Stephen Ireland

[NeilMcD]

Stephen Hunt wants to play for his country and does so.


Stephen Manchester has refused to play for his country numerous times and and under 4 different managers.


And some people say the problem is with Stephen Hunt.

[seanfhear]

When Stephens hair grows back he will play for Ireland.
Has anyone a cure for the egghead.
Are Irish People abnormally abhorrent of follically challenged footballers.
I suggest a national day of hair removal from Irish football fans and slap head buffing.
If this does not get Stephen back then we must try changing the name of the country because maybe he is unhappy that we have the affront to call the country after him.;)

[carloz]

Stephen Hunt has far too much to say for himself. I also didnt like his dishonesty on the field regarding that 'ghost goal' during the weekend.

Just reading his comments on the papoer about it now. He said that later on in the game when he was taking a corner, the linesman asked him 'Did i make a mistake, was it a goal?'. Hunt replied that he got it right and that it was a goal. Thats a very very *****ish thing to do. Nothing could have been done about it then so why didnt he just say the truth to the poor linesman. Basically it was a ***** trick what he did. Im losing my respect for the guy

[NeilMcD]

From the Herald. http://www.herald.ie/sport/soccer/internationals/hunt-for-success-1481951.html

EC: Stephen Ireland is playing very well for his club. What are the chances of him rejoining the national squad under Trapattoni?

SH: If he comes back to Ireland then it will only add extra competition for the squad. He's let us down a bit but he'll be welcomed back once he wants to be there. That's the most important thing. If he wants to be there then fair enough. But if he doesn't want to be there, then, 'Sod you.' If you don't want to be there then there's nothing you can do. We can't drag him along. He's on fire at the moment. He's playing very well, having seen the game last week.

He's always had that ability. But he needs to have the right attitude.

The way Irish people are, if you give a hundred percent then they're generally okay with you. They never really have a go at you. So if he comes back all guns blazin' then he'll be welcomed back. No doubt about it. If Ronaldo can get welcomed back to Man United after what he said and done during the summer, then Stephen Ireland can play for Ireland again. That's for sure. Not a bother, like. The reception Ronaldo got from the United fans says it all. They want to see you playing for that shirt and they're greedy when it comes to it. No matter what kind of person you are or things like that.

[third policeman]

From the Herald. http://www.herald.ie/sport/soccer/internationals/hunt-for-success-1481951.html

They never really have a go at you. So if he comes back all guns blazin' then he'll be welcomed back. No doubt about it. If Ronaldo can get welcomed back to Man United after what he said and done during the summer, then Stephen Ireland can play for Ireland again. That's for sure. Not a bother, like.

I may have traduced Stephen Hunt, but these comments make a nonsense of those who suggest his return would demoralise his team mates. Still think that this is a problem that could be sorted with a modicum of common sense and diplomacy. He is far too good to be left out of our team, and to suggest that its all up to him to "prove himself", "apologise", "do penance", "make the first move" etc is oversimplistic and unrealistic. Even if all the "blame" rests with Ireland, it doesn't mean that noone else has a responsibility to mediate or help resolve the matter. When I see the paucity and lack of creativity in our midfield and then watch Ireland destroying Portsmouth it's massively frustrating. Brady, Trap the FAI should be making every effort to understand and try to resolve his problem. Lots of you clearly think that this amounts to indulging an immature and irritating egotist, but that's what mangement is about. Hughes and Man City seem to be able to manage and motivate Ireland and we cant.

[ifk101]

Still think that this is a problem that could be sorted with a modicum of common sense and diplomacy.

Common sense and diplomacy. Examples please and please highlight what more the FAI need to do here that they haven't already done.


He is far too good to be left out of our team, and to suggest that its all up to him to "prove himself", "apologise", "do penance", "make the first move" etc is oversimplistic and unrealistic.

He doesn't need to apologise because he's a better footballer than our other options? :rolleyes:


Even if all the "blame" rests with Ireland, it doesn't mean that noone else has a responsibility to mediate or help resolve the matter.

Has mediation not already taken place? Or do you know something that nobody else knows.


When I see the paucity and lack of creativity in our midfield and then watch Ireland destroying Portsmouth it's massively frustrating. Brady, Trap the FAI should be making every effort to understand and try to resolve his problem. Lots of you clearly think that this amounts to indulging an immature and irritating egotist, but that's what mangement is about. Hughes and Man City seem to be able to manage and motivate Ireland and we cant.

Give examples of where Brady and Trap, the FAI and everybody else have not tried to coax, mediate or whatever you wish to call, Stephen Ireland back into the Irish fold.

It's a closed book. MOVE ON!

[NeilMcD]

I think another point is that in managment you have to be flexible but you also have to show that you are no push over and that people cannot take the **** and there has to be discipline.

That is why Stephen Manchester must been seen to apoligise to the players and fans and to the manament team. If you let one bad egg destory the rules and disciplinary structures in place you can destroy the whole team ethic.

I could not find one person in Montenegro who was sympathetic to Stephen Mancheter's cause.

[Pauro 76]

Personally, if Stephen Ireland publicly apologised, I'd be happy to see him back. Although I've lost a bit of respect for Hunt, two players who clearly don't like each other can play well for the team. Example that springs to mind, Sheringham and Cole. They despised each other, but were a very successful partnership, who's to say both cant' play in the same team?

[ifk101]

If Stephen Ireland made it clear he wants to play for Ireland and is willing to give it 100%, I'm sure Trap would welcome him back.

However I don't think he would make our starting 11 - esp. with the way Trapattoni has organised how we play. So tbh he can stay in Manchester and save the FAI from chartering a private jet in his honour.

[Brendan 82]

However I don't think he would make our starting 11 - esp. with the way Trapattoni has organised how we play.

Ah I'd say he would alright, and I'm no fan of Stephen Manchester. Prolly on the right side seeing how Duff is always crocked. It would be between Hunt and McGeady for the left spot. Just speculation on my part but I reckon he would be somewhere in the first 11

[ifk101]

Ah I'd say he would alright, and I'm no fan of Stephen Manchester. Prolly on the right side seeing how Duff is always crocked. It would be between Hunt and McGeady for the left spot. Just speculation on my part but I reckon he would be somewhere in the first 11

Trapattoni has set the team up to play with two wingers. Stephen Ireland isn't a winger. He can play on the right side of midfield but he's still not a winger. Also think we need somebody of Steven Reid's "strength" in the middle to partner Glenn Whelan. Whelan's job is to sit in front of the back 4 - I can't see Ireland filling this role so Whelan starts ahead of Ireland. Stephen Ireland's potential place in the team is as a replacement for Steven Reid. I wouldn't take a fit Steven Reid out of the team for Stephen Ireland.

If we played a 4-5-1 formation, I'd pick him in the team. But, as I see it, he wouldn't start with the formation we currently play.

[third policeman]

Common sense and diplomacy. Examples please and please highlight what more the FAI need to do here that they haven't already done.

Well what have they done? A conversation with Trap?


He doesn't need to apologise because he's a better footballer than our other options? :rolleyes:

Agree. He is actually is under no obligation to play for us, and an apology would be a futile gesture only serving to appease a section of opinion on this site.

Has mediation not already taken place? Or do you know something that nobody else knows.

What do you know? There is no evidence that anything has been done beyond the Trap conversation. I cannot say for certain what has or has not been done, but I strongly suspect given the FAI's track record and the prevailing culture in professional soccer that whatever efforts have been made have been inept and insensitive.

Give examples of where Brady and Trap, the FAI and everybody else have not tried to coax, mediate or whatever you wish to call, Stephen Ireland back into the Irish fold.

I really think it's up to you to give examples of the efforts that you allege have been made. My suspicions about the lack of effort are supported by the lack of evidence.

It's a closed book. MOVE ON!

Most of the people on this site suggest its a "closed book", because they want Ireland to endure the punishment of permanent exile and exclusion. But far from "moving on" you are the very people who have contributed 90% of the comments to this thread. I think that our management do have a responsibility to carry on seeking a resolution of the Ireland situation, because their ultimate responsibility is to get the best results for the team. That means getting the best out of our players and getting our best players out onto the pitch. Ireland's decision is clearly not totally whimsical and irrational. It is the result of things that happened to him and that have affected him. Maybe personnel management issues are way beyond the competence and experience of football coaches so other professional skills should be deployed.

[ifk101]

Most of the people on thi ......

What exactly do the FAI need to do here that hasn't already been done?

[FahyForever]

If Stephen Ireland made it clear he wants to play for Ireland and is willing to give it 100%, I'm sure Trap would welcome him back.

However I don't think he would make our starting 11 - esp. with the way Trapattoni has organised how we play. So tbh he can stay in Manchester and save the FAI from chartering a private jet in his honour.,


Whatever your opinions on the man, his past and his character ( and I think he´s a pillock) there is no doubt that he´s THE in-form Irish player of the moment. He has been exceptional recently (particularly in the Portsmouth game) and if everything was honky dory off the field and all this controversy had not occured Trap would be building the team around him. I think he would be a huge benefit to the squad. I have no idea if that will ever happen though....

[ken foree]

What exactly do the FAI need to do here that hasn't already been done?

get him back in the squad.

[Dodge]

Most of the people on this site suggest its a "closed book", because they want Ireland to endure the punishment of permanent exile and exclusion

Thats simply not true. The vast, vast majority of people who post and the majority of those who vioted in the above poll want him to play for Ireland.

Its a closed book because he has repeatedly refused to do so.

If he wants to play for his country, he will. The only person stopping Stephen Ireland from playing for his country is Stephen Ireland.

[Brendan 82]

Trapattoni has set the team up to play with two wingers. Stephen Ireland isn't a winger. He can play on the right side of midfield but he's still not a winger. Also think we need somebody of Steven Reid's "strength" in the middle to partner Glenn Whelan. Whelan's job is to sit in front of the back 4 - I can't see Ireland filling this role so Whelan starts ahead of Ireland. Stephen Ireland's potential place in the team is as a replacement for Steven Reid. I wouldn't take a fit Steven Reid out of the team for Stephen Ireland.

If we played a 4-5-1 formation, I'd pick him in the team. But, as I see it, he wouldn't start with the formation we currently play.

Thats true he likes to use wingers in the current system but he has played Keogh out there and has suggested that his time on the right of midfield is not over. So going on that, and considering how well Ireland is playing, I think he would be in the first 11. Again, just my opinion

Ireland is too lightweight to play in either Reid or Whelan's position, and I think Trapp will stick with the 442 as long as it is our best system. So I suppose its a toss-up really.

[Colbert Report]

He's certainly not Claude Makelele, so he's out in that Steven Reid/ Glenn Whelan role in front of the centre backs we've been playing with so far. If Duff can't play then stick Ireland on the left wing instead of Hunt, or even the right wing instead of McGeady and let McGeady play left wing. Failing that, I would prefer him as a striker sub for Doyle or Keane over the likes of Shane Long or Noel Hunt. He's an amazing player, currently our best consistent performer in the Premiership where almost all of our players play, and we can't justify leaving him out because he "doesn't fit into a 4-2-2-2 formation.


That said, we have to convince him to come back into the squad in order for this to have anything to do with anything.

[eirebhoy]

Its a closed book because he has repeatedly refused to do so.

Its a closed book because he has repeatedly refused to do so.
He did say when he was being handed his FAI young player of the year award that he hopes to back playing for us at some time in the future. He does want to play for us but he's probably not patriotic enough to go through the terrible awkwardness of meeting up with the squad again. Jesus I don't even do family do's because I can't bare to talk to my aunties and uncles after so long. :D Seriously though, he told the Irish squad he had to leave Slovakia because his granny had died. I wouldn't want to have to face them after that either.

Come to think of it, I remember a few years ago I got offered a job working in the offices of a famous bookmakers. I had worked in one of their shops a few years back and left on bad terms. Basically I left by text message telling them I had lost a load of money gambling and was too embarassed to call up. A lot of that was true. I got the job but they still had to check my references. They contacted my old district manager who told them how I left the job previously. I got a call back that evening telling me that they would have to withdraw the offer. I was distraught after telling so many people I had gotten the job I really wanted. I sent a very long email to the girl in HR explaining why I left my last job. I also had to try and explain why I had a gambling problem at the time so one of my close family members who had died at the time was brought up in the email.

The following day I got a call back, she apologies for having to withdraw the offer without knowing fully what happened. She told me she showed the email to a couple of the main guys in the department I'd be working in and they were happy to take me on. Anyway, she offered me the job again to which I accepted over the phone. A couple of hours of thinking how embarrassing the email was and I actually rang back telling them I couldn't take the job and I took another job I was offered. That was how hard it was for me to face those guys after sending such an email.

Anyway, there's a piece of my life. :) I just think it's too easy to say he doesn't want to play for us.

[Dodge]

I just think it's too easy to say he doesn't want to play for us.

But unlike you, everyone pretty much knows his story so its not like he has to explain himself.

Get into the squad, get a bit of slagging from the lads and get on with it.

[stiffler]

That said, we have to convince him to come back into the squad in order for this to have anything to do with anything.



I think at this stage the balls in Stephen's court.

[eirebhoy]

But unlike you, everyone pretty much knows his story so its not like he has to explain himself.

Not really. I wouldn't have had any explaining to do if I took the job. I was just too embarrassed to go for it. There was a lot in the email btw. :)

[Collyontour]

Bottom line is we will have a better chance of qualifying with him back, regardless of the circumstances.

[geysir]

Not really. I wouldn't have had any explaining to do if I took the job. I was just too embarrassed to go for it. There was a lot in the email btw. :)

His other behaviour doesn't support the embarrassed angle, like.

[Noelys Guitar]

It might take a face to face with Trap to sort this out. Ireland has got rid of the 'Irish jig' and seems to be enjoying his football with City. He would have buried that chance that McGeady missed against Montenegro. Then again McGeady turns up. Its a tricky one.

[geysir]

Another tete a tete with Trap?

[Irish_Praha]

The big question is if he will be included in the Irland squad in FIFA 09 and how much will his score of 72% have increased from FIFA 08?

[Colbert Report]

The big question is if he will be included in the Irland squad in FIFA 09 and how much will his score of 72% have increased from FIFA 08?

I couldn't agree more. I'm hoping Richard Dunne will be up from his score of 78. Duff was rated at only 75 in 08, even though he's been injured he surely is at least worth an 80.

Glen Whelan was not even in the game last time!

Keogh must go up from 68. No Ian Harte in 08 either, I hope he appears as a free agent.

Fifa 07 was awesome when Irish prospect Terry Dixon was the youngest player in the game and worth 2.8 million pounds right from the start!

Do you have any idea where I can get updated rosters for these games online? PS2 version. I've looked on the EA site but I'm unable to find it.

Ireland should be rated at least 84 with large growth potential.

[Reality Bites]

Bottom line is we will have a better chance of qualifying with him back, regardless of the circumstances.

Exactly

[NeilMcD]

Exactly

I think people underestimate team morale and team togetherness. What happens when you have one rotten apple in a barrel full of apples.

[Sligo Hornet]

I think people underestimate team morale and team togetherness. What happens when you have one rotten apple in a barrel full of apples.

AidoM knows a joke about apples!:D

[youngirish]

I couldn't agree more. I'm hoping Richard Dunne will be up from his score of 78. Duff was rated at only 75 in 08, even though he's been injured he surely is at least worth an 80.

Glen Whelan was not even in the game last time!

Keogh must go up from 68. No Ian Harte in 08 either, I hope he appears as a free agent.

Fifa 07 was awesome when Irish prospect Terry Dixon was the youngest player in the game and worth 2.8 million pounds right from the start!

Do you have any idea where I can get updated rosters for these games online? PS2 version. I've looked on the EA site but I'm unable to find it.

Ireland should be rated at least 84 with large growth potential.
FIFA is pants.

[irishfan86]

FIFA is pants.

Superman pants. Bring it to the next level.

[tetsujin1979]

Stephen Ireland won the September player of the month award at Man City: http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?pagegid={DBD12D53-8346-431D-A04F-5D0F8664DE80}&newsid=6619251

[Manblue]

I think people underestimate team morale and team togetherness. What happens when you have one rotten apple in a barrel full of apples.

You are the biggest wind up merchant ive ever met, before ye start again no this isnt stephen ireland,

Firstly stephen has said he has no problem with hunt and that long thing is complete bull dunno where you got that from,

dunnes never questioned his attitude, quoted as saying he WAS most talented at city and best trainer a model professional,

No members of management have asked for an apology and this is just a poll, no one said he has too make one,

im too lazy to go back and quote all ye who said hed fail and be shipped of when city signed all are new players, but shows what ye no about football,

Oh and just got his second player of the month award of the season so far,

give it a rest neil and stop talking out your ass

[NeilMcD]

You are the biggest wind up merchant ive ever met, before ye start again no this isnt stephen ireland,

Firstly stephen has said he has no problem with hunt and that long thing is complete bull dunno where you got that from,

dunnes never questioned his attitude, quoted as saying he WAS most talented at city and best trainer a model professional,

No members of management have asked for an apology and this is just a poll, no one said he has too make one,

im too lazy to go back and quote all ye who said hed fail and be shipped of when city signed all are new players, but shows what ye no about football,

Oh and just got his second player of the month award of the season so far,

give it a rest neil and stop talking out your ass



When did I say he would never make it at City and that he would be shipped out when they sign all the players. You wont find it cause I never said it.

Dunne did question his attitude, after the Awards dinner last year and he said that he was given the opportunity to kill the rumour regarding bullying but he fail to do that, which was dissappointing.

Also I never said that Ireland had a problem with Hunt. All I did was put up a rumour that I had heard. I never stated it as fact.

Also lastly, I am not winding up anybody and you have not met me as far as I know. I have never accused anybody of being Stephen Ireland, so I am not sure where, the before you start bit is about.

[Manblue]

When did I say he would never make it at City and that he would be shipped out when they sign all the players. You wont find it cause I never said it.

Dunne did question his attitude, after the Awards dinner last year and he said that he was given the opportunity to kill the rumour regarding bullying but he fail to do that, which was dissappointing.

Also I never said that Ireland had a problem with Hunt. All I did was put up a rumour that I had heard. I never stated it as fact.

Also lastly, I am not winding up anybody and you have not met me as far as I know. I have never accused anybody of being Stephen Ireland, so I am not sure where, the before you start bit is about.

Apologies the points about shipping him off when new players arrived and accusing me of being him were not directed at you,others from previous posts

i just dont think theres much point saying rumours that you clearly didnt get off a reliable source

when you mentioned dunne i preumed you ment footballing wise where when playing he has always given 100% for club and country,

and i honestly think team would be more than happy to take him back

[DmanDmythDledge]

That is why Stephen Manchester must been seen to apoligise to the players and fans and to the manament team. If you let one bad egg destory the rules and disciplinary structures in place you can destroy the whole team ethic.


Personally, if Stephen Ireland publicly apologised, I'd be happy to see him back.

Why do people still insinst that he apologise when he did so over a year ago.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6995114.stm

[NeilMcD]

That is for the one incident. To be honest I was sympathetic to him at that time and while I found it hard to understand why he did it I was giving him the benefit of the doubt. It is not coming back under Il Trap that I find baffling and stupid and only making it hard for himself.

[cheifo]

Its really hard to have a clue what is going on inside the fellas head.It just makes it all the more frustrating as he continues to look like he could offer us so much.

What is the problem? Irish football fans deserve an explanation IMO.

[irishultra]

He just said he has no plans to return but wouldn't rule it out. Wouldn't expect to see him for a few more years.

[Lionel Ritchie]

He just said he has no plans to return but wouldn't rule it out. Wouldn't expect to see him for a few more years.

Depending on results he'll be back within 13 months. Saw the interview, better spoken than I imagined he'd be ...not especially eloquent or anything, just didn't have the I'm-the-product-of-an-intensive-programme-of-inbreeding jib about him I was expecting.

[SuperDub]

I saw his interview on Football Focus. He does'nt seem to interested in playing for ireland presently so lets move on. If he is not motivated in wanting to work with a coach like Trapatoni just put it to bed. He will regret it long term.

[boovidge]

the contrast between the attitudes of SI and Jimmy Bullard is amazing

[NeilMcD]

Yeah I hope people saw that interview. Says it all to me.

[seanfhear]

I saw his interview on Football Focus. He does'nt seem to interested in playing for ireland presently so lets move him. if he is not motivated in wanting to work with a coach like Trapatoni just put it to bed. He will regret it long term.
If he is not interested in playing for Ireland at the start of a new campaign and with a manager of the status of Trapatoni when will he be.
I think he is just not man enough to come out and say that he has no interest in playing for Ireland.
Mind you I would be surprised if Trap would actually play him.
He is physologically flawed.Who lies about his grandmother dying to do a runner.At best he is very stupid which(contrary to popular opinion)is unusual in talented sports people.
People with flawed personalities usually become unstuck when faced with the pressure of performing at the highest level.

[EastTerracer]

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/dunnes-ireland-plea-1484312.html

Based on the article in today's Indo, it seems Richard Dunne is still trying to persuade Ireland to return to the squad but without any success.

The last paragraph does suggest that something went on within the squad but Dunne still hopes it can be resolved.....

"But I think if it gets so far down the line, where certain players have done things and the team has carried on and gone well without him, then it becomes difficult for him and harder for him to come back. So hopefully he'll come back sooner rather than later."

[Qwerty]

In that same artlcie Dunne is paraphrased as saying "His belief is that to achieve success, you need a stable dressing room with few distractions and little drama." that would appear to rule out SI :D

We don't know why SI doesn't want to play for Ireland, I have a feeling that SI may not even know himself, but I do know that I do not want him to play for Ireland. He has turned his back on his country, he is dead to me etc etc.

[third policeman]

We don't know why SI doesn't want to play for Ireland, I have a feeling that SI may not even know himself, but I do know that I do not want him to play for Ireland. He has turned his back on his country, he is dead to me etc etc.


Is this not a little over the top. What next? Shoot him for desertion? I would seriously love to see Ireland back playing for us, but I cannot understand the personal hostility that is being directed at him by some people.

[youngirish]

Is this not a little over the top. What next? Shoot him for desertion? I would seriously love to see Ireland back playing for us, but I cannot understand the personal hostility that is being directed at him by some people.

He's an ar*ehole that's why people dislike him.

To consistently refuse to play for his country without any good reason as far as anyone can tell is the lowest of the low for any professional footballer and it's only in Ireland that you would get people sticking up for his right to do so by coming out with excuse after excuse to justify actions that are unjustifiable to the majority of people. He would be hung, drawn and quartered if he behaved like this and he was an English or Scottish international.

I personally hope to never see him again in an Ireland shirt as it will devalue the honour associated with representing this proud country to allow him to do so.