Stephen Ireland pulls out of squad

**irishyop** · 09/10/2007, 4:06 PM

The little pri*, let him off, I would not let him near an Ireland jersey again the arrogant little wan**r

IF he can play for Citeh he can play for Ireland, next time don't give him the choice. Pity as he could have added a lot to the squad.

**Theskinloyal** · 09/10/2007, 4:06 PM

Boo...

Thought he was great for City at the weekend.

"Doesn't feel like he can do himself justice", ******.

Hope he never plays for Ireland again.

**back of the net** · 09/10/2007, 4:06 PM

all - we should hold judgement till we know the full facts of what is behind this

he has been through a bad time recently and i dont think every1 jumping on the anti-steve ireland bandwagon is right.

he lost a baby - there maybe other things going as well

ppl react to trauma in different ways - some ppl are tougher than others and can handle difficult issues better than others

i dont know what his reasons are - but maybe all lets hold off b4 we throw the book at him...

**galwayhoop** · 09/10/2007, 4:08 PM

MUPPET!!!!

his grandmother will turn in her grave....

.......

...

oh, hold on a minute sure theres nothing wrong with her!

**btid1** · 09/10/2007, 4:09 PM

Originally Posted by mackannovic

If you don't know the full facts how can you call him a prat, a tosser and a disgrace to his country?

Because as I have said already I am working off the facts as they have been presented where as you are hoping there is more to the story and NOT working from the facts provided!!!

Listen I dont know if you are related to him or a friend of his or even Stephen himself but not even the most ardent of Stephen Ireland fans could excuse his behaviour over the last number of weeks it has simply been disgraceful!!

**Dodge** · 09/10/2007, 4:13 PM

Originally Posted by back of the net

ppl react to trauma in different ways

If he had stopped playing football all together you might have a point. But he hasn't stopped playing for City...

Either he doesn't want to come back to Ireland, or he doesn't want to play for his country.

Knowing what we know about him, and his circle of friends, he should have a long hard look at his life and make a decision as to whether he wants to be a professional footballer or not.

**WembleyGreen** · 09/10/2007, 4:14 PM

It's a shame to lose a player of his quality but he obviously has issues he needs to deal with and lets be fair if he isn't going to be able to concentrate on the job in hand and give 100% then he and us are better off without him and someone else can come into the squad who will be up for it. Of course Stan has now chosen Alex Bruce??? I can't quite see the like for like but I'm sure that somewhere on planet stan there is some logic in this. If this is the end of young Ireland then we at least ought to be thankful that he saved our lousy arses in San Marino and in an International career consisting of 6 caps he's scored 4 times, surely that makes him one of our most prolific goalscorers does it not? If only Robbie could score 4 in every 6. I hope he sorts himself out and is ready to play a part in the WC qualifiers because in spite of what has happened we are not in a position to leave him out should he want to come back, beggars, choosers and all that!

**mjpcc** · 09/10/2007, 4:14 PM

Actually it's hs grannies that wont let him play. To quote one of them.

Youse will be the death of me telling people I'm dead and me readin about me own death in the paper - how do you thing that made me feel. Your not to play any more of them games - you bold pup.

**back of the net** · 09/10/2007, 4:16 PM

Originally Posted by WembleyGreen

It's a shame to lose a player of his quality but he obviously has issues he needs to deal with and lets be fair if he isn't going to be able to concentrate on the job in hand and give 100% then he and us are better off without him and someone else can come into the squad who will be up for it. Of course Stan has now chosen Alex Bruce??? I can't quite see the like for like but I'm sure that somewhere on planet stan there is some logic in this. If this is the end of young Ireland then we at least ought to be thankful that he saved our lousy arses in San Marino and in an International career consisting of 6 caps he's scored 4 times, surely that makes him one of our most prolific goalscorers does it not? If only Robbie could score 4 in every 6. I hope he sorts himself out and is ready to play a part in the WC qualifiers because in spite of what has happened we are not in a position to leave him out should he want to come back, beggars, choosers and all that!

100% agree

**liaml** · 09/10/2007, 4:19 PM

Originally Posted by back of the net

ppl react to trauma in different ways - some ppl are tougher than others and can handle difficult issues better than others

Exactly. That's the point. When the chips are down, when we're not getting any breaks, when we're playing away, to a hostle crowd in a playoff, when there's boo's and chants and calls for blood do you really think this boy has the mental strength to focus and do what it takes?

He shouldn't be picked again until he shows he's grown a spine.

**The Legend** · 09/10/2007, 4:20 PM

And still NO Miller? this has gone beyond anger into Twilight Zone territory.

Speechless.

**Stuttgart88** · 09/10/2007, 4:20 PM

I think the Bruce logic is that Stephen Carr is definitely out. Liam Miller must be seriously out of favour with da gaffur though. You'd think a like for like replacement would be easy enough to make.

**mackannovic** · 09/10/2007, 4:22 PM

Originally Posted by btid1

Because as I have said already I am working off the facts as they have been presented where as you are hoping there is more to the story and NOT working from the facts provided!!!

Listen I dont know if you are related to him or a friend of his or even Stephen himself but not even the most ardent of Stephen Ireland fans could excuse his behaviour over the last number of weeks it has simply been disgraceful!!

Here's one of your facts as it's being presented from Sven:

�This is disappointing for everybody. Steve Staunton and I have been working together to help Stephen through a period which he is clearly finding very difficult"

�I hope that Stephen will soon feel stable enough to resume his international career.�

Sounds very disgraceful?? Not meaning to sound dramatic but there is more to life than football, obviously something is up with the lad. Can you not accept that.

**back of the net** · 09/10/2007, 4:28 PM

Originally Posted by liaml

Exactly. That's the point. When the chips are down, when we're not getting any breaks, when we're playing away, to a hostle crowd in a playoff, when there's boo's and chants and calls for blood do you really think this boy has the mental strength to focus and do what it takes?

He shouldn't be picked again until he shows he's grown a spine.

ppl are saying he shoul never be allowed play for ireland again - so no mate , its not the point

he could be completely spineless, but equally he may not be , - who are you, me or anyone else to say he has no spine until we know what his real reasons are

**Ireland4ever** · 09/10/2007, 4:28 PM

Theres something up with the lad but it doesnt seem to affect him around the time Man City play....strange that.
Not the first time he let an irish manager down, doesnt say alot about the lad. His recent antics show he's not the type of player ireland need in the tough times when the chips are down.

**Dodge** · 09/10/2007, 4:29 PM

Originally Posted by mackannovic

Not meaning to sound dramatic but there is more to life than football

He hasn't given up football.

**tricky_colour** · 09/10/2007, 4:38 PM

Maybe he doesn't like the kit.

**Irish_Praha** · 09/10/2007, 4:45 PM

Maybe he was told he wasn't going to start against Germany?

**WembleyGreen** · 09/10/2007, 4:48 PM

All this 'he should never play for Ireland again' is a bit OTT. The lad is having a bad time, sure he's still playing for City but that's his job, that's what pays the bills etc. Maybe, just maybe he doesn't want to be away from his partner and kids for a week at this time. When he plays for City he goes home the same day, even if they are away from home chances are that he is home a couple of hours after the game, a week away is a whole different thing. Nobody knows what he is going through right now and if needs time to sort himself out then we as supporters should be able to give him that time, I for one would rather see him miss the remainder of this sorry campaign than not be available for the next one. Paddy Kenny had 'problems' not so long ago and he needed space to resolve his situation, He got it and he seems over his troubles OK he's not been back for us since but I don't see people giving him similar treatment. We have only got to look at the recent Rugby WC and the form of Ronan O'Gara to see what can happen to player when his mind is elswhere! Give the lad a break and he'll come good again for us.