Stephen Ireland

**L37Ultra** · 24/10/2008, 11:20 AM

Do you think Stephen Ireland will ever play for Ireland again?

Personally I think he will if/when we ever qualify for a major tournament.

**dr_peepee** · 24/10/2008, 11:44 AM

I wonder does he read these message boards?? He knows his way around the interweb, judging by his Bebo antics...

**tricky_colour** · 24/10/2008, 6:52 PM

Originally Posted by L37Ultra

Do you think Stephen Ireland will ever play for Ireland again?

Personally I think he will if/when we ever qualify for a major tournament.

I don't think so, if he doesn't play in the qualifiers he should not play in the the finals, unless it was due to illness or other good reason. I mean for a start he would not be needed anyway.

**superfrank** · 24/10/2008, 6:53 PM

Originally Posted by tricky_colour

I don't think so, if he doesn't play in the qualifiers he should not play in the the finals, unless it was due to illness or other good reason.

Agree with that. If a proven international like Brady wasn't given preferential treatment, someone like Ireland shouldn't get any.

**John83** · 25/10/2008, 11:30 AM

Anyone read Big Jack's comments on this whole farce?
http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2008/...n_ireland.html

**seanfhear** · 25/10/2008, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by John83

Anyone read Big Jack's comments on this whole farce?
http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2008/...n_ireland.html

Big Jack was a great man manager.
He certainly would have put little boy Stephen in his place and kept him there too.

**holidaysong** · 26/10/2008, 1:38 PM

Originally Posted by L37Ultra

Do you think Stephen Ireland will ever play for Ireland again?

Personally I think he will if/when we ever qualify for a major tournament.

He shouldn't be given the chance. If we do qualify for a World Cup and he comes crawling back then he should be told where to go..

**On The Ball** · 28/10/2008, 10:32 PM

I agree that if we do qualify he shouldn't be just allowed walk back into the squad but to read people say he's not that good and this and that is a joke.He's playing very well at the moment and would be a quality addition.

**SilkCut** · 29/10/2008, 3:34 AM

Originally Posted by On The Ball

I agree that if we do qualify he shouldn't be just allowed walk back into the squad but to read people say he's not that good and this and that is a joke.He's playing very well at the moment and would be a quality addition.

Not if he is only there to showcase himself he isn't. Certainly not if he were to demoralise the rest of the squad, which he undoubtedly would. If you were part of a succesful team for two years and one of your mates was dropped to make room for some ***** who had shown no interest in you until you were successful how would you react? He is a talented player, of that there is no question, but he obviously has no fighting spirit. Go to the WC with him in tow, how long would he last if we were performing badly? Would he pull us through or would he sulk? no one knows for sure, but based on the current situation I reckon he would sulk. No team needs that.

**Colbert Report** · 29/10/2008, 10:55 AM

If he was to return to the team, where would he play? I'm not sure he'd fit in as a deep-lying central midfield tackler. I'd see him more as a right winger or striker. I don't see him in the team over McGeady or Keane/Doyle.

**On The Ball** · 29/10/2008, 10:37 PM

Originally Posted by Colbert Report

If he was to return to the team, where would he play? I'm not sure he'd fit in as a deep-lying central midfield tackler. I'd see him more as a right winger or striker. I don't see him in the team over McGeady or Keane/Doyle.

Trap has already stated he likes to play with 2 holding midfielder's and get our attack threat from the wide men and striker's.If you're telling me he wouldn't get on ahead of duff,mcgeady or doyle you must be joking.Doyle is playing very well at the minute,probably even more so then keane,and our captain wont be dropped,so it'll have to be 1 of the wide men and i think he'd have a much better attack threat then either of them.

**Junior** · 30/10/2008, 6:29 PM

What ive seen of Ireland, IMO he doesnt pose as much of a threat from a wide position and certainly no more than a Duff or McGeady. What has been eye catching this season so far for City is his late bursts into the box or receiving or playing through balls - all from central positions.

So possibly off a front man would work, but that means dropping Keane (aint going to happen) or Doyle, leaving absolutely no target man at all. So a bit like Reid, does he fit in?

**tricky_colour** · 16/11/2008, 6:31 PM

Scored 2 today, still didn't win though.

**Reality Bites** · 17/11/2008, 7:57 AM

Along with Nicolas Anelka - Stephen Ireland is the best player in Premiership so far this season.

**Sligo Hornet** · 17/11/2008, 8:01 AM

His second goal was pure class!

BaZmO* · 17/11/2008, 9:22 AM

Originally Posted by Colbert Report

If he was to return to the team, where would he play? I'm not sure he'd fit in as a deep-lying central midfield tackler. I'd see him more as a right winger or striker. I don't see him in the team over McGeady or Keane/Doyle.

Well according to Trap he wouldn't fit into our system at the moment.

"I have a system and so far it has worked. Reid plays the position at Sunderland that Ireland plays at Manchester City but, at the moment, our system does not include this position"

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...700658581.html