Liam Miller

**ken foree** · 11/11/2009, 4:48 PM

Originally Posted by Irish_Praha

I agree Long has done nothing of note recently at club level but Miller is in good form and has just won player-of-the-month for October in the SPL. Although some people on here would consider that being nothing of note too :P
I'm not his biggest fan but I would much rather have him available than the prospects of O'shea playing CMF.

fair enough, miller's doing better than i'd thought then! he played halfway decently against nigeria if i remember. but yea... we undoubtedly need better options in there.

**Murfinator** · 13/01/2010, 1:55 PM

Some comments I found on a hibs forum about Liam since his move.

He's been outstanding since he signed, he for sure has took me by surprise. When I first saw the news that he signed I wasn't too sure if he could get back to his celtic days, but he won me over on his debut and has been unplayable since!

great signing for us.

Liam Miller is different class and has been consistently so every game he has played for us.

Miller didn't cost a penny but, IMO, worth a fortune!

http://www.hibeesbounce.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=92147

**drummerboy** · 13/01/2010, 2:45 PM

Glad Miller has found his level. Not good enough for international football though.

**Murfinator** · 13/01/2010, 3:50 PM

I wouldn't say he's found his level when he's winning best player in the league awards and appearing as a different class to those around him.

I think Miller and Stokes are both top class players with a poor attitude. When they're big fish in a small pond its no problem for them, when the time comes for them to knuckle down and work for a place in a better side they aren't motivated to do it.

I wouldn't write either off for international level, Miller has always played reasonable when called upon and Stokes has never really been given his chance.

**jbyrne** · 13/01/2010, 4:14 PM

Originally Posted by Murfinator

I wouldn't write either off for international level, Miller has always played reasonable when called upon and Stokes has never really been given his chance.

agree. we are in no position to write off any options, particularly ctre mid options

**TrapAPony** · 13/01/2010, 4:50 PM

Originally Posted by jbyrne

agree. we are in no position to write off any options, particularly ctre mid options

...which is what the 'Granny Rule' will hopefully sort out for us.

**drummerboy** · 14/01/2010, 8:23 AM

Originally Posted by Murfinator

I wouldn't say he's found his level when he's winning best player in the league awards and appearing as a different class to those around him.

I think Miller and Stokes are both top class players with a poor attitude. When they're big fish in a small pond its no problem for them, when the time comes for them to knuckle down and work for a place in a better side they aren't motivated to do it.

I wouldn't write either off for international level, Miller has always played reasonable when called upon and Stokes has never really been given his chance.

The jury is still out on Stokes. He has the potential to play at a higher level.

Miller is on the way down. He is never going to play at a higher level than the SPL. He has had numerous chances both at club level and international level and has been found to be inadaquate. Ireland has plenty of younger central midfielders than Miller: players like Whelan, Gibson, McCann, Garvan Meyler. So I'd be surprised to ever see Miller in an Irish squad again.

**tetsujin1979** · 14/01/2010, 8:46 AM

Originally Posted by drummerboy

The jury is still out on Stokes. He has the potential to play at a higher level.

Miller is on the way down. He is never going to play at a higher level than the SPL. He has had numerous chances both at club level and international level and has been found to be inadaquate. Ireland has plenty of younger central midfielders than Miller: players like Whelan, Gibson, McCann, Garvan Meyler. So I'd be surprised to ever see Miller in an Irish squad again.

Ever? I'd take that bet!

**OwlsFan** · 14/01/2010, 9:09 AM

He said he'd be "surprised". He didn't say it won't happen.

Miller isn't hopeless. He's just not good enough to play at the top level of the game. Shame since we had such high hopes for him.

**tetsujin1979** · 14/01/2010, 9:19 AM

honestly, I'd be more surprised if Miller isn't in a single squad by the end of the year
In fact, I'd be shocked

**ifk101** · 14/01/2010, 9:32 AM

Aye. There's more reason for Miller to be included in the squad now than previously. At least now he is playing first-team football.

Personally think Miller is a tidy enough footballer. He has shown some good passages of play for us - thought he showed a nice touch and good vision in the Nigeria friendly, but ultimately he is more than often found out at international level.

**drummerboy** · 14/01/2010, 9:44 AM

Not sure how many international friendlies are lined up before the first round of the Euro qualifiers take place: but surely the likes of Gibson, McCann and Garvan plus the regulars like WHelan and Andrews will feature in any friendlies. These players, especially the young ones, need to be blooded now.

**dr_peepee** · 14/01/2010, 9:48 AM

I have half a feeling there'll be an inclusion out of left field in the next Squad too, like O'Hara or something....

**Murfinator** · 14/01/2010, 11:28 AM

I've always thought of Miller as the type of player who'll never win you a game but he'll never lose it for you either. He's your typical David Connolly esque kind of guy thats a mediocre premiership player for a lower half side or a stunning SPL/championship player who's probably destined to hop between both sides stuck in limbo between great successes and horrible failures.

But I think he's more than good enough for us as a squad player, I'd have no reservations about Miller coming off the bench, as far as I'm concerned there's very little between him and Whelan/Andrews/Gibson and I'd much rather someone reliable like him as an option than untested players who could turn out to be unreliables like Douglas or Alan Quinn were in the past.

**Murfinator** · 14/01/2010, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by dr_peepee

I have half a feeling there'll be an inclusion out of left field in the next Squad too, like O'Hara or something....

Has trap ever had a surprise inclusion before?

**SilkCut** · 14/01/2010, 12:37 PM

Originally Posted by Murfinator

I'd much rather someone reliable like him as an option than untested players who could turn out to be unreliables like Douglas or Alan Quinn were in the past.

I know you have higher opinion of Miller than I do Murfinator but how does that comment make sense? How do we find out how reliable a player is if we don't use them? Roy Keane was untested once, so untested in fact that the only club in England prepared to give him a chance were Notts Forest, that gamble paid off for them eh? Miller is (sorry, should be)finished at international level, yes he is doing well at Hibs and fair play to him. He has nothing left to offer us, Garvan, McCann, McCarthy and Gibson all need to be given the opportunity to show what they have to offer, even Clifford at Chelsea will be pushing for his chance in the next couple of years if he continues to develop the way he is. Before you point out that none of those guys are regulars at their clubs please remember Miller was not always a regular while playing for Ireland, at one point he did not even have a club.

**Fixer82** · 16/01/2010, 1:46 PM

Originally Posted by ifk101

Aye. There's more reason for Miller to be included in the squad now than previously. At least now he is playing first-team football.

Personally think Miller is a tidy enough footballer. He has shown some good passages of play for us - thought he showed a nice touch and good vision in the Nigeria friendly, but ultimately he is more than often found out at international level.

at least he has a club now..

do think he's a good squad player to have though. if he can keep the form going he could fill in for Whelan or Andrews handy enough I'd imagine...