Most improved player

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Most improved player

Postby ant london » Mon Dec 19, 2011 6:13 am

from last season to this.

The thread about Barry got me thinking on this and honestly it's quite a tough one.

To my mind there are quite a few who have upped their games, contribution and consistency quite significantly but I'd say the main contenders would be....

Micah Richards
James Milner
Mario Balotelli
Gareth Barry
Edin Dzeko
Joleon Lescott
even David Silva could potentially be included (although he was starting from a pretty impressive place I'd say he's contributing even more this season).


I'd probably go for Micah just because it's so good to see him work back from what could have been a pretty terminal slump to get himself back to not just where he was previously but to an even higher plane of form.

Be great if Adam Johnson could force his way onto this list by the end of the season.

What do you all think though?


(ps. unrelated but does Stephen Ireland still play football?)
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Re: Most improved player

Postby Pretty Boy Lee » Mon Dec 19, 2011 6:24 am

Milner for me.

As far as his city career goes he has come a long way this season from last. Micah had immense moments last season as he was already a year in to the Mancini way. Milner tho was pretty ordinary last year and has turned it on this time out.
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Re: Most improved player

Postby Slim » Mon Dec 19, 2011 6:26 am

"I think Aston Villa got a really good deal," he said. "I guess James Milner must think the grass is greener on the other side. He's going to get a shock soon because it's definitely not that way.

"I've really landed on my feet here. I think it's a family club and one that will get the best out of me. I am actually shocked at how good it is. I've settled in so well, so fast. Even the young lads are so polite. I'm actually quite shocked with that. At City they're not like that. They're coming in with £10,000 watches on their wrists and walking around as if they have played 200 Premier League games."

Ireland, who has a reputation for spending his own money quite lavishly, came through City's youth system and spent nine years at the club, but he felt as though the service he gave them counted for nothing in the end.

"I don't think loyalty is much in anyone's mind at Manchester City," he said. "I felt like I would be next [to leave]. A lot of players felt like that as well – the homegrown guys."

The former City trainee said he had not spoken a word to Mancini before he left although he suggested there is little communication between the manager and his former team-mates full stop. "He doesn't really build relationships with players," said Ireland. "He brought Patrick Vieira in and when I spoke to him about his relationship [with Mancini], he said he doesn't really have one, and he's worked for him for years. I think that's the way he is."

Ireland won the player of the year award at City in 2009 but he was a peripheral figure last season, in particular after Mancini replaced Mark Hughes in December. When asked about Ireland's lack of action last season, the Italian implied the midfielder had an attitude problem, when he claimed he needed to "change his head". Ireland remains deeply upset with those comments.

"I think that was really unfair, all the players know I was the first player into training and the last to leave," he said. "I worked the hardest. With all the heart-rate monitors and tests, I was always No1, far ahead of everyone. You see the performance in training and I was practically always the best player in training. If [Mancini's] standing there watching that, I don't know how he doesn't see that."

Another wave of big names have arrived at Eastlands this summer but Ireland claimed he is as good as any of them. "I'm not really a highly-self-confident person," he said, with no hint of what was to come. "But I can honestly say Manchester City have tried to replace me for the last three or four seasons and it's never happened. I can easily say I've got, if not more ability, as much ability as any player they have signed this year."

Ireland described the way his time with City ended as "heartbreaking" but he is adamant he is heading in the right direction. "I can understand why James Milner has gone there but I can tell him that I'm very happy to leave there and come here," he said. "Some people have used the phrase that I've been forced out. I couldn't be more happy to be forced to come here, to a club like Aston Villa."


And how'd that work out for you Mr. Ireland?
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Re: Most improved player

Postby Pretty Boy Lee » Mon Dec 19, 2011 6:32 am

One of the biggest wastes in memory. Up there with Joey and robinho for worst use of talent I can remember.
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Re: Most improved player

Postby sandman » Mon Dec 19, 2011 7:42 am

I cant decide between Milner and Lescott?
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Re: Most improved player

Postby Slim » Mon Dec 19, 2011 8:00 pm

I think Jimmy has really figured out a place for himself in this team and with him being the replacement for Yaya during the ACN I'd really like to see Yaya come back to find himself on the bench. Unlikely I know, but who'd back against Milner owning the spot in Yaya's absence.
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Re: Most improved player

Postby freshie » Mon Dec 19, 2011 9:43 pm

Milner, Micah and Barry are the 3 that stand out for me. Can't really choose between them though
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Re: Most improved player

Postby Goaters 103 » Mon Dec 19, 2011 9:57 pm

Milner's settled in and been regularly deployed in a more central role which has suited him better too.

Barry has always been a consistent performer so doesnt really qualify, but Richards must be the winner here along with a nod to Dzeko too as he's looked a different player since August.
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Re: Most improved player

Postby Avalon » Mon Dec 19, 2011 10:28 pm

Milner for me. Always been a fan and pleased to see him contribute the way he has done this season thus far.
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Re: Most improved player

Postby kinkylola » Tue Dec 20, 2011 3:06 am

I think Balo has come a long long way, not just performance wise, but mentally and emotionally as well. It's really been a total transformation.

If we're just looking at performance maybe Milner edges it, but he has always been a consummate professional.

Lescott also deserves a mention.

We've been fortunate that some important player have gotten their Acts together this season. We're going to need all of them to put in performances at the turn of the new year as well
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Re: Most improved player

Postby phips » Tue Dec 20, 2011 5:13 pm

Balo has come a long way...same with Dzeko but its gotta be Milner for me.
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Re: Most improved player

Postby PALUS » Tue Dec 20, 2011 5:16 pm

Micah Richards
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Re: Most improved player

Postby ruralblue » Tue Dec 20, 2011 5:20 pm

Going to go with Milner here too!. The guy gives his all as an amazing level of enthusiasm. I honestly thought we wouldn't get much from him but he's proving his worth and improving his play. Barry and Micah a close second!
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Re: Most improved player

Postby Bluedj » Tue Dec 20, 2011 11:31 pm

James Milner for me closely following by Gareth Barry> these two are constantly GOOD when they play
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Re: Most improved player

Postby halnone » Wed Dec 21, 2011 3:54 am

richards for me
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Re: Most improved player

Postby Gary12297 » Wed Dec 21, 2011 6:58 pm

Milner,Bantertelli or Kolarov for me
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