to buy policy, but I’d be annoyed if it was milners wages stopping us from buying in another midfielder. Especially if he was happy to take a pay cut, given he’ll have a reduced role going forward.

If that was the case, I’d honestly rather see us let ox go on a free than let Milner go (assuming the sport science team, etc think that he has another season in the tank).

What do we do about the right back spot then, also? Milners already played there in 4 games this season (if you count the 20 min on Saturday between Trent going off and neco coming on). It’s a position that I’d like us to strengthen in, in general, but just highlighting that it’s another hole that Milner is plugging at the moment.

Yeah I'd like a back up right back too, regardless.

I know he's super fit, but I think having a 37 year James Milner still playing full back for us would be pushing it a bit.

[Shaggy]

He's been so good but you wonder if the absolute biggest games against the elite teams - eg City, Atleti - are a step too far for him at this point of his career. Struggled last night I thought, but tbf all the midfield did.

[Pablo]

He's been so good but you wonder if the absolute biggest games against the elite teams - eg City, Atleti - are a step too far for him at this point of his career. Struggled last night I thought, but tbf all the midfield did.

Yeah there's probably an element of truth in this, but Atleti must be one of the hardest teams to play against in recent years. I thought they made it VERY hard for us to pass through them. I haven't seen us give it away or get disposed that much in ages.

Almost everyone, apart from the unbelievable Fabinho (what a ****ing player he is ) struggled at times.

[danperkins]

He's been so good but you wonder if the absolute biggest games against the elite teams - eg City, Atleti - are a step too far for him at this point of his career. Struggled last night I thought, but tbf all the midfield did.

[ntto]

i'd love to know what gets said at international camps, i'd be telling tripper what a **** he was for the booking.

[Mark79]

[ame]https://twitter.com/Watch_LFC/status/1453664440147132417[/ame]

[rudedog]

I don’t think Milner will ever retire, he’s the football equivalent of Mumm-ra from the thunder cats.

[Pablo]

He's probably got 2/3 years of playing left but yeah it would be a shock if he didn't become a coach/manager.

[Buzzo]

I don’t think Milner will ever retire, he’s the football equivalent of Mumm-ra from the thunder cats.

He seems pretty integral to how things are run between the team and the coaching staff (as mentioned by Pep L this week) I can defo see him moving into that position in time.

[Exiled_red]

https://twitter.com/Watch_LFC/status...64440147132417

Yeah I thought that when I saw him on the bench

[Mark79]

[ame]https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1492627323664801792[/ame]

[baitman]

https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1492627323664801792

... but at Leeds though