Aye it's boring, same folk blaming same players time and time again. If they actually watched the game Milner did the job he was asked to do.
Every good manager gets signing players wrong. I would never have a bad word to say about Bobby Robson, but he's in unfortunately got himself in the list you state above of manager's who got signing Milner wrong. I'm not sure Milner offered that much protection to Cole last night. He was constantly caught out of position, and he was appalling going forward both with the ball and without it. If we were looking for protection we'd have been better just playing Leighton Baines left wing - at least he'd have put a decent ball in the box and found a red shirt more than once or twice. As for Ashley Young mentioned by ark ...... he's another one who is truly awful.
Sorry. I forget when you have a different opinion to others is obviously because you weren't actually watching the game. Milner was poor. The difference between less obvious attacks coming down that flank was because Ashley Cole is a far superior full back to Kyle Walker (who had a bit of a nightmare). Milner was constantly caught drifting in field during the second half. Also, the Ukranians were constantly feeding the ball down their own left flank because they knew/hoped that their winger had the beating of Walker.
So it's all about Cole being great and nothing to do with Milner? He wasn't the best player on the pitch that's for sure but he definitely wasn't anywhere near the worse!
I didn't see Milner break up that many attacks? What I did see was Cole time after time clear crosses at the front and back post, cut out through balls, and not let their right winger get past him or get a look in. In all those instances I saw nothing to suggest Milner had any involvement in helping him with those situations. I did see Milner fail to contribute once with the ball. Milner, Young and Walker were the worst three players to grace the pitch last night.
Let's talk straight on this one........ Ukraine were average yesterday and there for the taking. Fact is that Hodgson played a defensive formation/players (and I include Milner in that) and did not change anything really, during the game. Now I'm no Milner fan, but he probably did what was asked of him. England are top of group and some might say that is good. I say we could have made our last 2 matches easier, if we would have taken the opportunity that faced us last night. Ukraine are no Germany/Spain/Brazil and were open to attack.......something which was alien to England, certainly in the 2nd half.
But the one big chance I saw them have from the corner (The free header), it was his man who he failed to keep track of and mark. I can see the logic in this thread about what he does bring to the team, but, i'm afraid I am on the side of "he's gash"
If that's true then that's obviously his fault, can't say I noticed who it was. His general play was decent though, does so much work defensively which is what the manager has asked him to do clearly.
I agree with Wellsie. He did his job in a crisis as we all know the injuries and suspensions we have. I cannot understand these posters that constantly slag off individuals. What you going to do get stripped off and replace him? There is no talent in depth we all know that who else was there? The manager set the tactics and it was obvious all this baloney talk about going for a win was a smokescreen. It was a game that Hodgson and his team were petrified of losing and he set out his stall accordingly. The defence was solid and Ukraine had limited chances but because he set his stall out with 1 Striker (who has no pace but holds the ball up well) he was content for the draw and if we fluked a goal from a set piece or a rare counter attack then that was a bonus; which Lampard nearly did at the end. What I could not understand, with Lambert’s heading ability, that at nearly every set piece we seemed to aim it at Cahill’s head. However, I think we all agree that the ball in the final third was appalling and a disgrace for a National Team. The’ sun’ says we are nearly there but what they fail to say is that watching England should come with a health warning. Behind the sofa time for the Wembley games I think.