James Milner

[Dameerto]

With Barry out there were a lot of people calling for James to get a start. He proved today that he has what it takes and with him and Barry covering the wings we seemed to have some cohension at last. However, what will Mancini do with him next, where will his responsiblities lie?

I like him where he played today, In the middle, moving to the wing but giving cover where needed. Milner's a jack of all trades, master of none, he's got to be allowed time in a set position to show his potential. If not, let the lad go.

It's no accident that both of them are comfortable playing fullback if needs-be and that today with both of them in midfield we looked solid and cohesive even with the fullbacks from either side bombing forward regularly.

[Goaters 103]

Kolarov was better.

He might have been better than usual but James Milner was magnificent and MotM for me.

Agree 100%. Kolarov had a great game but Milne was MOTM for me, and indeed for those at the game who pointed it out by chanting Milner's name loud and clear after Kolaov was announced as MOTM.

Milner is a centre midfielder and has been chronically underused by us, especially considering the starts/games Rodwell has had ahead of him this season. I know Mancini doesnt rate him, I just dont get why tbh.

[s1ty m]

MIlner was terrific and particularly that spell from about an hour onwards, when City played like Champions. His work rate was ridiculous. He'd so something at the full back position and then magically appear high up the other end in the blink of an eye. Incredible athlete.

His weakness is often his crossing, as we all know. He does not have the quick change of pace to get that half a yard of separation to allow space for the cross. His corners, though, are often very good and caused havoc a few times yesterday.

Really chuffed for hima and the crowd backed him brilliantly too.

[Peter Doherty (AGAIG)]

Milner was outstanding yesterday, and alongside Barry helped us look much more solid than we have all season. Bet he doesn't start the next game, either.

[blues2win]

I thought Kolarov's delivery was far better than Milner's. Overall though Milner had a good game.

[sheblue]

Lets hope he can get opportunity to keep his form up.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Good game but needs to show that sort of effort consistently.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Good game but needs to show that sort of effort consistently.

His effort has never been in question.It's the quality that has to be more consistently shown.

[Sideshow Bob]

played well. didn't celebrate his goal, however. unhappy?

[Blue Since 76]

played well. didn't celebrate his goal, however. unhappy?

Yes he did. He didn't take his shirt off and do a samba with the corner flag whilst pretending to rock a baby. But he did celebrate.

[Sideshow Bob]

played well. didn't celebrate his goal, however. unhappy?

Yes he did. He didn't take his shirt off and do a samba with the corner flag whilst pretending to rock a baby. But he did celebrate.

fair enough...it was a muted celebration.

[DoomMerchant]

Good game but needs to show that sort of effort consistently.

not only that...he also has to stop kicking it into the teeth of defenders when he's got a chance to put a ball in.

For all his graft, and yes i know he scored a free kick, but jesus fuck can that boy kick a ball right into a defender when he's isolated on the wing. It was making me nuts yesterday.

cheers

[Cocacolajojo1]

Good game but needs to show that sort of effort consistently.

His effort has never been in question.It's the quality that has to be more consistently shown.

I think the quality from James Milner would rise a bit if Mancini could for once, just for once, decide where to play him. First season Milner was here, Mancini decided to play him as a right outer forward which he had never played, and then switched him to the center where we were already packed with players at the moment. Then at the beginning of last leasons, Milner had finally adapted to the role of right wing forward (if that's the term, otherwise bear with me, or bare, I don't know the difference) and was one of the best players in the team. The destruction derby and the last second goal against Villereal comes to mind. But then Mancini started changing everything again and played Milner centrally against West Brom and Sunderland, which didn't go that well, and then he was more or less binned for the season. This season h'es played him everywhere on the right flank and in the middle last saturday.

I swear, Silva or Nasri would self-destruct if they were subjected to this treatment. Mancini should show Milner som faith, he's proven that he's worth it over and over again.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Good game but needs to show that sort of effort consistently.

His effort has never been in question.It's the quality that has to be more consistently shown.

I think the quality from James Milner would rise a bit if Mancini could for once, just for once, decide where to play him. First season Milner was here, Mancini decided to play him as a right outer forward which he had never played, and then switched him to the center where we were already packed with players at the moment. Then at the beginning of last leasons, Milner had finally adapted to the role of right wing forward (if that's the term, otherwise bear with me, or bare, I don't know the difference) and was one of the best players in the team. The destruction derby and the last second goal against Villereal comes to mind. But then Mancini started changing everything again and played Milner centrally against West Brom and Sunderland, which didn't go that well, and then he was more or less binned for the season. This season h'es played him everywhere on the right flank and in the middle last saturday.

I swear, Silva or Nasri would self-destruct if they were subjected to this treatment. Mancini should show Milner som faith, he's proven that he's worth it over and over again.

It's not only Mancini though. Milner has been used all over throughout his career. I'm pretty sure he played up front for Leeds when he came through. He was used up front and on the wing in Newcastle. Then he played central midfield (both attacking and occasionally defensive) and on the wing for Villa.

His real problem is that he isn't good enough dribbler to play on the wing, he doesn't have great enough vision to play attacking central midfield for us and doesn't really have presence to play defensive midfielder either. He does lot of things really well but lacks the kind of quality that separates good from the great (and starting line up for us in long term). He is like Dzeko, fantastic player to have on the bench but with world class players ahead of him doen't really stand a chance making it into starting line up.

So the options for him are that either he is comfortable with his jack of all trades role with top team or goes back to midtable team to be a starter and star.

[Avalon]

I'm just glad to see Milner back in the team and I hope to see more of him. His down to earth, work your socks off attitude is appealing. And guess what? We've got two of those players; Zabs and Milner. Awesome personality and just a great player to have. Wasn't motm for me, as I think Kolarov was better, but he was amazing nonetheless.

[london blue 2]

played well. didn't celebrate his goal, however. unhappy?

Yes he did. He didn't take his shirt off and do a samba with the corner flag whilst pretending to rock a baby. But he did celebrate.

fair enough...it was a muted celebration.

I think it was due to the fact it wasnt a very good finish. It's sometimes hard to really celebrate a flukey goal when you're 2-0 up...Unless of course you are Tom Cleverly.

[norfstander]

Agreed.

Hopefully, he'll get a bit of a run in the side now.

Last season, his inclusion for a few consecutive games coincided with us playing some really excellent stuff.