Man City - Dunne - Ireland

Ireland is just 20/21, bit rash/unfair to dismiss him early on,he's only really starting to develop. Give him a few years and you'll be be in a good position to equate him properly with Andy Reid. He'll also be a lot stronger at that stage, dunno if its just me but he already seems to have beefed up a bit from last season. I agree wholegheartedly with kingdom hoops assessment. Was having a few pints and casually watching the match, every time I looked up Ireland was on the ball doing something, playing a quality pass/through ball and being an effective playmaker. Him and Joey Barton dominated the whole match from start to finish. His shooting seriously needs to be worked on though! The six year old comparison is just about apt!

i thought ireland had a great game i reckon he was thebest on the field i thought joey barton only got man of the match because of the hype surrounding his transfer to everton.. ireland is definitly a great prospect for the future

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Originally Posted by eirebhoy

I still can't believe he thought Ireland-Kilbane in a 4-4-2 would work against any international team. One of the worst decisions ever made by an Ireland manager.

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Agree totally. In fact, I'd say every team selection except for maybe Sweden & Czech Rep. has shown me that Staunton, whatever about any positives he can bring to the camp, has absolutely no idea how to set out a team and what characteristics are required in the important areas of the pitch.

Ages ago I cited the Barton/Ireland example of how to get the best from an Irish midfield. I've never seen Ireland play well without the tireless Barton beside him. I felt that maybe Steven Reid could do the legwork with Ireland or Andy Reid adding the guile. Alternatively a narrower but stronger 3 man midfield with an attacking playmaker, thus giving up our usual width, though giving the fullbacks more responsibility in this regard.

I actually think Barton's a really good midfielder and if he was one of ours he'd add a lot to our midfield. Nasty character though.

Micah Richards said on Soccer am today that Ireland is by far and away the most skillful player at City. Suprised me tbh. He also said yesterday that Dunne is as good as Terry and Ferdinand. :) He's getting ahead of himself with that comment imo but Dunne seems to be having another great season.

Ireland is second again in the voting for MOTM against Blackburn here: http://www.manchestereveningnews.co....anchestercity/ - but is only ranked a 5 on skysports.com.
I missed the game this evening (like everyone else in Limerick I was watching the Munster match), but I thought he played well against the Owls during the week, but he had Barton and Dabo behind him mopping up, which made me think of O'Leary's comments on McPhail - that in the modern game, midfielders needed to be box to box players, and be able to make killer passes as well as well timed tackles.
Ireland is progressing well, and has forced himself back into the side in recent weeks, despite Dabo returning from injury. Hamann is due back soon, so it will be interesting to see if he can keep his spot.

i was reading news of the world today and seen that stephen ireland got a 8 out ten for is performance yesterday against blackburn in which they lost 3 nil... had to be doing something right to get that sort of rating with a team that lost 3 nil.. i enjoy watching him with the ball at his feet, very, very clever passer.. if he and robbie keane were on top form form for ireland i reckon we can cause alot of defences trouble

Ratings from the Manchester Evening News here: http://www.manchestereveningnews.co....r_ratings.html

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DUNNE: Tried to lift his men but to no avail as they seldom rose above the mediocre 6
IRELAND: One ray of hope but they couldn't get him on the ball often enough 6

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Dunne played well for Man C today as captain in a 1-3 win over Preston and Ireland scored a good goal in the last minute. Wonder why Dunne isn't the Irish captain?

Ireland goal:
http://www.dailymotion.com/samgoff/v...ton-v-man-city

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Originally Posted by OwlsFan

Dunne played well for Man C today as captain in a 1-3 win over Preston and Ireland scored a good goal in the last minute. Wonder why Dunne isn't the Irish captain?

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Keane was appointed as Irish captain by Staunton when he took over, Dunne only became City captain in pre season.

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Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Keane was appointed as Irish captain by Staunton when he took over, Dunne only became City captain in pre season.

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I like the idea of a strong centre-half being captain. We have had a few in our day. It would also hopefully cut out a lot of Keano's arm waving which irritates a lot of people.

Republic of Ireland International Stephen Ireland continued a great personal run of form yesterday, with his superb volley securing Manchester City’s place in the Quarter Final of the FA Cup and he admits it is because he has more freedom on the pitch now.

The twenty year old followed up a goal scoring debut in October’s defeat in Cyprus, with an injury time winner against San Marino over a fortnight ago and his form is a major positive for manager Steve Staunton, ahead of next month’s double header at Croke Park.

Despite suffering with injury and form for the first half of the season, Ireland has kicked on since Christmas and yesterday’s goal was his fifth of the season, for club and country and he is not surprised.

“Last year the gaffer had me as a defensive midfielder and it just was not me or my role and I would go three quarters of the games without having a shot or getting into their half too much,” said the midfielder.

“This year we are playing a three five two formation, where I can get forward now and create chances and now the manager has me in his mind as the player to do that.
“It was a difficult start to the season, but I put my case to the gaffer and I luckily took my chance and proved I could be a better option in the attacking position.

“My goal is to play in as many of the twelve games left this season as is possible and maybe have a good run in the cup.”

Two of the proudest moments of his short career, Ireland admits that his two senior goals for his country have been tainted by the disappointment of the performances, however believes hard work can change that.

Enjoying a vote of confidence from his International manager, similar to the freedom being awarded to him at club level, the twenty year old points out the added bonus of playing alongside Everton man Lee Carsley, “Yeah he helps me out an awful lot and really gives me the opportunity to play my own game and do what I do going forward,” said Ireland.

“He sits there and wins the ball and plays it around nicely, so I can concentrate on being a bit further up and it is a big help.

“He has a really good brain and it gives me the freedom to float around the dangerous areas and try to create.

“It worked in stages against San Marino and hopefully against Wales we can improve and I can get in and around the box more, to make some goal scoring chances.

“While the performance was not the best, scoring for your country is something to take on to the pitch with Man City and give me the confidence to improve.”


From FAI.ie

Might be better linking it to this thread:

http://foot.ie/showthread.php?t=50826&page=2

where the goal is mentioned already.