Ireland: No Mancini grudge

[spamalot]

fair play Stevie for the balanced comments.

when he linked with Robinho he did look the business

 

[Wretched Vengeance]

Good little read.

Hope he knuckles down, play's well and get's a new contract.

However, tomorrow I hope he play's like a one legged man in an arse kicking contest......or something like that.

 

[lindy64]

To be fair to Ireland, thats a really good article and a true reflection of his position at City and his career in general.
He accepts that he isnt a top 4 player but appears to have found a bit of form for Villa and apart from tomorrow, I wish him well and there are a lot worse players in his position than him.
Its true he had one great season for us and apart from that didnt achieve what he promised.
His attitude in the past has annoyed people and thats understandable but anybody who says good things about us cant be that bad.

 

[sir baconface]

Good on him. He and Robinho together were great that season and - as a bonus - earned me loads of fantasy league points. It surprised me how much he faded.

A nice change from some of the pumped up twats who often grab the headlines. Good luck mate.

 

[kunaguero10]

Fair comments from Stevie Ireland, he only had the one decent season for city linking up well with Robinho…. Think he gets a bit more stick from the press than he deserves IMO… Hope we beat Villa tomorrow


<a class="postlink" href="http://www.teamtalk.com/manchester-city/8251151/Aston-Villa-s-Stephen-Ireland-says-he-has-no-issue-with-Roberto-Mancini" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.teamtalk.com/manchester-city ... to-Mancini</a>

Aston Villa midfielder Stephen Ireland insists there are no hard feelings between him and Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini as he prepares to go up against his old club.

Ireland will travel with Villa to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday to take on the reigning Premier League champions after departing the club two years ago.

At the time of his exit the midfielder launched a heated attack on Mancini, accusing the manager of not having a relationship with his players and suggesting a lack of loyalty at the club.

But while the 26-year-old does not believe he would have been given opportunities had he remained part of Mancini's star-studded squad, he bears the Italian no grudges.

"If I had stayed there, I wouldn't have been involved anyway. They have so much quality there was no way I was getting in that team," Ireland told the Daily Mirror.

The midfielder, who came through the youth ranks at City, added: "I live in the same area as him. I bump into him occasionally and we have a chat.

"It's completely fine. I understand it was a football decision. It was the right time for me to leave.

"He has to be (the right man for City). He has won them the league and they are still unbeaten in the Premier League so it's not like he has done really bad.

"I think Mancini has done a great job, and I can't see that changing."


No envy


Ireland's former club have secured Premier League and FA Cup success since his departure but the midfielder insists he feels no jealousy.

He said: "I have no envy whatsoever. I was just delighted for friends of mine like Micah Richards, Vincent Kompany and Joe Hart.

"They've worked hard, for years they have talked about it, so I was thrilled for them."

Ireland is out of contract at Villa in summer 2014 and is hoping the club will offer him a new deal when the time is right.

He added: "I still have 18 months on my contract left. I'm hoping my performances will get me a sit down.

"We haven't had any sit down or chat yet but it's obviously - understandable as it's still early days."

And there lies the reason he'll never make it at a top club, mentally weak, which is such a shame with all the talent at his disposal.

i interpreted that as him lacking self belief if anything, or possibly him saying that to deliberately appear modest...

either way its bollocks, the year he won our POTY he was outstanding and would easily get into our team, considering how easily nasri gets in (plus all the rotation that mancini implements, and we're not exactly blessed in the midfield department at this moment in time)

 

[johnny crossan]

I don't think it's reciprocated.

 

[baildon blue]

I dont mind Ireland he was quite a good player for us.

 

[Eccles Blue]

Crikey, the lad is praising our team, saying we are top quality and being realistic about himself and STILL some people can't give him respect!!

Let's face it Stevie was a good player for us when we had a good team but now we have an excellent team he realises that he is not quite good enough. Give him some due for knowing his limitations lads.

It's like me saying that I know that I can't climb Scafell Pike any more. I used to be able to do it, but now I know my limitations and can't.

You do realise that you are on BlueMoa, sorry BlueMoon, don't you?

Whoops I completely forgot. :-)

I really wish Dunnie was playing tomorrow. Shame that he has been out for so long. And no Shay Given either. I may stay at home.................






Is that moany enough?? ;-)

 

[Andouble]

I don't think I've seen him play football in a year. Has he featured this season?

 

[Eccles Blue]

According to my friend who has a Villa ST he played very well last week. Not sure if he played for the whole match but she reckons he is getting back to his best playing style.