[Albion] James Milner?

[Behind Enemy Lines]

I know the club are rightly cagey about our injured but James Milner has been out for 4 months now. That's one hell of a hamstring injury. Anyone have any news on him? We certainly could do with his experience.

 

[Machiavelli]

Fabian said the chance he would be available for Palace was 10:90. Veltman was 50:50, Jack 40:60 and Ferdi 20:80. He didn't mention Webster which suggests he's further off than Milner.

 

[albionalex]

I don't think the severity was ever reported but 3-4 months is in line with a grade 3 hamstring strain.

You can also very easily re-aggregate a hamstring injury so it is better to be cautious with recovery.

 

[Gazwag]

Thing is when you are very old any injury take much longer to heal

 

[Stumpy Tim]

I have heard that he had an operation that has damaged a nerve, and he doesn't have any feeling in one foot. Doesn't sound great

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

Really missing him.

 

[Super Steve Earle]

Thing is when you are very old any injury take much longer to heal

I wish I was very old like him!

 

[Flounce]

Really missing him.

Given his age and game time over the last year I wouldn’t hold your breath that he’ll be back other than 10 minute cameos, maybe

I am more concerned that Ferdi seems to be a long term sick note too though.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

Given his age and game time over the last year I wouldn’t hold your breath that he’ll be back other than 10 minute cameos, maybe

Shame though, as him and Baleba would be formidable.

 

[Flounce]

Shame though, as him and Baleba would be formidable.

True but I have filed him under an even less fit Lallana

 

[Jeremiah]

I don't think the severity was ever reported but 3-4 months is in line with a grade 3 hamstring strain.

You can also very easily re-aggregate a hamstring injury so it is better to be cautious with recovery.

Ben Stokes being a good example of this . He would fit into our squad nicely.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

True but I have filed him under an even less fit Lallana

Sadly true….

 

[Machiavelli]

Shame though, as him and Baleba would be formidable.

I'd dispute this, big time.

 

[thedonkeycentrehalf]

I was told by someone close to him that he has had an ankle issue which is keeping him out of training.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

I'd dispute this, big time.

On what basis?
We lack experience, it would free Baleba up even more.
There is no discipline at times positionally, this is exactly what we need and since Caicedo and MacAllisters departure has been our weakest area by some margin.

Milner does not lose many personal battles, leads by example and is a strong voice on the pitch in what is a quite timid team.

 

[Machiavelli]

On what basis?
We lack experience, it would free Baleba up even more.
There is no discipline at times positionally, this is exactly what we need and since Caicedo and MacAllisters departure has been our weakest area by some margin.

Milner does not lose many personal battles, leads by example and is a strong voice on the pitch in what is a quite timid team.

I agree with most of this. But simply no longer quick or agile enough to start in a PL midfield. Gets loads of cards as a result. I'd be more than happy him coming on to see things out, or start some games and play for a half or so.
I really take your point about experience, but think Hinshelwood and Baleba is our best CM duo. Happy for Wieffer to play in a two too. Would prefer to have O'Riley in a three. Ayari has exceeded my expectations but form has subsided of late.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

I agree with most of this. But simply no longer quick or agile enough to start in a PL midfield. Gets loads of cards as a result. I'd be more than happy him coming on to see things out, or start some games and play for a half or so.
I really take your point about experience, but think Hinshelwood and Baleba is our best CM duo. Happy for Wieffer to play in a two too. Would prefer to have O'Riley in a three. Ayari has exceeded my expectations but form has subsided of late.

I know it’s early days, and desperate to be proved wrong, but I simply don’t rate O’Riley (set-pieces apart), he’s everything that irritates me in terms of his movement, and football nous, blocks others space, roams too carefree with no idea of what is going on behind him…… Perhaps he’ll just score crucial goals (which will be great).
Happy for this para to be reposted because it’ll mean I’m completely wrong, which is fine….

Re Milner - Sure, get the pace concern, but football intelligence wise, that will cover a lot of it, don’t want him out wide, just sit and direct. Agree re Hinshelwood, but actually would prefer to see his development continue as a RB or just off the front two as per Newcastle. If he’s too central/deep the Joel Linton’s and McGinn’s own him.

Wieffer you may have a point, but is he strong enough physically?

 

[Machiavelli]

I know it’s early days, and desperate to be proved wrong, but I simply don’t rate O’Riley (set-pieces apart), he’s everything that irritates me in terms of his movement, and football nous, blocks others space, roams too carefree with no idea of what is going on behind him…… Perhaps he’ll just score crucial goals (which will be great).
Happy for this para to be reposted because it’ll mean I’m completely wrong, which is fine….

Re Milner - Sure, get the pace concern, but football intelligence wise, that will cover a lot of it, don’t want him out wide, just sit and direct. Agree re Hinshelwood, but actually would prefer to see his development continue as a RB or just off the front two as per Newcastle. If he’s too central/deep the Joel Linton’s and McGinn’s own him.

Wieffer you may have a point, but is he strong enough physically?

It was more your description of 'formidable' that I was responding to.
Especially given how FH played at SP, I thought our entire set-up would be based around Wieffer -- who would provide the structure via the hybrid thirdCB/DCM that we're yet to see. He's taken some time to adjust. I think it's more about speed (or lack thereof) rather than physicality with him. At times and, more worryingly, he's looked ponderous but that aside, I think he's done a lot better than many credit, but is yet to reach the standards. To get there, he'll have to find a way to cover up his lack of pace.

 

[Dibdab]

Total and utter waste of wages. We barely got anything out of him last season, so then go and sign him up for another season of barely anything. Assuming he is on at least £60k a week that is eating up the income of approx 5000 season tickets a year. 20% of the clubs annual season ticket income. Just let that sink in next time we have an increase in our season ticket costs.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

It was more your description of 'formidable' that I was responding to.
Especially given how FH played at SP, I thought our entire set-up would be based around Wieffer -- who would provide the structure via the hybrid thirdCB/DCM that we're yet to see. He's taken some time to adjust. I think it's more about speed (or lack thereof) rather than physicality with him. At times and, more worryingly, he's looked ponderous but that aside, I think he's done a lot better than many credit, but is yet to reach the standards. To get there, he'll have to find a way to cover up his lack of pace.

Still think it would be ‘formidable’ I didn’t mean in a brilliance/Caicedo-MacAllister way, but without significant weakness, perhaps I could have used a different word.

Certainly, haven’t written off Wieffer (best player in second half at Leicester), but he does look light, despite his height.