Ireland - City til he dies?

[jimharri]

If these reports turn Stevie's head (repeat, if), I don't know what more the club can do. Like Portsmouth with Defoe, is there any point keeping an unhappy player? I'm not saying that Stevie wants to go; as someone has already said, Stevie has said he wants to stay with us for the rest of his career. But put yourself in his shoes; would you stay at a club who may become a force in x years' time, or go to a club like Dipperpool who are challenging for the title now? As for contracts, we all know that if a player (or manager) wants to move on, they will. Just as if the club wants to sell or sack said player or manager, they will.

 

[eato]

Superman has already said that MH is the best manager he has worked under. Take that how you will

 

[DAGW]

About an hour ago on the transfer forum I said it wasn't definite that the Arsenal rumour about Stephen was true, however I can now confirm that it is and i'll also throw into the ring that Liverpool have also enquired (that much I knew 2 weeks ago) and will outbid Arsenal if it went to a bidding war.

Stephen is obviously flattered that two big clubs are interested in him but reiterates that he wants to stay here for the rest of his career, infact City til I die were the words he used.

What City need to do is get there act together and nail Stephen down to this club for the long term future, give him the contract his performances warrant, we're talking about our player of the season here not a fucking squad player or a kid coming through. He's City for life, he's worked his bollocks off to improve himself and its not gone unnoticed by two of the Premierships biggest clubs so its about fucking time City did something about it.

Over to you Blues....

Hmmm, you angling to be his agent....;- )

Stevie has been IMMENSE so far this season...but why give him a new contract right now. Let him continue his form until the end of the season, then sit down with him and reward him for an excellent season...

Your head would say he'll take the extra cash and sit on his haunches and get lazy but you know in your heart he'll just play harder and harder. He's that type of player just like sweep.

So give him his reward.

 

[Ric]

It's absurd that other academy graduates like Johnson, Richards and Sturridge (if he signs his contract) earn considerably more than Ireland. He's been in the first team squad longer and is clearly a better player than any of them. He wants to stay at the club and money is no object to the new owners, so he should be tied down to a more lucrative contract that his performances merit. Sort it out City.

 

[Blue2112]

In fact Josh...you MUST know a little more about the dressing morale, feelings towards Hughes etc....care to enlighten us or have you been sworn to secrecy...?

I have to be very careful, I'm sat here most days biting my lips and have decided to post as little as possible thee days to avoid questions, suffice to say there's a fair bit of truth in most of the shit typed on this board and for that reason alone as much as I don't want Hughes for my obvious reasons I tend to feel he needs to be given time, that said there's an awful lot I find myself scratching my head at.

 

[borassic]

Blue2112- Sorry mate not in ITK about who is ITK on here! Cheers for the good news but how did you find out mate?

 

[Anonymous]

It's absurd that other academy graduates like Johnson, Richards and Sturridge (if he signs his contract) earn considerably more than Ireland. He's been in the first team squad longer and is clearly a better player than any of them. He wants to stay at the club and money is no object to the new owners, so he should be tied down to a more lucrative contract that his performances merit. Sort it out City.

Ahh, I didn't realize that...I thought he was already on a par with the likes of Richards and Johnson...in that case...City....get him a fucking contract!

 

[citoeast]

Ireland is the model for the future City, I hope he is our next big signing (Long-term improved contract; same as Robinho). If we let him go we would be buying him back for £60m+ in a few years time. Backing Superman with a mega contract would also send out the right signal to our Academy stars.

For mosts the other players Hughes should demand their total loyalty or their transfer request, and if they piss around then publically humiliate them by announcing their availability for transfer. Time to sort the bad apples (rotten eggs better term) out once and for all. Send a clear message: dont pi** me off or you the players will pay the price.

 

[Blue2112]

Cheers fella. One thing... why does he want to stay? Is it love of the club, the fans or the manager? Or a combination of all three? Genuinely interested to know as if it's MH then as a 'Hughes outer' I'd have to re-evaluate how I feel about him.

He's been here all his playing career, genuinely loves the club and his family are settled, I think thats coming to the fore in his playing at present. Ive lost count of the times he's said to me "I feel sorry for our fans" the lad is a genuine as they come.

 

[masterwig]

It's absurd that other academy graduates like Johnson, Richards and Sturridge (if he signs his contract) earn considerably more than Ireland.

Is that true?

Ireland deserves a wage rise.