Stephen Ireland

[GavinZac]

Ha if youve so little interest why you still posting after all these months,

Maybe he doesn't find any effort in typing coherent posts, Stephen?

[youngirish]

Maybe he doesn't find any effort in typing coherent posts, Stephen?
I agree. I've always thought Manblue could either be the man himself, a close relative or at the very least a slightly deranged stalker. A quick look at his post history reveals that nearly all of his posts have refered to Stephen Ireland in glowing terms and the couple that haven't have been about Cobh.

So Stephen, I mean Manblue, are you going to be back for the qualifiers or not?

Mods on a more general note have we any Irish internationals (current or ex) that post on these forums regularly? I don't want names just a simple yes or no would do.

[musicinmouth]

I'm a bit late to this conversation, but I just wanted to say that I hope Stephen Ireland does decide to return to play for us soon. I think that some of the criticism he receives is very unfair. He's a young guy who went through some very difficult times and he deserves support. When he has played for Ireland, he has played well and with commitment. He is very talented and would definitely improve our squad. I think people should empathise with him a bit and support him when he decides he is ready to come back.

[Fergie's Son]

I think everyone recognizes that he's a true talent and would like him to play for his country. That said, I think most people would like to see some act of contrition from him. A public statement perhaps or at least his appearing at training saying that he's here to play. Otherwise he appears to a very selfish young man. I may be wrong but he has to make an effort to alter that perception of him.

[minty]

ireland badly needs his ability to arrive in the box late and score crucial goals

[bennocelt]

Sorry to bring this thread back from the dead but just after reading an interesting thing in this months "FourFourTwo" and they mention that a baldy young footballer likes to send women pics of his "Quite thin, hardly huge appendage"

maybe its better off if he isn't in the squad, the fella is clearly off his head

[Drumcondra 69er]

ireland badly needs his ability to arrive in the box late and score crucial goals

Women clearly don't need his ability to arrive in the box late and score judging by the snippet from Four Four Two posted above!

[eekers]

Looks like the inevitable is gonna happen. He's joining sunderland according to this http://www.bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=81659

[tetsujin1979]

Played today against AC Milan - http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?pagegid={DBD12D53-8346-431D-A04F-5D0F8664DE80}&newsid=6615655 so I don't know when he agreed the transfer.

[tetsujin1979]

Man City issue official denial of the deal: http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_city/s/1061944_hughes_ireland_not_leaving_city
reminds me of that scene from Yes, Minister where Nigel Hawthorne tells the minister that you can't believe anything until it's been officially denied

[Razors left peg]

Man City issue official denial of the deal: http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_city/s/1061944_hughes_ireland_not_leaving_city
reminds me of that scene from Yes, Minister where Nigel Hawthorne tells the minister that you can't believe anything until it's been officially denied

It would be a fairly strange signing by Sunderland I think, hes a quality player but he plays in a position where they already have decent quality.I'd be surprised if this happens

[Wolfie]

I was all for giving Ireland every chance of a return but this is beyond farce at this stage.

The door still remains open for Ireland. Is it that Trapp has been made privy to some personal information (true or otherwise) by Ireland that has led Trapp to extend him some compassion and time?

Despite the comendable amount of patience that Trapp has shown - surely he'd have drawn this ongoing saga to a grinding halt if he weren't aware of "extenuating circumstances".

[Sligo Hornet]

I was all for giving Ireland every chance of a return but this is beyond farce at this stage.

The door still remains open for Ireland. Is it that Trapp has been made privy to some personal information (true or otherwise) by Ireland that has led Trapp to extend him some compassion and time?

Despite the comendable amount of patience that Trapp has shown - surely he'd have drawn this ongoing saga to a grinding halt if he weren't aware of "extenuating circumstances".

The only door that should remain open for him is the "Trapp-Door" to Hell!!:mad:

[OneRedArmy]

Looks like the inevitable is gonna happen. He's joining sunderland according to this http://www.bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=81659
Interesting strategy to gather all the traitors together in the one place ;):D

[Morbo]

Guess his next signing will be AOB then

[Adrianovic]

There's bits of internet chatter around suggest why Stephen Ireland might be a reasonably troubled individual at the moment.

I'm not willing to put my name to it, as this sort of thing gets people into legal trouble, but if you follow 'football scandals' and have a bit of Columbo in you, you'll probably work out what I've heard.

[passinginterest]

There's bits of internet chatter around suggest why Stephen Ireland might be a reasonably troubled individual at the moment.

I'm not willing to put my name to it, as this sort of thing gets people into legal trouble, but if you follow 'football scandals' and have a bit of Columbo in you, you'll probably work out what I've heard.

There was a recent court case that I had a feeling he might be an interested party in. All pure idle chat and gossip at this point though. Hell it beats watching Coronation Street. :D

[youngirish]

I don't rate him much anyway. Some of the hysterical posts on here a while ago stating that he was our best player were laughable. He wouldn't even be in my starting 11.

All flash no bite. Hughes won't be have him as a regular starter for Man City this season and if Keane plays him in the center instead of a fit Reid then he needs to seek professional help (maybe he'll play him on the right though).

[boovidge]

^i agree.

I'd like to see him back in the squad if he's got a valid reason for holding out this long, but he's no great loss. The midfield is our strongest area atm and i wouldnt have him in the starting 11. Andy O'Brien is a much bigger loss imo.

[bennocelt]

^i agree.

I'd like to see him back in the squad if he's got a valid reason for holding out this long, but he's no great loss. The midfield is our strongest area atm and i wouldnt have him in the starting 11. Andy O'Brien is a much bigger loss imo.

A please:eek:

[Razors left peg]

A please:eek:

I think the point is because we have alot more options in midfield than defense, which is fair enough

[irishbaz]

Lads I have looked at and tried not to comment on this thread but it has got the better of me!! All of us on this site would probably give our right and left arms to be able to play professional football never mind represent our Country on the national stage!! Whatever reason Stephen has for choosing not to play for his country is his choice however given the fact he has a natural talent he has not got natural intelligence and his decision making is **** poor he has the depth of a puddle and the brain of a goldfish, yet we still allow this guy to dominate our conversations!! I would rather 11 Sunday league players who wore the green shirt with pride and passion than one Stephen Ireland!! Let’s close this thread up and concentrate on the lads who represent every last one of us on this site and leave Mr Ireland, his dead whoever (as I think his excuse culminated in the whole family passing away) and his one brain cell to their own special world(and Stephen you are special to everyone of us on this site)

[SkStu]

Lads I have looked at and tried not to comment on this thread but it has got the better of me!! All of us on this site would probably give our right and left arms to be able to play professional football never mind represent our Country on the national stage!! Whatever reason Stephen has for choosing not to play for his country is his choice however given the fact he has a natural talent he has not got natural intelligence and his decision making is **** poor he has the depth of a puddle and the brain of a goldfish, yet we still allow this guy to dominate our conversations!! I would rather 11 Sunday league players who wore the green shirt with pride and passion than one Stephen Ireland!! Let’s close this thread up and concentrate on the lads who represent every last one of us on this site and leave Mr Ireland, his dead whoever (as I think his excuse culminated in the whole family passing away) and his one brain cell to their own special world(and Stephen you are special to everyone of us on this site)

seconded. close this thread.

[eirebhoy]

Whatever reason Stephen has for choosing not to play for his country is his choice however given the fact he has a natural talent he has not got natural intelligence and his decision making is **** poor he has
Intelligence and decision making is the most important thing in a good passing team. A team of Stephen Ireland's would rip teams to shreds through fast, short, one touch passing. They'd no doubt concede on the rare occasion they give away possession. :)

His decision making really is superb. Celtic's Paul Hartley is fresh in my memory so I'll compare him to him.
A player is passing the ball to Hartley. Hartley is just focussed about receiving that pass. Once he gets the ball he'll then look around and decide what to do next.
Ireland is about to receive a pass. he'll know exactly what's around him on the pitch. If a teammate is available in a good position Ireland will play the pass to him with his first touch. If there's nobody in a more advanced position then he'll hold onto it for a few seconds until someone makes themselves available.

He's a top class passer and passing is what his game is about. Man City were a joy to watch for plenty of last season and Ireland played a big part in that. Many people thought he was anonymous quite often though because none of his 30 odd passes were spectacular. If you're trying to watch 22 players on a pitch it's hard to appreciate Ireland. Spend 90 minutes of a match just watching him and you'll appreciate him. I actually can't understand when fellow Ireland and Celtic fans are able to tell me after the match how good an opposing player was. I just don't be watching the opposition.

[NeilMcD]

Ireland is a luxury we cannot afford at this moment in time in our midfield and in our squad. He is good player but he goes missing a lot and is like Gerrard and Lampard in that he goes missing from games. Although they are a lot better than him in my view. He is like the 3rd midfielder that has developed over the last few years. Just as the holding player as they call it has developed and I call that the 1st midfielder, The likes of Ireland and Gerrard and Lampard are like the 3rd midfielder.

[Diarmo]

I just don't be watching the opposition.

I wish I could've done that for the Cyprus match....

[eirebhoy]

Ireland is a luxury we cannot afford at this moment in time in our midfield and in our squad. He is good player but he goes missing a lot and is like Gerrard and Lampard in that he goes missing from games. Although they are a lot better than him in my view. He is like the 3rd midfielder that has developed over the last few years. Just as the holding player as they call it has developed and I call that the 1st midfielder, The likes of Ireland and Gerrard and Lampard are like the 3rd midfielder.
Wenger was linked with Krajcnar to to replace Hleb. I think Ireland would be similar in style to those 2. We could probably field a better team without him though atm with our current set of players.

[irishbaz]

Eirebhoy you have taken the quote out of context “he has not got natural intelligence and his decision making is **** poor he has” I am suggesting that he has a god given talent that I don’t dispute "the fact he has a natural talent" as stated- What he has not got is social intelligence the ability to look at the consequences of his football decision and how that will impact on him generally (i.e. it makes him an outcast in the eyes of Irish fans) I saw an interview with Micha Richards on Soccer a.m and he stated he was the thickest player in the team!! Your other point is true about ripping teams apart but and here is the but HE DOESNT WANT TO PLAY FOR US so your argument while true makes no difference to me as an Irish supporter he could be ****ing Pele if he doesn’t want to play what good is he to us being a great footballer let me tell you none as useless as a chocolate fireguard. You are banging on about Man City you would be a hit on there forums however my point however hard to take is give me player who want to play not pre Madonna’s who at the drop of a hat choose not to because of an elaborate tale of dead grandparents (very cleaver!!!!!! Or maybe thick)

[NeilMcD]

The irony of that post is unreal.

[irishbaz]

bad example!!:eek:

[Stuttgart88]

I love the expression "Pre Madonna"! Before we were blessed with "Holiday" were footballers different?

I personally wouldn't have Ireland in the starting XI - I think Andy Reid is better suited to a central role or an advanced midfield / playmaking role if we ditch 442. But anyone who thinks our midfield is our strongest point at the moment is seriously deluded.

I honestly think AOB is a bigger loss. I'm perfectly happy with a Dunne / O'Shea combo, but in either's absence I'd be really worried and we need experienced cover.

[dr_peepee]

It's strange. The whole lot. Why has there been no closure in the way that O'Brien has?

I was convinced his comments on MOTD last year were an olive Branch... It's a pity.

[geysir]

I suggested putting this thread into World football:D

Eirebhoy is still proud of him.
anybody else?

[SalvadorSanchez]

He wants out.....simple as that! nothing can be done if he's not interested in playing for Ireland... he's well enough to play for City every week so there's no reason he can't play for Ireland other than he doesn't want to or is still sore after his row with Brian Kerr.... that lad can f**k off if you ask me.:mad:

[Wexford Delboy]

wat it comes down to is would he make a diff in our qualification for the worldcup!?

[musicinmouth]

You don't know that he wants out... You have no idea what's behind his reasons... so give him a break.

[tricky_colour]

Man CIty are playing now on ITV4 (UK), Ireland is on bench, Dunne playing.

[mypost]

A team of Stephen Ireland's would rip teams to shreds through fast, short, one touch passing.

:D

He hasn't ripped Liverpool, nor Chelsea, nor Arsenal to shreds. He lost by 6 at Chelsea, and 8 at Middlesbrough. On the contrary, they've been ripping him to shreds.

Throw in his contribution, or distinct lack of it to our cause since last September, his lack of respect for one of the world's greatest coaches Trappattoni, never mind his team mates, and you have someone who should be banned from wearing the green shirt again.

[eirebhoy]

Eirebhoy is still proud of him.
anybody else?
Nah I just think he's a very good player. :)

[DeNiro]

He hasn't featured for City tonight. Wonder if he's going to be peripheral player under Hughes? He started Elano on the right tonight! Dunne having a poor game by his standards.

[eirebhoy]

If Hughes is going to play a 4-4-2 then Ireland is fighting it out for a place out wide. Petrov and Elano are better players but there's no harm in that.

[shakermaker1982]

Ireland was a handy player to bring off the bench if we needed a goal in the last 20-30 minutes. If we are to play 4-4-2 then he wouldn't start in the centre of MF because he'd be a liability (unless you played an extremely defensive midfielder next to him). The ship has now sailed for him - I gave him the benefit of the doubt last time round but to reject us again means we should give his berth to somebody with a desire to play for us. Same applies to Andy O'Brien. I wouldn't beg them back if the whole squad got food poisoning a few days before an important game. Instead I'd offer my services :)

[jebus]

Why are people still talking about this waste of space?

[tricky_colour]

He hasn't featured for City tonight. Wonder if he's going to be peripheral player under Hughes? He started Elano on the right tonight! Dunne having a poor game by his standards.


I heard on the news that some of the players were unhappy with his (Mark Hugh's) training methods. I wonder if Ireland is one of them?

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/SPORT/football/08/13/england.hughes/
"Hughes has already imposed a strict regime at the training ground, with agents, family and friends banned, and cell phone use restricted."

I'm just guessing there really though, but seems like a few players don't
like the idea much.

[skitz3]

46% in favour, only in Ireland :rolleyes:

[Razors left peg]

46% in favour, only in Ireland :rolleyes:


Why difference does it make to u either way how people voted

[skitz3]

For a start it's spelt "you" and secondly it's true i have no love lost for the Irish team but even i think the guy is a disgrace. He has disrespected the jersey of the country he supposedly loves, Roy Keane got hung, drawn and quartered for less. As i said it makes little difference to me but if i even think he a disgrace something must be wrong with the situation.

The England fans booed Bentley for less and rightly so, yet in Ireland they plead for a player to come back. I wouldn't p*ss on this **** if he was on fire and can you imagine how i'd feel if i actually like the English B team?

[Razors left peg]

For a start it's spelt "you" and secondly it's true i have no love lost for the Irish team but even i think the guy is a disgrace. He has disrespected the jersey of the country he supposedly loves, Roy Keane got hung, drawn and quartered for less. As i said it make little difference but if i even think he a disgrace something must be wrong with the situation.

The England fans booed Bentley for less and rightly so, yet in Ireland they plead for a player to come back.

Well if makes YOU feel any better I would change my vote after he wasnt in the latest squad after he had the summer to think about it and I think alot of people would be the same

[skitz3]

That actually does make me feel better, the Irish international team owes Stephen Ireland nothing and i'm glad people are finally begining to realise that.

[Noelys Guitar]

Brilliant today for Man City.