TRon

Milner is ineffective as a winger so if he is going to re-invent himself, it has to be as a central midfielder, maybe playing in the Owen role. In his favour, he's got good movement and the ability to go past people. Whether he's got the vision, intelligence or goals is another matter. There's no point in selling if we haven't got a replacement lined upwith those qualities though.

Good to see Milner and Smith maintaining their usual standards

96

it's already happened as far as I'm concerned. Could be just waiting for Tiago to go through to confirm a double deal.

Yep. A decent striker and we'll start to look like a squad that mens business if this is true.

Tiago in Shola out In, out in, out is what it's all about

No idea whether this is genuine or not, but most of it rings true.

Aside from that time when he played in Spain? Means fuck all until he shows what he can do for us. What has Milner done for us?

The post above you mentions one, score. I think he'll be a bit like Dyer in that respect, he'll not score loads but he'll make a lot for his team mates and his running will create space for others to run into. He's got to do it in the Premiership though as Geremi looked really good last summer but seemed to leave his form behind him once the season kicked off. I'd agree, he's probably going to cause so many problems to opposition teams that even if he doesn't score many goals, he's going to make a hell of a lot. I think Keegan alluded to it as well.

Two more signings would mean 6 players coming in altogether, which I don't think many would have argued with a month ago. They do need to be decent quality players who will be competing for a first team place though.

*cough* erm...

For me the only thing he needs to add to his game is a few goals, he doesn't seem to score a boatload going off his previous record. Other than that minor quibble, he looks the business. I can see him having a storming season.

There's more to this than just the booing though. It's a slippery slope when fans start abusing their own players, and like most people I think it's just wrong. On the flip side though, when players are hanging around a club only because they don't want to give up their exorbitant pay packets, it does stick in the craw. Both Shola and Smith are staying put when their sale would release some much needed funds and in that situation there are always going to be a few who need to vent.

Staggered payments for players is often how clubs sign people. What's the problem with having money outstanding on players we bought? Depends how much money we have outstanding which is due to us for players we sold in that period. General wisdom has it that we tended to buy high and sell low under The Fat One.

Duff and Milner are two players who I have pretty much given up on to this point. It would be great if they can produce this when it matters and that's the key. Nice to win, but the more pleasing aspect is the football was good.

I'm sure his 60k pay packet this week will help him get over it.

Id say so, look spitting to be honest. Not convinced myself. The bloke in the pics seems to have a longer face.

He looks like Howard Wilkinson with a sun tan

I think Jonas is going to take the Premier by storm this season. Well done to Jiminez, Vetere and the rest on this one.

Now that's how to confirm a done deal!

If you are on the wind up I'd be wary of a ban.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11678_3955396,00.html Go and get him Kev Great to see Larsson spitting the dummy out. Birmingham aren't going to shift without some arm-twisting.

He's getting Smith for half the price he would willingly have paid last season. I'm sure that should give him something to work with.

I wouldn't mind seeing Guthrie and Barton given a go together, although Barton was losing posession too easily last season. Hopefully he'll be a bit better without the hangovers. While having a big dominant midfielder is useful, it's not essential. Man U did ok without one for long enough. The key is to get midfielders who will pass well and keep running into space.

That's the only article with actual quotes from Ashley and it's the only one which provides any real insight. The rest are mostly baseless irrelevant witterings.