Stephen Ireland

[beautifulrock]

He is playing well, showing a good range of passing and positional awareness. Should have scored as well although City did eventually score from the same move but a good run in to the box in the first instance. However, Petrov will be someone we will need to watch in our games aginst Bulgaria. Great speed of thought and of foot.

[jmurphyc]

He is playing well, showing a good range of passing and positional awareness.

If he's showing positional awareness then that's excellent. That is one thing which he really lacked before; he always seemed to drift out of games largely due to him always being in the wrong position at the wrong time. I really hoped Sven would iron this trait out of him and if Sven does this then maybe in the future he'll have the intelligence to play in a two man central midfield for us.

[eirebhoy]

I just watched 15 minutes of the match during half time of the big match. There's no doubt in my mind Ireland is going to be a fantastic player.

[beautifulrock]

If he's showing positional awareness then that's excellent. That is one thing which he really lacked before; he always seemed to drift out of games largely due to him always being in the wrong position at the wrong time. I really hoped Sven would iron this trait out of him and if Sven does this then maybe in the future he'll have the intelligence to play in a two man central midfield for us.

Yes he certainly is, has overshadowed Scholes, not an easy feat. I will say though that Hamann is the perfect foil for Ireland and we do not have that type of player to pair him with.

[Stuttgart88]

Yes he certainly is, has overshadowed Scholes, not an easy feat. I will say though that Hamann is the perfect foil for Ireland and we do not have that type of player to pair him with.

That's exactly right. Potter plays the same game as Hamann but on a very different level. Steven Reid is more in the Joey Barton mould, and Barton and Ireland did ok. He's a talented player but difficult to accomodate given our other midfielders.

[tetsujin1979]

Ireland and Dunne are running away with the MOTM poll from the Manchester derby on manchestereveningnews.co.uk, their combined total is more than the rest of the team put together: http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_city/

[OwlsFan]

I wonder will the appointment make any difference to Ireland or will he continue his self-imposed exile. I don't see Trappatoni going on bended knee to him.

[cavan_fan]

I've noticed there have been no quotes from players about the new manager. Interesting, I suspect they are none too happy as the idea fo international week as holiday time in Dublin is coming to an end

[paul_oshea]

hunt made a point on setanta about it.

[tetsujin1979]

I've noticed there have been no quotes from players about the new manager. Interesting, I suspect they are none too happy as the idea fo international week as holiday time in Dublin is coming to an end

Probably more to do with the fact that there's no press conferences on at the moment, due to a lull in Premiership games. With a lot of teams not playing this weekend due to FA Cup games, training is off too, so there's no place for journalists to approach players. Give it a week or so and we'll see the comments come out.

[Seagull-4-life]

I just watched 15 minutes of the match during half time of the big match. There's no doubt in my mind Ireland is going to be a fantastic player.

Ireland's gonna be great and we need him on board.

[RivaldoBabb]

I don't see Trappatoni going on bended knee to him.

I would be disgusted with Trap if he did.

Why the hell anyone, particularly a young talented player would need to be begged to play for Ireland I dont know.

He's got a lot to prove to Ireland fans, the most important thing in an international player is commitment to the cause and stories about a granny that was supposed to be dead but actually turned out to be immortal just doesnt convince me.

Shame, because he is talented, not as good as he is made out to be mind you, I thought he was awfull in the first half of the manchester derby but decent in the second half but didnt deliver anywhere near Richard Dunnes performance.

overrated, not commited

[eirebhoy]

I watched him the last couple of games and he really is a similar player to Seedorf. His passing stats must be excellent. He played a fantastic through pass with the outside of his foot in the first half but Benjani was just offside.

[NeilMcD]

Did he not come out and say he is back playing for us and available for selection. I don't Trap will have do anything other than just pick him.

[Stuttgart88]

I watched him the last couple of games and he really is a similar player to Seedorf. It's a pity he's not the same athlete. Seedorf, by all accounts, is one of the most extraordinary natural athletes. Ireland is a midget.

[eirebhoy]

Actually, Krajnar of Portsmouth would be a better comparison.

[ramsfan]

great passer of a ball and a very intelligent footballer he just needs to bring a bit of consistancy into his game

[jmurphyc]

It's nice to see him start and score today. I didn't see the game though. Was it a decent goal? Hopefully he can keep up his good form and decides to make himself available for selection (I still don't really know whether he has or not with the differing media quotes I've heard).

[tricky_colour]

It's nice to see him start and score today. I didn't see the game though. Was it a decent goal? Hopefully he can keep up his good form and decides to make himself available for selection (I still don't really know whether he has or not with the differing media quotes I've heard).

Sounded like a good quality tap-in on the radio , if that makes any sense!

[NeilMcD]

A mis-hit tap in and he was offside too, He did is usual performance of a few nice touches and not being in the game for large chunks.

[FarBeag]

I've always thought of Ireland as somewhat like Arteta. At just 21 being a first team player is impressive, with a bit of confidence he's going to be stunning when he's older.



With or without the wig?Anyway i think you are on the wrong forum here with that sugestion.:D

[Qwerty]

I've always thought of Ireland as somewhat like Arteta. At just 21 being a first team player is impressive, with a bit of confidence he's going to be stunning when he's older.

I've always thought of Ireland as somewhat like McPhail. At just 21 being a first team player is impressive, with a bit of confidence he's going to be an even bigger arsehole when he's older.

[ken foree]

ireland almost COMPLETELY made city's first goal yesterday, never mind scored it. he hit two intelligent passes in the build-up and did what every manager tells you: follow up play you started. he got his just reward even if it was a jammy strike.

[endabob1]

It was a miss hit from 3 yards in an offside position, not exactly "Schoolboys Own" stuff.

[Stuttgart88]

I saw about 30 mins including the goal and while the finish wasn't that hard he did well to be in a good position.

I called him Lampard-lite a while back and I stick by it. He has a great knack of arriving late in goalscoring positions from a midfield position, very difficult to be picked up. He's actually more creative than Lampard, he has good vision and has a good array of defence opening passes. However, the Lampard comparison is accurate in that his attacking threat is reliant on others having got a grip on midfield on his behalf. Ireland's best role is a free role, nominally behind two forwards in my opinion.

On the assumption this guy actually wants to play for us(!) I'm sure Trap will be thinking at some stage whether to do away with the width we've depended on for ages in place of a more robust midfield and a floater between midfield and attack.

[drinkfeckarse]

On the assumption this guy actually wants to play for us(!) I'm sure Trap will be thinking at some stage whether to do away with the width we've depended on for ages in place of a more robust midfield and a floater between midfield and attack.


That's something I'd like to see us at least try. Ireland would be ideal in that spot.

[jmurphyc]

That's something I'd like to see us at least try. Ireland would be ideal in that spot.

He played in that position for part of the Wales game and for the Slovakia home game. I thought he did quite well there for us. It's almost certainly his best position for us.

[youngirish]

I called him Lampard-lite a while back and I stick by it.


I agree Stutts. Lampard without the shooting ability, goals or even his negligible ability to get stuck in every now and then.

Oh yeah and the hair.

[Razors left peg]

I agree Stutts. Lampard without the shooting ability, goals or even his negligible ability to get stuck in every now and then.

Oh yeah and the hair.

Hes got a good goal scoring record for the Irish team

[ken foree]

yes i think the comparison is valid for his goal-taking/timing as stuttgart did mention. but lampard and perhaps tim cahill are more alike. good players at what they do, undoubtedly, though i believe ireland has at least thrice the playmaking vision of either. he's still quite young remember!

[endabob1]

Not sure if this has been posted before, from the Daily Mail

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/02_03/IrelandPinkRange_800x459.jpg

[Torn-Ado]

Not sure if this has been posted before, from the Daily Mail

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/02_03/IrelandPinkRange_800x459.jpg

Aye. it has

[ken foree]

where's roy keane's flash ride with ROY-1 license plate?! young footballer in pimped car shock... developing...

[carloz]

I've always thought of Ireland as somewhat like Arteta. At just 21 being a first team player is impressive, with a bit of confidence he's going to be stunning when he's older.


Cant agree with this. Johnson has looked much more impressive for City this season and he is younger. I see little in Ireland to get me too excited. He simply completly disapears in almost every game he plays. He cant continue to do this and has to stand up and be counted more often. He wouldn't exactly be the kind of player i would want in the team on a wet night in Montenegro or Georgia either.

[jmurphyc]

Cant agree with this. Johnson has looked much more impressive for City this season and he is younger. I see little in Ireland to get me too excited. He simply completly disapears in almost every game he plays. He cant continue to do this and has to stand up and be counted more often. He wouldn't exactly be the kind of player i would want in the team on a wet night in Montenegro or Georgia either.

I agree with most of what you're saying, but I also see promise in Ireland. Whilst he does disappear for a lot of most games that I've seen him play, this happens with a lot of players his age. In time, with the right attitude and coaching I hope this will change. However, if it doesn't then he will end up as a very mediocre player.

[Metrostars]

Seriously, Trappatoni should not have to begging this idiot to come back to the team. F-k him:


Ireland ignores Eriksson's advice and prepares to quit Republic

Daniel Taylor
Saturday April 12, 2008
The Guardian

The unpredictable world of Stephen Ireland could take another twist after it emerged that the most complex Irish footballer since Roy Keane is giving strong consideration to retiring from international football at the age of 21.
Giovanni Trapattoni, the incoming Republic manager, intends to visit the player to try to talk him into changing his mind. Sven-Goran Eriksson, his Manchester City manager, has also made strenuous efforts, but the player is said to be underwhelmed by his inclusion in Trapattoni's provisional 40-man squad for a training camp in Portugal next month.

Ireland is aware of the clamour in his home country for him to return to a team that failed to qualify for the European Championships. He is willing to speak to Trapattoni, however, and has not definitively ruled out going back. At present, however, he believes the cons outweigh the pros and, critically, has not missed international football since making himself unavailable after being caught concocting an elaborate web of lies to get out of playing in the Euro 2008 qualifier in the Czech Republic last September.
...
Since then, he has resisted any attempts to bring him back. "I hope Trapattoni will come here to speak to Stephen," Eriksson said yesterday.

Yet Steve Staunton, Trapattoni's predecessor, failed to persuade him it was the right thing to do. Richard Dunne, the City captain and Republic international, has also tried in vain.

Ireland's thinking will dismay Irish fans, many of whom cannot understand his reasons. Part of it is embarrassment about past events, but Ireland is also known to feel that he has never fitted in - a legacy, perhaps, of his fall-out with Brian Kerr during his time with the under-18s.

The paradox is that Ireland is said to be uncomfortable with the attention. Yet he celebrated one goal earlier this season by pulling down his shorts to reveal Lycra Superman pants and he drives a black Range Rover with pink wheel trims.


http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2273059,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=5

[Maroon 7]

That boy needs to grow up.

[Dunny]

That boy needs to grow up.

Explains it all really.

[geysir]

What's the source for most of that news? Only Sven was quoted,
"I hope Trapattoni will come here to speak to Stephen,",
Sven is a man of few words. :)
But those words are anathema to most Irish fans.

[carloz]

I he doesnt want to play for us, which i believe is the case deep down, then let him **** off.
Id even have my worries if he did come back because its obvious his heart isnt in it.
Personally i wouldnt mind having him back but i dont think its as big a deal s people think. I really dont think he is the player he cracked up to be

[jmurphyc]

Well the article doesn't seem to provide any sources so it could just be idle speculation. If it is true and he decides not to come back then that is pretty much the end. As Sven said before, he may well regret it in 10 years time. I wonder if we were to qualify for a tournament whether he'd then tell Trapattoni that he's available.

[shakermaker1982]

let's wait and see before we all start slating him on here.

We need all the quality players we can muster for this campaign and Ireland will be a key man. Fingers crossed he gets some sense.

[HolylandsMan]

Completely ridiculous. We need all the good players we can get but he's pushing it too far now. There's no so many chances you can have. If he doesn't turn up for Portugal that should be the end of him internationally, certainly for the world cup campaign anyway.

[rambler14]

Idiot. He's not even that good.
I'd have Stephen Reid and Andy Reid as my central midfielders before i'd have him.

[shakermaker1982]

Completely ridiculous. We need all the good players we can get but he's pushing it too far now. There's no so many chances you can have. If he doesn't turn up for Portugal that should be the end of him internationally, certainly for the world cup campaign anyway.

that's my point. This is all pure speculation at this moment in time. Until it comes from the horses mouth so to speak we cannot slate him. If he doesn't want to play in the two friendlies next month then **** him.

[paul_oshea]

IF this true, I hope the fella gets sold off to some first or second division team and his careers lags in lower echelons of english football, I will take great delight. I want to "retire" at fcuken 21, its no retiring its called giving up.

[carloz]

Its on the back of all the papers today lads, there must be a bit of truth in it. If he even cared a little bit about playing for his country then he would have come out after the squad was named, say how delighted he was to be called up for his country, and ask the fans to try to understand the situation he was in and ask for a good reception. Trap shouldnt have to talk to him. Either he goes to Portugal and wants to play for us, or not. Its quite simple Stevie boy

[back of the net]

IF this true, I hope the fella gets sold off to some first or second division team and his careers lags in lower echelons of english football, I will take great delight. I want to "retire" at fcuken 21, its no retiring its called giving up.

will u grow the **** up - where did ireland say "I want to "retire" at fcuken 21", its no retiring its called giving up - there is nothing in the article saying ireland said that - christ ,thank god we aint all as small minded as you and dont believe everything we read in the papers - all the signs coming from manchester and interviews with ireland is that the guy wants to return and all that article from the guardian is some piece of toliet paper cos they have nothing else to write about and are trying to sh*t stir

[tetsujin1979]

All this conflicts with this report from football365: http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_3414024,00.html

"I hope Trapattoni will come here one day and speak to Stephen," Eriksson told the Daily Star.

"I don't know if Stephen has decided to accept the invitation to return, but I know that he wants to meet Giovanni."

[back of the net]

All this conflicts with this report from football365: http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_3414024,00.html

,all ireland has said is that he wants to meet trappatoni to discuss his return and what trappatoni's plans are for him in the international setup and traps plans for the international team as whole - its absolutely nothing to do with him wanting to retire