Stephen Ireland

[Sullivinho]

I think he simply needs to issue a formal retirement from international football.

Nothing for him to gain by doing that. The uncertainty massages his ego.


I'd be delighted if he decided to return.

I used to share that opinion. Heavy emphasis on past tense. From 'grannygate' to the present, this guy has demonstrated the kind of character flaws I wouldn't want anywhere near the vicinity of a group effort. His ability is seductive but his attitude is revolting.

Liam Brady gave a very succint assessment on the box tonight. He described Stephen Ireland as 'bizarre'. Someone completely lacking in passion to play for his country, and a person whose interest and loyalty lies squarely in club football and the personal gains on offer. He formed this opinion having had the pleasure of meeting the guy.

[DannyInvincible]

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/the-ireland-question-2307197.html


The Ireland question
Stephen Ireland isn't pointing fingers, but he seems to have been frequently wronged, writes Dion Fanning.

Stephen Ireland's family were waiting for him at Aston Villa's training ground on Friday and not much else matters to him.

Ireland had met the press. He had been engaging, perceptive and honest. He had condemned Manchester City and their heartless project. He had criticised the FAI and Giovanni Trapattoni, hailed Steve Staunton as his kind of manager and then spent some time saying much of the fault for his problems with Ireland lay with him, not Giovanni Trapattoni.

He said he was open to having a conversation about a return to international football but later said the decision was "out of my hands. My decision has been made".

[Charlie Darwin]

He sounds quite level-headed in that interview, but next week he'll probably say the exact opposite.


I used to share that opinion. Heavy emphasis on past tense. From 'grannygate' to the present, this guy has demonstrated the kind of character flaws I wouldn't want anywhere near the vicinity of a group effort. His ability is seductive but his attitude is revolting.

Liam Brady gave a very succint assessment on the box tonight. He described Stephen Ireland as 'bizarre'. Someone completely lacking in passion to play for his country, and a person whose interest and loyalty lies squarely in club football and the personal gains on offer. He formed this opinion having had the pleasure of meeting the guy.
He's obviously a confused and conflicted person. As someone earlier in the thread said, a committed Ireland would be a huge asset to this team.

[seanfhear]

I am beginning to think that Man City did not think they would be able to afford for the cost of Psychiatric treatment that Stephen is in need of !

[osarusan]

As someone earlier in the thread said, a committed Ireland would be a huge asset to this team.
Agreed, putting him in a mental institution would put an end to the story for a while and let the team get on with things.

[Lionel Ritchie]

I think he simply needs to issue a formal retirement from international football. Am I correct in thinking he's never done that? Look at Scholes for England, he did it years ago and the stories stopped.

Scholes had a mic stuck in his face and was asked about a return to international football only a fortnight ago after the Charity Shield match.

If the manager ever chose to have him back that's good enough for me -but I don't see it happening from either side. He doesn't want to play enough for a manager to want him involved. He'd likely be a more destructive, disruptive force off the field than on it.

[drummerboy]

Ireland has taken a bit of a chance going to Villa when you consider a new manager has yet to be appointed and he could be surplus to requirements before he knows it.

[ifk101]

Stephen Ireland displays the diagnostic criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder. :bigsmile:

Let's consider some of the criteria for this disorder.

A. "a grandiose sense of self-importance"
Guilty as charged. Considered himself as the best player at City. Plenty of other examples.

B. "is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love"
Guilty as charged. Mentions money and clocks a lot does our Stephen.

C. "believes that he or she is "special" and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions)"
Guilty as charged. Only certain people can understand our Stephen. Apparently that rules out all Italians.

4. "requires excessive admiration"
Guilty as charged. It's quite clear that our Stephen needs the love. He'll never close the door on a return to the international scene because he adores the attention not being involved brings.

5. "has a sense of entitlement, ie unreasonable expectations of especially favourable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations"
Guilty as charged. He wanted Trapattoni to bend over, lick his arse and beg for his return.

6. "is interpersonally exploitative, ie takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends"
Guilty as charged. Quite capable of using the media to his own needs.

7. "lacks empathy and is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others"
Guilty as charged. There's only a few that understand our Stephen.

8. "is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her"
Guilty as charged. Micah Richards earns more than our Stephen who's only been on decent pay for a season.

9. "shows arrogant, haughty behaviours or attitudes"
Guilty as charged. Needs no explanation.

[Stuttgart88]

Do the findings of his "research" hold up? I know a recent U21 squad contained players from all over. He obviously hasn't been following the FAI / IFA dispute! The way he quoted Keane - who has a notorious anti-FAI agenda - to support this argument irritated me. Are there any stattos out there with team listings from Ireland's time in the underage ranks?

The same FAI he is so quick to criticise for inadequate travel arrangements flew him home at some expense from Slovakia when he made up his granny story.

He also now really likes Stan & Kevin McDonald's man management skills, yet he walked out under these two.

[Noelys Guitar]

Great impression of the invisible man ATM against Newcastle. Cyprus away anyone.

[shakermaker1982]

I've just picked a random u21 squad (2006 vs Azerbaijan)

Darren Quigley U.C.D - Dub
Colin Doyle Millwall - Cork
Kevin Foley Luton Town -Luton
Paul McShane Brighton & Hove Albion - Wicklow
Alex Bruce Birmingham City - England
Marcos Painter Birmingham City - Brum
James Hand Huddersfield Town - Monaghan
Willo Flood Manchester City - Dub
Gary Dicker U.C.D - Dub
Michael Timlin Fulham - London
Stephen Ireland Manchester City- Cork
Joey O'Brien Bolton Wanderers - Dub
Darren Potter Southampton - Liverpool
Glenn Whelan Sheffield Wednesday - Dub
Aiden McGeady Celtic - Scotland
Andy Keogh Scunthorpe - Dub
Stephen Ward Bohemians - Dub
Jay Tabb Brentford - Tooting

It's hardly packed with Dubliners.

[shakermaker1982]

Great impression of the invisible man ATM against Newcastle. Cyprus away anyone.

I heard they played him with Petrov in a 2 man central midfield pairing. Asking for trouble....

[Noelys Guitar]

Exactly. You really could be watching Ireland (the team) under Stan and McDonald. The tactics are all over the place. Petrov seems to be playing in the back four? And this is against a very average Newcastle team.

[DannyInvincible]

I've just picked a random u21 squad (2006 vs Azerbaijan)

Darren Quigley U.C.D - Dub
Colin Doyle Millwall - Cork
Kevin Foley Luton Town -Luton
Paul McShane Brighton & Hove Albion - Wicklow
Alex Bruce Birmingham City - England
Marcos Painter Birmingham City - Brum
James Hand Huddersfield Town - Monaghan
Willo Flood Manchester City - Dub
Gary Dicker U.C.D - Dub
Michael Timlin Fulham - London
Stephen Ireland Manchester City- Cork
Joey O'Brien Bolton Wanderers - Dub
Darren Potter Southampton - Liverpool
Glenn Whelan Sheffield Wednesday - Dub
Aiden McGeady Celtic - Scotland
Andy Keogh Scunthorpe - Dub
Stephen Ward Bohemians - Dub
Jay Tabb Brentford - Tooting

It's hardly packed with Dubliners.

Besides, it would make sense that a higher proportion of players in our various national sides come from Dublin given that it's inhabited by about a third of the country's population.

[Stuttgart88]

I heard they played in with Petrov in a 2 man central midfield pairing. Asking for trouble....Petrov and Liam Miller were almost always a disastrous pairing for Celtic in Europe. Miller and Ireland wouldn't be dissimilar in style & stature.

[Stuttgart88]

You really could be watching Ireland (the team) under Stan and McDonald. The tactics are all over the place. ah yeah but their man management skills are good though.

[tetsujin1979]

anonymous performance from him today, until a breaking run in the second half I forgot he was playing. Mind you, I could say the same about everyone playing in midfield and up front for Villa.

[shakermaker1982]

6 nil? Brilliant. My cousin is a big villa fan so I'll wind him up about this for about 12 months minimum. What the hell got into Newcastle?!

If you play Ireland you have to play 5 in midfield (unless you had a prime Roy Keane as one of your central midfielders in a 4-4-2).

[seanfhear]

Oh Stephen ! ! !

[Stuttgart88]

How did Dunne play?

[tetsujin1979]

How did Dunne play?
was at fault for Carroll's second goal, miskicked a clearance from a corner straight to the Newcastle striker. If it makes any difference, it seemed to me that all Newcastle's attacks were coming between Clarke and Warnock on the left of defence.

Villa's problem were in midfield, Nolan, Smith and Barton had free reign with possession, and each of them had ample time to pick out passes. Petrov never got near them when they were in possession and the rest of the midfield was far too attack minded. To be honest, they seemed to be waiting for someone else to do the closing down. Reo-Coker was brought on with about 25 minutes to go, too little, too late.

[rebelmusic]

Interview here

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/ireland-blames-himself-but-hes-not-for-turning-2307208.html

The only thing he says "bad" so to speak is the bit about dublin players. But let's be fair here, and I am a Cork man, every player outside of Dublin in the history of irish soccer has had a little whine about the preferential treatment of Dublin based/born players. Maybe they just don't like the accent.

Have to say though, those are the most mature words i've ever seen him say about the irish setup. Accepting the blame is a huge step for him. His recent interviews have seemed pretty level headed. With Trap going to see Villa next weekend, who knows? He'll be seeing Dunne and Ireland, and possible Coleman altho i doubt that

[DannyInvincible]

But let's be fair here, and I am a Cork man, every player outside of Dublin in the history of irish soccer has had a little whine about the preferential treatment of Dublin based/born players.

Such as?

Edit: Examples of preferential treatment, I mean. Although I'm not so sure that your exaggerated assertion that all players from outside Dublin have some gripe with alleged preferential treatment for Dublin-born players is all that true either.

[ifk101]

If you play Ireland you have to play 5 in midfield (unless you had a prime Roy Keane as one of your central midfielders in a 4-4-2).

Agree. Our Stephen doesn't have the presence to play central midfield in a 4-4-2 formation.


Interview here

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/ireland-blames-himself-but-hes-not-for-turning-2307208.html

The only thing he says "bad" so to speak is the bit about dublin players. But let's be fair here, and I am a Cork man, every player outside of Dublin in the history of irish soccer has had a little whine about the preferential treatment of Dublin based/born players. Maybe they just don't like the accent.

Have to say though, those are the most mature words i've ever seen him say about the irish setup. Accepting the blame is a huge step for him. His recent interviews have seemed pretty level headed. With Trap going to see Villa next weekend, who knows? He'll be seeing Dunne and Ireland, and possible Coleman altho i doubt that

Read it again. He says it's "nobody's fault but my own" but follows that up my saying that it's all down to the treatment he received from the FAI as a kid. So he's not accepting blame. 98% of players in our underage teams are not from Dublin and our Stephen has received plenty of special treatment from the FAI down through the years. Fact of the matter is he still harbours a grudge for not been selected by Kerr in a U16 game watched by his family. Our Stephen has not matured.

[rebelmusic]

Angry much?

Point i'm making is that it's hardly new for a player at odds with the FAI to make that claim about Dublin born players vs the rest of Ireland. I never said i agreed with it, I don't. Probably should have worded the sentence better haha. Although the "Maybe they just don't like the accent" should have shown that i think the statements are rediculous.

And about the blame part, my point was simply that this is the first time he's ever taken any responsibility for it. Let's be fair, read his interviews back before the Italy match compared to this one. This is a lot maturer. I'm not defending the divil - but I am happy to see him being a bit more coherent and the words being quoted in a reasonably respectable paper rather than some english rag.

[ifk101]

Angry much?

Point i'm making is that it's hardly new for a player at odds with the FAI to make that claim about Dublin born players vs the rest of Ireland. I never said i agreed with it, I don't. Probably should have worded the sentence better haha. Although the "Maybe they just don't like the accent" should have shown that i think the statements are rediculous.

What players? Roy Keane? :bigsmile:


And about the blame part, my point was simply that this is the first time he's ever taken any responsibility for it. Let's be fair, read his interviews back before the Italy match compared to this one. This is a lot maturer. I'm not defending the divil - but I am happy to see him being a bit more coherent and the words being quoted in a reasonably respectable paper rather than some english rag.

But he isn't taking responsibility. You've only read the first couple of sentences of that article. If you read the rest of the article he goes on to retract all blame and responsibility. It's somebody else's fault. The chap is living in his own little bubble. When he starts being honest with himself is the day he'll start maturing.

[seanfhear]

If only Stephen could have learned some defensive midfield guile from, well lets say "an experienced and highly successful coach with a good knowledge of, for example Italian defensive work.

Tis a pity he never had the opportunity to avail of such knowledge and experience ! ! !

[SkStu]

If only Stephen could have learned some defensive midfield guile from, well lets say "an experienced and highly successful coach with a good knowledge of, for example Italian defensive work.

Tis a pity he never had the opportunity to avail of such knowledge and experience ! ! !

in fairness to Stephen Ireland (never thought i would say those words), its not like he had much choice in the matter...

[Junior]

in fairness to Stephen Ireland (never thought i would say those words), its not like he had much choice in the matter...

Are you thinking Mancini or Trap?

[SkStu]

ah, good point!!

I was thinking Mancini (Roberto, not Terry)

[DannyInvincible]

Poor Stephen got dumped out of Europe tonight by Rapid Vienna in his first European game for Villa.

[backstothewall]

Had a decent game though. Looks like he is going to be a key player for Villa

[tetsujin1979]

just to point out that since Ireland left Man City and joined Aston Villa

Man City beat Liverpool 3-0
Aston Villa lost to Newcastle 6-0

Man City qualify for the group stages of the Europa League
Aston Villa knocked out of Europa League

[Colbert Report]

just to point out that since Ireland left Man City and joined Aston Villa

Man City beat Liverpool 3-0
Aston Villa lost to Newcastle 6-0

Man City qualify for the group stages of the Europa League
Aston Villa knocked out of Europa League

In fairness, Man City have spent untold millions on new players whilst Villa have sold their best player and lost their manager within the past two weeks.

[Manblue]

just to point out that since Ireland left Man City and joined Aston Villa

Man City beat Liverpool 3-0
Aston Villa lost to Newcastle 6-0

Man City qualify for the group stages of the Europa League
Aston Villa knocked out of Europa League

What exactly are you pointing out? That milner has made city and Ireland is a "disruptive influence on Villa"

[tetsujin1979]

What exactly are you pointing out? That milner has made city and Ireland is a "disruptive influence on Villa"

The contrast in their fortunes since the move.
Besides, anyone who knows me knows who I support.

[Crosby87]

I hope Bob Bradley ends up at Villa. He will be coming in as an American tryning to prove himself with his gruff style and he does not take any stick. I think there could be some blowups between him and SI. I also think it will be a disaster and Villa will sink.

[Manblue]

I hope Bob Bradley ends up at Villa. He will be coming in as an American tryning to prove himself with his gruff style and he does not take any stick. I think there could be some blowups between him and SI. I also think it will be a disaster and Villa will sink.

Ireland has never had a blow up with any manager at club level yet so i would be pretty sure there wont be.

And the contrast in the clubs fortunes could also be due not having a proper manager in charge along with the millions spent by city, good debut by Milner in fairness though

[geysir]

from the Guardian newspaper today

Warning - I am not responsible for what happens to you after you open this link
At Home with Stephen Ireland (http://www.broadsheet.ie/2010/09/15/slide-show-at-home-with-stephen-ireland/)

and should you chose to view the photos you do so entirely at your own risk.
But please be well advised this is not for sensitive stomachs. By the time you get to the bedroom picture, have the sick bucket in easy range.

[Colbert Report]

from the Guardian newspaper today

Warning - I am not responsible for what happens to you after you open this link
At Home with Stephen Ireland (http://www.broadsheet.ie/2010/09/15/slide-show-at-home-with-stephen-ireland/)

and should you chose to view the photos you do so entirely at your own risk.
But please be well advised this is not for sensitive stomachs. By the time you get to the bedroom picture, have the sick bucket in easy range.

Featured on the front page of yahoo! usa this morning!

[centre mid]

Omg omg

[Sullivinho]

It's like some offbeat comedy duo doing a pi$$take of 'MTV Cribs'. Cringe-tastic.

[SaucyJack]

Wonder how much the pool table will go for when all that stuff is up for auction.

[dr_peepee]

Sure she'll be getting the pool table as part of the seperation package.. Jermaine Defoe will probbly want it when he moves in with her!!

[Duggie]

Sure she'll be getting the pool table as part of the seperation package.. Jermaine Defoe will probbly want it when he moves in with her!!

hahaaaaa

[DeNiro]

What a tosser.

[geysir]

For a second I thought the huge Ireland logo on the pool table was a result of some deranged sense of patriotism but after another second I realised that it is merely an expression of his deranged narcissism.

[seanfhear]

Just think that clown got upset because someone took the **** out of him being follically challenged.

Jesus he just gives and gives (reasons to take the **** that is).

[gastric]

Jaysus, the pink bedroom does your eyes in!

[geysir]

I have been wearing the same outer garments for 3 to 10 days, can't rightly remember. They change their clothes to fit every room they go into.