Stephen Ireland

**Thommo** · 08/07/2009, 7:31 PM

At the moment were playing basically a defensive six with the back four and the two central midfielders both playing defensively, and both wingers given the freedom to join the attacking two.
The most adventurous I've seen this team play was in Italy when the Italians went a man down.
Surely if Ireland(Stephen) was to return Trap would surely play one holding midfielder(Whelan or Andrews) with Ireland being the attacking midfielder.
For me both Andrews and Whelan are average midfielders who will run all night but lack composure on the ball, the Bulgaria home match proved this Stilian Petrov ran the show.
I think if James McCarthy goes to the premiership or Celtic he may feature in one of the friendlies at Thomond Park and may play himself into the midfield.
Anyhow Stephen could please let us know is it a Yes or a No?

**tetsujin1979** · 08/07/2009, 11:36 PM

Roy Keane: Ireland return would be brilliant news: http://www.herald.ie/sport/soccer/ke...s-1811241.html

**Ghost2hammers** · 09/07/2009, 9:58 AM

If S.Ireland were to come back into the set up id like to see Trap O'Tony use him in the "stevie gerrard" position just behind the loan striker........he'd have plenty of space.......reckon he would be lethal in this position.

Cant see trap ever getting rid of whelo from CM at this stage........even if Steven Reid came back...........he does what he is asked and doesnt get distracted to lose his position.

With all players available I would like to see a midfield and upfront something like this:

Duff............Whelo.........S.Reid..........McGe ady

.........................Ireland.................. ...........

..........................Keane................... ..........

**Superhoops** · 09/07/2009, 8:01 PM

Originally Posted by Ghost2hammers

....With all players available I would like to see a midfield and upfront something like this:

Duff............Whelo.........S.Reid..........McGe ady

.........................Ireland.................. ...........

..........................Keane................... ..........

and leave Doyle out to accommodate that toe-rag? Madness, pure madness

**elroy** · 10/07/2009, 8:47 AM

"I don't think there is a future there to be honest," Ireland told local reporters.

"It is unlikely I will go back. I am happy at the moment with my club and my family.

"It's a shame the way I left. It wasn't the right way to leave but even before that, I thought something was stirring up.

"It was a ticking time-bomb and I just didn't enjoy my time there," he added.

"Sometimes, it is hard to say I'll never go back because anything can change and it's got nothing to do with the staff, the management or the players. But right now I'm just happy with my club."

Im sure these have been posted about 20 pages back at this stage, these quotes are from May this year, end of imo. Never mind what his dad, pat dolan, his granny, mother goose says, the quotes above are loud and clear. In Trap we trust and SA here we come.....hopefully!

**Manblue** · 10/07/2009, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by Superhoops

and leave Doyle out to accommodate that toe-rag? Madness, pure madness

True id get rid of Keane he was past it last year

**Jicked** · 10/07/2009, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by Manblue

True id get rid of Keane he was past it last year

How many international goals did Robbie sore last year?

**FarBeag** · 10/07/2009, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by Manblue

True id get rid of Keane he was past it last year

Clueless. What else can i say?

**Manblue** · 10/07/2009, 11:50 AM

Ireland and keane would be well to lightweight in attack considering how defensive minded the players behind them are, thats why trap always plays a folan/best/doyle

**Scram** · 10/07/2009, 12:18 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by Manblue
True id get rid of Keane he was past it last year

Originally Posted by FarBeag

Clueless. What else can i say?

Sin �

**boovidge** · 10/07/2009, 1:59 PM

Keane can't play as a lone striker.

**Manblue** · 10/07/2009, 2:13 PM

Originally Posted by boovidge

Keane can't play as a lone striker.

Watch it mate you dont wanna question robbies ability on this thread

**irishfan86** · 10/07/2009, 6:04 PM

Originally Posted by Manblue

Watch it mate you dont wanna question robbies ability on this thread

Huge Robbie Keane fan here, but he's a second striker.

I'm a huge Richard Dunne fan as well, but I don't really think he could be a great winger.

Play players in their proper positions!

**Fan of football** · 10/07/2009, 6:37 PM

he's way too good of player to be sitting idle but the lads head seems to be all over the shop and his love for his country should be seriously questioned imo!

**SallyMan** · 13/07/2009, 2:55 PM

Originally Posted by Ghost2hammers

If S.Ireland were to come back into the set up id like to see Trap O'Tony use him in the "stevie gerrard" position just behind the loan striker........he'd have plenty of space.......reckon he would be lethal in this position.

Cant see trap ever getting rid of whelo from CM at this stage........even if Steven Reid came back...........he does what he is asked and doesnt get distracted to lose his position.

With all players available I would like to see a midfield and upfront something like this:

Duff............Whelo.........S.Reid..........McGe ady

.........................Ireland.................. ...........

..........................Keane................... ..........

Precisely what i suggested and was given out to for a few pages back. I think this would be a great formation, a front four of McGeady, Duff, Ireland & Keane would provide plenty of goals.

**SallyMan** · 13/07/2009, 3:00 PM

Originally Posted by Manblue

Ireland and keane would be well to lightweight in attack considering how defensive minded the players behind them are, thats why trap always plays a folan/best/doyle

I dont know about that really man blue, the truth is that we have a tendancy to hoof ball up to the front putting small players like robbie at a disadvantage. If Ireland was to partner him up front we would have to change tact and start working the ball forward on the ground.

I think the reason that trap has chosen folan / best / doyle is because they are the best forwards we have after keane

**back of the net** · 13/07/2009, 3:33 PM

Originally Posted by SallyMan

I dont know about that really man blue, the truth is that we have a tendancy to hoof ball up to the front putting small players like robbie at a disadvantage. If Ireland was to partner him up front we would have to change tact and start working the ball forward on the ground.

I think the reason that trap has chosen folan / best / doyle is because they are the best forwards we have after keane

whatever about peoples position on irelands potential return and where he should play, i most certainly would not be dropping kevin doyle for him.

keanes best position is in the hole behind the frontman imo...i.e doyle.

Doyle along with dunne has become an essential member of the team and is a vital cog in our chances to qualify for south africa.

I would welcome back ireland with open arms myself and i definitely think he should be a starter but not at the expense of doyle.

I can only see trap going with a centre mid of reid and whelan , with keane in the attacking hole which will enable keane to put in his tremendous work ethic in tracking back and helping our midfield

thus imo this only leaves the most viable option/position for stephen ireland to be on the wing and he maybe given some sort of free role allowing him to cut in and aid the attack

**galwayhoop** · 13/07/2009, 4:24 PM

Originally Posted by back of the net

whatever about peoples position on irelands potential return and where he should play, i most certainly would not be dropping kevin doyle for him.

keanes best position is in the hole behind the frontman imo...i.e doyle.

Doyle along with dunne has become an essential member of the team and is a vital cog in our chances to qualify for south africa.

I would welcome back ireland with open arms myself and i definitely think he should be a starter but not at the expense of doyle.

I can only see trap going with a centre mid of reid and whelan , with keane in the attacking hole which will enable keane to put in his tremendous work ethic in tracking back and helping our midfield

thus imo this only leaves the most viable option/position for stephen ireland to be on the wing and he maybe given some sort of free role allowing him to cut in and aid the attack

yep totally agree. IF SI comes back then Trap will play him out wide right or else if keane suspended/injured then in behind doyle. no chance he will start in the middle of midfield. absolutely none.*

*not saying it's necessarily the right call but it is what the manager will do.

**EastTerracer** · 13/07/2009, 6:07 PM

Damien Duff has his say in the Evening Herald. A typically calm and sensible contribution. He has a subtle hint that some of the younger lads have been saying too much in the papers (but then he's doing the same thing).

http://www.herald.ie/sport/soccer/du...k-1819284.html

I'm with Homer Simpson - in Duff we trust!

**Razors left peg** · 13/07/2009, 6:14 PM

Originally Posted by EastTerracer

Damien Duff has his say in the Evening Herald. A typically calm and sensible contribution. He has a subtle hint that some of the younger lads have been saying too much in the papers (but then he's doing the same thing).

http://www.herald.ie/sport/soccer/du...k-1819284.html

I'm with Homer Simpson - in Duff we trust!

Its hardly a ploy is it by the FAI to break the news slowly that Ireland is coming back?? first the talk of a meeting between Trap and Ireland and now one of the senior players saying it would be fine with him..................
Maybe Im just getting cynical and suspicious in my old age