Stephen Ireland

[paul_oshea]

His girlfriend seems like a nice person but... honestly, am I the only person that thinks they look far too alike to be a real couple? It's like Ronan Keating and Yvonne Connolly - you really have to wonder if he's only really into her because she reminds him of himself.

Is his girlfriend sinead o'connor?

[theworm2345]

Is his girlfriend sinead o'connor?
Britney Spears
http://english.pravda.ru/img/idb/photo/001-1947.jpg

[seanfhear]

Britney Spears
http://english.pravda.ru/img/idb/photo/001-1947.jpg
If Stephen Ireland sees this lass in action then the present girlfriend will be toast.

Britney screws Ireland kind of has a ring to it !

[Charlie Darwin]

You know I always liked that Houllier bloke.

http://www.setanta.com/ie/Articles/2010/10/20/Houllier-urges-Ireland-to-end-exile/gnid-79384/

[paul_oshea]

playing clarke(i realised i said clarkie on another thread it wont happen again), now this.

FAI get Houllier on the recruitment panel!! He mustn't be too bitter about not getting the Ireland job.

[seanfhear]

You know I always liked that Houllier bloke.

http://www.setanta.com/ie/Articles/2010/10/20/Houllier-urges-Ireland-to-end-exile/gnid-79384/
Why has Houilier got it in for us ? ? ?;) (why does this emoticon not look anything like a wink, I blame stephen Ireland for this though;))

[theworm2345]

Houllier should mind his own damn business. How can he say he wants his players playing at a high level when he's constantly playing the likes of Reo-Coker, Albrighton, and Heskey, none of whom play internationally (all of whom are perfectly serviceable players on their day). Maybe he is secretly hoping he gets injured on international duty. The thought of this **** soiling the green jersey again makes my skin crawl.

[TrapAPony]

Good man Houllier. Bring him back! :D

[Charlie Darwin]

Houllier should mind his own damn business. How can he say he wants his players playing at a high level when he's constantly playing the likes of Reo-Coker, Albrighton, and Heskey, none of whom play internationally (all of whom are perfectly serviceable players on their day). Maybe he is secretly hoping he gets injured on international duty. The thought of this **** soiling the green jersey again makes my skin crawl.
He's only been in charge for 3 games and Heskey's been injured for 2.5 of them.

[Adrock]

His girlfriend seems like a nice person but... honestly, am I the only person that thinks they look far too alike to be a real couple? It's like Ronan Keating and Yvonne Connolly - you really have to wonder if he's only really into her because she reminds him of himself.

Does she have a pair of Supergirl knickers?

[The Fly]

Does she have a pair of Supergirl knickers?

Not quite.....

http://91.121.132.199/gifs/15734.gif

[theworm2345]

He's only been in charge for 3 games and Heskey's been injured for 2.5 of them.
Of the three games Heskey has been fit under him he has started two and came on to score in another.

[seanfhear]

Not quite.....

http://91.121.132.199/gifs/15734.gif

:sick:Jeez I could watch that for 24 hours and that would not be good for an old man.

Who is this personification of womanhood and if its Stephen Irelands girlfriend then I can say for the first time that I am jealous of the guy.

The contours in the vital area are a thing of beauty !

[Brendan 82]

Houllier should mind his own damn business. How can he say he wants his players playing at a high level when he's constantly playing the likes of Reo-Coker, Albrighton, and Heskey, none of whom play internationally (all of whom are perfectly serviceable players on their day). Maybe he is secretly hoping he gets injured on international duty. The thought of this **** soiling the green jersey again makes my skin crawl.

First of all, it is his business as Ireland is a Villa player and Houllier wants him to play internationals. Similar to the way in which Tony Pulis likes it when Glenn Whelan gets game time with Ireland. Houllier did not sign Ireland and he can use whatever team selection methods he prefers to determine his first team placings (that includes international performances btw). That is provided that his employers are happy with his results on the pitch (results garnered through his methods). And further, who are the seasoned internationals in Houllier's squad that would replace Reo-Coker, Albrighton, and Heskey? (don't you dare say bleedin John Carew either as he is at the same level as Heskey). He has not been in charge of the club during any transfer window either. You do realize how retarded your post was right? Besides, Mark Albrighton is an excellent player.

[Charlie Darwin]

Of the three games Heskey has been fit under him he has started two and came on to score in another.
You're just being pedantic now.

Heskey has had a long international career and is probably at the stage where he'll benefit from the few weeks off each season. He's already proven he can play at that level. Ireland only has a few Europa League and a few internationals to show for himself.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Fair play to Houllier.

Ireland and Trap both need a boot up the hole on this one.

[theworm2345]

You're just being pedantic now.
Correcting a factual error is pedantic?

[AlaskaFox]

You're just being pedantic now.

Heskey has had a long international career and is probably at the stage where he'll benefit from the few weeks off each season. He's already proven he can play at that level. Ireland only has a few Europa League and a few internationals to show for himself.

As well as that, Capello recently wanted Heskey to come back from international retirement. So he still could be an international player.

[theworm2345]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=835595&sec=england&cc=5901
"They're coming in with £10,000 watches on their wrists and walking around as if they have played 200 Premier League games."

We wouldn't know anyone like that, would we Stephen?

[Stuttgart88]

Anyone read Louise Taylor's write up on Sunderland v Villa in today's Guardian? Maybe someone can stick up a link. I'm in an internet cafe with the clock ticking.

She was openly hostile to Stephen Ireland, the whole theme of the article was about how he was lost and she couldn't hide her dislike for him. She quoted City "insiders" as saying "he's in the top 5% talent-wise, bottom 5% mental-strength-wise". Worth reading...

[SwanVsDalton]

Anyone read Louise Taylor's write up on Sunderland v Villa in today's Guardian? Maybe someone can stick up a link. I'm in an internet cafe with the clock ticking.

She was openly hostile to Stephen Ireland, the whole theme of the article was about how he was lost and she couldn't hide her dislike for him. She quoted City "insiders" as saying "he's in the top 5% talent-wise, bottom 5% mental-strength-wise". Worth reading...

Here it is: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/oct/25/sunderland-aston-villa-premier-league

[The Fly]

Stephen's driving a Smart Car now.....;)

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=aston+villa&sll=51.91465,0.927969&sspn=0.001697,0.004823&ie=UTF8&hq=aston+villa&hnear=&radius=15000&ll=52.509796,-1.884316&spn=0,0.006866&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=52.509881,-1.884418&panoid=li8Ol29ygl2YvvTzgFSZvg&cbp=12,161.98,,0,6.9

[rebelmusic]

Stephen's driving a Smart Car now.....;)

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=aston+villa&sll=51.91465,0.927969&sspn=0.001697,0.004823&ie=UTF8&hq=aston+villa&hnear=&radius=15000&ll=52.509796,-1.884316&spn=0,0.006866&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=52.509881,-1.884418&panoid=li8Ol29ygl2YvvTzgFSZvg&cbp=12,161.98,,0,6.9

Hahaha Brilliant!

[The Fly]

I've only just noticed that some threads contain an attachment.......Do'h!

Anyway, top marks for this one! ;)


http://foot.ie/attachment.php?attachmentid=1422&d=1253801305

[SwanVsDalton]

Houllier slams Ireland. (http://www.setanta.com/ie/Articles/2010/10/31/Houllier-slams-Ireland/gnid-80215/)

Can't say I'm surprised.

[dr_peepee]

Not a word from Manblue lately.... I wonder if he is the man himself!!

[Charlie Darwin]

Houllier slams Ireland. (http://www.setanta.com/ie/Articles/2010/10/31/Houllier-slams-Ireland/gnid-80215/)

Can't say I'm surprised.
Fair play to Houllier. Anyone watching Ireland play last season would have come to the same conclusion - Mancini certainly did.

[AlaskaFox]

Delighted that Houllier has such a high opinion of Clark to start him in midfield. He's going to be brilliant for us.

[seanfhear]

Houllier slams Ireland. (http://www.setanta.com/ie/Articles/2010/10/31/Houllier-slams-Ireland/gnid-80215/)

Can't say I'm surprised.
It will be intereting to see how a sensitive lad like Stephen responds to such a public dressing down.

Will he spit the dummy or knuckle down and show that he is not one of these young guys acting flash without having done a whole lot in the game.

Genuinely, it will be intereting to see what occurs.

[Stuttgart88]

Yeah, I agree.

Part of me is glad that the "Stephen Ireland is the be all and end all of Irish football" bubble is bursting, but the inquisitive / curious part of me is genuinely interested to see how this pans out.

My natural reaction is to be utterly contemptive of Ireland's attitude, but he's a symptom, not the problem. Football has big problems. The international federation is not fit for purpose, and many of the national federations aren't either. The lunatics run the asylum.

The interests of stakeholders are totally misaligned: for every footballer looking after number one and pulling the strings, there are tens of thousands of supporters (customers in any other business) with virtually no say. Officials on the pitch are barely fit for purpose either, and the players, without any sense of dignity or integrity, will exploit any human weakness in officialdom they can find.

The Nani goal yesterday illustrates football's problem perfectly: the officials weren't up to it, the goalkeeper was too thick to adhere to the most basic of basic principles (play the whistle), the goalscorer hadn't a shred of basic integrity or sportsmanship (nor did the game expect him to have any), the opposing captain was allowed a private audience with the officals while they were consulting, possibly because of his fame / status, and nobody really believes it's all a symptom of anything wrong anyway.

It's not just a freak event, it's a bellweather event, exemplifying just how badly one of the world's simplest games is played and administered.

Dunphy was bang on in his post-WC Final synopsis: football is enduring a crisis of authority, on and off the pitch.

[CraftyToePoke]

It will be intereting to see how a sensitive lad like Stephen responds to such a public dressing down.

Will he spit the dummy or knuckle down and show that he is not one of these young guys acting flash without having done a whole lot in the game.

Genuinely, it will be intereting to see what occurs.

You are dead right in this, his stock has fallen, the transfer to a less upwardly mobile side and an indifferent start to his time there are combining to round on him and we will know a lot more about him soon enough. Part of me wouldnt be all that bothered if this individual spiralled through the divisions as we have needed him badly in the middle over the last season or so, and his casual indifference to playing for us has left a very sour taste.

I think it reflects a hole in Houlliers game too though, this isnt the way to deal with this situation if he really wants this player to play for him. That 'if' just grew a bit.

[drummerboy]

Stephen Ireland has been found out. He is now where near being the player some people think he is. He is decent going forward but he is not capable of playing in a four man midfield. He can't defend. Why Trap even spoke to him is beyond doubt because he certainly wouldn't fit into his midfield structure. Anyway Ireland has probably made enough money already to hang his boots up and live comfortable for the rest of his life. One thing is certain, and that is he won't have a long career.

[OwlsFan]

find.

The Nani goal yesterday illustrates football's problem perfectly: the officials weren't up to it, the goalkeeper was too thick to adhere to the most basic of basic principles (play the whistle), the goalscorer hadn't a shred of basic integrity or sportsmanship (nor did the game expect him to have any), the opposing captain was allowed a private audience with the officals while they were consulting, possibly because of his fame / status, and nobody really believes it's all a symptom of anything wrong anyway.

In what way were the Officials not up to it? As far as I am concerned the goalkeeper did not play the whistle. Basic rule of football. I didn't see the linesman flagging for handball. As for Dunphy being bang on about the crisis of authority, he spent most of the WC attacking the Officials (i.e. authority on the field). Is it any wonder that since Andy Gray and Sky and all pundits attack Officials after the decisions are played in slow motion, the players do likewise on the field.

Why are Irish supporters still taking about Stephen Ireland? I'd say he's not bothered about any criticism as he pockets his 100k a week.

[paul_oshea]

Stephen Ireland has been found out. He is now where near being the player some people think he is. He is decent going forward but he is not capable of playing in a four man midfield. He can't defend. Why Trap even spoke to him is beyond doubt because he certainly wouldn't fit into his midfield structure. Anyway Ireland has probably made enough money already to hang his boots up and live comfortable for the rest of his life. One thing is certain, and that is he won't have a long career.

It could well have been a ploy, a stick to hit with, our the last hand to draw as the excuse for if/when things didnt go right for him. Trap that is. Because Ireland cant defend and doesn't suit Traps style, at least traps ireland style anyway.....

But i think over 2 seasons Ireland has proven that he is a good player, for us and Man City.

Great post stutts, its good that you can find the time to write these posts, as they are always well structured, the the point and reach a good conclusion. The new found love for rugby ****es me off i remember going on about an Ireland v Wales game in the late 90s i think when it finished 6 -3 and no one had any interest then outside of Dublin/Limerick, but they have it spot on when it comes to discipline/refereeing/technology/player conduct on and off the field.

[eaststand85]

Houllier slams Ireland. (http://www.setanta.com/ie/Articles/2010/10/31/Houllier-slams-Ireland/gnid-80215/)

Can't say I'm surprised.

Bit a nothing article really, think Setanta are sensationalising (as always seems to happen with S Ireland) a fairly standard managerial comment which wouldn't have gotten have anywhere near the same level of attention if it wasn't for the player he's talking about. Imo Houllier doesn't 'slam Ireland' at all.

[elroy]

Never say never.

[The Fly]

Never. ;)

[SwanVsDalton]

Bit a nothing article really, think Setanta are sensationalising (as always seems to happen with S Ireland) a fairly standard managerial comment which wouldn't have gotten have anywhere near the same level of attention if it wasn't for the player he's talking about. Imo Houllier doesn't 'slam Ireland' at all.

A public dressing down from a manager who's only been coaching him for a month is not 'standard managerial comment.'

[paul_oshea]

A public dressing down from a manager who's only been coaching him for a month is not 'standard managerial comment.'

and who had been picking him initially...

[Stuttgart88]

In what way were the Officials not up to it? As far as I am concerned the goalkeeper did not play the whistle. Basic rule of football. I didn't see the linesman flagging for handball. As for Dunphy being bang on about the crisis of authority, he spent most of the WC attacking the Officials (i.e. authority on the field). Is it any wonder that since Andy Gray and Sky and all pundits attack Officials after the decisions are played in slow motion, the players do likewise on the field.

Why are Irish supporters still taking about Stephen Ireland? I'd say he's not bothered about any criticism as he pockets his 100k a week.The linesman should have flagged for handball (I thought he did, no?). The ref and linesman should have waved Ferdinand away.

Even if the ref was playing advantage, commonsense would have led to him blowing for handball anyway - as no advantage was accruing - and he could easily have communicated "play on" when asked by Gomes, rather than allowing confusion to reign.

As for Dunphy attacking referees - that's entirely consistent with his "crisis of authority" claim. Refereeing standards were generally poor, and players took advantage of it.

[Brendan 82]

Bit a nothing article really, think Setanta are sensationalising (as always seems to happen with S Ireland) a fairly standard managerial comment which wouldn't have gotten have anywhere near the same level of attention if it wasn't for the player he's talking about. Imo Houllier doesn't 'slam Ireland' at all.

Agreed. Surprised they did not refer to Ireland at least once as "the madcap midfielder"

[geysir]

As for Dunphy attacking referees - that's entirely consistent with his "crisis of authority" claim. Refereeing standards were generally poor, and players took advantage of it.
In my experience, match officiating standards have improved greatly over the past decades, in particular with the many top competent international referees.
The evidence points to players who have become more adept at cheating. Dealing with that problem is a different issue but I believe the refs are more than capable of dealing with that, if they get more support.

[dr_peepee]

In my experience, match officiating standards have improved greatly over the past decades, in particular with the many top competent international referees.
The evidence points to players who have become more adept at cheating. Dealing with that problem is a different issue but I believe the refs are more than capable of dealing with that, if they get more support.

Jayzus.... Somebody got a black strip and a whistle for his Birthday!!!

[Charlie Darwin]

The linesman should have flagged for handball (I thought he did, no?). The ref and linesman should have waved Ferdinand away.

Even if the ref was playing advantage, commonsense would have led to him blowing for handball anyway - as no advantage was accruing - and he could easily have communicated "play on" when asked by Gomes, rather than allowing confusion to reign.
This isn't rugby though. The practice in football is that once you play on, advantage has accrued whether you use it wisely or not. Gomes ran around with the ball and assessed his options and then decided to take the one that wasn't available to him.

[geysir]

I don't know how we managed to have a decent chat on this spoofer's thread.

[gastric]

This opinion comes from left field I suppose, but this could be the making of him. He is sitting on the bench, being criticised and not being loved by his manager. He can handle it two ways, continue to whinge and feel sorry for himself ( which he will probably do) or grow up, lose the attitude and become a better player and person for it. I would love to see him choose the second as then maybe we can all gain some respect for him and possibly even accept him back into an Irish team in the future. Never before would reality have entered his life as it has now.

[Stuttgart88]

Newcastle and West Ham monitoring the situation.

[geysir]

Houllier has higher standards; in Trap's terminology, SI's bottle is empty.

I'd say GH is none too happy with 1/2 of the team he has inherited.

[seanfhear]

Newcastle and West Ham monitoring the situation.
That sentence would strike fear/doom in to the heart of many a player.

[theworm2345]

Newcastle and West Ham monitoring the situation.
I'd take Noble or Nolan over him anyday (come to think of it, they're both just about as Irish as he is)