Liam Millar

[Approve My Account Pls]

6 minutes ago, Obinna said:

I may have missed it - but is this a loan or a buy? Someone on wiki has put it down as a loan on his player profile. I haven't seen anyone talk fees either. Maybe this really is a loan?

I saw on a tweet from PNE that its a loan, haven't seen anything if there's about loan to buy or not

 

[Obinna]

1 minute ago, Chad_Impact said:

Oof.

Disappointing considering how things started and what type of clubs Basel transfers usually go to

This isn't the Basel of 10 years ago. Their top player from a few seasons ago, Cabral, had a phenomenal strike rate. In prior years he maybe goes to a team like Chelsea (see Mo Salah's career path). Instead he went to Fiorentina - still a good club but obviously nowhere near the stature of Chelsea.

Millar is going to a team that's had a strong start to the season. A lot of games left to play, but I think it's telling he never went to Sheffield Wednesday or Rotherham, teams near the bottom. Going to a stronger Championship club from Basel feels just about right given the last few seasons Basel has had. They have won zero trophies since Millar went there and they were transfering players to mega clubs in an era where they dominated Switzerland. They are far from dominant today. 

[Dominic94]

He can thrive at this level, love this move and it is a step up

[Unnamed Trialist]

Always an extra to go to a storied club, with silverware, however unpolished.

[nolando]

Who was the last Canadian there, Humey?

[Olympique_de_Marseille]

1 hour ago, Obinna said:

I may have missed it - but is this a loan or a buy?

Loan for one season. It is right in the link @spitfire posted.

https://www.pnefc.net/news/2023/september/pne-bring-liam-millar-in-on-loan/

Usually if there is a purchase options they write that; I will assume that it is not the case dor this deal.

Edited September 1, 2023 by Olympique_de_Marseille

[Shway]

3 hours ago, Olympique_de_Marseille said:

I don't even think @Shway is that negative!

Let's just see how the man does between now and the Japan friendly in October.

Now, now wtf did you name drop me for lol?
I'm not negative, I'm just not biased when it comes to comparing players like a lot of you lot. 

Happy Liam got out of dodge, and is in familiar and comfortable settings - which is great, but he still has to perform in a dog eat dog league that arguably has better players.

Hope he kills it, and leads PNE to the promised land. His time is now - LFG!

[Joe MacCarthy]

Liam Ready To Show His ‘Direct’ Dribbling At PNE
pnefc.net September 1 2023

Liam Millar is looking to show his attacking qualities during his time with Preston North End, having joined the Lilywhites on a season-long loan on deadline day.

The 23-year-old, on the books of Basel, has spent the last two years playing in the top flight of Swiss football, as well as featuring in European competition.

During his 98 appearances for his parent club, winger Liam has scored 13 times, as well as claiming ten assists.

Speaking about his playing style, Liam said: “I think I’m a very direct player who likes to take on his man one-v-one and to dribble is my best aspect.

“Of course I would like to contribute with goals and assists also, and just be a threat offensively.”

Unfortunately, though, he’ll have to wait some time until he can show the North End faithful what he’s capable of.

The deal wasn’t quite done in time for PNE’s new No.23 to feature in Saturday’s game against Stoke City, so he will have to wait at least another two weeks – after the international break – for his debut.

He said: “I was hoping to get everything over the line so I could be involved tomorrow, but of course it didn’t happen.

“But that’s okay. It’s good because it gives me two weeks to get adjusted with the squad and the players and the environment.

“[It gives me time] to get everything settled, to get my family over here, so maybe it’s a blessing in disguise and everything can work out in that way.”

The 21-time capped Canada international, who featured at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, has featured right at the top level of football, however the Championship is not something he’s experienced.

Having come through the ranks at Liverpool, he had loan spells with Kilmarnock and Charlton Athletic, before his move to Basel came about in July 2021.

“I think it’s something I wanted to do,” he said, about playing in the English second tier. “I went from League One straight to Basel and kind of skipped the Championship at the time.

“So when this opportunity came up for me to really test myself and show myself in the Championship it was something that got me more interested in the move and drove me to come here.

“I think everywhere you go when you see top players at top clubs in a division you want to be a part of it, and for me to see the big teams in the league and to see us competing against them is something that really excited me to come here.”

While the deal was only completed on the final day of the window, it’s long been in the pipeline, with manager Ryan Lowe confirming discussions started in March.

Liam was soon impressed with what the North End boss had to say.

“I’m buzzing to be here,” he added. “It’s been a stressful couple of days but I’m happy to get it over the line and to get ready to go.

“I had a good chat with the gaffer. I like everything that he said to me and everything that comes with the club, so I’m excited to be here and excited to get going.

“We had interest a while ago. I talked to Ryan and everything was good, and I think literally a couple of days ago everything was getting more serious and out of nowhere it just kind of happened and now I’m here.

“He just explained the kind of football that he plays, the type of guy that he is and everything that  comes with playing for this club, so everything he said I really liked and I really wanted to be a part of it.”

[The Real Marc]

Is a loan good here? Skeptical of a loan at this stage … always seems to be in the club’s favour, minimal investment minimal risk

[Shway]

1 hour ago, The Real Marc said:

Is a loan good here? Skeptical of a loan at this stage … always seems to be in the club’s favour, minimal investment minimal risk

I thought about this too, it's risky only for Liam. 
But he needed to get out of that situation at Basel, and bet on himself. 
Lets hope he kills it like Djed Spence did on loan, and the Premier interest returns. 

[Obinna]

24 minutes ago, Shway said:

I thought about this too, it's risky only for Liam. 
But he needed to get out of that situation at Basel, and bet on himself. 
Lets hope he kills it like Djed Spence did on loan, and the Premier interest returns. 

Where is the risk here for Liam? If he struggles for game time at Preston he returns back to his parent club, where he has every chance to rebound the following season. Maybe there is another angle I am not seeing?

If he does well then his reputation is enhanced and suitors may be attracted, most of all PNE. Basel don't have any Conference League and (for now) are struggling domestically. I would argue it's the perfect chance to go out on loan and get one foot out the Basel door.

[gigi riva]

He should come over to MLS the league is improving 

[Olympique_de_Marseille]

4 hours ago, Shway said:

Now, now wtf did you name drop me for lol?
I'm not negative, I'm just not biased when it comes to comparing players like a lot of you lot.

Don't take it too seriously, I said that as a joke because @spitfire had felt that you had been hard on him in the past.

I've been critical too, I was the one making joke predictions that he would hit a post or the crossbar at the Gold Cup (which to be fair, did happen).

 

[Shway]

50 minutes ago, Obinna said:

Where is the risk here for Liam? If he struggles for game time at Preston he returns back to his parent club, where he has every chance to rebound the following season. Maybe there is another angle I am not seeing?

If he does well then his reputation is enhanced and suitors may be attracted, most of all PNE. Basel don't have any Conference League and (for now) are struggling domestically. I would argue it's the perfect chance to go out on loan and get one foot out the Basel door.

Probably the same reason why you asked if it was loan or permanent transfer. It's obvious Liam wanted out of Basel, as they haven't suited his playing style and dissed him last year by playing him at wingback. 

The risk is on the flipside of your second paragraph, and I don't want to delve into the bad side of the "what if's" as the ink has barely dried.

But I can guarantee you, with 1 year remaining on his contract with Basel (after the loan)...I don't need Spitfire to confirm this, but I would believe the plan is for Liam to tear it up at PNE, and not have to go back....

I respectfully think the Basel chapter is closed. 

 

[InglewoodJack]

A loan here seems less risky because Preston wants a guy that can help them get promoted, they’re not taking him on to develop him for his main club, so they’re motivated to play him as much as they can because they’ll help him win.

I would assume the plan is for him to play well, either sign permanently, or find his way back to the premier league sometime over the next few years which is probably his ultimate goal. 

[Watchmen]

13 hours ago, gigi riva said:

He should come over to MLS the league is improving 

No, he shouldn't.  MLS is improving, but playing in Europe just gives you so many more options. PNE aren't taking him on loan if he's in MLS.  MLS will here for him if/when he wants.

[BearcatSA]

1 hour ago, Watchmen said:

No, he shouldn't.  MLS is improving, but playing in Europe just gives you so many more options. PNE aren't taking him on loan if he's in MLS.  MLS will here for him if/when he wants.

Besides, Kristian Jack says that the quality of MLS is down right now, and since many here put a lot of stock into what he says, Millar should stay abroad for as long as possible.

[VinceA]

51 minutes ago, BearcatSA said:

Besides, Kristian Jack says that the quality of MLS is down right now, and since many here put a lot of stock into what he says, Millar should stay abroad for as long as possible.

Yeah what a load of crock that is. MLS has as good as it's ever been. He's just mad half the teams get into the playoffs.

[Obinna]

5 minutes ago, VinceA said:

Yeah what a load of crock that is. MLS has as good as it's ever been. He's just mad half the teams get into the playoffs.

This was the context of KJs comment 

[Watchmen]

20 minutes ago, VinceA said:

Yeah what a load of crock that is. MLS has as good as it's ever been. He's just mad half the teams get into the playoffs.

 

12 minutes ago, Obinna said:

This was the context of KJs comment 

If this is the context, I hope he's talking about how crap the CPL is as well then.

[narduch]

I still say MLS won't reach its full potential until it caps its 1st division at 20 teams 

[blueseeka]

2 minutes ago, narduch said:

I still say MLS won't reach its full potential until it caps its 1st division at 20 teams 

This will never happen @narduch in North American sports. Way more likely to split into three divisions (with expansion) to get more teams in playoff races. No way these owners would ever vote to move down to a lower league with lower revenues through relegation.

[BearcatSA]

3 minutes ago, blueseeka said:

This will never happen @narduch in North American sports. Way more likely to split into three divisions (with expansion) to get more teams in playoff races. No way these owners would ever vote to move down to a lower league with lower revenues through relegation.

This.  MLB and NFL have added playoff entrants, not to mention the cash cow of college football in crowning a national champion.

Prom/relegation, first/second dvision:  that's a long ways away in North American major league pro sport.

[narduch]

34 minutes ago, blueseeka said:

This will never happen @narduch in North American sports. Way more likely to split into three divisions (with expansion) to get more teams in playoff races. No way these owners would ever vote to move down to a lower league with lower revenues through relegation.

I realize it won't happen. Just saying 

[Bertuzzi44]

1 hour ago, narduch said:

I still say MLS won't reach its full potential until it caps its 1st division at 20 teams 

United States + Canada population is 380,000,000. I agree capping the number of teams would be nice, but the market is huge and I don't see it happening.

Promotion/relegation into 2 divisions would be amazing, but again, ain't happening.