Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine

Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: sfx412 on August 20, 2010, 12:06:55 PM

Title: Where will Ireland fit ?
Post by: sfx412 on August 20, 2010, 12:06:55 PM
Ireland in midfield as a direct replacement for Milner ?

I can't see any alternative with the system staying virtually the same, but perhaps increasing the midfield at the expense of a winger would be advisable to cover his suggested weaker defensive abilities.

Title: Re: Where will Ireland fit ?
Post by: jonzy85 on August 20, 2010, 12:21:44 PM
I think people are going a bit overboard on Ireland's supposed defensive 'weaknesses'.

It is true that in his finest season for City he was famous for making those runs into the box and getting on the end of chances to score goals.

However, that tied in with teh system that City had. Ask most City fans and they will rave about his work rate.

I think if he is asked to play in the middle as part of a 2 he would be effective both defensively and in attack.

The flip side to the argument is should we be trying to get the best out of him and thereby deploy him in a more advanced role and play Petrov and NRC as the 2 holding midfielders? This would mean playing just 1 up top, but if we had 2 of Young, DOwning or Albrighton out wide, I still think it would be a dangerous formation.

I'm sure both systems will be tried at different times and that's not even considering the possibilty of any new signings.
Title: Re: Where will Ireland fit ?
Post by: BedsVillain on August 20, 2010, 12:33:10 PM
I think KMac showed he's willing to play 4-2-3-1 so I expect Ireland to play in the middle of the 3, with NRC or a new dynamic midfielder (Flamini/Defour/Witsel??) coming in to provide more cover. I think then Ireland, Ashley and either Downing or Albrighton still have the freedom to switch those advanced positions.

For Sunday if he starts I would imagine we'd go with:

......................Friedel.............................

L.Young......Clark......Dunne......Warnock

................NRC..........Petrov................

Albrighton.......Ireland...........A.Young

........................Carew.........................
Title: Re: Where will Ireland fit ?
Post by: DrGonzo on August 20, 2010, 12:40:34 PM
I'd rather see Ireland playing higher up the pitch than petrov/nrc and behind Young in that free role.  He is a direct replacement for milner, no?  What's the problem with seeing him as that?
Title: Re: Where will Ireland fit ?
Post by: Concrete John on August 20, 2010, 12:43:39 PM
I think KMac showed he's willing to play 4-2-3-1 so I expect Ireland to play in the middle of the 3, with NRC or a new dynamic midfielder (Flamini/Defour/Witsel??) coming in to provide more cover. I think then Ireland, Ashley and either Downing or Albrighton still have the freedom to switch those advanced positions.

For Sunday if he starts I would imagine we'd go with:

......................Friedel.............................

L.Young......Clark......Dunne......Warnock

................NRC..........Petrov................

Albrighton.......Ireland...........A.Young

........................Carew.........................

Whether you call it 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-1-1, that's the team I'd like to see.  If you consider Downing and Gabby on the bench, then we'd have excellent options to change it if something is not working.

However, I'd expect a straight swap of Milner for Ireland in the team we saw against West Ham to see how it works.  If we do lose a bit of defensive rigidity, then we bring NRC in for one of the widemen.
Title: Re: Where will Ireland fit ?
Post by: Darth Villa on August 20, 2010, 12:45:24 PM
I think KMac showed he's willing to play 4-2-3-1 so I expect Ireland to play in the middle of the 3, with NRC or a new dynamic midfielder (Flamini/Defour/Witsel??) coming in to provide more cover. I think then Ireland, Ashley and either Downing or Albrighton still have the freedom to switch those advanced positions.

For Sunday if he starts I would imagine we'd go with:

......................Friedel.............................

L.Young......Clark......Dunne......Warnock

................NRC..........Petrov................

Albrighton.......Ireland...........A.Young

........................Carew.........................

Yep I agree, I just scetched that out on a post it note. That's the line up I'd like to see Sunday.
Title: Re: Where will Ireland fit ?
Post by: lessealey on August 20, 2010, 01:10:52 PM
I would rather go with something more offensive
...................Big Brad
L Young..Clark...Dunne...Warnock
.................Petrov.....................
...........Ireland...Downing...........
Albrighton....................A.Young
.................Gabby....................

I know your going to say that Downing is too light-weight for the centre but I think this will be his best position. I do not think he would be much use in a midfield two but I think he would be good in a three
Title: Re: Where will Ireland fit ?
Post by: Concrete John on August 20, 2010, 01:13:48 PM
I would rather go with something more offensive
...................Big Brad
L Young..Clark...Dunne...Warnock
.................Petrov.....................
...........Ireland...Downing...........
Albrighton....................A.Young
.................Gabby....................

I know your going to say that Downing is too light-weight for the centre but I think this will be his best position. I do not think he would be much use in a midfield two but I think he would be good in a three

The same players in a 4-4-1-1 with Ash behind Gabby or Carew would work better, IMO.
Title: Re: Where will Ireland fit ?
Post by: darren woolley on August 20, 2010, 01:23:32 PM
Yes i would go with 4-4-1-1 i like that system.
Title: Re: Where will Ireland fit ?
Post by: TimTheVillain on August 20, 2010, 03:01:23 PM
I would rather go with something more offensive
...................Big Brad
L Young..Clark...Dunne...Warnock
.................Petrov.....................
...........Ireland...Downing...........
Albrighton....................A.Young
.................Gabby....................


That's what I'd go with if Gabby is fit.
Title: Re: Where will Ireland fit ?
Post by: sfx412 on August 20, 2010, 05:18:27 PM
seems a pity if Gabby is fit to drop our in form winger, but could we fit Ireland, Gabby, Downing, Young and Carew in the same starting 11 ?
Without losing some defensive capability in midfield
Title: Re: Where will Ireland fit ?
Post by: JUAN PABLO on August 20, 2010, 05:19:40 PM
Ashley Young, Marc Albrighton and Stephen Ireland in the same team ..  Cant wait
Title: Re: Where will Ireland fit ?
Post by: Dante Lavelli on August 20, 2010, 05:55:43 PM
I think KMac showed he's willing to play 4-2-3-1 so I expect Ireland to play in the middle of the 3, with NRC or a new dynamic midfielder (Flamini/Defour/Witsel??) coming in to provide more cover. I think then Ireland, Ashley and either Downing or Albrighton still have the freedom to switch those advanced positions.

For Sunday if he starts I would imagine we'd go with:

......................Friedel.............................

L.Young......Clark......Dunne......Warnock

................NRC..........Petrov................

Albrighton.......Ireland...........A.Young

........................Carew.........................

That'd be my team for Newcastle with the aim of improving on NRC in this transfer window.
I'd prefer gabby up front and Cuellar as CB, but I reckon all players would get plenty of time on the pitch to keep them all happy.
Title: Re: Where will Ireland fit ?
Post by: BILL DE VALL on August 20, 2010, 06:00:37 PM
he will play where Ash played last time behind and
linking up with whomsoever is playing stricker that day
or
if you play 2 upfront he will play in central midfield-darting forward or wide to double up on a fullback

Title: Re: Where will Ireland fit ?
Post by: The Man With A Stick on August 20, 2010, 06:03:37 PM
I've a feeling Downing might play Sunday, with Albrighton rested.
Title: Re: Where will Ireland fit ?
Post by: SoccerHQ on August 21, 2010, 07:05:49 PM
I'd start him on the bench.

Albrighton is flying at the minute so wouldn't drop him, he can rest later on in the season.
Downing also played well last week.

Long term, I agree with Merse for once today. Ireland won't be effective in a central two, he
should play as the most advanced central midfield of the three ina 4-2-3-1 with Young left and
one of Albrighton/Downing depending on who's fit/in form.
Title: Re: Where will Ireland fit ?
Post by: cdbearsfan on August 21, 2010, 07:15:01 PM
I would leave it where it is next to Britain. It fits fine, the whole Atlantic Ocean is on the left.
Title: Re: Where will Ireland fit ?
Post by: ronshirt on August 21, 2010, 08:08:42 PM
I think Ireland will 'fit' into midfield. Unless he 'suffers' some kind of mental breakdown and 'decides' to 'cook' cocaine rocks in 'Handsworth'.
Title: Re: Where will Ireland fit ?
Post by: DaveD on August 22, 2010, 10:09:10 AM
I'd like to see us start with a straight swap Ireland for Milner on last weekend's side. With NRC ready for action if we get swamped and have to sacrifice one of Downing or Albrighton.
Title: Re: Where will Ireland fit ?
Post by: nechells on August 22, 2010, 10:43:48 AM
I don't know enough about Ireland to state where he should play.From what I've seen of him,I thought he was very much an attacking midfielder in the mould of Youngs role last week.If this is the case,he is not a direct replacement for Milner.I would also like to see Young given a run in a more central position,especialy after last weeks performance & I worry that potentialy,our two best players could be competing for the same position.

Long term,I would hope that Ireland comes in at the expense of either NRC or Downing-Or even Albrighton who will need to be rested at times.To omit one of these players today would be very damaging,especialy after KM has said that everyone will get a chance.

I'd start with Ireland on the bench today & take it from there.
Title: Re: Where will Ireland fit ?
Post by: garyfouroaks on August 22, 2010, 02:49:17 PM
I wonder if his grandmothers will be coming over to see his debut?  ;D
Title: Re: Where will Ireland fit ?
Post by: Toronto Villa on August 22, 2010, 03:43:36 PM
Stephen won't ever forget this debut will he? Fuck me.
Title: Re: Where will Ireland fit ?
Post by: Karl Bridges on August 22, 2010, 03:55:33 PM
Happy birthday indeed.
Title: Re: Where will Ireland fit ?
Post by: BannedUserIAT on August 22, 2010, 03:58:13 PM
I would leave it where it is next to Britain. It fits fine, the whole Atlantic Ocean is on the left.

Clappy thing.
Title: Re: Where will Ireland fit ?
Post by: Can Gana Be Bettered!?!? on August 22, 2010, 04:00:08 PM
Hopefully not alongside Petrov (i.e. Petrov should not be playing for Villa). Nobody that slow should ever make the team.

NRC to play alongside him.
Title: Re: Where will Ireland fit ?
Post by: Phil from the upper holte on August 22, 2010, 04:01:57 PM
What a shit birthday for the lad

he needs to play in a midfield 3 in my opinion. A debut to forget for the lad, Im sorry but in my opinion we missed Milner.
Ps when is this site going to stop doin this?

 
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Title: Re: Where will Ireland fit ?
Post by: barrysleftfoot on August 22, 2010, 04:03:44 PM

  After watching todays game, only Ireland and Ashley , for mr showed any desire, but Ireland needs to play in a 3 man attacking midfield.


                         Friedel
Beye/new signing    Collins,     Dunne/Cuellar    Warnock/new signing

     Petrov/New signing        Delph/Warnock

Ashley               Ireland                New signing

           Gabby/Delf

Title: Re: Where will Ireland fit ?
Post by: sfx412 on August 22, 2010, 04:08:47 PM
Not sure we can make too much of that performance, in glimpses he looked decent but mostly the game seemed to be passing him by and with a midfield of Barton and Smith to contend with who can blame him.
Poorly set up team with no plan A let alone a plan B, but he's no Milner, so why play him as.
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