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Author Topic: Ireland. Has there ever been a less committed player?  (Read 34760 times)

Offline phantom limb

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Re: Ireland. Has there ever been a less committed player?
« Reply #30 on: November 21, 2010, 06:26:23 PM »
He needs to sort his head out, he's a good player but it's clear that Houllier isn't going to stand for any bollocks from him. If Albrighton had been fit I don't think he would have started.

Offline Yossarian

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Re: Ireland. Has there ever been a less committed player?
« Reply #31 on: November 21, 2010, 06:44:12 PM »
Apparently MON didn't rate him either.

Offline PaulTheVillan

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Re: Ireland. Has there ever been a less committed player?
« Reply #32 on: November 21, 2010, 07:09:34 PM »
Mr.Ireland

Shape up, get stuck in, or fuck off.

Thanks.

Offline KevinGage

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Re: Ireland. Has there ever been a less committed player?
« Reply #33 on: November 21, 2010, 07:13:16 PM »
Apparently MON didn't rate him either.

That runs at direct odds with what the General said on here.

Today was a window of opportunity for him, Albrighton's injury gave him a place in the side and it was up to him to do enough to keep it. I seriously doubt today was enough, bar a deepening on the injury crisis we're currently experiencing.

I don't think he went hiding to the extent some are making out. He'll never be a James Milner or even NRC type, buzzing about all over the shop and flying into tackles. He did show to receive a pass at various stages -unlike Sidwell- but didn't have anywhere near enough impact on our approach or pattern of play.

Whether there is stuff going on in the background I'm not sure. GH certainly seems to have doubts about him, that much is clear. I didn't think at the time that criticizing him in print was the way to get the best out of him and I've seen nothing since to deviate from that. But the player himself needs to take responsibility too. Downing was very hit and miss when he came into the side last year but he did contribute a few goals and assists even when he was finding his feet.

Good player, we all know that. But we also knew there were always question marks over his temperament. If he wants to be here and turn it around then fine. He could be a crucial player for us if/when Ash departs. If he doesn't want to be here then get rid, no point carrying players who aren't fully committed.

Personally I'd rather see him stay and will give him the benefit of the doubt but I've felt for a while he could be off, possibly as soon as Jan. Be that as a loan or other. GH's comments at the time sounded pretty damning.

Offline Jimbo

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Re: Ireland. Has there ever been a less committed player?
« Reply #34 on: November 21, 2010, 07:21:16 PM »
Ireland is not the full ha'penny. Not in a Stanley-Victor-manic-depression kind of way, but in a sort of dwarf-in-a-dustbin-biting-the-head-off-a-puffin-doing-the-old-bamboo-while-singing-yes-sir-I-can-boogie kind of way. The bloke's as mad as a quarry full of newts. There will be no getting through to him, no heart-to-hearts, no sit-downs, no wake-up-calls. He doesn't want to be here, he's a fucking loon and we need to get rid, before he turns into an Alsatian called Sharon and plugs his tail into the National Grid. See, now I'm going nuts too. Give him to Small Heath, just get rid.

So what you're saying is that he does not need to be more committed, he just need to be be committed.

There ain't a straight-jacket stiff and strappy enough to hold that twinkle-eyed, slavering screwball fast.

Offline myf

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Re: Ireland. Has there ever been a less committed player?
« Reply #35 on: November 21, 2010, 07:34:26 PM »
Sadly, I think the damage was done with Houlliers comments in the press a couple of weeks ago.  I agreed with what he was saying but can't see why he had to do it through the press.

Ireland strikes me as a stubborn individual who is not arsed about football whatsoever.  Weren't there stories a few years ago about him posting about his dislike of the sport on myspace/facebook?  I think he came with good intentions after being cast out of Eastlands - remember all the stuff about us being a "family club" - but don't see his future here anymore.

Offline taylorsworkrate

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Re: Ireland. Has there ever been a less committed player?
« Reply #36 on: November 21, 2010, 07:40:14 PM »
Dunne has always been an in and out player, even at Man City where his performances were often erratic over a season. In fact his seasons were over all erratic, some good, some bad some awful. Mon got a good one from him, but now he's reverted to type.
Collins has a similar if not as poor a record too, although its generally considered he's more consistent at Villa.
When you consider the consistency of good performances Cahill and Ridgewell give their respective teams, Mon certainly knew how to wheel and deal.
Still unlike true fans he c an just turn hsi back and run away, we are left to suffer under the dross he left.

Didn't Dunne get player of the year at city 4 years in a row?

He's been poor this season so far though.

Offline Salsa Party Animal

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Re: Ireland. Has there ever been a less committed player?
« Reply #37 on: November 21, 2010, 07:43:20 PM »
Think he should work in Acorns for a week or longer to wake up him up and change his outlook.

Offline vilan461

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Re: Ireland. Has there ever been a less committed player?
« Reply #38 on: November 21, 2010, 07:48:41 PM »


I wasn't impressed with Dunn's laughing with an opposition player right at the whistle either.  I'm hoping that Pires (who has the "killer instinct") helps to motivate Ireland who is definitely showing a lack of character IMHO.  I think that we missed Albrighton's hustle and enthusiasm today.
Totally agree,----Dunn laughing and seemingly sharing a joke with David Dunn really p****d me off, i doubt whether any of the travelling fans or indeed any Villa fans found anything to make them laugh after this afternoons abysmal performance,when i played 25yrs+ ago, a laugh was the last thing on my mind after a defeat----then again i played for enjoyment and love for the game----not Lord knows how many amount of£££££££££££££ p.w.----

Offline mozza

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Re: Ireland. Has there ever been a less committed player?
« Reply #39 on: November 21, 2010, 07:53:31 PM »
Steve Hodge is a hero in comparison to this guy (at the moment)

Shape up Mr Ireland or ship out

Online Legion

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Re: Ireland. Has there ever been a less committed player?
« Reply #40 on: November 21, 2010, 07:54:05 PM »
Steve Hodge is a hero in comparison to this guy (at the moment)

Shape up Mr Ireland or ship out

I wouldn't go that far.

Offline lovejoy

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Re: Ireland. Has there ever been a less committed player?
« Reply #41 on: November 21, 2010, 07:59:39 PM »
The latter days Savo was the same.

Offline PaulMcGrathsNo5Shirt

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Re: Ireland. Has there ever been a less committed player?
« Reply #42 on: November 21, 2010, 08:00:24 PM »
I read (i think it was the post match thread) someone call him an oxygen thief.

Sums him up perfectly so far in a Villa shirt. Football creates monsters like him, too much money and don't give a fuck attitude.

Online Legion

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Re: Ireland. Has there ever been a less committed player?
« Reply #43 on: November 21, 2010, 08:01:21 PM »
I read (i think it was the post match thread) someone call him an oxygen thief.

Sums him up perfectly so far in a Villa shirt. Football creates monsters like him, too much money and don't give a fuck attitude.

That was VillaSubmariner.

Offline Salsa Party Animal

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Re: Ireland. Has there ever been a less committed player?
« Reply #44 on: November 21, 2010, 08:01:47 PM »
I am willing to swap my job with Stephen Ireland for a month :) as he would realise how hard it is outside the game.

 


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