Milner 'lucky to learn' from Gerrard

09 September 2010 07:27
James Milner has hailed the leadership skills of England skipper Steven Gerrard and believes he is lucky to be able to learn from him.[LNB] Gerrard turned in another fine performance in his preferred central midfield role in tandem with Gareth Barry during England's 3-1 win over Switzerland.[LNB]He won his 87th cap in Basle to move into eighth spot in England's all-time appearance list after overtaking Kenny Sansom.[LNB]Milner has now established himself on the left-hand side of midfield and feels he can only benefit from playing alongside Gerrard, who has worn the captain's armband in the absence of the injured Rio Ferdinand.[LNB]He said: "When you've got good players they are going to shine through.[LNB]"You know Steven Gerrard is another top player that we are lucky to have.[LNB]"He has shown his leadership skills.[LNB]"Not everyone has to be a shouter. He will do that, he'll have a word and shout at you when it needs to be done.[LNB]"But he leads by example on the pitch, without or with the ball, and we are lucky to have a player like that.[LNB]"I'm lucky to be able to look up to a player like that and learn as much as I can off him."[LNB]Milner feels the shape of the midfield employed by Fabio Capello against the Swiss can also be effective against the bigger football powers.[LNB]He said: "I don't see why not. It is down to the manager how he wants to play.[LNB]"I think we've got the players in the squad to be able to play like that (against Switzerland) and other formations as well.[LNB]"If the manager wants to play three in there, if he wants to play a diamond, whatever, we've got the players who can change and play the way he wants to play.[LNB]"I think that helps and gives him options when we play against teams who play different ways. You have to be able to adapt your style."[LNB]Milner was amongst six Manchester City players on the pitch at the end of the game and believes it is an encouraging sign for the club's Premier League title aspirations.[LNB]He said: "It is good to have that core of English players but we need the mix as well.[LNB]"We are very fortunate to have a lot of talented foreign players at the club as well.[LNB]"The mix is there. Most teams who win the title have an English core as well so it can only be good for us as a club."[LNB]Wayne Rooney ended his year long goal drought for England in his first match after allegations involving his private life.[LNB]But Milner says the Manchester United star makes a sizeable contribution irrespective of whether he finds the net.[LNB]Milner said: "He probably deserved to get a goal against Bulgaria the other night because he was outstanding and created a lot of goals.[LNB]"He is a world-class player so, whenever he steps out onto a football pitch, he is going to cause problems and score goals.[LNB]"As a striker you are judged by goals and if you go a few games without a goal, people are going to say stuff.[LNB]"But he brings so much to the team anyway - work-rate, ability, setting up goals, the vision.[LNB]"It helps when he is scoring goals but he is bringing everything to the table anyway."

Source: Team_Talk