Bolton winning race for Mark Milligan

BOLTON boss Phil Parkinson is winning the race for Australia’s captain and midfield general Mark Milligan.

Parkinson hopes to talk free agent Milligan into joining him as he flew in for talks after playing at the Confederations Cup.

Milligan, 31, is keen to come to test himself in the Championship after a spell in Middle East with Baniyas.

Bolton face competition for the Socceroos star and are keen to try and complete the move this week as it falls within their budget.

Birmingham City are also interested in the versatile midfielder.

Burton Albion, who are on the verge of re-signing Jake Buxton, are another club monitoring his situation.

Milligan moved up through the youth ranks at international level and played for the U20s and U23s before making his senior debut in 2006.

He currently has 59 caps for the senior Australia side.

And in the absence of Aston Villa’s Mile Jedinak, he skippered his country in the recent Confederations Cup in Russia.

His representatives are due in London this week to discuss his next move with potential suitors.

Meanwhile, Bolton have yet to sort out terms with Jay Spearing.

The former Liverpool man is out of contract and looks set to depart Wanderers.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Never heard of him to be honest, anyone seen him play?

BoltonTillIDie wrote:Milligan, 31, is keen to come to test himself in the Championship after a spell in Middle East with Baniyas.

I'd rather sign a Bamber Bridge player.

Is Baniyas even a place?

There's about as much chance of this guy doing well for BWFC as there is of Tony Kelly fitting into one of my size 8 dresses.

Natasha Whittam wrote:

BoltonTillIDie wrote:Milligan, 31, is keen to come to test himself in the Championship after a spell in Middle East with Baniyas.

There's about as much chance of this guy doing well for BWFC as there is of Tony Kelly fitting into one of my size 8 dresses.

He told me he's a 'medium'.

boltonbonce wrote:

Natasha Whittam wrote:

BoltonTillIDie wrote:Milligan, 31, is keen to come to test himself in the Championship after a spell in Middle East with Baniyas.

There's about as much chance of this guy doing well for BWFC as there is of Tony Kelly fitting into one of my size 8 dresses.

He told me he's a 'medium'.

Probably true. His radio commentaries are like he's talking to the dead.

Natasha Whittam wrote:

BoltonTillIDie wrote:Milligan, 31, is keen to come to test himself in the Championship after a spell in Middle East with Baniyas.

I'd rather sign a Bamber Bridge player.

Is Baniyas even a place?

There's about as much chance of this guy doing well for BWFC as there is of Tony Kelly fitting into one of my size 8 dresses.

If he's cheaper than Spearing I think we should get him because he can actually pass to his own teammates.

wanderlust wrote:

Natasha Whittam wrote:

BoltonTillIDie wrote:Milligan, 31, is keen to come to test himself in the Championship after a spell in Middle East with Baniyas.

I'd rather sign a Bamber Bridge player.

Is Baniyas even a place?

There's about as much chance of this guy doing well for BWFC as there is of Tony Kelly fitting into one of my size 8 dresses.

If he's cheaper than Spearing I think we should get him because he can actually pass to his own teammates.

Tony Kelly?

Heard a rumour that the move for Milligan has run into trouble due to work permit regulations. Hope it isn't true as he would be an improvement on Spearing IMO.

Work permit to do with Oz not being in the top 50. He's got the qualifying matches but looks like FIFA don't rate Oz.

Bollotom2014 wrote:Work permit to do with Oz not being in the top 50. He's got the qualifying matches but looks like FIFA don't rate Oz.

Fifa ranking shows Oz as 48 though (up two from 50) so maybe it's something else?

Today's BN article states that FIFA take the average ranking of Oz over the last two years - which was over 50 - so doesn't look as if Milligan is coming to the club.
With the Spearing talks appearing to have stagnated it looks like we'll have to find someone else to do the job. Shame it's not likely to be Milligan as he would have done a cracking job for us IMO.

Bullshit rule. These signings should be looked at on a case by case basis.

What difference does it make if Aussie is 500th...what's that got to do with signing a player......more Fifa nonsense I'm afraid.

he's never played at a particularly high level so not fussed if he doesn't come, i would rather keep Spearing but that looks less likely with every day that passes.

Norpig wrote:he's never played at a particularly high level so not fussed if he doesn't come, i would rather keep Spearing but that looks less likely with every day that passes.

Spearing will sign if he doesn't get a better offer. Simple. KA set his price and if Spearing can do better, he will. Unlike Kevin Durant who passed up 9 million dollars more to stay with the Golden State Warriors! Then again, a two year deal worth 53 million dollars is nothing to cry about!

So we wait and see what Spearing and his agent can do... and if his value is worth more to someone else, so it will be. If not, we can sign him again. The proverbial ball is in his court. I just hope if he signs, he is the Spearing of last season, not the season before!

You can get 80/1 for Wanderers finishing in the top two. Any takers?

13/5 for relegation.

boltonbonce wrote:You can get 80/1 for Wanderers finishing in the top two. Any takers?

13/5 for relegation.

What were the odds when Leicester won the Premier League!

I'm sure some people will take a punt on it - in fact at 80/1 for a club in an embargo, warring owners and apparently little money - I'm surprised the odds are not a lot higher - probably a few taken better odds already!

Sluffy wrote:

boltonbonce wrote:You can get 80/1 for Wanderers finishing in the top two. Any takers?

13/5 for relegation.

What were the odds when Leicester won the Premier League!

I'm sure some people will take a punt on it - in fact at 80/1 for a club in an embargo, warring owners and apparently little money - I'm surprised the odds are not a lot higher - probably a few taken better odds already!

Hard to know what will happen until the deal is signed between the warring partners... the financials are filed... the embargo lifted... and then to see if there is any money to buy players. Maybe KA has an ace up his sleeve... but he is playing hardball (and I agree with him) to straighten the mess out. So where we will finish (as you rightly point out) is anyone's guess. Rooney can have a brilliant 10-year career here!

terenceanne wrote:What difference does it make if Aussie is 500th...what's that got to do with signing a player......more Fifa nonsense I'm afraid.

I don't understand why they have to set any criteria at all because freedom of movement for work is already regulated by the laws of each recipient country and the number of foreign players is also regulated by the respective associations. If team wants a player from American Samoa or Lesotho there should be no further barriers because providing he meets the immigration criteria the risk is all with the club.
Stupid regulation - as a result of which we may end up paying over the odds for a hit and miss Scouse mercenary who can't pass.