BOF

Pff, flat earther

If he is a non-EU citizen then the home office are not obliged to allow him to get into the country in order to work. Their rather loose rule states that in order for a non-EU footballer to be eligible for a work permit: [*:fb15833292]a player must have played for his country in at least 75% of its competitive 'A' team matches he was available for selection, during the two years preceding the date of the application; and [*:fb15833292]the player's country must be at or above 70th place in the official FIFA world rankings when averaged over the two years preceding the date of the application. The main exception is where an outstanding youngster is involved - one who couldn't feasibly have gained the necessary experience during his career to date. How they come to the conclusion the youngster is outstanding TENDS to depend on which club is asking for the permit. If you're top 4 you're quids in. If you're not, then you're probably not. The full text is here and is based on the 08/09 season but it has not changed much, if at all, since then.

And when you're a genius, like Paul & George.

I'd be happy just to have the weather that allows someone to live there.

Standing room only.

True. Though equally it could be said to have served it's time.

Must be that blindfold you're wearingAgain with the kinky shit.

You are right, but I still think it remains to be seen whether Cole is that player. He is certainly highly rated. Probably the highest rated career substitute ever, when he's not injured. I know it is a signal of intent by Liverpool and I know that on his day he can be devastating. I love watching him when he's on his game. But in terms of actually making a difference to Liverpool's season through what he does on the pitch? There are a lot of question marks there - and it's a big gamble to pay him 90k a week to find the answers.

Hmmm, I really wouldn't look at Cole going to Liverpool as an example of us being reluctant to spend. After all, he turned down a club that was in the top 4 in order to go there. I'll be more interested to see what happens if and when Milner moves. And in a situation where I felt we weren't spending sufficiently, I wouldn't adjust my expectations downwards and be happy with 6th, I'd adjust my opinion of the board in the same way that we used to moan about the previous board not spending sufficiently. That's all hypothetical at the moment because IMO it hasn't actually happened yet. Just saying that you shouldn't (IMV) shift the bar of what would make you happy. We're going for top 4. The only thing that should change is our view of how capable the board is of delivering that.

I don't necessarily think he meant a 'good' shock

I suppose Milner IS the model professional if you take it that today's model professional takes what he can when he can from whoever he can and is in bed with a cup of hot chocolate by 10pm.

Jesus it's just dawned on me. There is now the very real danger that we DO have enough money for Parker. This could get worse before it gets better folks.

Ah but remember Chindie....

It would appear that Mancini's waiting game is paying off. I'd say if Milner has said he wants to leave then Villa's negotiating position has weakened and the asking price has dropped accordingly.

Many have been saying that we 'know' nothing and that Milner has said he'll talk when he comes back. I can see that they were only trying to be definitive rather than attempting to read between the lines and risk coming to the wrong conclusion. It would appear that those who were reading between the lines were right though.

The discussion was over IF Milner leaves, so in that sense Milner is already gone for the purposes of the discussion. Sidwell has been deciding between Fulham and West Ham. If Fulham don't want him then I'd say West Ham will get him. Either way, even if Sidwell is here next season, MON has consistently shown that he doesn't trust him in the side, with how sparingly he has used him (and any sub). If we end up with £25m for Milner then you can't tell me we won't use some of that to bring in a Milner replacement. If you do think we won't replace him and will instead use a player from the playing squad that hardly played last season then you must have zero faith in O'Neill to the point where you will offer preposterous scenarios in your quest to put him down. You can't hypothesise a situation where Milner has left the club then conveniently use 'currently' to pick his replacement. If he leaves then the situation changes. After all, "currently" he is a Villa player.

Or just have a different opinion? I call bullshit. You putting forward suggestions that Sidwell would be Milner's replacement as if we wouldn't go into the market to replace him is nothing but fishing for an argument. And if it is actually your opinion that Sidwell would be his replacement - after all, you say you have a different opinion - then the rules of the site prevent me from saying what you are.

If everyone could take this on board then this place would be a lot more constructive. Preach the word brother!

Rumours that Stephen Ireland wants to be paid in rainbows, daffodils and caterpillars eyeballs are sadly true.

Criticising O'Neill for buying duds is fair enough. But you also seem to be criticising him for buying good players who are then wanted by bottomless Pete up the road. And he didn't take 'a few years' to become good. We had Barry in central midfield for 08/09, Milner's first season. Milner stepped straight in last season and was immediately a revelation. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

I'll go out on a limb here and say that if Milner does go, then his replacement is not currently employed by Aston Villa, but would be soon afterwards. Coming back in off that limb now.

Oooh right so it's our fault now?

30. When you leave your teens, you still have 21. When you leave 21 behind, you are still in your twenties. When you hit 30 you have nothing to cheer you up apart from the fact that you're not yet 40, 50 etc. Which is scant consolation for having left twenties, consdering you'll get to those eventually. I also know that this is the decade where I will hit 40 and that scares the crap out of me too.

Sounds to me like an unfounded rumour just grew up, sprouted legs and started doing laps of the place.

Now you're just playing the crowd Mike