Stephen Ireland wasn't in and out of the side a couple of seasons back for nothing ...... it was because he was inconsistent!
The talent was clearly there , so was the vision ...... but he wasn't using it to its best effect ....... and if he was criticised it was because people that watched him reguarly KNEW he was capable of so much more.
He wasn't being true to himself , even though he reckoned he was working hard ...... and he really knows it too because he decided to start doing extra training to improve both his stamina , and his game in general ..... something he clearly admits now.
He may well have got a bit of a shock after reading comments on this forum , but he couldn't honestly have been truly happy with his form at that time ...... or else he would have been the first name on the teamsheet each week , and he wasn't!
If this forum made him take a long hard look at himself then it's to his benefit , because barring the last couple of games , when he's allegedly been carryng an injury , we have seen a vastly improved player ...... and i'm sure he'd be the first to admit it now too ....... Stephen Ireland is capable of reaching the very top of his profession , and maybe he will ....... but a few seasons back he was only kidding himself , yet he was far from kidding 'Bluemooners'!