Author Topic: James Milner - El Burro Magnifico (Read 577125 times)

DanA · « **Reply #200 on:** April 22, 2016, 10:53:47 am »

Henderson hasn't been properly fit pretty much all season and how Rodgers plays with Benteke up top is very different to how Klopp plays win Sturridge or Origi as striker. And I want a 4-3-3 anyway rather than a midfield two with Henderson and Milner as a pairing in front of a DM.

redmark · « **Reply #201 on:** April 22, 2016, 11:01:01 am »

Quote from: DanA on April 22, 2016, 10:53:47 am

Henderson hasn't been properly fit pretty much all season and how Rodgers plays with Benteke up top is very different to how Klopp plays win Sturridge or Origi as striker. And I want a 4-3-3 anyway rather than a midfield two with Henderson and Milner as a pairing in front of a DM.

It doesn't look remotely like you're going to get that under Klopp, though. I get that we all have preferences, but in discussing reality it needs to be within the scope of what Klopp is doing, or it's just wishful thinking.

DanA · « **Reply #202 on:** April 22, 2016, 11:09:35 am »

Quote from: redmark on April 22, 2016, 11:01:01 am

It doesn't look remotely like you're going to get that under Klopp, though. I get that we all have preferences, but in discussing reality it needs to be within the scope of what Klopp is doing, or it's just wishful thinking.

Really? I'd like your thoughts on what we played against Dortmund (away). It looked a lot like a 4-3-3 to me.

redmark · « **Reply #203 on:** April 22, 2016, 11:14:53 am »

Quote from: DanA on April 22, 2016, 11:09:35 am

Really? I'd like your thoughts on what we played against Dortmund (away). It looked a lot like a 4-3-3 to me.

Klopp has managed 44 games. How many of those have seen a 433 rather than the 4231/4411?

BER · « **Reply #204 on:** April 22, 2016, 11:45:52 am »

433,4231,4411 are all just variations of the same basic shape anyway.

Ciara (with a capital "C") · « **Reply #205 on:** April 22, 2016, 12:00:12 pm »

Quote from: Shaved Crossbar on April 21, 2016, 11:45:37 am

Pretty sure Henderson got 7 goals 15 assists last year

My bad - I didn't realise he had so many!

I should really have said 'this season'.

DanA · « **Reply #206 on:** April 22, 2016, 02:34:59 pm »

Quote from: redmark on April 22, 2016, 11:14:53 am

Klopp has managed 44 games. How many of those have seen a 433 rather than the 4231/4411?

So all those games with Firmino as striker with Lallana & Coutinho......those aren't 4-3-3?

I dare say 4-3-3 has been the most used formation under Klopp.

Jon2lfc · « **Reply #207 on:** April 22, 2016, 06:14:49 pm »

I like Milner. He strikes me as a decent player to have around. He is like a jack of all trades. Not overly spectacular, but at least you can rely on his graft and experience....a bit like Kuyt....but in the midfield position

He reminds me of one of those slower, older players you get at 5-a-side sometimes.
Not flashy, not fast, but solid ball retention and just keep things ticking over nicely. You can tell with these players that they have a footballing brain and know the ins and outs of the game.

Djimi Smicer34 · « **Reply #208 on:** April 22, 2016, 06:30:57 pm »

Quote from: redmark on April 22, 2016, 11:01:01 am

It doesn't look remotely like you're going to get that under Klopp, though. I get that we all have preferences, but in discussing reality it needs to be within the scope of what Klopp is doing, or it's just wishful thinking.

Amen. Once the dust settles and Klopp does what he wants to do this summer I think 4-2-3-1 will be the formation we go with. For me Can is a certain starter in the two, its a question of who starts with him.

Milner has had a very good first season, he's a great option to have.

kkhaku · « **Reply #209 on:** April 22, 2016, 07:08:43 pm »

Quote from: Jon2lfc on April 22, 2016, 06:14:49 pm

I like Milner. He strikes me as a decent player to have around. He is like a jack of all trades. Not overly spectacular, but at least you can rely on his graft and experience....a bit like Kuyt....but in the midfield position

He reminds me of one of those slower, older players you get at 5-a-side sometimes.
Not flashy, not fast, but solid ball retention and just keep things ticking over nicely. You can tell with these players that they have a footballing brain and know the ins and outs of the game.

Think that description does him a disservice to be honest.

Lad runs something like 13km per match, has more assists in 2016 than ANY other player in ANY other league, and still beats players much faster than him to the byline to get in his crosses.

What you're describing sounds like the ageing but steady central midfielder, reliant fully on positional, technical and gamesense abilities to make for a lack of athletic abilities and dynamism - its a role that's fairly uncommon in today's game, even the likes of Pirlo and Alonso barely get a runout.

Milner is a beast. He's the guy on the 5 a side pitch that looks like he should be playing rugby not football, and somehow runs circles around everyone with or without the ball.

Mutton Geoff · « **Reply #210 on:** April 22, 2016, 07:49:16 pm »

Quote from: Yorkykopite on April 22, 2016, 09:58:28 am

But that pairing didn't work. Milner's blossoming in the last few games is probably related to Henderson's disappearance.

Yorkie just made Fordy smile!

sideshowme · « **Reply #211 on:** April 23, 2016, 02:13:34 am »

so has milner played in the merseyside, manchester, birmingham and tyne-wear derbies?

Marty McFly · « **Reply #212 on:** April 23, 2016, 03:32:10 am »

Finally seeing the beast of a player I was expecting when we bought him.

I'll be honest he was annoying me first third or so of the season (I wasn't seeing enough in defence or attack just a lot of bluster) but he has just gotten better and better.

100% fight and effort, never stops running, contests every ball, now assisting with more regularity than our "3 number 10s" - just need to cover him so from CM so he can get forward and wide to whip those balls in.

Having said that, might want to give him a rest tomorrow/today. I'm 50-50 on that.

Fitzy. · « **Reply #213 on:** April 23, 2016, 07:30:38 am »

Go watch the winning goal against BVB again. About 15 seconds before the free kick is awarded you can see Milner gesturing to Clyne (who is off screen) to push right up. Milner then receives the ball and plays it down the right with the ball eventually getting to the advanced Clyne who is fouled...and the rest is history!

Just a small observation but his contribution to that win cannot be underestimated.

surfer. Fuck you generator. · « **Reply #214 on:** April 23, 2016, 08:14:32 am »

He's incredibly effective at making that diagonal run from a central zone to exploit spaces down either wing and get crosses in, very very efficient, 1 touch to engage, a little fake for some space, either crosses with that new space, plays a one two or takes off down the wing and crosses at speed. No overcomplication, but does any of these as he sees fit again and again and again till they crack.

He's never going to be a main centre mid under Klopp regularly, he'll get a game in that position here and there; as long as he contributes the way he's most useful, mainly as an advanced midfielder with plenty of freedom to hit the wings, he'll have justified the outlay. Need to get that idea out of his head totally if he wants to stay long term here and commit to Klopp's idea of his position.

xbugawugax · « **Reply #215 on:** April 23, 2016, 08:22:38 am »

its always the little things that makes the difference.

Quote from: surfer on April 23, 2016, 08:14:32 am

He's incredibly effective at making that diagonal run from a central zone to exploit spaces down either wing and get crosses in, very very efficient, 1 touch to engage, a little fake for some space, either crosses with that new space, plays a one two or takes off down the wing and crosses at speed. No overcomplication, but does any of these as he sees fit again and again and again till they crack.

He's never going to be a main centre mid under Klopp regularly, he'll get a game in that position here and there; as long as he contributes the way he's most useful, mainly as an advanced midfielder with plenty of freedom to hit the wings, he'll have justified the outlay. Need to get that idea out of his head totally if he wants to stay long term here and commit to Klopp's idea of his position.

I don't think Klopp sees him centrally either. That dream of his playing central ended with Rodgers dismissal. I have no idea with this fascination of english midfielders thinking their best position is in the middle of the pitch. Our previous captain most brilliant campaign was when he was shunted out wide under rafa.

He loves the cutback as well. Just seen a few of his recent assist vs Dortmund and Everton and he loves the cutback from inside the penalty box as well. Once our Strikers/deep running midfielders read the intention, I think its going to be brilliant.

I surely hope he does stay and be a mainstay/option on our wide play. Doesn't do any of the fancy stuff but just gets the business done.

PoetryInMotion · « **Reply #216 on:** April 23, 2016, 09:49:35 am »

Quote from: xbugawugax on April 23, 2016, 08:22:38 am

its always the little things that makes the difference.

I don't think Klopp sees him centrally either. That dream of his playing central ended with Rodgers dismissal. I have no idea with this fascination of english midfielders thinking their best position is in the middle of the pitch. Our previous captain most brilliant campaign was when he was shunted out wide under rafa.

Not really. His best campaigns were when he was played behind Torres as a No. 10 (centrally that). And he had a great season out wide. He had brilliant seasons as a box-to-box mid under Houlier and one good season as a Deep Lying playmaker. That is testament to his quality with immense versatility that he could play in different positions and still be the standout player. Does nowhere imply that he was best at wide or a wide player primarily. Gerrard and Milner are different players, in quality and in style, I don't just see the above comparison really.

an fear dearg · « **Reply #217 on:** April 23, 2016, 10:04:13 am »

He is playing exceptionally well. To me he is a right of a 3 behind the striker. 3 from Phil, Bob, Lallana and Milner (not counting the kids really) behind Origi or DS. That's the way it should be if we have all our CMs fit but we don't so needs must.

CHOPPER · « **Reply #218 on:** May 6, 2016, 12:54:23 am »

Exceptional tonight.

Fashionable fan thing, is one thing - having a fuckin clue abar what you are meant to do and make the 'team' a whole lot better than their individual parts, is another.

There is no denying what this lad offers to my team.

sunny_LFC · « **Reply #219 on:** May 6, 2016, 12:59:53 am »

He and Can have been massive for us in the last few months

He offers so much and you can see his experience in these big games

BOBSCOUSE · « **Reply #220 on:** May 6, 2016, 01:11:16 am »

Hope he can keep this sort of standard up when he's in his thirties, he's been quality for the majority of this season.

PIPA23 · « **Reply #221 on:** May 6, 2016, 01:14:58 am »

realy great player, working hard, runs his ass off, the corners are better as well

man of the match for me against Villareal,

it looked like he picked an injury yesterday, but kept playing despite that...

certainly better for us than City new n. 7 ... for them.

BEAST · « **Reply #222 on:** May 6, 2016, 01:19:59 am »

love the way he ran off that knock, was playing on 1 leg for a few minutes.

No fuss, no rolling around like a baby. Just bit his tongue and got on with it. What a boss.

robertobaggio37 · « **Reply #223 on:** May 6, 2016, 02:15:15 am »

I'll happily admit that I was wrong about him. His drive and determination along with his experience are very very valuable to this young squad. He's a player that won't ever stop giving his all, player we all like. Hats off to you James, long may it continue.

deFacto please, you bastards · « **Reply #224 on:** May 6, 2016, 02:21:12 am »

Top professional, leader on the pitch, would love to see Kuyt and him in the same side, they could run for days. He is quality with delivering the ball [when it's not a corner]

Ken-Obi · « **Reply #225 on:** May 6, 2016, 02:37:25 am »

Second instance (3rd if you include Lallana although the crowd is still wary of the poor man's Cruyff) of players coming good after Jurgen. Imagine we'd shipped out Lovren and not given Milner a look at all if the manager took cues from RAWK.

Number 7 · « **Reply #226 on:** May 6, 2016, 03:54:11 am »

Very good tonight. Impressed.

Lethul · « **Reply #227 on:** May 6, 2016, 08:48:20 am »

He even had 1 good corner yesterday

Dan6times · « **Reply #228 on:** May 6, 2016, 08:58:02 am »

Quote from: Lethul on May 6, 2016, 08:48:20 am

He even had 1 good corner yesterday

WTF are you on about??
He had 2

Klopp-A-Delphia · « **Reply #229 on:** May 6, 2016, 09:42:56 am »

The man is hard as nails. I feel like he's found a home with us.

cornelius · « **Reply #230 on:** May 6, 2016, 10:23:38 am »

Fair play to him, he's really pulled his finger out. Ex-Leeds, free transfer, instrumental in our Uefa run...parallels with Gary Mac in 2001 perhaps. Here's hoping.

MrEazi1 · « **Reply #231 on:** May 6, 2016, 10:25:19 am »

Best free since McAllister.

clinical · « **Reply #232 on:** May 6, 2016, 10:26:24 am »

Quote from: MrEazi1 on May 6, 2016, 10:25:19 am

Best free since McAllister.

And then Kolo

JURGENKLOPP · « **Reply #233 on:** May 6, 2016, 10:38:38 am »

Quote from: MrEazi1 on May 6, 2016, 10:25:19 am

Best free since McAllister.

No love for Andriy?

Gerry Attrick · « **Reply #234 on:** May 6, 2016, 10:40:11 am »

Quote from: MrEazi1 on May 6, 2016, 10:25:19 am

Best free since McAllister.

Maxi was a good free too, but Milner sure looks like being a very good 'un.

CallumLFC · « **Reply #235 on:** May 6, 2016, 10:40:22 am »

How does the guy get stick?

To think some want Allen ahead of him too.

Funky_Gibbons · « **Reply #236 on:** May 6, 2016, 11:06:41 am »

Quote from: Kals on May 6, 2016, 10:40:22 am

How does the guy get stick?

To think some want Allen ahead of him too.

I think that depends on formation though. Last night we played a kind of 4-1-4-1 and Milner is better suited to that advanced midfield position.

If we're playing 4-2-3-1 then we often struggle to pass the ball out from the back when Can is partnered by Milner or Henderson. Can needs someone beside him who can turn players and change direction quick.

DonkeyWan · « **Reply #237 on:** May 6, 2016, 11:50:15 am »

I was very skeptical of him at the start of the season, particularly in a central midfield role, but he has been exceptional in the latter part of the season.

S · « **Reply #238 on:** May 6, 2016, 11:51:32 am »

His decision making is so good. Very rarely makes the wrong choice. Delighted we've got him.

harryc · « **Reply #239 on:** May 6, 2016, 11:53:25 am »

Has been very good recently as long he is not asked to play as one of the two in central midfield.