Stephen Ireland

**TheOneWhoKnocks** · 17/04/2014, 12:05 AM

Bit slow on the uptake, Crosby?

**Charlie Darwin** · 17/04/2014, 12:07 AM

Originally Posted by Crosby87

New contract paves way for Ireland to rejoin mighty Republic, surmises the Times:
http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/socc...back-1.1762759

Not sure they're right about his transfer being made permanent in the winter. Stoke publicised it as such, but given that he was left out against Villa, it seems they actually just extended his loan until the end of the season (and his contract).

**tricky_colour** · 17/04/2014, 12:30 AM

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

His mention does provoke a tremendous deal of vitriol, often accompanied by the suggestion that he is "mental", "has issues" or should see a psychiatrist. Out of interest, would it elicit greater sensitivity towards him if he was actually diagnosed with a recognised mental illness?

And did his family actually say they were ****ed off by him? Where did you hear that?

Well they didn't say that directly but the seem to want him to play and him not playing is means
he is going against what they would prefer.

It does not bother me so much these days because II don't see him as making too much of a difference to the team.
What does both me is the issue being constantly brought up. I don't really want to read about player who don't
want to play.

**BonnieShels** · 17/04/2014, 3:44 AM

Originally Posted by tricky_colour

I think the only conversation that needs to be is fpr Martin and Roy to tell him to eff off.
I am sick to the back teeth of the ******** he comes out with.
I mean it's not as if he is any good anyway.

That's my gut test. Lesser known than Stutts' one.

But if you ****-off Tricky then it's time to forget about your Ireland career.

**DannyInvincible** · 17/04/2014, 7:11 AM

Originally Posted by tricky_colour

Well they didn't say that directly but the seem to want him to play and him not playing is means
he is going against what they would prefer.

And so this means they must be ****ed off with him? That's a bit of a leap. My mother would have preferred I joined the college choir when I was a wee bairn, but she wasn't ****ed off with me when I didn't.

**Charlie Darwin** · 17/04/2014, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

And so this means they must be ****ed off with him? That's a bit of a leap. My mother would have preferred I joined the college choir when I was a wee bairn, but she wasn't ****ed off with me when I didn't.

She told me she was.

**Crosby87** · 17/04/2014, 11:12 PM

Sorry Danny but she confided that in me too!

**tricky_colour** · 17/04/2014, 11:50 PM

Yes Danny the truth is she was very upset indeed.

**DannyInvincible** · 18/04/2014, 9:47 AM

Your jokes suck quite a lot, but probably not as much as your mothers...

(Look what you've reduced me to!)

**Crosby87** · 18/04/2014, 3:41 PM

This reminds me of that part of Angela's ashes where the mother has no teeth and the plumber...ugh.

**TheOneWhoKnocks** · 18/04/2014, 3:45 PM

.....

**DannyInvincible** · 19/04/2014, 10:43 AM

'Hughes hoping Ireland can improve after signing new Stoke deal': http://www.goal.com/en-ie/news/3942/...ning-new-stoke

...

"I have always felt that Stephen needs stability in his life and he is going to get that here now," Hughes said. "He has a good structure around him and he has good people working with him on a daily basis."

Ireland has played 21 times for Stoke this season, scoring two goals, and Hughes believes that the midfielder can improve on that showing in the next few seasons.

"There is no doubt that he is a real outstanding talent, and there is no reason why he can’t enjoy the best years of his career here with us," Hughes admitted. "I am delighted to have been able to tie him down to a long-term deal."

**geysir** · 19/04/2014, 11:25 AM

"I have always felt that Stephen needs stability in his life and he is going to get that here now,"

He's been married for a while, has a few kids, a (probably fake tudor) mansion, has had a job which pays a few million, likes a range rover/maserati/porche. Probably with a bit of prudence could live well for the rest of his life.
Yet the poor lad needs stability in his life, needs the security of knowing he has 5 or so million coming into to his bank account over the next 3 years in order to function day to day.

**paul_oshea** · 19/04/2014, 11:30 AM

You're talking about financial stability there.

**Crosby87** · 19/04/2014, 1:32 PM

Dont forget his pink Boa.

**tricky_colour** · 19/04/2014, 2:21 PM

I hope things go well for him he seems to be his own worst enemy.

**SkStu** · 19/04/2014, 2:37 PM

watching Cardiff v Stoke and it's undeniable that he has that touch of class and vision that we could do with more of. Played a lovely through ball to Arnautovic for example.

**geysir** · 19/04/2014, 3:31 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

You're talking about financial stability there.

Not just financial, you might of played down the importance of the bit about family/family home/relationship/children, which implies a recognition of some existing level of mental/emotional stability. Perhaps one day Paul, you will say goodbye to your feckless ways, embrace commitment and experience such mental and emotional stability

**Crosby87** · 19/04/2014, 6:03 PM

POSH was born a rebel and he will stay one thank you very much.

**tricky_colour** · 19/04/2014, 10:07 PM

Originally Posted by SkStu

watching Cardiff v Stoke and it's undeniable that he has that touch of class and vision that we could do with more of. Played a lovely through ball to Arnautovic for example.

Yea, just seen that, that was class.