It seems almost certain now that James Milner will become an Aston Villa player today.
James Milner – 2005-2006 while on loan at Villa
We have been absolutely shocked that we have allowed a very good young player leave the club, but that’s going to happen, so we’ll have to accept it.
What we don’t know is who Newcastle may be bringing in to at least try to keep Keegan pleased, given he’s lost what he called a little gem of a player.
We are very disappointed not that James is leaving, but the way in which it all happened and took Newcastle fans completely by shock, Wednesday morning.
But we have a good squad and as dome of our readers have pointed out we are well off for wingers at the club, and maybe can bring in a defender, midfield player and striker before next Monday night at midnight.
But the coming Milner departure leaves us with one less player, and we have to think Newcastle are lining up a number of new players so we can at least increase the size of the squad.
Newcastle will not get the full amount since we understand Leeds United negotiated a 20% agreement should James be moved on from Newcastle. So that gives Newcastle £7.2M and Leeds £1.8M when the £9M is divided up.
And we have little choice but to get fully behind Kevin Keegan, because if James didn’t want to play for Newcastle anymore, for whatever reason – so be it.
It’s time to move on when he signs today for Aston Villa, which now looks almost certain.
Nothing that a win tomorrow at Arsenal will not put right.
Comments welcome.
255 comments so far
Ohmelads
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:26 AM
Comment #811 – 2 …. Owen sneaks another late winner! MA interviewed after game and tells us he’s tieing him down on a new contract, couple of decent signings over weekend….everyones a winna
Sav
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:26 AM
Comment #82If we’re flogging a little model pro like Milner for the sake of an extra 10k per week, where does that leave the negotiations to keep Owen on his 120k?
I bet KK wishes he’d let Smith go to Neverton and saved his 60k wage to keep Milner. Its the manager I’m cheifly worried about now, though. He is our best asset, Owen, Gutierrez etc. included. If Keegan feels he’s fronting for ‘Cost-Cutter’ he’ll be gone and we’ll look very foolish (again).
ANDYGLOSTOON
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:27 AM
Comment #83thanks beyethegreat ,people are to quick to jump on others backs at times.though with us bringing in some great players i am pessimistic(only due to time scale)about new players coming in ,say we have an injury crisis like 2 yrs ago ,were in trouble then!
Toon Steve
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:27 AM
Comment #84A fee of £10m or more and we should be laughing all the way to the bank. The football world has gone mad. For that sort of money you should at least be able to cross a ball.
Bosck
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:29 AM
Comment #85Guys ,KK has only bigged Milner up since he handed in a transfer request there were very few comments before that. This is probably for a combination of reasons:
1) to try to persuade milner to stay and earn a new contract.
2) the most likely, to boost the sale price
For those who say that KK will have had no say in this remember this quote form Mike Ashley regarding transfers:
“If the deal is right – and that means it’s the right player who Kevin wants – then we will do that deal.
“Kevin himself is very particular on who he wants. To use his words, they have to have the right heart for Newcastle United. That is massively important for him – if they don’t, then he is not interested.”
I am pretty sure this rule will also apply as far as wages go. Keegan has probably been annoyed with the way milner has acted, will know how much he feels milner deserves and will rightly not budge from this.
also what ashley allegedly told investors at a meeting:
“There is no wage limit, if they think someone is worth 120k a week they would get it, but at the same time they won’t be held to ransom and offer more than that.”
For those who claim Mike Ashley is unwilling to spend remember we have almost certainly bid the following since keegan has been back:
£8m for Woodgate
£15.5m – 16.5m for Modric
£7m for Aimar
£9m for collocini (signed)
£2.5m for bassong (signed)
£2.5m for Guthrie (signed)
£3m – 4m for Warnock
£4.7m for larsson
thats £52.2m – 54.2m since january.
Thats a lot of money bid if you ask me. The point is just cos your willing to buy a player for a value doesnt mean A) his club will accept it, or B) he will join even if his club accept the bid
Fergie
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:30 AM
Comment #86can’t wait to read the shite that Alan Oliver will serev up for lunch today…
seetow
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:31 AM
Comment #87goodbye! not gutted to see him go. good business on a very average lad.
Kenneth Bassan
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:31 AM
Comment #88Our Norwegian target Skjelbreid scored a goal last match. Played a good match.
Sav
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:34 AM
Comment #89You are spending the same money twice or ythree times there Bosck. Nice try.
Still time for Jimmy to draw a picture of O’Neill’sbackside on the Villa contract and catch the bus back hyem….?
ToonEskimo
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:34 AM
Comment #90Bosck,
Wasn’t one of the reasons that Keegan didn’t extend his contract with City is that he was disillusioned with a lot of their players attitudes?
Nice post by the way.
Phil
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Comment #91I can’t see why he wouldn’t get a good reception when he comes back to newcastle. With the exception of Given, I can’t think of any players that worked harder or shown more commitment to the club in the last two seasons.
We aren’t going to get any players in now that are his age, ability and know the english game. Keegan didn’t want him to leave. It just makes us look stupid again. And other players will look and see that we aren’t paying the best wages and go elsewhere.
I try not to be negative but I can’t see owen or keegan being around this time next year and then god help us.
sirjasontoon
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Comment #92Be cool if we did land Arshavin and Berbatov I would be falling off my chair.
It is not all doom and gloom and as long as the milner money is spent in this window I don’t mind.
I just hope we don’t panic buy like Everton..jesus Saha is a joke.
Realistically who can you see us landing before monday?
Has old Mikey Boy got a wow signing up his cheeky wizards sleeve?
James
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Comment #93As I’ve said before 2 assists during an entire season for a right winger that has Michael Owen to aim for is pathetic. Milner is lucky he had any contract.
Nile Ranger
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:36 AM
Comment #94I iz glad he az gon. Neva lyked de guy, just a silly lil wite boi. aye told im dat if he dint leave, i woz gunna pop a kap in iz ass.
reagen smash
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:37 AM
Comment #95gwarp gwarp gwarp gwarp gwarp gwarp gwarpgwarpgwarp gwarp gwarp gwarp gwarp gwarp gwarp gwarp gwarp gwarpgwarp gwarp gwarp gwarp gwarp gwarp gwarp gwarp gwarp gwarp
HAGGER??
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HAGGER??
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Ohmelads
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:38 AM
Comment #96Think wor lass has more up her cheeky wizards sleeve at the moment….
nufc toon malaysia
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:38 AM
Comment #97who’s gona replace milner..joaquin?malouda?sosa?FALL..what is happening in newcastle..milner go..newcastle is death..think about it…3 days left…how can we get replacement for milner that is better than him or as good as him…n how can we grab all 5 players at once in 3 days time….what is keegan waiting for…
ToonEskimo
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:39 AM
Comment #98I’ll be pleased when the kids are back at school.
willowtoon
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:39 AM
Comment #99players come and players go. This is the business we are in. We support the club and the players playing.
James leaving – thanks alot for all you’ve done. All the best. End of
Lets see who we sign and come on Toon lets beat arsenal tomorrow
The Entertainers
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:39 AM
Comment #100Bosck
good point but
surely he wouldnt have bought
Woodgate & Coloccini
Aimar & Modric
Guthrie & Larsson
Theres alot of either / ors in your list.
But i take your point, i believe money is there to spend, i just wish he bloody would!
iain
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:41 AM
Comment #101fact is milner hasnt doubled his ability since hes been here so i dont see how hes trippled in value or worth when it comes to a contract.
ill keep saying it just becuase duff and smith arnt worth there wages it also doesnt mean that milner is worth the smae pay they are, otherwise once duff/smith leave we would all be saying why is milner getting paid so much he doesnt do that much actually.
clock is ticking for MA 4 new plaers need before the deadline and this guinean fella isnt one we need.
lb+acm+rw+cf otherwise our season is done for.
The Entertainers
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:41 AM
Comment #102Toon Eskimo
problem is clearly half these idiots dont go to school!
reagen smash
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:42 AM
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HAGGER??
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reagen smash
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:43 AM
Comment #104fact is milner hasnt doubled his ability since hes been here so i dont see how hes trippled in value or worth when it comes to a contract.
ill keep saying it just becuase duff and smith arnt worth there wages it also doesnt mean that milner is worth the smae pay they are, otherwise once duff/smith leave we would all be saying why is milner getting paid so much he doesnt do that much actually.
clock is ticking for MA 4 new plaers need before the deadline and this guinean fella isnt one we need.
lb+acm+rw+cf otherwise our season is done for.
Davies
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:44 AM
Comment #105Good point Reagan Smash.
The Second Coming
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:45 AM
Comment #106Selling a young, improving player to a close rival 3 days before the window shuts from a painfully small 1st team squad, against the wishes of the manager…
Here’s hoping there’s plenty of inward activity before lunchtime on the 1st!
ToonKing
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:45 AM
Comment #107I always doubted Jimmy and advocated that we should sell him and 9M is a really good price for him…..however i do feel kinda sad now that he’s leaving, he’s been here forever.
i won’t cast judgement on MA until monday night but i do hope for our sake we get a few more quality players in.
goodby Jimmy.
reagen smash
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:46 AM
Comment #108cheers, dave, here’s another one:
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HAGGER??
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HAGGER??
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Davies
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:47 AM
Comment #109I won’t boo the lad. I like his work rate. I’m disappointed with the manner in which this whole fiasco has been gone about, but that’s football.
It has to be said, this looks like good business. We don’t really need him now anyway, and I doubt he’d settle for the bench. Smith next?
I see we have some of the silly brigade out for Ashley’s head again. Why don’t you just support another club with an owner you like, and give us all a rest from your crap.
Mick G
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:48 AM
Comment #110Milners Sale will only be a problem if there are no further signings this transfer window,and if that happens,Milner-Gate will soon be forgotton.Regarding Milner I think he is an average player who as always given his all to NUFC,which is more than a lot of other players have done in recent years,and all this talk of booing him and giving him a bad time when he returns to SJP is childish at best.Fans should show a bit of maturity and dignity and concentrate on getting behind the team
reagen smash
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Comment #111I won’t boo the lad. I like his work rate. I’m disappointed with the manner in which this whole fiasco has been gone about, but that’s football.
It has to be said, this looks like good business. We don’t really need him now anyway, and I doubt he’d settle for the bench. Smith next?
I see we have some of the silly brigade out for Ashley’s head again. Why don’t you just support another club with an owner you like, and give us all a rest from your crap.
Toon Chicken
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Comment #112James you’re the one being pathetic. True he may have only had 2 assists to his name but unless you spend all your time watching the in-breds fighting amongst themselves down the road then you would know he contributed a hell of a lot more than that.
And Michael Owen was only there for the half theseason – the rest of the time it was Oba who, love him as I do, has the positional sense of Heather Mills after half a bottle of cheap vodka.
ToonEskimo
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Comment #113Where’ve you been hiding Toon Chicken.
dave76
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Comment #114If he goes.. use the money for Larrson from Birmingham and that Skjelbred for 6m a pop… or Arda Turan
Spyro
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:53 AM
Comment #115you know what, i would take Fernando over this reagan tool anyday
MagpieDan
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:54 AM
Comment #116Reagen are you Ed Speed?
ToonEskimo
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:55 AM
Comment #117Which one Spyro? can you narrow it down 🙂
broon ale
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:55 AM
Comment #118i am not sure if the people calling milner average truly beleive that. keegan certaintly considers him to be more than average, as does martine oneil and seemingly rafa benitez.
i imagine if jonas gutierez was turning people inside out every week we would be waxing lyrical about him.
i just cant work out why people describe him as average. steve sidwell is a average player, kevin nolan is average, grant leadbitter is average, teemu tainio is average.
Bosck
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:55 AM
Comment #119The entertainers – no i agree we probably wouldnt have signed both modric and aimar but my point was just how much MA has been willing to bid.
Not sure we wouldnt have signed woodgate and collocini may have done instead of signing bassong… just imagine that cb partnership!!!!!
same for larsson and guthrie as both can operate in a number of positions and both still young.
steve
Aug 29, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Comment #120@Ed – can you start kicking a few of these muppets – banning them by IP is probably the best bet