Topic: James Milner - El Burro Magnifico

[Art Vandelay]

I'd like to congratulate him on taking the crown of worst corner taker in the world.  Previously held by Iago Aspas, and before him Steven Gerrard.

Can't fault his effort and commitment though, and his actual footballing ability is vastly underrated...apart from corners obviously.

[MerseyMania]

His creativity in the final third is pretty impactful. He was always an effective sub during his City days and giving the right passes to their nimble feet magicians. But in CM, dont know he was almost invisible for the first 20 odd minutes. Like many said he is like Kuyt, a CM who cant be a great CM but can be very intelligent on flanks or in FB positions and I think he is more effective than Kuyt in the final third.

[Asam]

When he doesn't have time to think about what he is doing his passing and crossing is excellent, he plays better when he acts on instinct, an excellent pro and a vital member of the team and squad, he adds grit, intelligence, hard work and his decision making is amongst the best in our squad, he is someone who you know will be there to be counted upon when it matters, one of the few old school professionals in the English game.

[cdav]

The pass to Coutinho for his goal was so good, to get it around the corner and far enough out of Coutinho's feet to hit it first time

[Alf Garnett!]

Milner has a big heart,he'll know more than anyone his corners were below standard,Klopp will be aware & if he thinks there is a better set piece taker in our starting 11 he'll change it-no doubt.

Milner is no different from any player,every player hits bad form,confidence whatever at some stage of the season.
I dont give a fuck what anyone thinks,Milner is top drawer-a quality player who leads by example,tireless & also delivers week in week out.
Sure he has his flaws,name any player in our squad who doesnt & i'll call you a fucking liar.
Great work for both assists,especially the 2nd..that late after a shift like he put in..
Klopp knows & appreciates what he's got in JM,pity some others dont.

[Alf Garnett!]

His creativity in the final third is pretty impactful.

I stopped reading after that,did you watch last nights game? Fucks sake

[Smellytrabs]

I stopped reading after that,did you watch last nights game? Fucks sake

His creative play in the final third last night provided two goals.

[alonsoisared]

Have to say I was extremely pissed off with the performance of Milner in the first half but fair play for his second half. 3 assists? That to me is what I hoped Milner would bring, the assist for the winner in particular was exactly the type of play I thought we were getting when we signed him. Those darting little runs to the byline, he did it loads for Man City including in that 3-2 game where I believe he set up a goal and changed the match completely when coming on.

I don't think he is good enough as a central midfielder and he's come in to the club with too much responsibility; vice captain and supposedly guaranteed start in the middle. Coming on from the bench or starting wide though he is a great option and I was pleased to be eating my words when he contributed massively to the win last night.

edit: 2 assists, coutinho took that corner didn't he

[JackWard33]

The pass to Coutinho for his goal was so good, to get it around the corner and far enough out of Coutinho's feet to hit it first time

The little run he makes too.. similar to the run he makes for the goal in Dortmund before his header.
His intelligence and fitness allow him to get ahead of the rest of our midfielders and ahead of the ball really often

[IgoDirk]

I'd like to congratulate him on taking the crown of worst corner taker in the world.  Previously held by Iago Aspas, and before him Steven Gerrard.

Can't fault his effort and commitment though, and his actual footballing ability is vastly underrated...apart from corners obviously.

His crossing technique is wonderful, it seems strange that he'd struggle from the corner. I know it's not the best angle to be crossing from but it's from a consistent position that can be practiced over and over again. I'd like to see our corner stats to see if we get more shots away when taking them short compared to direct. Was it 'The Numbers Game' a few years ago that said short corners were superior to direct ones? I'd be interested if anyone knows I'd like to read into it.

[MerseyMania]

I stopped reading after that,did you watch last nights game? Fucks sake

He has excellent work rate onething and has played a very crucial role in many goals with quick one twos with best of our players like Coutinho Sturridge etc.
Am surprised your post count is 3000 plus, think I can ignore your comments going forward mate.

[Zinc]

Kinda like an English Dirk Kuyt.

[Kashinoda]

I stopped reading after that,did you watch last nights game? Fucks sake

Are you auditioning for a Specsavers commercial?

[Red-Soldier]

I stopped reading after that,did you watch last nights game? Fucks sake

Are you being serious??

He created 2 goals last night, and set up a couple against Stoke to.

[Carra-ton]

Read a stat he is on 9 assists in 2016. That is really something. Suarez and Messi are not much ahead at about 11 or so. Only Koke is the other name at 10 in this company in the top 5 leagues.

[Alf Garnett!]

Are you being serious??

He created 2 goals last night, and set up a couple against Stoke to.

Read up..and read again..maybe again..and repost.

[TheTeflonJohn]

Loads of gobshites in the ground giving plenty of stick to a lad who had a hand in two goals last night.

"Get him off"
"He`s fucking useless"
"Stupid c*nt"
"Fucking Milner again"

The lad then stepped up and put the winner on a plate 

[Doc Red]

Read up..and read again..maybe again..and repost.

I'm also confused, did you misread his post?
It looks like he's praising Milner's offensive contribution.

[Alf Garnett!]

Apologies to those quoting me,i have misinterpreted the original post.

Shit happens,if you read back i've been full of praise for Milner.

Looks like i will have to get down to specsavers!

Milner has a big heart,he'll know more than anyone his corners were below standard,Klopp will be aware & if he thinks there is a better set piece taker in our starting 11 he'll change it-no doubt.

Milner is no different from any player,every player hits bad form,confidence whatever at some stage of the season.
I dont give a fuck what anyone thinks,Milner is top drawer-a quality player who leads by example,tireless & also delivers week in week out.
Sure he has his flaws,name any player in our squad who doesnt & i'll call you a fucking liar.
Great work for both assists,especially the 2nd..that late after a shift like he put in..
Klopp knows & appreciates what he's got in JM,pity some others dont.

[Doc Red]

Thought it might have been a misunderstanding
Agree with your comments on Milner, great post!

[SamAteTheRedAcid]

Love him. Perhaps not in a midfield two with Emre. But he's a fantastic worker, and although he is seen as unspectacular, I think technically he's excellent. Keeps possession, runs all day, delivers decent balls in and around the box (perhaps not so frequently from corners as from open play, but you can't have everything!)

Seems like a great personality to have around the squad, he's won things before and he never, ever gives up.

[Motty]

Agree with Sam here, I think next season he'd be a good option as a full back. He might not like it there but it suits him perfectly imo.

[Funky_Gibbons]

Even when playing CM in the first half his best contribution was picking up the ball on the right and crossing for Origi to side foot wide.

He may see himself as a CM but he's clearly better out wide.

[BazC]

I'd take his shit first touch, work rate, quality crosses and overall contribution to our goals over Lallana and his stepovers, airswings and Cruyff turns when no one is within 15 metres of him.

Both Milner and Lallana are pretty important players for us. It's funny how even after we won that game we get mooks on here giving shite to the players that did it.

[the_red_pill]

His crossing technique is wonderful, it seems strange that he'd struggle from the corner. I know it's not the best angle to be crossing from but it's from a consistent position that can be practiced over and over again. I'd like to see our corner stats to see if we get more shots away when taking them short compared to direct. Was it 'The Numbers Game' a few years ago that said short corners were superior to direct ones? I'd be interested if anyone knows I'd like to read into it.

Under Rafa I can remember, I used to beg for short corners, cause we scored A LOT of goals from them.

And in truth- we've scored quite a few during that time up to now. They just seem to me so effective(for us at least) compared to direct corners. So yeah, I would agree with that claim.


Love short corners.

[kaz1983]

At fault for the first goal,being slow to react to Mkhitaryan.Nowhere to be seen for the second when Reus ran through center mid(Ye know,where he was meant to be playin) to play in Aubameyang.Corners are crap,an turns slower than Tiny Tim Cratchit wearing his Mams Orthopedic stilettoes,which gets him caught out on numerous occasions.Other than that tho,he was boss

Playing out wide hides a lot of his faults

He wouldn't be the first player that "playing out wide hides a lot of his faults" , just ask Gerrard.

[keyop]

Always gives 100%, calm under pressure, goals, assists, and a fantastic example for the rest of the squad. He's a proper English all-action player who makes the most of what he has.

His fitness levels are off the scale, he rarely gets injured, loves a tackle, and never ever shirks his responsibilities. He's been a fantastic signing in my view and some of the criticism is just nit-picking considering his overall contribution this season.

I think City have actually really missed him this year and would be higher up the table if they had him driving them on.

[The Infamous_LFC]

Hes so much better on the right. I hope to never see him as a CM again but as a right wing alternative in big games he is a good option.

[God's Left Peg]

When he doesn't have time to think about what he is doing his passing and crossing is excellent, he plays better when he acts on instinct, an excellent pro and a vital member of the team and squad, he adds grit, intelligence, hard work and his decision making is amongst the best in our squad, he is someone who you know will be there to be counted upon when it matters, one of the few old school professionals in the English game.

Yeah he also looks after himself the right way. Some might think it boring, but it's just a very sensible attitude. Consequently he is a hell of an athlete with a very impressive engine on him.

[MNAA]

Milner is a wide player - and a very good one too. Can deputised at left back or right back as well

Allen coming on and Milner moving to wide positions played a big part in turning the game around Thursday night

[Chavasse1917]

Always gives 100%, calm under pressure, goals, assists, and a fantastic example for the rest of the squad. He's a proper English all-action player who makes the most of what he has.

His fitness levels are off the scale, he rarely gets injured, loves a tackle, and never ever shirks his responsibilities. He's been a fantastic signing in my view and some of the criticism is just nit-picking considering his overall contribution this season.

I think City have actually really missed him this year and would be higher up the table if they had him driving them on.

Could not agree more. When he was at Leeds there were rumours that we were watching him.....a great whole-hearted and committed footballer and a significant loss to Manchester City,  as you say.

[Alf]

If at 1st you don't succeed dust yourself off and try again. Them corners drove me insane but we had Dortmund's number aerially it just time to come off.

[Red_Mist]

Putting the obvious to one side, he was immense on Thursday night. Really put in a shift.

[Stockholm]

James Milner for me is a utility player of the highest order. He has bags and bags of mentality, experience, desire and loyalty towards the objective of winning football games for Liverpool mixed with really good(one step or two below the very top of the world) technical ability. And he has goals and assists to his game. And he can scream f*ck off to the ref when necessary.

Great player to have at Liverpool.

[JackWard33]

As I watched the highlights for the 12th time it struck me how easy it would have been for him not to run into the box after taking the final free kick. He could have just jogged forward like the fella who should have been tracking ham and left Sturridge lift it in
But after 91 lung busting minutes he powers into the box. It's not just fitness its desire with him - reminded me of that Alves interview when he said he's the most annoying opponent he's ever faced - the lad never stops

[afc tukrish]

As I watched the highlights for the 12th time it struck me how easy it would have been for him not to run into the box after taking the final free kick. He could have just jogged forward like the fella who should have been tracking ham and left Sturridge lift it in
But after 91 lung busting minutes he powers into the box. It's not just fitness its desire with him - reminded me of that Alves interview when he said he's the most annoying opponent he's ever faced - the lad never stops

"...the  fella who should have been tracking ham..."

Crouchie moved to Dortmund? 

[Knickers]

I know I'm repeating what's already been said many times, but for all Milner's desire and work ethic, he shouldn't be playing in the centre.

[Homo rubrum]

He's the type of player I feel is subject to the vagaries of fate in terms of his public perception and medal haul, and was perhaps born a generation or two late/ in the wrong city. 
Fit, efficient, and tactically astute; he could've been a part of any of the dynastic teams in history because everything he does serves to make great players look better, and managers love that shit. 

[ricen]

during the run in for thier last title, milner brought dynamism and graft to the man city midfield. he often ended up shunted outside by the defense and put in superb crosses, enabling city to make use of their height advantage.

he did this for us against dortmund for the winning goal. he has shown the willingness to carry the water buckets for Lfc and for this i thank him. long may his form continue

[Red_Rich]

Could not agree more. When he was at Leeds there were rumours that we were watching him.....a great whole-hearted and committed footballer and a significant loss to Manchester City,  as you say.

When he was at Newcastle, Rafa wanted him.  At the time this place went into meltdown over the fact we were looking at that type of player


In another month's time he could be the captain that lifts the UEFA cup