Why The Moans about Mills

[cosmos]

He's a proper centre back, good in the air gets rid of the ball so what if he isn't the best passer. St ledger is crap in the air and a liability on the ground and though he gave away a free kick which led to their second goal-had drinkwater not given the ball away in the first place it might not have happened!

Three centre backs is the way forward with Mills Bamba and Morgan sweeping up and while we're on the subject get our midfielders practicing the simple stuff like not giving the ball away cheaply. Oh and one last thing, get rid of gally and give someone else a chance with the dead balls

christ it was cold on wednesday!

[jonlcfc1990]

Fantastic! I love the Pro Mills and then you ruin it by doing what everyone slagging Mills off is doing by mentioning Gallagher in the last sentence are you mad? You can't defend a player to death then single another one out or your as bad as the people singling out Mills And then 3 full backs? how will that work in a 4-4-2 the ONLY formation Pearson plays?

[GLC]

He's a proper centre back, good in the air gets rid of the ball so what if he isn't the best passer. St ledger is crap in the air and a liability on the ground and though he gave away a free kick which led to their second goal-had drinkwater not given the ball away in the first place it might not have happened!

Three centre backs is the way forward with Mills Bamba and Morgan sweeping up and while we're on the subject get our midfielders practicing the simple stuff like not giving the ball away cheaply. Oh and one last thing, get rid of gally and give someone else a chance with the dead balls

christ it was cold on wednesday!

SSN has proved he's a good defender, Everybody has a bad day and Boro was his.

As for Mills, His constant 'Hoof' tactics frustrate the fans, he has better options and he decides to switch it or just plain over hit it. yes sometimes it works but 9 times out of 10 it doesn't.

But that doesn't mean i don't like Mills, i think he's a good player on his day

[SaltyDog]

Yes pal, 5 CB's in my opinion are not the way forward... However, I do agree with you, Mills is good if not great in the air and stands up well when being ran at... you say his passing isn't the best, which I agree with abit, however, what about the passes he has put out... couple of assists just recenly putting Dyer and Nugent through for goals with 2 Super passes from the back...

I like St Ledger and he has created a nice partnership with Mills lately, but, his real test since there pairing was against Boro and he looked a little shakey at times to be honest

That is all

[Simo86]

SSN has proved he's a good defender, Everybody has a bad day and Boro was his.

As for Mills, His constant 'Hoof' tactics frustrate the fans, he has better options and he decides to switch it or just plain over hit it. yes sometimes it works but 9 times out of 10 it doesn't.

But that doesn't mean i don't like Mills, i think he's a good player on his day

Most of the time he hasn't got a short pass on though, would you rather he fannied about with it and got tackled like SSL did against Bristol?

[Guest Col city fan]

Mills has pros and cons like every player.

He's good in the air, he gets his foot in and is a strong tackler.

His passing is absolutely abysmal and I MEAN bad! This puts the whole team on the back foot again because we find it difficult to keep the ball.

I took my uncle to the Middlesborough game. He's a long serving city fan, but now lives in York and this was the first game he had seen City live this season.

Hes a very neutral sort of bloke and has followed Leicester for thirty odd years.

About mid way through the first half, he turned to me and said, 'what on earth did Sven see in Mills? He's like a rabbit in headlights'...

My uncle thought that Mills was our worst defender on Weds night by a mile.

[Les-TA-Jon]

Fantastic! I love the Pro Mills and then you ruin it by doing what everyone slagging Mills off is doing by mentioning Gallagher in the last sentence are you mad? You can't defend a player to death then single another one out or your as bad as the people singling out Mills And then 3 full backs? how will that work in a 4-4-2 the ONLY formation Pearson plays?

Er....we switched to 4-3-3 in the 2nd half against boro?

[FrankieADZ]

i think the thing with Mills is he go's for the long ball & 3/4 of the time it doesnt come off; when its easier to go with the short pass.

[cc_star]

He's ok, positive aspects to his game, fails to dominate opposing players in the 'old fashioned' sense you're trying to portray him as though, could be why big Wes has signed... We'll see, I suppose.

[jonlcfc1990]

Er....we switched to 4-3-3 in the 2nd half against boro?

I think second half it was anything that stuck use it the last ten minutes we didn't have a formation. I'm not slating the 4-4-2 i love it i think it's the best for the championship and Pearson has said numerous time it's his favourite even when we won 2-1 at palace using a different method he said "it's only because we are thin on players" and not to get used to it

[seenitall]

He is frustrating in so much as he does a few good tackles/headers and then pisses everyone off with a totally unnecessary hoof that goes nowhere - his price tag has caused him a lot of issues (as if it was his fault) and he doesn't seem a 'thumbs up to the crowd' sort of fellow either - appearances shouldn't matter, anyone who thinks any footballer loves their club above their wages or playing for a bigger side needs a reality check (and that is ALL footballers, always) and so really he is vilified for his poor passing and his price - one he can work on, the other he is stuck with.

As for winning over Leicester fans - well, as we have seen many times - you usually only become a legend after you have stopped playing or left to go to another club and gone on to greater things - I have seen very few players treated like legends while they were at Leicester and none since Walshie retired/got sold and Izzet took the gold at Villa. Heskey Savage etc were constantly reviled by many (lazy/a liability etc) while they were at Leicester, as they probably were on the Villa/Blackburn boards when they went there - Mills gets 20-30k a week (I am guessing) to do his job and so getting shit off those who don't really watch football, like the regulars who phone in to moan-ins and some of the plonkers on here is part of the deal

PS - he is also vilified for a third reason - Sven signed him, which despite the majority of the current performers in the team being Sven signings, is still a badge of dishonour to many fans and won't be forgotten until we are promoted or they are sold on - happens every time we change managers, which unfortunately is a lot!

[beemeroo]

If we'd signed the lad for a nominal fee or on a free we'd all be w*nking ourselves into oblivion over him being an absolute master signing.

As it is, we paid a high premium for a player that has (so far at least) not lived up to his price tag.

[Fox92]

He's a proper centre back, good in the air gets rid of the ball so what if he isn't the best passer. St ledger is crap in the air and a liability on the ground and though he gave away a free kick which led to their second goal-had drinkwater not given the ball away in the first place it might not have happened!

Three centre backs is the way forward with Mills Bamba and Morgan sweeping up and while we're on the subject get our midfielders practicing the simple stuff like not giving the ball away cheaply. Oh and one last thing, get rid of gally and give someone else a chance with the dead balls

christ it was cold on wednesday!

I don't know how you can critisize St Ledger. In my opinion, he is our best defender. He rarely looses a header, and he is our best central defender technical wise - look at the second goal at Southampton as an example.

I really don't know how you can bring Bamba back into the mix, when Mills has looked more comfortable with St. Ledger at the side of him.

[davieG]

I care not what we paid for him or that Sven signed him, yes he's a decent blocker and header of the ball, although like most average CBs he rarely puts any intelligent direction on his headers.

His poor passing has been well documented but he also lacks any sort of presence and authority either as the 'senior defender' or as Captain.

His positioning and marking doesn't look that great either, I've noticed in the last few games in particular he often leaves Peltier exposed and trying to mark two attackers whilst he stays very central and often doubling up on the guy that SSL is marking.

He does little or no organising of the defence and most of his communication seems to relate to having a go at team mates often after he himself has made an error.

He seems to do little in terms of his captaincy and often looks like a lost lamb.

Now most of this might be par for the course for the average FL CB but considering he's our captain and senior defender to me it's simply not good enough and just marks him out as very average.

[Guest Col city fan]

He is frustrating in so much as he does a few good tackles/headers and then pisses everyone off with a totally unnecessary hoof that goes nowhere - his price tag has caused him a lot of issues (as if it was his fault) and he doesn't seem a 'thumbs up to the crowd' sort of fellow either - appearances shouldn't matter, anyone who thinks any footballer loves their club above their wages or playing for a bigger side needs a reality check (and that is ALL footballers, always) and so really he is vilified for his poor passing and his price - one he can work on, the other he is stuck with.

As for winning over Leicester fans - well, as we have seen many times - you usually only become a legend after you have stopped playing or left to go to another club and gone on to greater things - I have seen very few players treated like legends while they were at Leicester and none since Walshie retired/got sold and Izzet took the gold at Villa. Heskey Savage etc were constantly reviled by many (lazy/a liability etc) while they were at Leicester, as they probably were on the Villa/Blackburn boards when they went there - Mills gets 20-30k a week (I am guessing) to do his job and so getting shit off those who don't really watch football, like the regulars who phone in to moan-ins and some of the plonkers on here is part of the deal

PS - he is also vilified for a third reason - Sven signed him, which despite the majority of the current performers in the team being Sven signings, is still a badge of dishonour to many fans and won't be forgotten until we are promoted or they are sold on - happens every time we change managers, which unfortunately is a lot!

You make some good points IMO.

The biggest noose around Mill's neck is his price tag. If Mills had been picked up for a million quid, then we would all be more accepting of his performances. He would be branded as 'a solid player, who can't pass the ball', but, for the money we would have paid, this would be accepted. Like it was with Wayne Brown.

HOWEVER, Mills was signed for an awful lot more money than this. He was also brought-in, if my memory serves me rightly, because Sven favoured 'cultured' centre backs, who could bring the ball out of defence with composure and finesse. It was for this reason, people were claiming, that Jack Hobbs had to go...he was seen as a 'hoof merchant' who was not 'Sven's type of player'.

Now, from what I've seen, there is no bigger hoof ball merchant than Matt Mills...and for what we paid for him, I was expecting a player who looked far more comfortable on the ball than he is.

So, I agree with you, that Mill's price tag, and salary, does not warrant the player we have signed. A million (or perhaps two) would have been nearer the mark.

Where you talk shite is your final EDIT...There are still many on here who are smarting that Sven was sacked, you included. This is clear and pops up in almost every one of your posts.

In fact, most of the players who have recieved criticism on the forum recently have actually been Pearson's signings, not Svens.

Wellens, King, Gally, Dyer...have all had their share of ridicule over recent times.

You make some good observations IMO..then usually spoil it with your strange love affair with SGE. I do wonder when you'll get over him, if ever...

[Guest Col city fan]

I care not what we paid for him or that Sven signed him, yes he's a decent blocker and header of the ball, although like most average CBs he rarely puts any intelligent direction on his headers.

His poor passing has been well documented but he also lacks any sort of presence and authority either as the 'senior defender' or as Captain.

His positioning and marking doesn't look that great either, I've noticed in the last few games in particular he often leaves Peltier exposed and trying to mark two attackers whilst he stays very central and often doubling up on the guy that SSL is marking.

He does little or no organising of the defence and most of his communication seems to relate to having a go at team mates often after he himself has made an error.

He seems to do little in terms of his captaincy and often looks like a lost lamb.

Now most of this might be par for the course for the average FL CB but considering he's our captain and senior defender to me it's simply not good enough and just marks him out as very average.

One of the best posts I've seen you write.... completely spot on IMO

[Guest Col city fan]

I don't know how you can critisize St Ledger. In my opinion, he is our best defender. He rarely looses a header, and he is our best central defender technical wise - look at the second goal at Southampton as an example.

I really don't know how you can bring Bamba back into the mix, when Mills has looked more comfortable with St. Ledger at the side of him.

I have a feeling that a Morgan/SSL partnership may become the 'order of the day' Fox 92..

I wouldnt be surprised if this is what Pearson is planning.

I agree with you over SSL..he's been very good recently.

[Finnegan]

I've never complained about Mills' defending, he has off days but so does everyone.

My problem is spending 5.5m on a player who can't do one of the fundamental basics of primary school football - pass.

His distribution isn't just sketchy it's downright incompetent. It seriously, seriously needs addressesing because currently it doesn't matter how often he wins the ball, he gives possession straight back 80% of the time.

Its hugely frustrating. I'm sure there's potential there, he just needs to be told to keep it simple and made to realise his place us under threat if he doesn't.

[Happy Fox]

Dropping Mills may f**k up his confidence again and he doesn't seem to have that self belief and conviction that when the going gets tough to rise above it on the pitch, but potentially Morgan and St Ledger as a partnership looks a good proposition we will have to wait and see I guess.

[Captain...]

Most of the time he hasn't got a short pass on though, would you rather he fannied about with it and got tackled like SSL did against Bristol?

I have often seen this, Mills plays the short pass and it gets knocked about a bit with nobody trying to create anything then ends up back to Mills at the back with the same options as before, what is the point in playing it short if he is just going to get it back, so he tries to play it long, normally doesn't work, but it is not his responsibility to try and create things.

Also no one criticises Schmeichel for hoofing it forwards, what difference is there in Mills not having many options playing it back to Schmeichel than him hoofing it forwards himself.

It has imporved in recent times, and actually been successful most notably against Southampton, the big difference was he picked a pass and played it long but low to Nugent, we scored.

Midfield need to a) start taking responsibility, and if they are under pressure or unable to create anything what is wrong with a big hoof every now and again, but the midfield should know that, expect it and not pass it back to Mills unless they want a big hoof.

b) stop giving the ball away, if we are going to give the ball away much better lose it higher up the pitch after a hoof than on the halfway line. I think with the Drinkwater in the team you will see him used as an outlet much more because he just doesn't give the ball away.

What annoys about Mills' hoofs is when we win the ball back he is under no pressure and there are options and we are dominating midfield and we just give away possession without trying to create anything first.

[Guest Col city fan]

I've never complained about Mills' defending, he has off days but so does everyone.

My problem is spending 5.5m on a player who can't do one of the fundamental basics of primary school football - pass.

His distribution isn't just sketchy it's downright incompetent. It seriously, seriously needs addressesing because currently it doesn't matter how often he wins the ball, he gives possession straight back 80% of the time.

Its hugely frustrating. I'm sure there's potential there, he just needs to be told to keep it simple and made to realise his place us under threat if he doesn't.

Absolutely right....

This is CRUCIAL to success...... no team can win games consistently when they cannot keep the ball.. This has been most apparent at home this year and has happened time after time after time...we have conceded possession of the ball, which has put us on the back foot and the opposition have started to attack us again. We MUST keep the ball for longer, speed play up when needed, slow play down when needed and dictate play, especially at home.

[Simo86]

Everyone saying Morgan should start instead of Mills because of his distribution have got short memories. Both our goals at the City Ground were down to poor distribution from Morgan trying to pass it out of defence. I get annoyed with Mills when he hoofs it whilst there are other options, but when he has no options and hoofs it you still all get on his back. What else do you want the lad to do? Give back to Scmeichel so that he can hoof it?

[seenitall]

You make some good points IMO.

The biggest noose around Mill's neck is his price tag. If Mills had been picked up for a million quid, then we would all be more accepting of his performances. He would be branded as 'a solid player, who can't pass the ball', but, for the money we would have paid, this would be accepted. Like it was with Wayne Brown.

HOWEVER, Mills was signed for an awful lot more money than this. He was also brought-in, if my memory serves me rightly, because Sven favoured 'cultured' centre backs, who could bring the ball out of defence with composure and finesse. It was for this reason, people were claiming, that Jack Hobbs had to go...he was seen as a 'hoof merchant' who was not 'Sven's type of player'.

Now, from what I've seen, there is no bigger hoof ball merchant than Matt Mills...and for what we paid for him, I was expecting a player who looked far more comfortable on the ball than he is.

So, I agree with you, that Mill's price tag, and salary, does not warrant the player we have signed. A million (or perhaps two) would have been nearer the mark.

Where you talk shite is your final EDIT...There are still many on here who are smarting that Sven was sacked, you included. This is clear and pops up in almost every one of your posts.

In fact, most of the players who have recieved criticism on the forum recently have actually been Pearson's signings, not Svens.

Wellens, King, Gally, Dyer...have all had their share of ridicule over recent times.

You make some good observations IMO..then usually spoil it with your strange love affair with SGE. I do wonder when you'll get over him, if ever...

You've missed the point at the end there I was merely making the point that for some the fact he was signed by- Dad Sven will forever be held against him - me, I just weep into my soggy tissue at what could have been...........

[cc_star]

I care not what we paid for him or that Sven signed him, yes he's a decent blocker and header of the ball, although like most average CBs he rarely puts any intelligent direction on his headers.

His poor passing has been well documented but he also lacks any sort of presence and authority either as the 'senior defender' or as Captain.

His positioning and marking doesn't look that great either, I've noticed in the last few games in particular he often leaves Peltier exposed and trying to mark two attackers whilst he stays very central and often doubling up on the guy that SSL is marking.

He does little or no organising of the defence and most of his communication seems to relate to having a go at team mates often after he himself has made an error.

He seems to do little in terms of his captaincy and often looks like a lost lamb.

Now most of this might be par for the course for the average FL CB but considering he's our captain and senior defender to me it's simply not good enough and just marks him out as very average.

I don't think who signed him is an issue, seenitall just seems to have a chip on his shoulder & assume that any criticism (constructive or otherwise) is simply levelled at him because Sven did sign him, when his on the pitch performances like so many this season haven't totally convinced most people.

Totally lacks presence & authority, like you say both as a defender & a captain

Very, very poor choice of the latter, for me.

[NewburyFox]

Having Drinkwater infront of Mills will help Mills hell of a lot I think. In the two sub appearances Danny has played, it's clear that he's very comfortable on the ball and is keen to drop back to pick the ball up from infront of the defence and dictate play. For the majority of the time, this will give Mills a much easier pass as the simple ball will be on to Danny, or other players will be able to fill the space that Danny has left by dropping back and therefore giving Mills a lot more options.

I'd take Mills in the team over SSL any day of the week.