Stephen Ireland

[Saint07]

I think he'd tuck Ireland in on the right hand side of midfield (drop McGeady in the process). He's played there for City so it shouldn't be too much of a problem. Like you say I'd be surprised if he was put in a central position unless the Trap played him in the hole and dropped Doyle/Keane.

Cant play him as a winger though that'd be a waste. Its a strange one with him, city play a totally different system to us (although it hasn't benefited them)

[Wolfie]

He could be the difference in what could be a very tight game against Georgia.

If he is indeed returning at all.

[tetsujin1979]

According to FAI Communications Director Peter Sherrard in today's Herald - http://www.herald.ie/sport/soccer/internationals/ireland-mystery-deepens-1594092.html - the FAI have no comment to make on the Stephen Ireland situation

"We have no comment to make on the Stephen Ireland situation," said FAI Communications Director Peter Sherrard.

[Greenbod]

According to FAI Communications Director Peter Sherrard in today's Herald - http://www.herald.ie/sport/soccer/internationals/ireland-mystery-deepens-1594092.html - the FAI have no comment to make on the Stephen Ireland situation

In other breaking news.........The Vatican press office, Siptu, The CIA, Hamas and the Irish Countrywomen's Association also have nothing to say on the Stephen Ireland situation.

[Drumcondra 69er]

Typical bullsh*t line from Hyland at the end of the piece trying to stir things. The Andy Reid issue is utterly unconnected to this situation...

"The Irish boss will immidately open himself to further criticsm from those who believe he is wrong to exclude Andy Reid from his plans if he selects Ireland and continues to ignore the Sunderland man."

[back of the net]

if true...then fooking gr8 news. PPL need to forget about the past and look to the future.
As fans we should be all getting together and giving this fine player our full support on his return. We can only get to Sth Africa if we are all in it together - players, fans, management.

[gspain]

While Stephen Ireland is more of a flair player he is well capable of winning the ball. He is a much better midfield player than any of our other 4 at the moment.

Andy Reid won't (and probably can't) track back and tackle. He is good on the ball. I think he is a luxury in a 4 man midfield.

I would love to see SI come back. I would play him in the centre where he can have maximum influence probably ahead of DG.

[Brendan 82]

Fecking great news, he is probably our best player. I think Trapp will use him on the right side of midfield. He should not have any issues playing there, he played really well in that position for Man City at the start of the season a few times.

Trapp seems to want to stick with a 4-4-2 but that might not be our best system with Ireland back. I'd be happy to see it change so Ireland can play in the hole behind Keane and Doyle. The Georgia game would be a good time to try it out, if we are still nil all at the break we can change it. I just think that with Ireland in the team we will be too strong for Georgia and Bulgaria, even if he is deployed on the right side of a 4-4-2.

It will be interesting to see what happens to McGeady now. I think he needs to get out of the SPL and prove he can do it consistently in a better league. I hope he can get a good move this January. His place in the Irish starting eleven would appear to be in jeopardy now, Duff is still a better left winger no? Whaddya think?

[craig7042]

Front page of the Star exclusive he will be back for the Georgia Game.

Absolutely fantastic news if its true. He's been the best midfielder in the premiership all season and has taken his game to a whole new level. He'll make a huge difference

[gspain]

looks like the Star have jumped the gun

Press Release

Football Association of Ireland

January 7th, 2009

Statement on behalf of the Republic of Ireland management team

In response to requests from a number of journalists, Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni said, “We haven’t heard from Stephen Ireland but if he does want to declare himself available for his country all he has to do is let us know himself through channels he is aware of.”

ENDS

[elroy]

looks like the Star have jumped the gun

Press Release

Football Association of Ireland

January 7th, 2009

Statement on behalf of the Republic of Ireland management team

In response to requests from a number of journalists, Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni said, “We haven’t heard from Stephen Ireland but if he does want to declare himself available for his country all he has to do is let us know himself through channels he is aware of.”

ENDS

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2009/0107/irelands.html

Unfortunately cant say Im all that surprised. Hopefully The Star story has foundation to it, but if he is coming back then just ring Trap, put out a statement and move on. This will he/wont he/his dad said this crap is ridiculous.

[craig7042]

looks like the Star have jumped the gun

Press Release

Football Association of Ireland

January 7th, 2009

Statement on behalf of the Republic of Ireland management team

In response to requests from a number of journalists, Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni said, “We haven’t heard from Stephen Ireland but if he does want to declare himself available for his country all he has to do is let us know himself through channels he is aware of.”

ENDS
That statement worries me......
Reminds me of how Roy Keane "just has to pick up the phone". They never do pick up the phone, do they?

[kingdomkerry]

Just have to wait until the squad is announced at the end of the month.

[tricky_colour]

Sounds very dubious to me.
Untill you hear confirmation from the FAI, and we haven't I would assume there is no truth to it.
The Star is one step away from the "Double Decker Bus found on the moon" Daily Sport.

[eirebhoy]

Sounds very dubious to me.
Untill you hear confirmation from the FAI, and we haven't I would assume there is no truth to it.
The Star is one step away from the "Double Decker Bus found on the moon" Daily Sport.
The Irish Star wouldn't be on par with the British equivalent. All Irish tabloids are bad but the likes of the Sun, Mail and Mirror are miles away. the Star is about on par with the Herald. Still not saying much.

[ifk101]

The Star is about as trustworthy as Stephen Ireland himself. Don't believe a word written in The Star and don't believe a word uttered by Stephen Ireland.

I think Stephen Ireland is enjoying the attention all this fuss about will he or won't he is creating. But I don't believe he has any plans about returning into the setup.

The main reason Stephen Ireland won't come back is because he knows he won't be given a place in the starting line-up and that's too much for his fragile ego to handle.

[Oink]

The Irish Star wouldn't be on par with the British equivalent. All Irish tabloids are bad but the likes of the Sun, Mail and Mirror are miles away. the Star is about on par with the Herald. Still not saying much.

If only playboy had a sports section..

[Hibs4Ever]

The main reason Stephen Ireland won't come back is because he knows he won't be given a place in the starting line-up and that's too much for his fragile ego to handle.



I think he'd be one of the first names on the team sheet

[paul_oshea]

i think the FAI either way will be playing this quiet on purpose so as not to distract from stephen ireland and more importantly ireland.

[ifk101]

I think he'd be one of the first names on the team sheet

That's Stephen Ireland's thinking as well. But Trapattoni has demonstrated extreme loyalty and to a certain extent stubbornness in his team selections.

[Reality Bites]

That's Stephen Ireland's thinking as well. But Trapattoni has demonstrated extreme loyalty and to a certain extent stubbornness in his team selections.

No exceptions in this case I am afraid - he is just too bloody good.
I think Trapp as complete as his record and pedigree is, if you saw Darren Gibson and Glen Whelan on the teamsheet and Stephen Ireland on the bench, I would be making arrangements for Mr Trapp to be sent to Dundrum Mental Hospital

[Stuttgart88]

I think he'd be given McGeady's place. Same position nominally but different role. I really doubt Trap (or many others) would give Ireland a regular central midfield spot given how delicate we have been in that department.

[Neish]

looks like the Star have jumped the gun

Press Release

Football Association of Ireland

January 7th, 2009

Statement on behalf of the Republic of Ireland management team

In response to requests from a number of journalists, Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni said, “We haven’t heard from Stephen Ireland but if he does want to declare himself available for his country all he has to do is let us know himself through channels he is aware of.”

ENDS

The Star printing a story without proper research first, surely not?

[Manblue]

This kind of rubbish from the star will only worsen the situation and cause more unrest towards stephen eventhough hes has done nothing this time( although him doing nothing maybe a problem in itself) if he wants to come back he will make a public statement like all other players not do it through his dad or some rag paper who have no other big story to write about.

[tetsujin1979]

I think he'd be given McGeady's place. Same position nominally but different role. I really doubt Trap (or many others) would give Ireland a regular central midfield spot given how delicate we have been in that department.
Stephen Ireland would be useless in central midfield in Trapattoni's system. He's far more creative than Steven Reid, Whelan, Andrews or Gibson, and a far bigger goal threat. But he's nowhere near as aggressive as any one of them, and would likely be targeted as a weak spot. The biggest improvement that has been made to the side is in central midfield, where we're no longer being overrun (compare the last two Cyprus games) and having Ireland in midfield wouldn't continue this.
I agree that it would be McGeady's position that would be under threat but instead of getting to the by-line and crossing in, I'd see Ireland cutting across in front of the penalty area to link with the strikers, or have a shot himself.

[HammerNThongs]

Stephen Ireland would be useless in central midfield in Trapattoni's system. He's far more creative than Steven Reid, Whelan, Andrews or Gibson, and a far bigger goal threat. But he's nowhere near as aggressive as any one of them, and would likely be targeted as a weak spot. The biggest improvement that has been made to the side is in central midfield, where we're no longer being overrun (compare the last two Cyprus games) and having Ireland in midfield wouldn't continue this.
I agree that it would be McGeady's position that would be under threat but instead of getting to the by-line and crossing in, I'd see Ireland cutting across in front of the penalty area to link with the strikers, or have a shot himself.

That is very debateable. The Poland game, featuring our first choice central midfielders (lets have a bit of perspective about poor Stephen Reid, he is totally unreliable, as much as I love the guy), we had nothing in midfield all game. While we werent completely over run against Cyprus, we werent exactly on top of things in the middle of the park either and it was Richie Dunne who was doing more stopping in the middle then Whelan and Gibson

[BaZmO*]

looks like the Star have jumped the gun

Press Release

Football Association of Ireland

January 7th, 2009

Statement on behalf of the Republic of Ireland management team

In response to requests from a number of journalists, Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni said, “We haven’t heard from Stephen Ireland but if he does want to declare himself available for his country all he has to do is let us know himself through channels he is aware of.”

ENDS
Oh how I wish it would.....

[Manblue]

Stephen Ireland would be useless in central midfield in Trapattoni's system. He's far more creative than Steven Reid, Whelan, Andrews or Gibson, and a far bigger goal threat. But he's nowhere near as aggressive as any one of them, and would likely be targeted as a weak spot. The biggest improvement that has been made to the side is in central midfield, where we're no longer being overrun (compare the last two Cyprus games) and having Ireland in midfield wouldn't continue this.
I agree that it would be McGeady's position that would be under threat but instead of getting to the by-line and crossing in, I'd see Ireland cutting across in front of the penalty area to link with the strikers, or have a shot himself.

Are you for real, how many times have you watched Ireland this season, hes tackling and determination is a key feature in his play, hes constantly breaking down opponent attaks and knicking possesion and he can go all day, i think your judging him on past performances (last season)

[mypost]

:D:D


looks like the Star have jumped the gun

Press Release

What d'you expect from them? How many "Stephen Ireland is returning" stories have they had since he walked out on the country?? :confused: Joke, expensive rag.

He'll never comeback, and I don't want him back.

[tetsujin1979]

Are you for real, how many times have you watched Ireland this season, hes tackling and determination is a key feature in his play, hes constantly breaking down opponent attaks and knicking possesion and he can go all day, i think your judging him on past performances (last season)
I didn't say he doesn't tackle, track back, etc, I said that Reid, Andrews, Whelan and Gibson are better at that than Ireland is. I've only seen a few Man City games this season, but it's clear that Kompany is the defensive midfielder in the 3, 4 or 5 man midfield that Hughes has put out. Hamann has played there on ocassion, and Fernandes even less than him, but Kompany is the enforcer. When he has taken the ball from the opposition it's more to do with anticipation of passes from defence (he has a fanastic football brain) or hassling defenders than tracking a midfielder breaking into the City half.
Ireland either plays on the right of a midfield 3, wide right coming into the middle as part of a 4 or 5 man midfield, or on the right of a front 3.
As an aside, City are really missing Johnson this season. Without an established partner for Kompany in the centre of the park, he's doing the job of two players by himself.

[eirebhoy]

Are you for real, how many times have you watched Ireland this season, hes tackling and determination is a key feature in his play, hes constantly breaking down opponent attaks and knicking possesion and he can go all day, i think your judging him on past performances (last season)
Tevez tackles and runs his heart out but I wouldn't trust him in central midfield. Ireland isn't a central midfielder yet. If City were flying high in the league I might change my mind but the team is totally unbalanced.

[bmorgan87]

the star are at it again 2day...
this time its stevens 'dead' granny!
this is just gettin more ridiculous as time goes on...
it says hes returning for the game next month front page so u buy the paper..
and on the back page theyv a quote from trap sayin; wev heard nothin from ireland..
we dont just need s.ireland back.. we also need a left back (is there any??) and 2 midfielders (prefably carsely and s.reid fit)
also be interesting to c who starts right bk... mcshane or finnan?
i think theres a few others out there like foley and kelly who deserve a chance..

[theworm2345]

the star are at it again 2day...
this time its stevens 'dead' granny!
this is just gettin more ridiculous as time goes on...
it says hes returning for the game next month front page so u buy the paper..
and on the back page theyv a quote from trap sayin; wev heard nothin from ireland..
we dont just need s.ireland back.. we also need a left back (is there any??) and 2 midfielders (prefably carsely and s.reid fit)
also be interesting to c who starts right bk... mcshane or finnan?
i think theres a few others out there like foley and kelly who deserve a chance..

http://www.fyrisskolan.uppsala.se/projektarbeten/0708/premier_league/Bilder%5CWigan%5Cwigan8.jpg

LEGEND!!

[elroy]

the star are at it again 2day...
this time its stevens 'dead' granny!
this is just gettin more ridiculous as time goes on...
it says hes returning for the game next month front page so u buy the paper..
and on the back page theyv a quote from trap sayin; wev heard nothin from ireland..
we dont just need s.ireland back.. we also need a left back (is there any??) and 2 midfielders (prefably carsely and s.reid fit)
also be interesting to c who starts right bk... mcshane or finnan?
i think theres a few others out there like foley and kelly who deserve a chance..

Whats the betting if SI does make himself available in the next few weeks that the Star will claim that they had "exclusively" revealed the news weeks earlier.

[FarBeag]

:D:D



What d'you expect from them? How many "Stephen Ireland is returning" stories have they had since he walked out on the country?? :confused: Joke, expensive rag.

He'll never comeback, and I don't want him back.

Exactly. Agree 100%. He does not want to come back,never has and never will.

[Stuttgart88]

Just my 2p's worth:

I thought I'd detected a general thawing in his stance recently. Articles like those planted by his father in the Examiner are hardly reckless journalism. He seems to be generally a lot more content and mellow in his own head too so who knows?

I've changed my view: I'd take him back pretty much unreservedly now. He's a young kid detached from the real world, and probably not too smart. However, I've been really impressed with him on the pitch this year. His technique, footballin intelligence, vision, timing, stamina, workrate etc. have been genuinely top notch.

His deployment in the Ireland team would have to be clever - certainly far smarter than "he's a midfielder, play him in midfield" that many would adopt. His strengths and weaknesses have to be considered in the context of the strengths and weaknesses of the whole team.

[mint sauce]

kinda tired about the whole steven ireland debate now, he made a stupid mistake, he dug him self into a bit of a hole, and now all this stuff, will he wont he, i will i wont, if we are to beleive the front pages of some of our trusted papers, he will be back in 2009, well if this really is the case, prove it and make him self available for the the georgia game next month, draw a line under the issue, and move on, if he is not going to make him self available, just forget it, we plan the rest of the world cup campaign with out him, and move on

[geysir]

All Stephen Ireland has to do is make that phone call.
Richard Dunne offered him a loan of his phone to make that call the last time SI said he wanted to play for his country.

FAI
“We haven’t heard from Stephen Ireland but if he does want to declare himself available for his country all he has to do is let us know himself through channels he is aware of.”

[Stuttgart88]

Thanks Don.

[mypost]

I've changed my view: I'd take him back pretty much unreservedly now. He's a young kid detached from the real world, and probably not too smart. However, I've been really impressed with him on the pitch this year. His technique, footballin intelligence, vision, timing, stamina, workrate etc. have been genuinely top notch.

His deployment in the Ireland team would have to be clever - certainly far smarter than "he's a midfielder, play him in midfield" that many would adopt. His strengths and weaknesses have to be considered in the context of the strengths and weaknesses of the whole team.

He's an average player in a poor Man City side, he's an overhyped genius for Ireland. He scored a good goal against Hull lately that everyone saw, so fans get all misty-eyed about wanting him back.

The way he behaved in order to desert the country at a critical time in the qualification process was unforgivable. The only bit he's sorry about, is that he got found out about it, three times.

At the moment, we've got one of the best managers in the business, getting us results, and are doing fine in the WC group. We're playing Bulgaria and Italy soon. Leave him to mid-table battles against Fulham and Bolton.

[Manblue]

He's an average player in a poor Man City side, he's an overhyped genius for Ireland. He scored a good goal against Hull lately that everyone saw, so fans get all misty-eyed about wanting him back.

The way he behaved in order to desert the country at a critical time in the qualification process was unforgivable. The only bit he's sorry about, is that he got found out about it, three times.

At the moment, we've got one of the best managers in the business, getting us results, and are doing fine in the WC group. We're playing Bulgaria and Italy soon. Leave him to mid-table battles against Fulham and Bolton.

Ya your right Dunne, robinho, swp richards, petrov are all very poor players and unproven in the premiership, (not)
zabaleta and kompany look like very good players aswell,
just because there not performing at the moment doesnt make it a poor side and to say he is average after outshinning all those is ridiculous,

That was actually his second good goal against hull, also scored good goals against Arsenal and Liverpool,

your entitled to your opinion about him coming back but to say he is average in a poor side is a bad diagnosis in my opinion

[BaZmO*]

He's an average player in a poor Man City side, he's an overhyped genius for Ireland. He scored a good goal against Hull lately that everyone saw, so fans get all misty-eyed about wanting him back.
7 Goals and 6 Assists this season is a particularly good return. Hardly what you'd call "Average". And even if he was playing in a poor team (which I don;t think he is) it's kinda irrelevant as it's the teams that he's playing against that is more important.

Agree with your other points though.

[Kingdom]

If something was worked out, and thats a big if, you'd be left with a the likes of this to pick from going forward:

Robbie, Doyler, Duff, McGeddy, Andy Reid, Ireland, Hunt, Keogh

and behind them any two of

Steve Reid, Whelan, Gibson, Andrews,

Obviously a lot of that is hypotethical, but I'd wonder whether Trap would tweak things a little going forward?

[carloz]

He's an average player in a poor Man City side, he's an overhyped genius for Ireland. He scored a good goal against Hull lately that everyone saw, so fans get all misty-eyed about wanting him back.

The way he behaved in order to desert the country at a critical time in the qualification process was unforgivable. The only bit he's sorry about, is that he got found out about it, three times.

At the moment, we've got one of the best managers in the business, getting us results, and are doing fine in the WC group. We're playing Bulgaria and Italy soon. Leave him to mid-table battles against Fulham and Bolton.

On a poll on the football 365 forum last week, he was voted the player of the year from mainly English football fans. he finished just ahead of ashley young. To say he is average is fairly ****ing ridicioulous. If you disagree that he is player of the year this season, you can in no way dispute that he is in the top 5 players in the premiership this season. All this in a struggling Man city fan. I disagree with the whole turmoil over his granny and reluctence to come back, but i wont let that cloud my opinion of him on the football pitch for Man City. He has been immense this season

[mypost]

Ya your right Dunne, robinho, swp richards, petrov are all very poor players and unproven in the premiership, (not)
zabaleta and kompany look like very good players aswell

I never focused on anyone of those players.

I watched City's game at Blackburn there the other week. Stephen Ireland was largely anonymous imo. Robinho set up their first goal and scored the equaliser. Allied to other results, City recently lost at home to Everton and were walloped by Nottingham Forest. They're a side going nowhere really, and the boss may well be sacked either before or by the end of the season.

[Manblue]

I never focused on anyone of those players.

I watched City's game at Blackburn there the other week. Stephen Ireland was largely anonymous imo. Robinho set up their first goal and scored the equaliser. Allied to other results, City recently lost at home to Everton and were walloped by Nottingham Forest. They're a side going nowhere really, and the boss may well be sacked either before or by the end of the season.

I know you didnt thats why i brought them to your attention, how can you say there a poor side with that many good players in there squad, just because there being badly managed is no fault of stephens or the team, Stephen didnt play against forest and actually got voted man of match by fans on city site after everton game, but that is neither here nor there,
I still think too say hes average is quite an understatement

[geysir]

Trap "Stephen, do you want to play for us?"
Stephen "Not right now, I have to get my situation sorted out first but I definitely want to play in future".
Trap "Okay, then you just let me know when you are ready to come back into the squad,
it's no use me naming you in the squad when are not ready"
Stephen, "That´s fine, I´ll phone the FAI when I´m ready".

[Kingdom]

On a poll on the football 365 forum last week, he was voted the player of the year from mainly English football fans. he finished just ahead of ashley young. To say he is average is fairly ****ing ridicioulous. If you disagree that he is player of the year this season, you can in no way dispute that he is in the top 5 players in the premiership this season. All this in a struggling Man city fan. I disagree with the whole turmoil over his granny and reluctence to come back, but i wont let that cloud my opinion of him on the football pitch for Man City. He has been immense this season

Very off topic, there's no doubt he's been good this season, but I reckon Xabi Alonso has been the player of the season so far, he's been exceptional.
Anyway its not headcases fault Hughes can't sort the team out, Ireland is playing well.

[eirebhoy]

I thought I'd detected a general thawing in his stance recently. Articles like those planted by his father in the Examiner are hardly reckless journalism.
That interview/chat was Stephen's father was actually given to the "Star on Sunday". That's why I wouldn't write the Star's story off so quickly. The fact the journalist for the Star was actually on the phone to Stephen, in the company of his father, gives me some reason to actually believe what they're reporting.

The FAI obviously got a load of enquiries so journalists obviously think there's something to this story as well.

[carloz]

Very off topic, there's no doubt he's been good this season, but I reckon Xabi Alonso has been the player of the season so far, he's been exceptional.
Anyway its not headcases fault Hughes can't sort the team out, Ireland is playing well.

It was in response to somebody saying he has been average this year so in that element it was on topic. Incidently Alonso came third in the poll