Mills to .....................

[Guest Col city fan]

Though I agree with everything Freemans Wharfer has said above, I still think its strange that Mills is being linked with the clubs he is.

Celtic.... Big club with a massive fan base

Bolton..... Only just relegated from the Prem and i would be surprised if they didn't challenge this season

Norwich... Premiership Club

If any of these rumours are true, here are three clubs who must consider Matt Mills to be a good player. Even at a 'bargain' price, they would not be considering a central defender who they didn't think could add something to their squad.

And at the fees mentioned, and the wages, I doubt they are courting Mills without having watched him play, albeit not for some time.

When I've seen Mills play, I've considered him to be an average Championship defender, no more, no less.

But if the rumours are founded, I wonder what's going on here?

Bamba appears to have gone, this time to a club who will be playing Champs league football, albeit in Turkey.

I wonder what some folk on this forum will feel if Pearson does go on to try and sell Beckford also?

And this is at a time when I can't see many clubs flocking for the likes of Wellens, King, Gally and Lloyd Dyer?

I trust in Pearson, I've made that clear on many occasions but I do find this interesting so im just putting it out there..

[MattyFromLE]

I don't think it does to be honest. It comes down to seeing him play, forming an opinion on what he did in a Leicester shirt and then making a judgement.

When we signed him I honestly didn't know a lot about him. Reading captain, fairly solid in a tight-knit team, that was about it. Despite having knocked around the Championship for a good few years I couldn't recall him having stood out like others have for me over the years (Lescott, Jagielka, Duff). If a player is playing in a league below his talents then it is quickly apparent, and this never was with Mills for me.

So when we went and supposedly spent £5million on him (yes I know this wasn't the eventual fee but this was what was wheeled out as a marquee signing by the club), I was reserving judgement. Even though I was a little shocked, surprised and, I guess, excited by the amount we were paying, I had no point of reference for whether or not this was a good deal. I hoped it was.

I read through pages of excitement on here; the best defender in the Championship, snared away from the clutches of Premiership clubs, a likely captain, the new Steve Walsh. This all sounded promising. With eager anticipation I awaited the start of the season and a curtain-raiser against Real Madrid. One thing of particular importance/interest for me? What's this Matt Mills like?

From very early on, dare I say it that Real Madrid game where he played a horrendous backpass, it was clear that Matt Mills was no £5million player. But here's where I think the subsequent difference in opionion on Mills must lie. I believe there are those who saw the price tag, what he did for Reading and alleged Premier League interest, and use all of these things to discount how bad he was for Leicester. To claim that those who don't rate him are being overly harsh and unable to see something in his performances. Then there are those who had the benefit of not knowing too much about him, not instantly equating his fee with his worth and, instead, judging him on what he did on the pitch. For Leicester.

Of these people, I am one.

To assess Mills as a centre half on the most basic of criteria would indicate that he is, at best, distinctly average. Aerial strength, passing, positioning, speed... he excels in none. Add to this his mentality. Composure, temperament, desire... again he is found wanting.

We all know that the best judge of a player are the fans that have watched him up and down a country week in, week out. Reading fans were delirious that they'd got so much for Mills, vindicated in their subsequent storming of the league. "Same old Millsy, ****ing useless" the chant went as he turned in one of the worst displays of the season. A professional footballer put off by some of the tamest sets of fans in the country singing this? Straws were being clutched at ealry doors.

If a Bolton fan came to ask me about Mills what I'd tell them would have nothing to do with an argument with Pearson, a personal difference. That is a side issue, born out of the primary one that Mills isn't good enough and Pearson had the sense to take action based upon this. What I would tell them is that they have got a very ordinary defender and a much less ordinary person. I would tell them about the countless times I saw him hoof the ball. I would tell them about seeing Andy Gray dominate him twice in one season. I would tell them about the numerous times I travelled the country to watch a team that he was leading squander opportunities before watching him skulking of the pitch first, without a moment's thought of acknowledging the travelling support as 'captain'.

If they wanted more, I'd tell them about rash tackles at Hull and Birmingham which cost us points. I'd tell them how Sven quickly realised he'd been had when he dropped him just a few games in.

In summary, I'm delighted to see the back of Matt Mills. If we've re-couped £2million then that is absolutely fantastic business. Good riddance.

Excellent post. Totally agree with this! Let's spend this and the money from Bamba chasing Chester.

[Toffee_Fox]

Mail says Norwich after him now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Agent work on getting him a good deal from Bolton.

[cairnsy]

To be honest 2M is a good deal all round. could have another mil or so if he didnt have a falling out with nigel but considering the situation, only losing 1-2m on him is not too bad.

[Mark_w]

And this is at a time when I can't see many clubs flocking for the likes of Wellens, King, Gally and Lloyd Dyer?

Sorry, when did anyone say they were for sale? Clubs are after Mills because he's available, if we don't want to sell a player then financially we can afford not to, so you won't get masses of clubs looking at him.

[Bob Weasel Fox]

I don't think it does to be honest. It comes down to seeing him play, forming an opinion on what he did in a Leicester shirt and then making a judgement.

When we signed him I honestly didn't know a lot about him. Reading captain, fairly solid in a tight-knit team, that was about it. Despite having knocked around the Championship for a good few years I couldn't recall him having stood out like others have for me over the years (Lescott, Jagielka, Duff). If a player is playing in a league below his talents then it is quickly apparent, and this never was with Mills for me.

So when we went and supposedly spent £5million on him (yes I know this wasn't the eventual fee but this was what was wheeled out as a marquee signing by the club), I was reserving judgement. Even though I was a little shocked, surprised and, I guess, excited by the amount we were paying, I had no point of reference for whether or not this was a good deal. I hoped it was.

I read through pages of excitement on here; the best defender in the Championship, snared away from the clutches of Premiership clubs, a likely captain, the new Steve Walsh. This all sounded promising. With eager anticipation I awaited the start of the season and a curtain-raiser against Real Madrid. One thing of particular importance/interest for me? What's this Matt Mills like?

From very early on, dare I say it that Real Madrid game where he played a horrendous backpass, it was clear that Matt Mills was no £5million player. But here's where I think the subsequent difference in opionion on Mills must lie. I believe there are those who saw the price tag, what he did for Reading and alleged Premier League interest, and use all of these things to discount how bad he was for Leicester. To claim that those who don't rate him are being overly harsh and unable to see something in his performances. Then there are those who had the benefit of not knowing too much about him, not instantly equating his fee with his worth and, instead, judging him on what he did on the pitch. For Leicester.

Of these people, I am one.

To assess Mills as a centre half on the most basic of criteria would indicate that he is, at best, distinctly average. Aerial strength, passing, positioning, speed... he excels in none. Add to this his mentality. Composure, temperament, desire... again he is found wanting.

We all know that the best judge of a player are the fans that have watched him up and down a country week in, week out. Reading fans were delirious that they'd got so much for Mills, vindicated in their subsequent storming of the league. "Same old Millsy, ****ing useless" the chant went as he turned in one of the worst displays of the season. A professional footballer put off by some of the tamest sets of fans in the country singing this? Straws were being clutched at ealry doors.

If a Bolton fan came to ask me about Mills what I'd tell them would have nothing to do with an argument with Pearson, a personal difference. That is a side issue, born out of the primary one that Mills isn't good enough and Pearson had the sense to take action based upon this. What I would tell them is that they have got a very ordinary defender and a much less ordinary person. I would tell them about the countless times I saw him hoof the ball. I would tell them about seeing Andy Gray dominate him twice in one season. I would tell them about the numerous times I travelled the country to watch a team that he was leading squander opportunities before watching him skulking of the pitch first, without a moment's thought of acknowledging the travelling support as 'captain'.

If they wanted more, I'd tell them about rash tackles at Hull and Birmingham which cost us points. I'd tell them how Sven quickly realised he'd been had when he dropped him just a few games in.

In summary, I'm delighted to see the back of Matt Mills. If we've re-couped £2million then that is absolutely fantastic business. Good riddance.

shame it didnt work out with him but i tend to agree with most of this post

[jock2612]

2M is a great deal esp with the 20-25K wage saved. The main thing tho is I sure NP was waiting to see how much they cud get before moving back into transfer market,I know we already got 3 in but NP has stated he wants his deals dun early.

[Danno]

2M is a great deal esp with the 20-25K wage saved. The main thing tho is I sure NP was waiting to see how much they cud get before moving back into transfer market,I know we already got 3 in but NP has stated he wants his deals dun early.

It's 35K i've heard

[Fox92]

Whatever he is on; between 20k and 35k is ridiculous. How Sven can be defended I don't know. One things sure, Mills' massive wages will be saved if he leaves. We're never going to get the transfer fee back, but that's football.

[TrentFox]

Whatever he is on; between 20k and 35k is ridiculous. How Sven can be defended I don't know. One things sure, Mills' massive wages will be saved if he leaves. We're never going to get the transfer fee back, but that's football.

I'll have a go at defending him - he wouldn't have determined the wages. That's not a manager's job at this level of the game.

[wurmer]

Is he still here?

[Fox92]

I'll have a go at defending him - he wouldn't have determined the wages. That's not a manager's job at this level of the game.

But he was the manager, and the manager always takes the blame. If the manager signs a poor player, he gets blamed not the player. If the team plays poor, the manager gets blamed.

"first rule of leadership, everything is your fault"

[Guest Col city fan]

Sorry, when did anyone say they were for sale? Clubs are after Mills because he's available, if we don't want to sell a player then financially we can afford not to, so you won't get masses of clubs looking at him.

? Is Peltier on the transfer list...

Was Lloyd Dyer on the list when Sheff Weds were looking at him?

Was Andy King 'listed' when linked with Everton?

Just because a player isn't 'for sale' it doesnt mean they aren't 'for sale'.... And it doesn't stop interest in those players.

Have Arsenal listed Van Persie? Still don't stop Man City sniffing after him does it?

If any team fancied the look of King, Gally, Wellens etc they could make an enquiry and it may become public knowledge at some point.

Even if they did, do you reckon Gallagher might go to Celtic, Norwich or Bolton? I doubt it..

I never rated Mills, but if these links are true then some decent clubs do...

[TrentFox]

But he was the manager, and the manager always takes the blame. If the manager signs a poor player, he gets blamed not the player. If the team plays poor, the manager gets blamed.

"first rule of leadership, everything is your fault"

Sooooooooooo true !

[Guest Col city fan]

Sooooooooooo true !

Trent, is it really not the part of a football managers remit to work with the clubs 'negotiator' when determining what a players wages/transfer fee will/should be?

Surely the manager will know what his budget is in terms of transfer kitty and wages and will at least have some control over this in terms of how money is spent and on whom it is spent?

Would it simply have been a case of Sven drawing up a list of his wanted players and then leaving it completely to someone else to sort out all the monetary stuff?

If so that's fookin ridiculous, pardon the word....

[Babylon]

Trent, is it really not the part of a football managers remit to work with the clubs 'negotiator' when determining what a players wages/transfer fee will/should be?

Surely the manager will know what his budget is in terms of transfer kitty and wages and will at least have some control over this in terms of how money is spent and on whom it is spent?

Would it simply have been a case of Sven drawing up a list of his wanted players and then leaving it completely to someone else to sort out all the monetary stuff?

If so that's fookin ridiculous, pardon the word....

Of course it's his role to be involved, and I'd say that in all probability he was.

[Fox92]

Sooooooooooo true !

[Mark_w]

? Is Peltier on the transfer list...

Was Lloyd Dyer on the list when Sheff Weds were looking at him?

Was Andy King 'listed' when linked with Everton?

Just because a player isn't 'for sale' it doesnt mean they aren't 'for sale'.... And it doesn't stop interest in those players.

Have Arsenal listed Van Persie? Still don't stop Man City sniffing after him does it?

If any team fancied the look of King, Gally, Wellens etc they could make an enquiry and it may become public knowledge at some point.

Even if they did, do you reckon Gallagher might go to Celtic, Norwich or Bolton? I doubt it..

I never rated Mills, but if these links are true then some decent clubs do...

What I'm saying is that more clubs are going to be interested if they know a player is for sale, especially if they think they can get him on the cheap.

[TrentFox]

Trent, is it really not the part of a football managers remit to work with the clubs 'negotiator' when determining what a players wages/transfer fee will/should be?

Surely the manager will know what his budget is in terms of transfer kitty and wages and will at least have some control over this in terms of how money is spent and on whom it is spent?

Would it simply have been a case of Sven drawing up a list of his wanted players and then leaving it completely to someone else to sort out all the monetary stuff?

If so that's fookin ridiculous, pardon the word....

No idea how we do it, but I would expect that a total budget was outlined and targets prioritised and implications spelled out. But my point was that the manager wouldn't actually determine how much the player was offered. Otherwise managers would offer almost anything to get players they wanted in order to potentially save their own bacon - probably not worrying too much about long term implications for the club, as they are unlikely to be there long term ! I cannot believe that the wage offered was decided by anyone other than the money suits in consultation with the owners with AN as the go-between - although SGE would almost ceratinly have been aware of the figure and its implications on further signings.

[Bluetintedspecs]

Mr Mills I feel will be exposed as a distinctly average player wherever he lands.If the fee is circa £2 million then I will have a celebratory drink!

[RonnieTodger]

Shame as everyone was so excited for him. Wish him the best at where ever he goes

[EnderbyFox]

Though I agree with everything Freemans Wharfer has said above, I still think its strange that Mills is being linked with the clubs he is.

Celtic.... Big club with a massive fan base

Bolton..... Only just relegated from the Prem and i would be surprised if they didn't challenge this season

Norwich... Premiership Club

If any of these rumours are true, here are three clubs who must consider Matt Mills to be a good player. Even at a 'bargain' price, they would not be considering a central defender who they didn't think could add something to their squad.

And at the fees mentioned, and the wages, I doubt they are courting Mills without having watched him play, albeit not for some time.

When I've seen Mills play, I've considered him to be an average Championship defender, no more, no less.

But if the rumours are founded, I wonder what's going on here?

Bamba appears to have gone, this time to a club who will be playing Champs league football, albeit in Turkey.

I wonder what some folk on this forum will feel if Pearson does go on to try and sell Beckford also?

And this is at a time when I can't see many clubs flocking for the likes of Wellens, King, Gally and Lloyd Dyer?

I trust in Pearson, I've made that clear on many occasions but I do find this interesting so im just putting it out there..

Great post +1

[Happy Fox]

F**king shit if true

http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wanderers/wanderersnews/9768149.Wanderers_set_for_Mills_loan_deal/?

Wanderers are poised to sign Leicester City defender Matt Mills on a season-long loan deal.

The 25-year-old centre-back has been seeking to quit the King Power Stadium after a high-profile bust-up with Nigel Pearson next season.

It had been expected that the Whites would have to cough up £3million up front to secure his signature – but sources in the Midlands claim the move could be made permanent for half that amount next summer.

Mills will be up against Zat Knight and Tim Ream for a place at the heart of the Wanderers defence, and could also face competition from David Wheater, who is pencilled in for a New Year return.

But the 'try before you buy' deal enables him to kick-start his own career, which has struggled since making a £4m move to Leicester from Reading at the start of last season.

It also lets Coyle get a good look at him in a campaign he hopes will finish with promotion back to the Premier League.

[Tielemans63]

F**king shit if true

http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wanderers/wanderersnews/9768149.Wanderers_set_for_Mills_loan_deal/?

Wanderers are poised to sign Leicester City defender Matt Mills on a season-long loan deal.

The 25-year-old centre-back has been seeking to quit the King Power Stadium after a high-profile bust-up with Nigel Pearson next season.

It had been expected that the Whites would have to cough up £3million up front to secure his signature – but sources in the Midlands claim the move could be made permanent for half that amount next summer.

Mills will be up against Zat Knight and Tim Ream for a place at the heart of the Wanderers defence, and could also face competition from David Wheater, who is pencilled in for a New Year return.

But the 'try before you buy' deal enables him to kick-start his own career, which has struggled since making a £4m move to Leicester from Reading at the start of last season.

It also lets Coyle get a good look at him in a campaign he hopes will finish with promotion back to the Premier League.

I ****ing hope not. That would be a dreadful piece of business. Strengthening one of our rival's squads in exchange for lowering the wage bill a little? That would be crazy - really hope this is bollocks.

[h1210]

F**king shit if true

http://www.thebolton...lls_loan_deal/?

Wanderers are poised to sign Leicester City defender Matt Mills on a season-long loan deal.

The 25-year-old centre-back has been seeking to quit the King Power Stadium after a high-profile bust-up with Nigel Pearson next season.

It had been expected that the Whites would have to cough up £3million up front to secure his signature – but sources in the Midlands claim the move could be made permanent for half that amount next summer.

Mills will be up against Zat Knight and Tim Ream for a place at the heart of the Wanderers defence, and could also face competition from David Wheater, who is pencilled in for a New Year return.

But the 'try before you buy' deal enables him to kick-start his own career, which has struggled since making a £4m move to Leicester from Reading at the start of last season.

It also lets Coyle get a good look at him in a campaign he hopes will finish with promotion back to the Premier League.

I wonder when this will happen