Stephen Ireland

**CraftyToePoke** · 01/11/2010, 12:37 AM

Originally Posted by seanfhear

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** · 01/11/2010, 8:11 AM

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** · 01/11/2010, 8:22 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

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** · 01/11/2010, 9:13 AM

Originally Posted by 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.

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** · 01/11/2010, 9:17 AM

Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton

Houllier slams Ireland.

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** · 01/11/2010, 9:25 AM

Never say never.

**The Fly** · 01/11/2010, 11:18 AM

Never.

**SwanVsDalton** · 01/11/2010, 12:23 PM

Originally Posted by eaststand85

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** · 01/11/2010, 12:25 PM

Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton

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** · 01/11/2010, 12:25 PM

Originally Posted by OwlsFan

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** · 01/11/2010, 12:51 PM

Originally Posted by eaststand85

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** · 01/11/2010, 1:12 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

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** · 01/11/2010, 1:37 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

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** · 01/11/2010, 3:46 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

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** · 01/11/2010, 8:13 PM

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

**gastric** · 01/11/2010, 9:18 PM

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.