Stephen Ireland

[Colbert Report]

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

[Charlie Darwin]

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]

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]

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]

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

[tetsujin1979]

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]

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]

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.


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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

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

[theworm2345]

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


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

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

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?

[theworm2345]

Where can it be downloaded from?
I wouldn't waste your time, but below are the links

http://rapidshare.com/files/397203478/PDTV-WS-Wags-Specials-Celebrity-Me-With-Dine-Come_Sparhawk.r00
http://rapidshare.com/files/397203695/PDTV-WS-Wags-Specials-Celebrity-Me-With-Dine-Come_Sparhawk.rar

Its also available via torrent on UKNova

[Junior]

Where can it be downloaded from?

that made me laugh......

[dr_peepee]

I have to agree with Junior. Downloaded it out of curiosity and it was the kind of crap my sister watches.

I don't think it's that bad a show tbh. The one last night with the former England Internationals was good too.... Now if you'll excuse me I've a "Loose Women" on Sky + to watch.

[Manblue]

that made me laugh......


Ya thats hilarious alright.

[Junior]

Ya thats hilarious alright.

Well I wouldnt go that far.

[ofjames]

i watched it the other night and i thought she came across well, looking past the chav house etc she seemed like a decent nice person which greatly surprised me given what we know of stephen ireland's character.

the only one that seemed obnoxious to me was cisse's wife. rotten looking thing too. if crouchie can pull a good looking chick what the hell was cisse doing wrong?

i must confess i actually watch come dine with me occasionally and find it a good show too!

[OwlsFan]

According to a British paper I read this am, Everton are interested in the Leprechaun but might not be able to afford the asking price.

[Stuttgart88]

One paper a couple of weeks ago said Arsenal are tracking the ****

[Colbert Report]

I think he'll end up at Sunderland myself. He is a hard player to judge, not really a central midfielder, at least not when it comes to tackling/dispossessing the opposition, and he's not really a winger either.

[Charlie Darwin]

I imagine he'll probably decide in the end that he never wanted to leave Manchester City and dedicate himself to the club for life and then do it all again next summer.

[seanfhear]

I think he'll end up at Sunderland myself. He is a hard player to judge, not really a central midfielder, at least not when it comes to tackling/dispossessing the opposition, and he's not really a winger either.
Is it a bird, is it a plane !

No its Stephen Ireland in Supergran (sic) underwear !

[irishfan86]

I think he'll end up at Sunderland myself. He is a hard player to judge, not really a central midfielder, at least not when it comes to tackling/dispossessing the opposition, and he's not really a winger either.

If Arsenal sell Fabregas, and they pick up Ireland for 8-12 million, it could be a very good value move. They're similar sorts of players, and I think Ireland would really thrive in a Wenger side.

Some may say he's not as good as Fabregas, but during the season before last there was no difference between them.

[The Fly]

If Arsenal sell Fabregas, and they pick up Ireland for 8-12 million, it could be a very good value move. They're similar sorts of players, and I think Ireland would really thrive in a Wenger side.

Some may say he's not as good as Fabregas, but during the season before last there was no difference between them.

Most would say it!

He's good.....but he's not that good.

[The Fly]

I think he'll end up at Sunderland myself. He is a hard player to judge, not really a central midfielder, at least not when it comes to tackling/dispossessing the opposition, and he's not really a winger either.

His talent warrants a move to a club of a higher stature than Sunderland.

[irishfan86]

Most would say it!

He's good.....but he's not that good.

As I say, I wouldn't take him over Fabregas, but if you're looking for a replacement, if 2008/09 was any indication, he's got that sort of potential and would surely come at a good price.

[Colbert Report]

Stephen Ireland is no Fabregas! Let's get real here fellas. A club like Sunderland or Fulham is more his level.

[Acornvilla]

in all fairness if he wasn't such an arse you would all be gay for him and say hes as good as messi :)

[Manblue]

Stephen Ireland is no Fabregas! Let's get real here fellas. A club like Sunderland or Fulham is more his level.

This somes up your knowledge of football, sunderland can dream on, and you with them

[Colbert Report]

Anything is better than riding the bench for the the entire season as he'd be likely to do at City.

[Charlie Darwin]

Well at the moment he's a headcase regardless of what club he's at and dropping down a level isn't necessarily going to get him more games. Mancini has said that there's a place for him if he sorts his mental state out but it's a big if.

[theworm2345]

Im a massive, massive Stephen Ireland fan, probably my favourite player, partially because he's from my hometown, but morefor his football ability, what a passer of the ball. I'll back him in alot of arguements, but to question somebody's football knowledge because they say he's more a Sunderland or Fulham player is a bit much, i'd love to see him sign for Arsenal for his own sake, think they'd suit his syle of football terrificly, for my sake i'd love to see him go to United, but i think after last season, Everton, Aston Villa, Tottenham and Fulham (yes Fulham, EUROPA League finalists, nd a manager who would handle him unbelievably well) are all more realistic moves for him. Sunderland also wouldnt be the worst of moves either
You need to lay off the crack

[seanfhear]

Well at the moment he's a headcase regardless of what club he's at and dropping down a level isn't necessarily going to get him more games. Mancini has said that there's a place for him if he sorts his mental state out but it's a big if.
What has he exposed to Mancini for Mancini to come out and say that he needs his mental state sorted ?

[Serb]

What has he exposed to Mancini for Mancini to come out and say that he needs his mental state sorted ?

I'd imagine one five minute conversation is all it would take to work out that the guy is insane.

http://stuff.pmck.net/si.gif

[Stuttgart88]

His dolly bird was on a WAG edition of Come Dine With Me on Ch4 recently. My missus has it on SKY+.

[youngirish]

You need to lay off the crack

Apparently Joseph Stalin is also his favourite humanitarian.

[tricky_colour]

His dolly bird was on a WAG edition of Come Dine With Me on Ch4 recently. My missus has it on SKY+.

A down link was posted for it in this tread IIRC.

[Stuttgart88]

Watched it last night. Very funny. The gaff is unbelievable. They have a purple velvet bed unit with a TV screen that rises out of the end of the bed. His bird actually seemed relatively OK. Heskey's missus was as thick as a plank and Djibril Cisse's miuss was a be-atch.

[Manblue]

looks like I will be eating my word and sunderland may end up being one of his only options, let me be the first to admit it.

[drummerboy]

Our Stephen had a major bust-up after being replaced by Mancini yesterday. Supposedly been excluded from the squad for the new season.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Looks like he's on his way out of Citeh.
Dare say he won't be going to Wolves....

Seriously though, maybe the clown will learn a little humility and consider being available to play for Ireland again.
Though he has to earn a place and/or apologise.
Even he did both and begged to play, doubtful Trap would consider him.
So looks like he and Andy Reid have wait for the next mamnager, unless Trap. loosens his stance.

[Manblue]

At least get the facts right drummer boy it was after the lisbon game, and he started him in the next game. Wudnt really call it a bust up at all considering he pledged to fight for his place after he was told he wasnt cutting it on the official site

[youngirish]

At least get the facts right drummer boy it was after the lisbon game, and he started him in the next game. Wudnt really call it a bust up at all considering he pledged to fight for his place after he was told he wasnt cutting it on the official site

So Stephen when are you going to declare your availability for Ireland again now that your career has peaked and you're on the slippery slope to obscurity?

Who knows it should get you more attention than playing for the likes of Blackpool or Wolves and let's be honest isn't that what you crave most of all anyway?