Stephen Ireland

Dont get your hopes up for the squad on Wednesday. Mr Manchester will leave his country down again like he has done countless times in the past.

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Originally Posted by dr_peepee

I'm surprised you can see the keyboard, it must be so dark up there??

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haha nice, i liked that, oh and to kerrykingdoms comment about waiting til wednesday, dont bother waiting cause he wont be back.

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Originally Posted by Manblue

haha nice, i liked that, oh and to kerrykingdoms comment about waiting til wednesday, dont bother waiting cause he wont be back.

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Again more proof that Manblue is Stephen Ireland if anymore was needed. Such a waste of talent.

It just seems a pity that one of Europe's top players seems to have no interest in playing in the World's greatest competition.

I pity Stephen Ireland more than I hate him.

If we qualify, I sincerely believe he will regret his decision not to come back when he's watching on TV with friends/family.

There is a greater chance of Elvis rising out of the river Laune to jockey King Puck down through the streets of Killorglin

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Originally Posted by youngirish

Again more proof that Manblue is Stephen Ireland if anymore was needed. Such a waste of talent.

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This a joke at this stage, geysir has just said something similar to what i said that he wont be back, why isnt he S.I

Just funny how bad Andy Reid wants in, and SI could be in and doesnt want it...Andy should get a Stephen Ireland mask from a Halloween store and try to come back that way:

Trap: Uhh, Marco...Steva Irela seema different somahow....He seema shorter and less daft butta not bya much...
Tardelli: Agree. Maybe Hea lost weight?
Trap: No..He stilla fatta. But hea no pass crisp. Hea more funny though.
Liam Brady: Something is a miss here. Its almost like its Andy Reid in a Stephen Ireland mask...But that cant be.
Trap: Who?
Brady: That Andy Reid guy you got mad at for staying out so late.
Trap: Thisa Irish,,day very confuse...I dont know why I leava Belgium.
Brady: Holland you mean.
Tardelli: Lets finish dis discussion ova luncha. I make da meatballs you like Liam, witha the veal.

Manblue while I doubt very much you're Stephen himself you're obviously a City supporter judging by your username and a Cobh man judging by your posts. You also have a lot of inside knowledge on Stephen. You know who are and aren't his friends, you know whether Richard Dunne has spoken to him about Ireland, you know his specific premiership stats that wouldn't really be available to the public, plus you know mostly about the players in S.Ireland's age group, etc, etc.

So what in the name of jaysus is the story? When is he going to come back?

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Originally Posted by Manblue

This a joke at this stage, geysir has just said something similar to what i said that he wont be back, why isnt he S.I

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Manblue surely if you're not the man himself you would have long since realised that you're trying to defend the indefensible. A professional footballer who treats his country with the disregard that Ireland does when so many (not myself mind you) have been desperate for him to come back and forgive him for past sins is sickening tbh.

This compared to the likes of McGeady and McCarthy who have steadfastly stuck with Ireland, a country they weren't born in, and endured years of sectarian abuse for doing so even though in McGeady's case he's probably never going to recieve the accolades playing for Ireland that Superman would.

A player's career is short and if Ireland do qualify for the World Cup and Stevie leaves it too late to end his exile he could well miss his only chance at playing at the top level in the prime of his career (he'll be almost 24 when the World Cup comes around) and simply be consigned to that long list of talented mid table Premiership/First Division footballers that never played on the world stage and nobody remembers 20 years down the line.

It's a difficult one not sure how some of the players will react if he was to return at this stage if he is to return it should be a friendly get all the media stuff out of the way cos it's gonna be a circus if he does come back for his first game.
At the end of the day beggars can't be choosers our midfield is weak but if your gonna come back "bungalow" please come back with your football head on.
Can't see it myself but where there's a will there's a way.

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Originally Posted by Manblue

haha nice, i liked that, oh and to kerrykingdoms comment about waiting til wednesday, dont bother waiting cause he wont be back.

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I think Ireland is a fantastic player, and would love to see him back. I can understand that if he hates certain players in the squad, he would be reluctant to return (if that is the reason) and wish that muppet Stephen Hunt would shut his mouth(as I 've stated many times before).However, S.I. himself is no angel and really should play for us.

Now, I havn't got the time to look back all your posts Manblue, but do you wish to see him back in the squad, as your post above gives the impression of sneering that he won't be back. If you would rather he stayed away, what would your reasons be?

It's been said before, but it needs to be true now. No more waiting around, second guessing every development the team makes. Either Ireland comes back for the FRIENDLY (Christ, even Roy did that) in Thomond or he is 100% out of consideration for the WC if we qualify. Which we will. A statement should be made by the FAI after the game that he won't be considered until after this coming season is over. Bam - speculation gone for a year.

Personally, I hope he doesn't come back. Rhymes with dastard.

On a hypothetical return,
i'd be more concerned with the many fans with their heads in the sick bucket, overwhelmed by the odour from the initial media focus.

Too much imagination is used up on players possible reactions or possible discontent.
The squad is battle scarred and strong enough to handle (hypothetically) the mere detail of a return of SI. After over a year with Trap and Tardelli, they also have enough assuredness.

It is Stephen Ireland who can not handle it and who is discontent with any thought of coming back.
Trap has stretched the limits of diplomacy in this case. We know Trap has the cojones to close the door until our 2010 WC is over.
That suggests to me that he does see a place for SI in the team, or at a minimum, a valuable role to play.

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Originally Posted by geysir

I'd be more concerned with the many fans with their heads in the sick bucket, overwhelmed by the odour from the initial media focus.

Too much imagination is used up on players possible reactions or possible discontent.
The squad is battle scarred and strong enough to handle (hypothetically) the mere detail of a return of SI. After over a year with Trap and Tardelli, they also have enough assuredness.

It is Stephen Ireland who can not handle it and who is discontent with any thought of coming back.
Trap has stretched the limits of diplomacy in this case. We know Trap has the cojones to close the door until our 2010 WC is over.
That suggests to me that he does see a place for SI in the team, or at a minimum, a valuable role to play.

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Originally Posted by geysir

On a hypothetical return,
i'd be more concerned with the many fans with their heads in the sick bucket, overwhelmed by the odour from the initial media focus.

Too much imagination is used up on players possible reactions or possible discontent.
The squad is battle scarred and strong enough to handle (hypothetically) the mere detail of a return of SI. After over a year with Trap and Tardelli, they also have enough assuredness.

It is Stephen Ireland who can not handle it and who is discontent with any thought of coming back.
Trap has stretched the limits of diplomacy in this case. We know Trap has the cojones to close the door until our 2010 WC is over.
That suggests to me that he does see a place for SI in the team, or at a minimum, a valuable role to play.

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You can say that again.

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Originally Posted by Wolfie

You can say that again.

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quality:D

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Originally Posted by eirebhoy

Manblue while I doubt very much you're Stephen himself you're obviously a City supporter judging by your username and a Cobh man judging by your posts. You also have a lot of inside knowledge on Stephen. You know who are and aren't his friends, you know whether Richard Dunne has spoken to him about Ireland, you know his specific premiership stats that wouldn't really be available to the public, plus you know mostly about the players in S.Ireland's age group, etc, etc.

So what in the name of jaysus is the story? When is he going to come back?

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He's his Brother.... But he's the one that lost the phone with the mucky Pictures so Stephen's blanked him for a bit!!!

It's tiresome that this issue won't go away. Realistically do any of you believe that Trapattoni would play Ireland if he came back? What he says in the media is one thing, but what he does behind the scenes is another. By playing Ireland he risks weakening his authority over the team and the trust of the players that have played in the games so far. It would be the coaching equivalent of committing suicide, especially when there's only 3 qualifying games left to play.

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Originally Posted by ifk101

It's tiresome that this issue won't go away. Realistically do any of you believe that Trapattoni would play Ireland if he came back? What he says in the media is one thing, but what he does behind the scenes is another. By playing Ireland he risks weakening his authority over the team and the trust of the players that have played in the games so far. It would be the coaching equivalent of committing suicide, especially when there's only 3 qualifying games left to play.

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Thats rubbish, if for example James McCarthy or Owen Garvan had an outstanding seasons should Trap leave them out of the squads just because they hadnt been involved up to now.The players in the squad are professionals and it is up to them to fight for their place in the team no matter who is brought into the squad and if they are not good enough too keep their place then we move on with better players.Yes loyalty is important but only up to a certain point.
Having said that I do think that in Irelands case if he is not involved in the upcoming friendly then a line should be drawn under it until after the world cup

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Originally Posted by Razors left peg

Thats rubbish, if for example James McCarthy or Owen Garvan had an outstanding seasons should Trap leave them out of the squads just because they hadnt been involved up to now.

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Garvan and McCarthy haven't made themselves, their grannies, or their wigs unavailable. Totally different from the case with Ireland.

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Originally Posted by Razors left peg

The players in the squad are professionals and it is up to them to fight for their place in the team no matter who is brought into the squad and if they are not good enough too keep their place then we move on with better players.Yes loyalty is important but only up to a certain point.

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The emphasis is on the word professional. Nobody is allowed to pick and chose which games they want to be a part of. It's all about respect, commitment and loyalty, qualities which Stephen Ireland has not shown our team. As far as I'm concerned I don't think he should ever be capped again (but unfortunately I don't get to pick the team :D.)

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Originally Posted by ifk101

Garvan and McCarthy haven't made themselves, their grannies, or their wigs unavailable. Totally different from the case with Ireland.



The emphasis is on the word professional. Nobody is allowed to pick and chose which games they want to be a part of. It's all about respect, commitment and loyalty, qualities which Stephen Ireland has not shown our team. As far as I'm concerned I don't think he should ever be capped again (but unfortunately I don't get to pick the team :D.)

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Lee Carsley, Dean Kiely,Roy Keane made themselves unavailible for selection at one time or other.... was their a mass walkout of players or a sudden dramatic dip in squad morale when they were brought back in?

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Originally Posted by Razors left peg

Lee Carsley, Dean Kiely,Roy Keane made themselves unavailible for selection at one time or other.... was their a mass walkout of players or a sudden dramatic dip in squad morale when they were brought back in?

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Are we talking about the special case of Stephen Ireland here or just generalising for the heck of it? I think everyone can agree that Stephen Ireland is indeed A Special Case.

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Originally Posted by ifk101

Are we talking about the special case of Stephen Ireland here or just generalising for the heck of it? I think everyone can agree that Stephen Ireland is indeed A Special Case.

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why is it more of a special case than Roy Keane?? I never remember anything that divided fans more than that case... and the same arguements were used saying that he could never play with the same players again.There was no problem once he returned

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Originally Posted by Razors left peg

why is it more of a special case than Roy Keane?? I never remember anything that divided fans more than that case... and the same arguements were used saying that he could never play with the same players again.There was no problem once he returned

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I'm not going to go there. Sorry.

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Originally Posted by ifk101

I'm not going to go there. Sorry.

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I dont wanna get into the Keane thing again either, been done to death too many times.... but my basic point is that if Ireland was brought back I dont go along with the arguement that it would cause problems in the squad... Duff has already come out and said as much.The only squad member who has come out against it is Steven Hunt, and that was probably because he is one of the guys whos place might be under threat

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Originally Posted by Razors left peg

I dont wanna get into the Keane thing again either, been done to death too many times.... but my basic point is that if Ireland was brought back I dont go along with the arguement that it would cause problems in the squad... Duff has already come out and said as much.The only squad member who has come out against it is Steven Hunt, and that was probably because he is one of the guys whos place might be under threat

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Ok - in the context of the current qualification campaign and the fact that's there only 3 games left, I believe it too much of a "risk" to re-introduce Ireland back into the squad at this point in time. If he wants to play again, the European qualifiers start next year and he can make his availability known.

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Originally Posted by Den Perry

I think Ireland is a fantastic player, and would love to see him back. I can understand that if he hates certain players in the squad, he would be reluctant to return (if that is the reason) and wish that muppet Stephen Hunt would shut his mouth(as I 've stated many times before).However, S.I. himself is no angel and really should play for us.

Now, I havn't got the time to look back all your posts Manblue, but do you wish to see him back in the squad, as your post above gives the impression of sneering that he won't be back. If you would rather he stayed away, what would your reasons be?

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To be honest i am in different to his return at this stage, i think he will strenghten our squad, but by very little. As i stated before i dont think traps system suits his style of play and he would not be allowed express himself,, secondly i dont think the majority of fans would understand this an slate him if he doesnt play very well in every game.

This is my personal opinion but when ppl wanted him out of city i argued that his footballing brain was to advanced for the players around him (proved right this year) and im sorry i think the players that would be around him in the irish squad now would be a whole lot worse so that is another reason i dont think he will make that big an impact.

Saying that i would like to see him back.

Would welcome any sensible replies

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Originally Posted by Manblue

To be honest i am in different to his return at this stage, i think he will strenghten our squad, but by very little. As i stated before i dont think traps system suits his style of play and he would not be allowed express himself,, secondly i dont think the majority of fans would understand this an slate him if he doesnt play very well in every game.

This is my personal opinion but when ppl wanted him out of city i argued that his footballing brain was to advanced for the players around him (proved right this year) and im sorry i think the players that would be around him in the irish squad now would be a whole lot worse so that is another reason i dont think he will make that big an impact.

Saying that i would like to see him back.

Would welcome any sensible replies

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I think players like Robbie Keane, Kevin Doyle, Damien Duff, Aidan McGeady, Steven Reid,John O Shea,Richard Dunne, Steve Finnan are all top class players and have proven to be at International level and are well capable of playing alongside anybody

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Originally Posted by Manblue

and im sorry i think the players that would be around him in the irish squad now would be a whole lot worse so that is another reason i dont think he will make that big an impact.

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I think S.Reid, Duff, Keane and Doyle would be well capable of playing on Ireland's wavelength, offer the movement and play the passes that he expects. Would really benefit Gibson too to finish of that front 6.

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Originally Posted by Razors left peg

I think players like Robbie Keane, Kevin Doyle, Damien Duff, Aidan McGeady, Steven Reid,John O Shea,Richard Dunne, Steve Finnan are all top class players and have proven to be at International level and are well capable of playing alongside anybody

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Personally i think Mcgeady isnt good enough, reid never plays, duff is borderline at this stage and finnan is well past it, agree with the others although as stated b4 i am not robbies biggest fan, i do acknowledge Gibsons arrival too

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Originally Posted by Manblue

Personally i think Mcgeady isnt good enough, reid never plays, duff is borderline at this stage and finnan is well past it, agree with the others although as stated b4 i am not robbies biggest fan, i do acknowledge Gibsons arrival too

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Duff was class away to Bulgaria as he is whenever he plays for Ireland,McGeadys international performances are improving all the time and he has put in some brilliant displays in this campaign, Reid is injury prone granted and u are probably right about Finnan. I think there are enough quality players within the Irish set up that have excellent football brains so that Ireland would have no trouble integrating into them.... if he could be bothered to try, which I hope he does

Football brain? :D.

Bottom line is that it's a team game, it's not about accommodating the various whims of the individual. Egos don't win matches.

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Originally Posted by Manblue

To be honest i am in different to his return at this stage, i think he will strenghten our squad, but by very little. As i stated before i dont think traps system suits his style of play and he would not be allowed express himself,, secondly i dont think the majority of fans would understand this an slate him if he doesnt play very well in every game.

This is my personal opinion but when ppl wanted him out of city i argued that his footballing brain was to advanced for the players around him (proved right this year) and im sorry i think the players that would be around him in the irish squad now would be a whole lot worse so that is another reason i dont think he will make that big an impact.

Saying that i would like to see him back.

Would welcome any sensible replies

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Dude seriously... Are you a wind up merchant.. Won't be allowed express himself?? Suit his style of Play?? Majority of fans wouldn't understand him?? The other players aren't good enough??

Will we get the players to lie down shoulder to shoulder and form a line on the gravel en route to the pitch so he doesn't scuff his boots while we're at it???

All here on this thread discussing the impact Irelands return would have on the squad, and you come on and twist it into his return and the impact on him... I'm surprised you didn't use capital H's for your he's and hims...

You ask for a sensible response yet your post is far from objective..

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Originally Posted by dr_peepee

Dude seriously... Are you a wind up merchant.. Won't be allowed express himself?? Suit his style of Play?? Majority of fans wouldn't understand him?? The other players aren't good enough??

Will we get the players to lie down shoulder to shoulder and form a line on the gravel en route to the pitch so he doesn't scuff his boots while we're at it???

All here on this thread discussing the impact Irelands return would have on the squad, and you come on and twist it into his return and the impact on him... I'm surprised you didn't use capital H's for your he's and hims...

You ask for a sensible response yet your post is far from objective..

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Oh, he's right, Robbie Keane or Kevin Doyle wouldn't have enough "footballing brain" to "understand" Stephen Ireland or read his game the way CRAIG BELLAMY would !!! Comical :D

Bellamy? :)
We need more research into the phenomenon of the football brain.
That small compartment has some sort of home rule status.

I don't think Trap would bother his backside expending energy keeping the doors open for SI if he didn't think he could be of use to the game he wants us to play.
Could be just diplomacy, but I don't think so.
All hypothetical of course (does need repeating).
He would still have the two holding midfielders (he will take that template to his grave)
and could use only one of Duff/McGeady/Hunt.

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Originally Posted by ifk101

Football brain? :D.

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That's a well used term, or am I missing something? :) It's probably the most important part of a footballer is their game intelligence.

Ferguson on Giggs:
"What he has got, and what you cannot possibly coach, is a marvellous football brain. He has had that since he was 14 years of age. He is able to sense the speed of a game, the openings in matches. There has been none better at that."

Wenger on Fabregas:
"He came here as a boy of 16 but early on his football brain allowed him to play at the top level and I believe that always when you are in the class of the best they pull you up there.

David Fairclough on Dalglish:
"With his football brain and ability to score goals out of nothing, Dalglish became the main man of the Liverpool sides throughout the late '70s and '80s."

Ronnie Moran on Dalglish:
"Kenny wasn't the quickest of movers but he was 20 yards quicker than anybody else with his football brain and he would be in position before any defender knew what was happening."

Ian St John on Dalglish:
"Kenny just had the football brain. He was born with it and you can't give that to people."

etc, etc, etc. ;)


btw, I fully agree with what Manblue is saying but also think he is harsh on our players. In a poor team S.Ireland would not be a great player. It can take top players to make simple passes look good. The 1-2 being the most obvious example. We can't just train our players to read a 1-2 with Ireland that will open up a defence. They have to be on his "wavelength" and I believe most of our attackers are anyway.

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Originally Posted by dr_peepee

Dude seriously... Are you a wind up merchant.. Won't be allowed express himself?? Suit his style of Play?? Majority of fans wouldn't understand him?? The other players aren't good enough??

Will we get the players to lie down shoulder to shoulder and form a line on the gravel en route to the pitch so he doesn't scuff his boots while we're at it???

All here on this thread discussing the impact Irelands return would have on the squad, and you come on and twist it into his return and the impact on him... I'm surprised you didn't use capital H's for your he's and hims...

You ask for a sensible response yet your post is far from objective..

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I was asked for my reasons and thoughts on his return, sorry if you dont like my reply and my opening line was that i dont think it would have that big an impact on team performance and results which is all i care about not the other players views.

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Originally Posted by Manblue

To be honest i am in different to his return at this stage, i think he will strenghten our squad, but by very little. As i stated before i dont think traps system suits his style of play and he would not be allowed express himself,, secondly i dont think the majority of fans would understand this an slate him if he doesnt play very well in every game.

This is my personal opinion but when ppl wanted him out of city i argued that his footballing brain was to advanced for the players around him (proved right this year) and im sorry i think the players that would be around him in the irish squad now would be a whole lot worse so that is another reason i dont think he will make that big an impact.

Saying that i would like to see him back.

Would welcome any sensible replies

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Just ran that through the translator.

Poor Stevie is too good for Ireland. However he will only strengthen us a bit because our crap tactics don't play to his strengths.
He'll cry about this fact.
Fans might not kiss his arse if he doesn't play well (although this would be because our crap team isn't good enough for poor Stevie, making it all terribly unfair).
...but he should be able to come back anyway.

Do you even support our team?

The conjecture and speculation of these 118 pages (and counting) only serve to illustrate that there is one person can resolve this issue definitively - Stephen Ireland.

This farce has dragged on for far too long - this bloke needs a deadline. Commit or f*ck off - simple as.

We need 100% focus on the qualifying games and this media circus around Stephen Ireland's proposed return needs to be resolved one way or the other before the Cyprus games edges any nearer.

In fairness to him he more or less cleared it up a few weeks ago with a "not for the forseable future but never say never" or something like it, quote. That's closed it out for me,,,

Doesn't excuse the rusbbish carry on of himself over the last couple of years, or his media loving Da, or the blind defenders on here.... But it closes it out somewhat....

We knew it already as Manblue told us but Ireland won't be in the squad tomorrow. The players know the full squad and he wasn't named. So let's hope we can have the thread on the match squad tomorrow without every talking about S.Ireland.