Ireland: Bluemoon Forum hurt me

[Blue Mooner]

So now the morons who criticised Ireland wish to take some form of credit as that supposedly in some way helped the situation. No, the only person responsible for turning things round was Stephen Ireland - and he was probably motivated by the prospect of a move to another and the opportunity to stuff our criticism back down our throats at Sunderland - just like Ade has done to Arsenal. It was only Hughes strong management that stopped that move otherwise he would have been plying his trade at Sunderland now.

Lets face it lesser characters than Ireland would have crumbled under the pressure and to be fair in that season Ireland did. I credit Hughes with stopping the move and giving Ireland much renewed confidence.

Of course analysis of players performances is fair play on here, after all its a City discussion forum, but some of the keyboard warriors on here just use this as an opportunity to rip our players to shreds.

Constructive crtiticism I can cope with but some of the vitriol spouted on here in the past against our own players is an absolute disgrace imo and benefits no one who want to see the club do well.

Those who choose to wilfully criticise should stop and think how that is going to help and remember the player that Arsenal have just lost as a result of that type of so called 'support'

 

[There is a Light]

Here's the problem with your numpty of a post.

Tell me, since you 'know plenty', how old was Ireland when he broke through, under Pearce? How is it you knew he had the stamina to play in the centre(as it's the hardest position to play!) in every game for Pearce? And so what if he was manoeuvred around between the right and centre under Sven. The resources(or lack of) dictated that to happen. Rather like Elano having to play right back(remember that??). I don't recall that position restricting Elano from making chances for others.

It's all very well having the glorious disposition of hindsight, but those managers called on Ireland to do a job to the ability they saw in him, at the time.

Let's just say Ireland hasn't exactly set the Prem alight, in the middle, so far, this season. So ask yourself Mr 'There is a Light', what position is he playing now??

Maybe then, you can take Hughes to task about why he's not performing.

In Pearces last season we were relegation fodder because of the defensive five across midfield and scoring no goals at home in the second half of the season. By my reckoning Ireland would have been 21 in that season. He had more talent than almost everyone in that side and although it is a fair point about stamina, there were another four across midfield so surely they would have provided cover for him. That was one of the worst seasons in living memory and we were lucky not to be relegated. As the most creative player available, Ireland should have played in an advanced role. I thought this at the time, not now with the benefit of hindsight.

Erikksons side died in the second half of that season and struggled to score goals, but he preffered to play either Johnson, Hamann or Fernandes in the centre to Ireland. Plus the fact that Elano was allowed to take a holiday from November of that year and still keep his place was shocking - again Ireland should have been given a chance in his natural position. The whole team was generally dire the second half of that season but the game that sticks out though was the win at the Swamp and Ireland was MOTM - playing in central midfield.

Your point about this season is rubbish, we have only played five games and won them all. I would prefer to think about what Ireland achieved playing a full season in his natural position - ie last season.

 

[Benarbia]

Seems to me we gave him the kick up the bum he so desperately needed.

All credit to BM I say

 

[Bigga]

Here's the problem with your numpty of a post.

Tell me, since you 'know plenty', how old was Ireland when he broke through, under Pearce? How is it you knew he had the stamina to play in the centre(as it's the hardest position to play!) in every game for Pearce? And so what if he was manoeuvred around between the right and centre under Sven. The resources(or lack of) dictated that to happen. Rather like Elano having to play right back(remember that??). I don't recall that position restricting Elano from making chances for others.

It's all very well having the glorious disposition of hindsight, but those managers called on Ireland to do a job to the ability they saw in him, at the time.

Let's just say Ireland hasn't exactly set the Prem alight, in the middle, so far, this season. So ask yourself Mr 'There is a Light', what position is he playing now??

Maybe then, you can take Hughes to task about why he's not performing.

In Pearces last season we were relegation fodder because of the defensive five across midfield and scoring no goals at home in the second half of the season. By my reckoning Ireland would have been 21 in that season. He had more talent than almost everyone in that side and although it is a fair point about stamina, there were another four across midfield so surely they would have provided cover for him. That was one of the worst seasons in living memory and we were lucky not to be relegated. As the most creative player available, Ireland should have played in an advanced role. I thought this at the time, not now with the benefit of hindsight.

Erikksons side died in the second half of that season and struggled to score goals, but he preffered to play either Johnson, Hamann or Fernandes in the centre to Ireland. Plus the fact that Elano was allowed to take a holiday from November of that year and still keep his place was shocking - again Ireland should have been given a chance in his natural position. The whole team was generally dire the second half of that season but the game that sticks out though was the win at the Swamp and Ireland was MOTM - playing in central midfield.

Your point about this season is rubbish, we have only played five games and won them all. I would prefer to think about what Ireland achieved playing a full season in his natural position - ie last season.

And Eriksson was entirely correct to play Johnson. He was having a hell of a season. he was linking up with Elano very well. What was there to break there? So if the side 'died' in the second half of the season, it would have made no difference to play Ireland through the middle. He admits his fitness wasn't there. Now what? It's not as if Ireland never played through the middle. It's just he, and everyone that could be a utility player, slotted in to where the manager asked them to play.

And, funny enough even though you dismiss my last point as 'rubbish' the same has been asked of him again. The point is, if Ireland is going to be a 'great' player, he cannot let a slightly altered position deter that 'greatness'. Lothar Matthaus did it to great effect, as did Patrick Viera, Didier Deschamps and Dunga. They all had the ability to create the telling pass from the midfield position, even if they weren't fully in attack mode.

So, now his role is shared with Barry and he's gone into his shell, some. He has to learn to see Barry as a plus, giving him the vital time and space to create the magic he loves to do. Maybe, though, he has to do it from a deeper position than he wants. I argued this last year, when many said he and Elano were too similar to play in the same team. Absolute rubbish.

The point is talent will shine, no matter what.

This is my opinion.

 

[chris313nt]

If you ask me his inability to find any consistency before last season was more of an indictment of the previous managers than Ireland himself. Saying that, I remember most Blues being disgusted at the thought of him being sold to Sunderland so it isn't true that all fans wanted him out of the club.

I agree with this quote - Steve's lack of consistency & low self esteem was down to bad managers, so its a good job Sparky came along or he'd be at Sunderland now!!

 

[1990Moonchester]

My view on Superman, my favourite player. He's a great player, play-maker and can turn the game around in a split second. Over the past few weeks he hasn't been getting the credit that I think he's due, especially the last week with the whole, striker issue. He's always there, always gives 110%. For that, he's amazing.

As someone posted earlier, Superman, we f***ing love you.

 

[There is a Light]

In Pearces last season we were relegation fodder because of the defensive five across midfield and scoring no goals at home in the second half of the season. By my reckoning Ireland would have been 21 in that season. He had more talent than almost everyone in that side and although it is a fair point about stamina, there were another four across midfield so surely they would have provided cover for him. That was one of the worst seasons in living memory and we were lucky not to be relegated. As the most creative player available, Ireland should have played in an advanced role. I thought this at the time, not now with the benefit of hindsight.

Erikksons side died in the second half of that season and struggled to score goals, but he preffered to play either Johnson, Hamann or Fernandes in the centre to Ireland. Plus the fact that Elano was allowed to take a holiday from November of that year and still keep his place was shocking - again Ireland should have been given a chance in his natural position. The whole team was generally dire the second half of that season but the game that sticks out though was the win at the Swamp and Ireland was MOTM - playing in central midfield.

Your point about this season is rubbish, we have only played five games and won them all. I would prefer to think about what Ireland achieved playing a full season in his natural position - ie last season.

And Eriksson was entirely correct to play Johnson. He was having a hell of a season. he was linking up with Elano very well. What was there to break there? So if the side 'died' in the second half of the season, it would have made no difference to play Ireland through the middle. He admits his fitness wasn't there. Now what? It's not as if Ireland never played through the middle. It's just he, and everyone that could be a utility player, slotted in to where the manager asked them to play.

And, funny enough even though you dismiss my last point as 'rubbish' the same has been asked of him again. The point is, if Ireland is going to be a 'great' player, he cannot let a slightly altered position deter that 'greatness'. Lothar Matthaus did it to great effect, as did Patrick Viera, Didier Deschamps and Dunga. They all had the ability to create the telling pass from the midfield position, even if they weren't fully in attack mode.

So, now his role is shared with Barry and he's gone into his shell, some. He has to learn to see Barry as a plus, giving him the vital time and space to create the magic he loves to do. Maybe, though, he has to do it from a deeper position than he wants. I argued this last year, when many said he and Elano were too similar to play in the same team. Absolute rubbish.

The point is talent will shine, no matter what.

This is my opinion.

Sven was a soft touch and that is a fact. Johnson and Elano were both rubbish for the whole second half of that season (not to mention Gelson Fernandes). Your last point is rubbish (although I will stop short of calling you a clown) as you are trying to suggest Ireland is struggling because he hasn't exactly shone in FIVE games this season. Big deal for christ's sake; he can't have been that bad anyway - we have won all five games and have only conceded two goals, still scoring one in the process. He will take time to adapt though, seeing as his main strengths are making goals and runs into the box. More Ali Benarbia than the players you mention if you ask me. I notice you didn't mention Pearce this time around, maybe even you would have to acknowledge that he would have added something to the side playing Ireland further forward instead of a defensive midfielder, certainly at home - perhaps we might have scored a few more goals that year. Then again Ireland has been on record himself as putting Hughes down as a better manager than Keegan, Pearce and Erikkson, probably for not playing him out of position and getting the best out of him - increasing his value by at least 300% from when he was due to go to Sunderland.

 

[buzzer1]

about 8,000 posts ago I said Ireland would be City's Liam Brady, I felt like ending it all for the abuse I got; so God knows how he felt.

Noway, my mate said this after only a few games in the first team, he said "this lad is so like Liam Brady", watchout for him in a year or so. Well Superman, if you read this, we think your the absolute dogs and easily the first name down on the teamsheet, there are only a few players that can hold down this accolade with the fans with the glorious Kinky being one that springs to mind, you know how much Kinky means to us fans so yes Stevie you are right in that elite band that we hold in the highest regard, adore and even worship. Top fukin grade son.

 

[Petetheblu]

Okay then seem as everyone is blowing their own trumpet about NOT slagging our very own Superman off pre him actually becoming the super hero, I'd like to add my own two penneth and say "I never slagged our Stephen off either and alway thought he'd be a good player".

I was wrong though he has become a great player, not as good as me on fifa BAP, but a great player never the less.

I would also like to a that I have said on a couple of occassions that Weiss will be the next Messi, if he were playing in the la liga he'd be running it all ready (well nearly anyway).

And while I'm at it Micky Jo will come good.