Stephen Ireland

**Colbert Report** · 26/05/2010, 3:16 AM

I believe Man U would snap up Ireland in a second if they could, he's exactly what they're looking for.

**Charlie Darwin** · 26/05/2010, 3:35 AM

Technically, he's the kind of player Ferguson wants, but he doesn't like difficult characters. Even Berbatov was a very strange purchase, even though he has behaved himself mostly.

**theworm2345** · 26/05/2010, 4:50 AM

Originally Posted by SkStu

since he was dropped on his head as a young fella, id say...

That, or its his massive ego finally having grown too big to be contained in his bald pointy head

**Manblue** · 26/05/2010, 8:00 AM

Originally Posted by dr_peepee

Yeah!! Testament to his resiliance and mental strength... No big club is gonna take a punt on him. He hasn't got the head for a big club or a big dressing room. He'll be better served as a big fish in a small pond. I'm delighted I psted it in threads before about how he'll respond at the first sign of adversity. The Li'l B****!!!

I wouldnt be writing him off so fast, Ireland will stay at Man City unless a club that finished higher up in the table in (and liverpool) buy him up. City will not sell him to any of these for less than £14m and the Villa deal is a non runner for starters pure media speculation. Unfortunately regardless of how much he wants him, fergie doesnt have the money, as I assume the price for united would be slightly inflated. To be honest if Dr peepee if you think no big club would take a punt on a home grown player like him, you are seriously deluded.

**danthesaint** · 26/05/2010, 8:02 AM

i cant believe there is 141 page about this ****!!

**tetsujin1979** · 26/05/2010, 9:23 AM

there was a few lads behind me at the game last night chanting "if you hate Stephen Ireland, clap your hands"
kinda pointless in my opinion, why not cheer the players that are right in front of you, instead of insulting someone who isn't there?

**dr_peepee** · 26/05/2010, 9:29 AM

Originally Posted by shakermaker1982

I think Ireland believes in his ability whereas those players like Webb and Birtles crumbled because they didn't back themself 100% & were taken outside their comfort ground (City Ground). Ireland is by all accounts a dedicated trainer and somebody who is always looking to improve himself.

Ireland hasn't fallen apart this season, he's just unhappy that he is getting very little game time since Mancini took over. I think it's a good sign that a player wants to play football and isn't content to just sit on the bench picking up his wages (Liam Lawrence is another). Ireland might struggle off the field mentally but when he's playing football he is switched on. I've never seen him do a Sol Cambell on the pitch and so long as he performs week in week out then I'm sure Fergie/Wenger/O'Neill would consider giving him a contract. Any time I have watched City the last two years he is usually the best player on the pitch.

I understand what you're saying and I've no doubt Ireland believes in his ability in that respect. If anything he's too much belief in himself. Ireland has already blamed being played out of position this season in print, basically saying he was played out of position on the Wing or deep in the middle? Which says alot given it basically mean he wants to play without constraint, and while he's good and can do that role, his comment show a level of arrogance that wouldn't be tolerated by Fergie. Few players are given that freedom in a team, and fewer still demand it verbally in public

Think Wayne Rooney playing wide left against Barca in the Champ League final. Out of position, horrible game and not a whisper from him. Do you think Steven Ireland could hold his tongue it that scenario?? You have to earn the right to be given that role Ireland covets. It's a huge leap of faith for a manager if you think about it. Those who have been awarded the roll in any team in recent times spent allot longer than couple of seasons in an average team. Sure the fact alone he's throwing his dodi out of the pram after a few games out at city doesn't bode well for another big club. Ireland has shown over the last few years he's not up for it when it's not going his way. Not something you'd want in a dressing room during squeaky bum time. He's also proved to be a bit of a media whore, another Fergie pet peeve.

Ireland technically a very good player, definately. I just don't think he's on Fergusons radar.

**dr_peepee** · 26/05/2010, 9:47 AM

Originally Posted by Manblue

I wouldnt be writing him off so fast, Ireland will stay at Man City unless a club that finished higher up in the table in (and liverpool) buy him up. City will not sell him to any of these for less than £14m and the Villa deal is a non runner for starters pure media speculation. Unfortunately regardless of how much he wants him, fergie doesnt have the money, as I assume the price for united would be slightly inflated. To be honest if Dr peepee if you think no big club would take a punt on a home grown player like him, you are seriously deluded.

Originally Posted by Manblue

I wouldnt be writing him off so fast, Ireland will stay at Man City unless a club that finished higher up in the table in (and liverpool) buy him up. City will not sell him to any of these for less than £14m and the Villa deal is a non runner for starters pure media speculation. Unfortunately regardless of how much he wants him, fergie doesnt have the money, as I assume the price for united would be slightly inflated. To be honest if Dr peepee if you think no big club would take a punt on a home grown player like him, you are seriously deluded.

You're right. If your "Man Crush", Stephen Ireland doesn't play at Manchester United it's because they can't afford him.

What's your idea of a Big Club though?. Would a move to Liverpool constitute a big move? Or would he simply be in the bracket of Reira, Benyouun, Babel, Aquilani. Are Liverpool further away from a Premiership than City??? Steven Ireland is a very good player that would improve many squads but Steven Ireland won't move to a club that's going to push for the title next season, or any other season unless he gets his head in a different place over the next couple of years...... (or Moves to Celtic)

**Manblue** · 26/05/2010, 1:21 PM

Originally Posted by dr_peepee

I understand what you're saying and I've no doubt Ireland believes in his ability in that respect. If anything he's too much belief in himself. Ireland has already blamed being played out of position this season in print, basically saying he was played out of position on the Wing or deep in the middle? Which says alot given it basically mean he wants to play without constraint, and while he's good and can do that role, his comment show a level of arrogance that wouldn't be tolerated by Fergie. Few players are given that freedom in a team, and fewer still demand it verbally in public

Think Wayne Rooney playing wide left against Barca in the Champ League final. Out of position, horrible game and not a whisper from him. Do you think Steven Ireland could hold his tongue it that scenario?? You have to earn the right to be given that role Ireland covets. It's a huge leap of faith for a manager if you think about it. Those who have been awarded the roll in any team in recent times spent allot longer than couple of seasons in an average team. Sure the fact alone he's throwing his dodi out of the pram after a few games out at city doesn't bode well for another big club. Ireland has shown over the last few years he's not up for it when it's not going his way. Not something you'd want in a dressing room during squeaky bum time. He's also proved to be a bit of a media whore, another Fergie pet peeve.

Ireland technically a very good player, definately. I just don't think he's on Fergusons radar.

Players are very reactive to management and situations imposed on them. Managers like ferguson dont buy players purely from what they have done in the past but also what they can make of them. The discipline ferguson imposes on players and charisma he has changes how alot of players act. Are you saying if wayne Rooney was played out of position at a different club and lost his place he would speak out? Lets be honest you know he would and all good players do it. Regarding being a media whore, and again united is just an example. Players at united and arsenal get alot more media protection whereas city is a media circus and splashed around tabloids daily. Since the takeover they have built a full press office/media centre at their training ground which intended as a PR stunt has backfired and given players a daily platform to vent concerns.

Regarding the second point he has actually shown quite the opposite, when the club were prepared to sell him two summers ago he trained non stop to get himself into contention for the side and when dropped forced his way into a team which were ready to let him go so I dont see how this validates your point about him not being up to it when things are not going his way. Sometimes players seek and need stability at a club rather then constant ins and outs. No manager wants to spend 20m on a player and then drop him when the world are watching ( Barry and Adebayor to name a few), and other players suffer.

Finally its well publicised that Ferguson is a fan of Irelands and in the last 3/4 derbys has had him man marked, i dont think its that crazy also if uniteds current crop of midfielders is anything to go by.

but we will have to agree to disagree i suppose, however I do appreciate your sensible post which is alot better than most of the rubbish posted in this thread.

**geysir** · 26/05/2010, 2:03 PM

Originally Posted by Manblue

City will not sell him to any of these for less than £14m and the Villa deal is a non runner for starters pure media speculation. Unfortunately regardless of how much he wants him, fergie doesnt have the money, as I assume the price for united would be slightly inflated. To be honest if Dr peepee if you think no big club would take a punt on a home grown player like him, you are seriously deluded.

Can´t say I am au fait with transfer values but if SI was rated at £15m last year after a top season, surely his value this year drops, as is reflected by the reported perceptions of what he is worth, some £10m. He has asked for a transfer and the City manager has funds for better players, most probably the main stumbling block to him agreeing terms with another club are the personal terms he expects to be met.

**SkStu** · 26/05/2010, 2:54 PM

people are also ignoring the fact that when he played regularly at the start of this season, he was terrible. Had no chemistry with Adebayor or Bellamy and he was next to anonymous in the games i saw. I personally think he has it all to prove again before a big team will come knocking for him.

**SkStu** · 26/05/2010, 2:55 PM

Originally Posted by theworm2345

That, or its his massive ego finally having grown too big to be contained in his bald pointy head

that inflated ego might have found more space in the chip on his shoulder than his big baldy head.

**Sullivinho** · 26/05/2010, 8:09 PM

Originally Posted by tricky_colour

He seems to have a bump on his head here.
Never noticed that before, is it new?

It's a little-known fact that Stephen was actually born with his penis attached to his head. A skilled team of surgeons were able to relocate the offending member to it's proper place but were regrettably over-zealous, also removing the brain centres responsible for pride and dignity, believing them to be testicles. It is unknown whether Stephen ever grew a set of balls.

On a serious note, I fully expect him to end up at Aston Villa, whilst James Milner chases the filthy lucre to Lescott levels of mediocrity.

**seanfhear** · 27/05/2010, 5:54 AM

The best place for a footballer to do his talking is with his talent on the football field. It will be interesting to see if Stephen Ireland can get on the field with Man City or another "big" club to let his talent do the talking.

There is not much doubt that he is a good attacking player but there are doubts about his defensive abilities. His talents may well be suited to the bigger stronger clubs that should be doing more attacking and having more of the ball.

So far he has one good season and one swallow does not make a season.

**dr_peepee** · 10/06/2010, 10:36 AM

Seen his Mot on a "Come Dine With Me" Wags Special last night... She had a bit of a hybrid pikey Irish English accent at times but came accross alright really.

Massive self indulgent full wall portrait of him and her in the Gaff though.... I'll blame him on that for now

**Junior** · 10/06/2010, 1:12 PM

Nice choice of tv viewing.........

Good job the WC is imminent...what would it be for you next, What Katie did next

**theworm2345** · 10/06/2010, 3:19 PM

Originally Posted by dr_peepee

Seen his Mot on a "Come Dine With Me" Wags Special last night... She had a bit of a hybrid pikey Irish English accent at times but came accross alright really.

Massive self indulgent full wall portrait of him and her in the Gaff though.... I'll blame him on that for now

Originally Posted by Junior

Nice choice of tv viewing.........

Good job the WC is imminent...what would it be for you next, What Katie did next

I have to agree with Junior. Downloaded it out of curiosity and it was the kind of crap my sister watches. From the bit I did watch, which was just the first part of her segment, I can say that even on her best behavior she's chav-tastic. Seeing that ridiculous house and knowing he'll probably be broke in 10 years did give me some satisfaction though. The scary thing is if she shaved her head I think she'd look like him.

**Manblue** · 10/06/2010, 4:41 PM

Originally Posted by theworm2345

I have to agree with Junior. Downloaded it out of curiosity and it was the kind of crap my sister watches. From the bit I did watch, which was just the first part of her segment, I can say that even on her best behavior she's chav-tastic. Seeing that ridiculous house and knowing he'll probably be broke in 10 years did give me some satisfaction though. The scary thing is if she shaved her head I think she'd look like him.

Where can it be downloaded from?