Dokko

Is there only one 3pm kickoff in the prem today?

James Milner has underlined his ambition to play for England. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_2783537,00.html The Newcastle winger is the most capped player at Under-21 level, but he feels he is ready to make the step-up to the senior squad. "I want to play for England," said Milner. "I have a lot of experience at Under-21 level and in the Premier League, and I suppose that's the next progression for me to make. "It's not on my mind too much, because you'll only get into the England squad by playing good football for Newcastle. "You have to do it week in, week out, and also take your chances with the Under-21s when they come your way. But it's something that I definitely want to do in the future." Time Milner realises he has plenty of time to make the step-up, despite the fact he has been playing first-team football since 2001. "I'm very lucky to have got a chance at the age I did," Milner added. "Terry Venables wasn't scared to put me in when I was at Leeds and I managed to take my chances. "A lot of 21-year-olds will probably have 30 or 40 games under their belt - I've got more than 200. I'm lucky in that way, and having that much experience at this stage of my career can only stand me in good stead in the future. Hopefully, it'll help me push on." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Should please a few on here.

Allardyce is responsible for him missing open nets against West Ham and Arsenal? Confidence players don't do so well playing football from the bench. Fair comment, and I'd be playing him myself. But he didn't need confidence to put those away, just some composure. Probably, but you can also say he was snatching at his chances as he felt he needed to impress to stay in the team. His composure comes with his confidence, unfortunately some players are like that. He doesn't have the arrogance of say someone like Shearer, who's shoulders were so broad it makes you think how special he was.

Allardyce is responsible for him missing open nets against West Ham and Arsenal? Confidence players don't do so well playing football from the bench.

If Martins was starting every game and missing opportunities then i could understand SA throwing down a challenge to him. Current situation, SA is to blame as much as anyone for him missing shots.

Bad day all round as Babayaro pulls up with a hamstring injury after trying to avoid the collector for 'disabled children' at the front door. One on looker described it as 'unbelievable' as they'd never even seen a Babayaro in the flesh before.

mackems.gif

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2007/10/06/martins-i-can-t-let-shearer-down-89520-19906286/ Obafemi Martins was packing a few bags at Newcastle yesterday, after Sam Allardyce told him he doesn't get as many goals as he should. But Martins wasn't reaching for his suitcases to quit the Toon in a huff, he was at ASDA in Gateshead's MetroCentre helping shoppers bag up their food to raise cash for a Meningitis charity. Martins is facing a fight for his place this weekend against Everton, because strike rival Michael Owen is ready for another comeback. But the man who could become the main victim of Owen's return has insisted he is ready to battle for his future rather than quit St James' Park. Allardyce is keeping the £10million Nigerian star on the edge, saying: "The bottom line is that he doesn't score as many goals as he should." Advertisement Owen and Martins are thought to be fighting for one place because Allardyce likes a big man up front, in the shape of Mark Viduka. Martins, who has bagged 21 goals in 48 starts for United, admits he needs to be playing regularly. He said: "When I came here I was offered the No.9 shirt. "I got it from Alan Shearer when he retired. He tells me to score lots of goals, and I cannot let him or the shirt he gave me down and I have to deserve my place. "I don't feel like it is a competition between Michael Owen and me. The important thing is for me to play football. "I really want to play. As a footballer you are remembered for playing football not picking up your wages or sitting on the bench. "Michael is getting fit again which is good for the club. Together we can push each other. "I left Inter Milan because I was on the bench too much and I came here to play. I will do my best to stay in the team. "People don't understand that Michael Owen and I CAN play together. "We have done it in training. I am not the manager but I reckon we can have a partnership even though we are both little and quick. "The manager says I can score more and he is right. I get many opportunities and I have to put more away. I feel I have got more to offer, but it is not easy to score when you have big defenders chasing you down and doing everything to stop me." But Martins insisted he has settled on Tyneside, adding: "The fans really love me which is great. I have lots of Geordie friends but they told me to learn English first rather than Geordie words. "I like the city and my family are settled here. My brothers and sisters are here and they've been living with me since last year. That helps." As he was mobbed by fans at ASDA, Martins admitted: "My brothers and my mum often do my food shopping so bag packing is difficult for me!"

Can't believe how much slack he gets from the media and fans, they want him shot for the mistakes he makes EVERY START to the season. There's being a worldclass fuk up like Souness, Rafa is nowhere near that, but is currently ruining Liverpool's best chance of winning the league is well over a decade. If he'd had played full strength teams through the league this season they'd be top, fulls wins apart from the Chelsea draw in which they got ripped. That form would of continued into the CL imo, they've already blow the mental toughness they need for a title challenge.

We should sell him... To England & the FA.

The sooner we get rid of him the better. He a liability to the club.

Your customs & excise experience still leaving mental scars i see.

Dunno why but i like it when one of our footballers child is born in our city. Congrats and good luck The move of Country must of been a hassle for her, no wonder he was wanting to stay around in Paris with that going on.

Ahh, misread what the OP was on about (even though i've been in this thread before) thought he meant medical for some reason.

Well i know they fitness tests involves scans of every kind, xrays to heart monitoring, and blood tests. All medical files are handed over as well, nothing is left unchecked. The running about part happens 2-3 times depending on how strict the club is, but really is only a small part of the overall test. I'm remembering all this from SSN's when they were talking about Beckhams medical when signing for Madrid mind.

Depends whether you are a Manu player at OT.

Not with us by some of the signings we've made!

Did they see this in an Adam Sandler film and think they could get away with it!?!? mackems.gif

The lass on Sky just said Dida had to be stretchered off!

Pie. Milner is average and the sooner we replace him in the starting 11 the better. Could be said for a lot of the team. Especially when its people saying "well he wouldn't get into a top 4 side". In this order: (on age, wage, availability & ability) 1st Babayaro Carr Pattison Ramage Ameobi Emre Smith Butt Owen Duff Viduka Harper Last Needs sold and replacing before we even think about getting rid of Milner. [ If all that has gone, and been replaced with better, then yes, lets look at selling him and replacing him with someone better. Until then, lets support the lad who a decent player, and will only get better. The majority of those are not going to be in the starting 11 when everyone is fit, I'd rather concentrate on improving that rather than getting rid of squad players as that won't improve us as much. Out of our starting 11 when everyone is fit Milner will first choice down the right and is the one we should improve on first. We need another right winger, if we play 442. I get what you are saying, but we need a squad now, too much time and energy focusing on certain positions have got us nowhere in the past, with our luck with injuries, we need a squad before buying talented individuals, and in that we do need someone to challenge Milner, someone with pace, so we have a good option in that position. Milner isn't holding us back, injuries and poor formations are holding us back right now. We saw what Milner was like under souness, who basically brought him on and told him to play, we saw what he was like under better guidance on loan, in a settled position, and then back here in a settled position. He's playing majority on the left this season. I'd imaging Zoggy wouldn't be anything special if he was played on the right. Were quick to forgive Zoggy for blunders, poor positioning and marking as he's not a defender, well big news is, Milner isn't a left winger! Back on the right, bit of competition, in a 442, and Milner is a huge asset to the club. Right now he's helping out the team doing his best in a position thats not his own, some players kick off and hand in their transfer request when asked to do that, he's does what he's told.

Pie. Milner is average and the sooner we replace him in the starting 11 the better. Could be said for a lot of the team. Especially when its people saying "well he wouldn't get into a top 4 side". In this order: (on age, wage, availability & ability) 1st Babayaro Carr Pattison Ramage Ameobi Emre Smith Butt Owen Duff Viduka Harper Last Needs sold and replacing before we even think about getting rid of Milner. [ If all that has gone, and been replaced with better, then yes, lets look at selling him and replacing him with someone better. Until then, lets support the lad who a decent player, and will only get better.

Dear me, how uptight are you? PMT? PS i hope you are not talking about his sig, as that isn't Kelly.

Lets hope his 1st season was a one off and we get our moneys worth for him. Follow Nicky Butt's example Duffy, make something as the only way is down from here.

Rangers 1-0 up against Lyon. I take it, its personal.