Stephen Ireland

[Bigga]

If memory serves me correct, a few years back "Daddy Dick" said on FaceFook that football was 'just a job' that he didn't enjoy(before he shut down his open profile).

Perhaps this is bearing fruit openly, now??

 

[zidane]

Being in Birmingham and watching the Villa on a regular basis this just isnt the ireland we saw at City.

Then again playing him as a supportive striker role is never really going to get the best out of him is it?

Talking of being off-loaded in January already but if things arent happening on-the-pitch the right attitude has to be shown off it and I dont think he's got over his City heartbreak?

 

[The Fat el Hombre]

'Football is shit' I think is what it had on his profile. He later said that it was a joke IIRC

 

[york away to this!]

I heard on another thread that Ireland is being bailed out this week - shame the lad has got in to such financial difficulty since his move....

 

[penalty spot]

Not since Sineed O'Conner has someone been Irish, bald and quite as befuddled as Stephen Ireland.

You know that is very witty!! Watched him against Blackburn and he contributes very little,. simple pass all the time His control of the ball is slow ,and positional sense non existant ,though I was never an Ireland is superman fan anyway.

 

[peoffrey]

I was never an Ireland is superman fan anyway.

Not even during the first Hughes season? He was awesome.

 

[Anonymous]

Being in Birmingham and watching the Villa on a regular basis this just isnt the ireland we saw at City.

Then again playing him as a supportive striker role is never really going to get the best out of him is it?

Talking of being off-loaded in January already but if things arent happening on-the-pitch the right attitude has to be shown off it and I dont think he's got over his City heartbreak?

The thing is that, apart from a spell of about 6 months, this is exactly the Ireland we saw at City.

He's nothing more than a decent player who many Blues viewed through tinted specs because of his progression from the academy. He's certainly not shit, but he'll never be great, no matter what. The fact that he obviously has a few problems will probably mean that he won't even reach his true potential of being a good player. I suspect it's all downhill for Stevie from here, which is a shame as for a little while he was one of our favourites.

 

[NQblue]

If I recall correctly Stephen was touted out to Sunderland the season Agent Hughes took charge and it was a considerable surprise that he was retained. However, that was an inspirational season for Stephne and we certainly benefited from his improved form albeit we obviously didn't win anything!! He came away with a gold plated Contract and he hasn't looked forward since.

When he first broke through to the first team I honestly compared him to a young Liam Brady. Yes I know what the feck do I know about young football talent?

 

[Lancet Fluke]

Then again playing him as a supportive striker role is never really going to get the best out of him is it?

I think Houllier needs to ask Ireland which specific ten yard square of the pitch he needs to be deployed in to be able to function properly.

 

[southern muppet]

Reunion with Hughesy in January?

I still think he has something to offer (not us, but in general) - he won't have another season like 08/09 but he's a lot better than he's playing right now.