Stephen Ireland.....

[FantasyIreland]

Irelands 'fresh start'

Stephen Ireland has his sights on rebuilding his Aston Villa career under new manager Alex McLeish and becoming "an important player" for the midlands club.

The midfielder came to Villa last summer as part of the deal which saw James Milner head in the opposite direction to Manchester City.

But he was urged by then manager Gerard Houllier to "work harder" and was eventually loaned out to Newcastle for the second half of the campaign.

Now Ireland just wants to be judged on his performances and to play a full part under McLeish, who has said the slate is "wiped clean" for every player.

Ireland said: "All pre-season I'm going to work really hard to try and get in the new gaffer's plans. Hopefully I can stay there.

"I had a brief chat with him and he seemed really nice and determined and it seems as if he's going to be a good manager for the players and the club going forward.

"Right now I'm in a good place. I'm feeling really good and really determined. I've got a very good feeling about this year, not just for myself but the team and the fans and I want to do well for them.

"I set goals for myself. Obviously I want to build up a good relationship with the fans. I want to try and get in the team and play the best that I can.

"I just want a good run really, I need that because I've not really had a good run in the last couple of seasons. It's a shame but I can't let that bother me.

"I've just got to keep working hard to try and get my form and my sharpness back.

"It might take four or five games at the start of the season to get that back, but hopefully as soon as I do I can look forward and not look back."

Ireland is pleased to have the chance to finally try and make an impact at Villa.

He said: "You have to start with a fresh new slate now. It didn't go off with a bang like I wanted it to when I first signed here. I just want to be given the opportunity to play.

"Last year I felt in training I had done enough to get that chance to play but it didn't happen for me for whatever reason.

"I just want to be treated normally when it comes to training and performance and team selection, and if I'm working hard enough I'd like to know that I've got a clear shot at playing."

Ireland also insists he has no problem with the city of Birmingham after an interview last season indicated he was unhappy to relocate to the area from Manchester.

He said: "I just said if I was only training a few days a week, and not playing, then there wasn't really much point moving my family down here and taking my three kids out of school to Birmingham when I wasn't even making the squads.

"It was pointless moving house and not even being part of things at the weekend. I think anybody in my shoes wouldn't have moved down.

"Then January comes and I go to Newcastle, so am I supposed to move my family up to Newcastle - and then back to Manchester, do you know what I mean?

"I've not got any problem with Birmingham and I'll be moving into the area for this season."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

When/If his head is right we all know how good he can be,Villa just might have a special player this coming season.....

 

[beast]

Re: Irelands 'fresh start'

Good luck to him

 

[charliebigspuds]

Re: Irelands 'fresh start'

I don't think he has the mentality to succeed on a constant basis, a shame really because he has the ability to succeed and become a very very good premier league player, he should have the same sort of impact on games as Silva does for us BUT he needs to sort his head out.

 

[BlueMo']

Re: Irelands 'fresh start'

I hope it works out for him.
He has my best wishes.

 

[Bill]

Re: Irelands 'fresh start'

he's a loon for sure but the lad can play, with the loss of players sold stevie will get a run of games now.
good luck to him.

 

[Cellarite]

Re: Irelands 'fresh start'

well that's sorted, let's buy him back.

 

[MCFC 4 EVER]

Re: Irelands 'fresh start'

I loved him when he was with us, I still respected him when he joined aston villa but the day he sold his story to the wail and slagged us off (As he did with Newcastle and Aston Villa) he lost my respect

 

[Cityfan]

Re: Irelands 'fresh start'

Taented footballer but a bit of a sad character, this is a quote you hear from him every few months, it's just the managers name that changes.
He needs to look to himself if he is going to realise the talent that he has.
I actually hope he does because he plays good football when his head is in the right place.

 

[TCIB]

Re: Irelands 'fresh start'

Morning BM'rs,

This relates to the chap who started the thread about wages yesterday.

I reckon all contracts could have a workable clause built in that would look something like this...

"I agree that if decided by the manager, and all first team coaches, medical staff and the chairman beleive i have not given a minimum amount of effort in regarding training and and match play. My contract can have this clause activated if all the above parties agree.

Clause: My Clause will consist of my contracted wages being switched to performance based pay, and will be reduced to x if the managerial and medical team agree i am not doing x, x and x..."

Before you say it's unenforceable, i agree it could get murky but i reckon most management and training staff are themselves ex footballers who are held with the utmost respect and most players would see no issue signing with said clause in their contracts.

Ok its a bit rough as a first draft, but it would put a rocket up the arse of some players, and it seems stevie ireland is one of them.

Would such an idea be workable do you think ?

 

[Shadz69]

Re: Irelands 'fresh start'

Great player on the back pages not so good on the pitch.Constantly slagging managers off is a bad trait for a footballer.I hope it goes well for him because its his last chance to earn a move back to a big club I feel.He has the ability but the mentality?