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[Albion] James Milner sings



Commander

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Apr 28, 2004
13,100
London
Has anyone considered that it was Man City away, who have won every single game at the Etihad in 2023, and that maybe Milner played there to keep Veltman fresh for a winnable (and bigger) game on Thursday?
 




Crispy Ambulance

Well-known member
May 27, 2010
2,441
Burgess Hill
Has anyone considered that it was Man City away, who have won every single game at the Etihad in 2023, and that maybe Milner played there to keep Veltman fresh for a winnable (and bigger) game on Thursday?
True but Veltman’s just had 2 weeks without a game and ended up having to play half the game yesterday so that backfired a tad!
 


dazzer6666

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Mar 27, 2013
52,935
Burgess Hill
Going to support Adingra a little. He did retreat to help Milner but Milner instructed him straight away to push further up in doing so exposing his position. Milner was so out of position at times it was laughable.

Apart from one crunching tackle Milner didn't get close to anyone at all. His legs have gone.
In the first half Adingra was all over the place. Out of position, leaving players in acres of space, too far from Milner, jogging around aimlessly and failing to put a tackle in. Those I was stood with and I (we were their side of the pitch with a great view) were pointing it out over and over again. Better second half - combination of Veltman being there and some half time instruction……..
 
























ElectricNaz

Well-known member
Jan 23, 2013
864
Hampshire
Yes Milner is slow.

But I will argue almost any right back in the PL is slow compared to Doku, and most will be (or have already been) rinsed by him.

Lamptey would have kept up possibly, but maybe he wouldn't have been there to defend against him anyway because he'd be halfway up the pitch so it's all moot. Worse things to be worried about!!!

We did only lose 2-1 at the Etihad. Not world ending tbf.
 


Weststander

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Aug 25, 2011
64,835
Withdean area


Badger Boy

Mr Badger
Jan 28, 2016
3,658
Much like Steele, goals conceded won't be his fault necessarily and he might not embarrass himself, but we're not going to be the best version of ourselves with him in the team. He has the brain but not the legs.
 




aolstudios

Well-known member
Nov 30, 2011
4,634
brighton
Yes Milner is slow.

But I will argue almost any right back in the PL is slow compared to Doku, and most will be (or have already been) rinsed by him.

Lamptey would have kept up possibly, but maybe he wouldn't have been there to defend against him anyway because he'd be halfway up the pitch so it's all moot. Worse things to be worried about!!!

We did only lose 2-1 at the Etihad. Not world ending tbf.
Veltman wasn't rinsed.
He's a very good premier league defender.
Milner isn't
 






Stato

Well-known member
Dec 21, 2011
6,679
For all those with the knives out for Milner, could I just point out that he has played 4 league games for us at right back. We lost 2-1 to City and 3-1 to West Ham, but won the other two 4-1. Yes, he was exposed on Saturday, but he is generally a reliable, intelligent footballer in every position he's asked to play. He's not quick, but then neither is Dunk. In the current injury situation, Milner will be playing full back, because we are very short of full backs. Occasionally, he'll struggle against a good winger, good wingers can do that. However, if you remember not long ago, so did Dan Burn. That didn't stop him being very good in a lot of other games. Yes Velts is the best one-on-one defender in the squad, but he can't play every game. Brace yourselves if you don't like Milner at right back, because the way the injuries have piled up, he may have to turn out at left back too. He did that for a whole season at Liverpool a few years back.
 




Nobby Cybergoat

Well-known member
Jul 19, 2021
7,287
For all those with the knives out for Milner, could I just point out that he has played 4 league games for us at right back. We lost 2-1 to City and 3-1 to West Ham, but won the other two 4-1. Yes, he was exposed on Saturday, but he is generally a reliable, intelligent footballer in every position he's asked to play. He's not quick, but then neither is Dunk. In the current injury situation, Milner will be playing full back, because we are very short of full backs. Occasionally, he'll struggle against a good winger, good wingers can do that. However, if you remember not long ago, so did Dan Burn. That didn't stop him being very good in a lot of other games. Yes Velts is the best one-on-one defender in the squad, but he can't play every game. Brace yourselves if you don't like Milner at right back, because the way the injuries have piled up, he may have to turn out at left back too. He did that for a whole season at Liverpool a few years back.
I suspect most 37 year olds were more effective top level performers "a few years back"

Dunk and Burn are easily faster than the 37 year old version of Milner.

Where I agree with you is that I also suspect we'll be seeing him line up at full back quite a bit in the coming weeks and months. A salivating prospect for PL wingers everywhere.
 


Stato

Well-known member
Dec 21, 2011
6,679
I suspect most 37 year olds were more effective top level performers "a few years back"
What about last season when he played 12 times at right back for a team that finished above us? A lot of these were from the bench, but this one was 90 minutes with a clean sheet and 1-0 win against Manchester City:


Don't rush to judgement. He's another player new to RDZ's system. He was back from injury on Saturday and up against someone with frightening pace and without the help that Solly usually gives his full back. Despite his age, Milner will contribute. There were moments in the first few games where you could see his intelligence and how it will help the team and the young players around him.
 


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