Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: timeoutbigbar on June 23, 2011, 12:54:08 AM
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After a brief wander through the old pages couldn't see anything similar so thought i'd post this to see what most people think. What he said is pretty poor (to say the least), but we all know he has ability. It infuriates me that he could be so useful playing off Bent and linking up the attacking play, yet doesn't seem to be interested. A clean slate offered by AM it seems, but are you prepared to give him a go?
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I'm going for yes.
Even more controversially I would give him a second chance ahead of Warnock and Beye. Simply because he is a good player unlike them.
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no for me. too much of a dickhead. Mcliesh is going to need all the help he can get and if you were manager would you trust him to buckle down, not complain to the press if you're subbed and generally act as though he's part of a team?
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Just can't help but think we could save ourselves 8-9m that we may spend on Adam if he actually started trying.
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I'm going to vote yes with reservation. I've thrown the manager a "let's give him a chance" card, and I'm going to do it with the likes of Ireland and Warnock because quite frankly they are very good players when motivated to be. McLeish might privately use the "us against them" or "let's prove them all wrong" card for himself and a few of the outcast players. You never know it might work. So a hesitant yes.
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Use him for the first part of the campaign. Tell him he needs to start playing again to get noticed and raise his stock for potential clubs to interested and want to pay his high wages, because he probably does want out. Once his helped us achieve top four at Christmas (with our easier than second half to the season according to some other poster on here) then we sell him before he goes off the rails again and he is then someone else's problem.
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A very, very tentative yes. There's talent there, no doubt. Can it be harnessed without disrupting the team? Dunno.
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I want to see what Ireland, Warnock and, ok, Beye can do and if anybody can get them to pull their socks up then McL is The Man. If he can't do it, nobody can.
Three - 3!!!...Managers later, this is the crunch. Go for it, Alex!
If not, then we don't sell them. No. We put them in the stocks outside VP and hurl random vegetables and handfuls of unthinkably, unbelieveably, outrageously stinking ordure at them until they are wilting under the pressure of tons of recycleable organic matter. Because they wouldn't play for the Villa.
That's what I'd do.
(Mediaeval or what?! )
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One chance, then that's it. On form he's a £10 million player, if it doesn't work out we'd be lucky to get anything for him. We have to take the gamble.
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If not, then we don't sell them. No. We put them in the stocks outside VP and hurl random vegetables and handfuls of unthinkably, unbelieveably, outrageously stinking ordure
(Mediaeval or what?! )
How about Mable, Dave Cooper's wank sock ?
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Oi! Leave Mabel out of this she's mine.
I have some soiled underwear you can borrow.
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Fits the bill. As long as they suffer...!
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Oi! Leave Mabel out of this she's mine.
I have some soiled underwear you can borrow.
Ha! Ha!
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He's such a twat i wish he would just knuckle down and get back to his football. It's been over 2 years maybe 3 since he's done anything good on the pitch! Does anyone remember his debut for us, one of the worse i've ever seen.
Some needs to explain the situation to him loud and clear or let the fecker rot in the stiffs all season he's already so far proved himself to be a waste of money!
How much should we accept to move him on is the question though.
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One chance, then that's it. On form he's a £10 million player, if it doesn't work out we'd be lucky to get anything for him. We have to take the gamble.
Yes...one chance. He's a very talented player. Looking forward to what he can do to improve the midfield and contribute to the attacking potential of the team. Really looking forward..without a lot of hope.
OK he succeeds.
Otherwise, ...the stocks. WHY?
Because we've had enough of him going up north for millions and getting caught in a nightclub incident photo sting, then not playing...
If my granny was playing she would not be substituted by this guy, because she would be so much better!
I really want him to prove me wrong.
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Time to step up. I hope he does.
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One chance, then that's it. On form he's a £10 million player, if it doesn't work out we'd be lucky to get anything for him. We have to take the gamble.
Agreed - one chance only.
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Yes (provided he's prepared to work hard for McLeish). He's our best player now that Ashley's on his way. Being a nice club is getting us nowhere.
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I said no but I hope he proves me wrong.
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what about another position on the poll.
' yes- aka god help us...'
'Ok - until he turns out to be a total idiot' - or stronger. (I'd go for that.)
'No - unless AMcL can convince me otherwise'
'No - stick him in the stocks and hurl random vegetables at him'
Much more representative of the posts so far.
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after looking at a few video's of himtoday i say give him one more go, if he acts like a dickhead again get rid!
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Yes with reservations. Could potentially save us a fair wad if he can knuckle down and play football but on the other hand could be a really disruptive influence in the dressing room.
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Yes I will give him one more chance if can get back to how he was when he had that very good season at Man City then I will be pleased if he don't then feck him off.
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No.
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With Ashley out of the picture I think it may just work this time around, last season both of them were jockying for that 'In the hole' role and I got the impression that Ashley didn't like Ireland. Wouldn't pass to him and I'm pretty sure after 1 game I saw Ireland asking Ash "What the fuck? Why won't you pass to me?"
The Simple fact is, We can't afford not to try again.
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No.
He might initially make all the right noises, but the moment he gets subbed or there is a problem with training, he'll get his arse in his hand.
He never really wanted to be here anyway.
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Yes, he's a player I've always rated & was chuffed when he came as part of the Milner deal.
Hopefully McLeish can show some belief in him, get him back to his best.
I think he needs the right players along side him in central midfield. Maybe it would work if he had Delph and NRC a bit deeper, doing the dirty work.
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We really don't have any choice do we? It will end in tears though.
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The game against Chelsea at home when he was put clean through and dragged the shot wide - if that had of gone in then i think his career with us would have been so different
One last chance as i know there is a good player in there
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He never really wanted to be here anyway.
Yes. But hopefully he will now realise he is running out of options. Nobody else is clamouring for him. If he does not knuckle down here, the next stop is Preston or barnsley.
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Yep, fresh start for everyone
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I'm prepared to give McLeish a go because he is in unknown territory but as for Ireland, well I've never seen a leopard change its spots.
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Yes. He doesn't deserve it mind, it's just the stupid world of football that he actually has a job at all. The talent has always been unquestionable and if he has his head right, we could be in for a surprise. A very big if though.
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We have no choice to not give him a clean slate. He's cost a lot of money already and is on a long contract. We have to get him on board and playing, even if only to put him in the shop window.
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No way in a million years
We pay him something like 60K
He takes the piss continually
Doesnt look remotely interested
He says how much he hated Birmingham and wasnt made to feel welcome
Then on the night before our biggest game of the season he is poorly and cant play but can go out on the piss in Manchester
Give him another chance?
Unbelievable
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Certainly give him another chance. If we can get him back to his form of three years ago for City we'll have an excellent player on our hands.
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Yes, try and rehabilitate him if nothing else to put him in the shop window and maybe get someone else interested in him for a decent price. At the moment we probably couldn't give him away.
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We have to at least pretend to give him another chance if only to try to get some other mugs to buy him.
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We have to at least pretend to give him another chance if only to try to get some other mugs to buy him.
No, we have to give him a chance full stop. If it's a clean slate for McLeish, it has to be for everybody. You never know, Ireland may respond well, and then we'll have a cracking player on our hands. It may well be that we end up with a crackpot player on our hands again, but we have to try.
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Trouble is will he give Villa another chance? Doesn't see the type to come back with his tail between his legs. GH seemed to move him out pretty fast and i'm guessing that wasn't just because he didn't rate him, more the effect he was having on the dressing room.
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Trouble is will he give Villa another chance? Doesn't see the type to come back with his tail between his legs.
If he doesn't, he may find his football career is effectively over.
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Trouble is will he give Villa another chance? Doesn't see the type to come back with his tail between his legs.
If he doesn't, he may find his football career is effectively over.
Aye but does he care? All mirrors SVC a bit too much for my liking. Deffo got some mental problems
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Definitely not. He is a loose canon and a two-faced disruptive influence. What he said about Brum was unforgivable. Would swap him for Joey Barton though!
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The chance we give him will be his 6 weeks training before the season kicks off. If he shows willing, determination and the ability we know he has then we put him in the team.
It's too simplistic too say he he's had his chances so he doesn't deserve another one. £8Million is a lot of money to disregard.
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We have to at least pretend to give him another chance if only to try to get some other mugs to buy him.
No, we have to give him a chance full stop. If it's a clean slate for McLeish, it has to be for everybody. You never know, Ireland may respond well, and then we'll have a cracking player on our hands. It may well be that we end up with a crackpot player on our hands again, but we have to try.
He's a twat, always has been and always will be. If we're lucky we'll get £500k for him from Leicester.
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We're paying him a shedload of money so I'm in the 'he's-a-complete-knobhead-who's-taken-the-piss-out-of-us-but-everyone-gets-a-clean-slate-and-one-last-chance' camp. The only danger is that while we're giving him that last chance we'll miss out on the opportunity of signing someone like Adam
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Yes ...
He has masses of talent , AMc could actually get the best our if him.
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Trouble is will he give Villa another chance? Doesn't see the type to come back with his tail between his legs. GH seemed to move him out pretty fast and i'm guessing that wasn't just because he didn't rate him, more the effect he was having on the dressing room.
That's my worry too Greg
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Problem in a nutshell he doesn't want to be at Villa, if he had come with the right attitude it could have worked out but he really didn't want to leave City he was told he was going. If we had s dominant captain to keep him in order but for me no, he has burned too many bridges and he will never be one of us.
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No way in a million years
We pay him something like 60K
Surely the 60K per week we pay him is the reason we should give him another chance. We will continue to pay this for the foreseeable future unless we find some team daft enough to buy him, better he at least earns some of it?
And you never know, he might just find the form that saw him command that type of fee in the first place.
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He has great ability, he just needs to get mentally straight. I believe AM can get the best out of him.
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I said no this time last year.
I said no after his first "performance".
I said no when people wanted to give him another chance last season.
I'm saying no this time.
I'm sick of saying no.
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I said no this time last year.
I said no after his first "performance".
I said no when people wanted to give him another chance last season.
I'm saying no this time.
I'm sick of saying no.
What are you trying to say Nev?
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If we can give McLeish a fair shot then we can surely afford Ireland an opportunity.I couldn't care less what he thinks of the City or even the county.I couldn't care less if he is a complete bell end.If he gets a chance and performs to the level he has shown in the past then he'll be adored.Then no doubt he'll kiss the badge before setting off for a Sky 4 team and the local bedsheet vendor will once again make a mint as Villa Park is adorned in 'Ireland is a wanker' banners.The fact Houllier wanted him out the club has no relevance now.Kermit has gone and anything that went on during his tenure should be pushed well away.
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Clean slate yes, but Ireland's got to hit the ground running in pre-season and convince McLeish he's worth keeping and playing. The manager will have him pegged as a player with a big question mark against him so he'll soon suss if he's not up for it.
If Ireland doesn't show the attitude and effort required in pre-season training and matches, I can't see him starting the season in a Villa shirt.
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It up to the manager to work out whether these wasters are going to be worth it or not, and fast. I would say that if he's still here 1.9.11 and in the 18 squad for matches then he gets my support. If he's not up to it McLeish will have chucked him out anyway so it's irrelevant. More to the point, i back McLeish to sort out the good from the bad, as thats one area i think he'll come good.
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What i will say for McLeish is that he's already showing the club and most importantly the fans more respect than Houllier ever did.Whatever Ireland the man is, he's got undoubted talent and needs a good man manager.With the figures being bandied around this summer we've got a potential £15-£20 million man at the club.I think it would be churlish to dismiss the notion of him getting an opportunity.
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What i will say for McLeish is that he's already showing the club and most importantly the fans more respect than Houllier ever did.Whatever Ireland the man is, he's got undoubted talent and needs a good man manager.With the figures being bandied around this summer we've got a potential £15-£20 million man at the club.I think it would be churlish to dismiss the notion of him getting an opportunity.
Agreed give him another chance till Jan transfer window I say. If it dont work out we have Banann and Delph who can both play there and will be eager to show him how to grab a lifeline, when offered.
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Fuck him off, on a free transfer if necessary not only because he's a thick ManC loving loony chav.
He does NOT care about Villa or any of us. He does not deserve anyone's support, he had his chance and was awful.
Let's be honest here, ManC got rid because he wasn't good enough. He left because he got a shed load of money off ManC and we still paid his stupid wages, put no effort in when he was given the chance then left for Newcastle talking up how much he loved it up there and his dislike for Birmingham blah blah and hardly played a game for them because kept get injuries.
And some of you want the waste of space given another chance!! Unless you are trying to get Mcleish out then I understand otherwise it doesn't "compute"
That's a big NO from me :-)
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Can we sit him next to the pitch in a gunge tank and every time we score, he gets gunged?
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I always thought he looked a class act at Citeh but he hasn't done anything in last two seasons maybe.
Don't know what it is with him but if he can screw the nut he could be a great asset.
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Fuck him off, on a free transfer if necessary not only because he's a thick ManC loving loony chav.
He does NOT care about Villa or any of us. He does not deserve anyone's support, he had his chance and was awful.
Let's be honest here, ManC got rid because he wasn't good enough. He left because he got a shed load of money off ManC and we still paid his stupid wages, put no effort in when he was given the chance then left for Newcastle talking up how much he loved it up there and his dislike for Birmingham blah blah and hardly played a game for them because kept get injuries.
And some of you want the waste of space given another chance!! Unless you are trying to get Mcleish out then I understand otherwise it doesn't "compute"
That's a big NO from me :-)
How many of the players actually care about the club they are employed by? Lets face it Barry gets pelters after over 400 games and 11 yrs with us,Bent was adored by the Mackems until we made him an offer he couldn't refuse and if he leaves us in 12 months he'll be branded a Judas bastard by the fans who love him at the moment.We the fans care about the club.All I expect of the players is they give 100% whilst they are employed by the club.Football is littered with players who've flopped at one club only to become a terrace darling at the next and the same goes for players who've not shone under one manager only to excel under the next.if we only selected players based on their affection for the club then we'd struggle to muster a 5 a side team.
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We have to at least pretend to give him another chance if only to try to get some other mugs to buy him.
No, we have to give him a chance full stop. If it's a clean slate for McLeish, it has to be for everybody. You never know, Ireland may respond well, and then we'll have a cracking player on our hands. It may well be that we end up with a crackpot player on our hands again, but we have to try.
I sense a case of double standards here. What trouble did Ireland ever cause for Man City while he was there? Other than a penchant for tasteless cars and the granny stuff (which was for his country and not club in any case) I don't remember hearing any stories that would give rise to that view.
He's a twat, always has been and always will be. If we're lucky we'll get £500k for him from Leicester.
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I've voted 'yes' because I'm hoping he'll realise he is not drinking in last chance saloon. Who is going to want him if he f*cks up again? Nobody.
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Can we sit him next to the pitch in a gunge tank and every time we score, he gets gunged?
To be fair, that's probably the best solution to the Stephen Ireland conundrum yet. I like it.
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Fuck him off, on a free transfer if necessary not only because he's a thick ManC loving loony chav.
He does NOT care about Villa or any of us. He does not deserve anyone's support, he had his chance and was awful.
Let's be honest here, ManC got rid because he wasn't good enough. He left because he got a shed load of money off ManC and we still paid his stupid wages, put no effort in when he was given the chance then left for Newcastle talking up how much he loved it up there and his dislike for Birmingham blah blah and hardly played a game for them because kept get injuries.
And some of you want the waste of space given another chance!! Unless you are trying to get Mcleish out then I understand otherwise it doesn't "compute"
That's a big NO from me :-)
How many of the players actually care about the club they are employed by? Lets face it Barry gets pelters after over 400 games and 11 yrs with us,Bent was adored by the Mackems until we made him an offer he couldn't refuse and if he leaves us in 12 months he'll be branded a Judas bastard by the fans who love him at the moment.We the fans care about the club.All I expect of the players is they give 100% whilst they are employed by the club.Football is littered with players who've flopped at one club only to become a terrace darling at the next and the same goes for players who've not shone under one manager only to excel under the next.if we only selected players based on their affection for the club then we'd struggle to muster a 5 a side team.
As Miles Hunt would say "No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, noooo".
There may well be plenty of players at Villa who don't particularly care, but this twat has been outwardly disrespectful to the club, the fans and the city of Birmingham as a whole. I do not like the idea of him representing our club at any level.
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his attitude in pre season will tell everything. Will be a player that drives us up the table and who McLeish builds the side around or else he will be playing non league in a few years. If it goes well McLeish will point to Ireland and say look I've got him playing like he can but if Ireland turns up with his head up his arse like he did at Villa last summer, there is nothing McLeish or anyone can do but to cut our losses.
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For me, yes. He's a fine talent and is more than capable of filling the hole left by Ash.
If we can get him anywhere near the form he shown that season at Citeh and get him linking up with Bent we'll have a cracking front pair.
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Let's just remember that in modern football, the player ALWAYS has the upper hand.
If he still has no intetrest in playing for Villa, he'll whinge during training and be a bad influence.
Result - A nice hefty signing on fee as he moves to another Premier club.
There is always another Premier club around the corner, willing to give dolts like Ireland another go.
And it will be yet another example of how Premiership football rewards failure.
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No effing way. I'm Irish and everybody here knows this guy is a complete and utter waste of space and oxygen. Just get rid and reinvest whatever we get back for him.
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Fuck him off, on a free transfer if necessary not only because he's a thick ManC loving loony chav.
He does NOT care about Villa or any of us. He does not deserve anyone's support, he had his chance and was awful.
Let's be honest here, ManC got rid because he wasn't good enough. He left because he got a shed load of money off ManC and we still paid his stupid wages, put no effort in when he was given the chance then left for Newcastle talking up how much he loved it up there and his dislike for Birmingham blah blah and hardly played a game for them because kept get injuries.
And some of you want the waste of space given another chance!! Unless you are trying to get Mcleish out then I understand otherwise it doesn't "compute"
That's a big NO from me :-)
How many of the players actually care about the club they are employed by? Lets face it Barry gets pelters after over 400 games and 11 yrs with us,Bent was adored by the Mackems until we made him an offer he couldn't refuse and if he leaves us in 12 months he'll be branded a Judas bastard by the fans who love him at the moment.We the fans care about the club.All I expect of the players is they give 100% whilst they are employed by the club.Football is littered with players who've flopped at one club only to become a terrace darling at the next and the same goes for players who've not shone under one manager only to excel under the next.if we only selected players based on their affection for the club then we'd struggle to muster a 5 a side team.
As Miles Hunt would say "No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, noooo".
There may well be plenty of players at Villa who don't particularly care, but this twat has been outwardly disrespectful to the club, the fans and the city of Birmingham as a whole. I do not like the idea of him representing our club at any level.
Exactly
Fuck we we have spunked a load of money on transfers and stupid wages to we shoud take the hit and fuck him off. Although we did know he was a snidey little fucker BEFORE case in point his Nan's numerous deaths.
Sometimes you have to have some pride and dignity
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I don't care how talented he is. He's trouble and can feck right off.
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Trick him into breaking into The Situation's gaffe, and he will shoot the gormless fucker with his Glock and we can pick up the insurance.
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It's depressing to know he's paid nearly as much as VDV and more than Modric.
Reluctantly I say give him a chance, assuming we can't find a club stupid enough to give us approx £5mill now. Purely as it's the only chance we have of recouping some of the money wasted on him so far.
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Quote from: tim on Today at 02:04:41 PM
Quote from: QBVILLA on Today at 01:32:24 PM
Quote from: Jim Shoes on Today at 01:11:15 PM
Fuck him off, on a free transfer if necessary not only because he's a thick ManC loving loony chav.
He does NOT care about Villa or any of us. He does not deserve anyone's support, he had his chance and was awful.
Let's be honest here, ManC got rid because he wasn't good enough. He left because he got a shed load of money off ManC and we still paid his stupid wages, put no effort in when he was given the chance then left for Newcastle talking up how much he loved it up there and his dislike for Birmingham blah blah and hardly played a game for them because kept get injuries.
And some of you want the waste of space given another chance!! Unless you are trying to get Mcleish out then I understand otherwise it doesn't "compute"
That's a big NO from me :-)
How many of the players actually care about the club they are employed by? Lets face it Barry gets pelters after over 400 games and 11 yrs with us,Bent was adored by the Mackems until we made him an offer he couldn't refuse and if he leaves us in 12 months he'll be branded a Judas bastard by the fans who love him at the moment.We the fans care about the club.All I expect of the players is they give 100% whilst they are employed by the club.Football is littered with players who've flopped at one club only to become a terrace darling at the next and the same goes for players who've not shone under one manager only to excel under the next.if we only selected players based on their affection for the club then we'd struggle to muster a 5 a side team.
As Miles Hunt would say "No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, noooo".
There may well be plenty of players at Villa who don't particularly care, but this twat has been outwardly disrespectful to the club, the fans and the city of Birmingham as a whole. I do not like the idea of him representing our club at any level.
Exactly
Fuck we we have spunked a load of money on transfers and stupid wages to we shoud take the hit and fuck him off. Although we did know he was a snidey little fucker BEFORE case in point his Nan's numerous deaths.
Sometimes you have to have some pride and dignity
Thought we had ourselves a very good player when he signed.
With all his antics and the way he has disrespected ALL of us, and the area, would be
happy if I never saw this Chav in a Villa shirt again.
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Football moves on so quickly I doubt he will ever be a top premiership performer after such a long lay off.
Would rather he rot forever in the reserves or cleaning the toilets.
Unfortunately we would be shooting ourselves in the foot so give him a chance just to get rid.
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McLeish might be genuine on wanting to give him a chance, but Ireland does seem the type who needs to believe in the manager and set up and I'm not sure that'll be the case.
Would be more confident that he could turn the situation around if Hughes was manager, but can't see it now. That's not a pop at McLeish, it's just that different managers have different approaches and whatever MH did at Man Citeh, it seemed to get the best out of the oddball.
It might have been Bellamy last season, before one of our games who said his best for for Citeh was on the left on a central three. So maybe that's where we went wrong.
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I said I'd support Eck, but if part of this is giving that odious little troll another chance then I'm not so sure, he's given us nothing but bile and absolute contempt.
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We have to at least pretend to give him another chance if only to try to get some other mugs to buy him.
No, we have to give him a chance full stop. If it's a clean slate for McLeish, it has to be for everybody. You never know, Ireland may respond well, and then we'll have a cracking player on our hands. It may well be that we end up with a crackpot player on our hands again, but we have to try.
I sense a case of double standards here. What trouble did Ireland ever cause for Man City while he was there? Other than a penchant for tasteless cars and the granny stuff (which was for his country and not club in any case) I don't remember hearing any stories that would give rise to that view.
He's a twat, always has been and always will be. If we're lucky we'll get £500k for him from Leicester.
Not at all. I didn't want him in the first place and was castigated on here for calling him a border line metalist when we were linked with him. When he signed I gave him the benefit of the doubt but instead of giving me cause to question my initial stance he went out of his way to confirm it.
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We have to at least pretend to give him another chance if only to try to get some other mugs to buy him.
No, we have to give him a chance full stop. If it's a clean slate for McLeish, it has to be for everybody. You never know, Ireland may respond well, and then we'll have a cracking player on our hands. It may well be that we end up with a crackpot player on our hands again, but we have to try.
I sense a case of double standards here. What trouble did Ireland ever cause for Man City while he was there? Other than a penchant for tasteless cars and the granny stuff (which was for his country and not club in any case) I don't remember hearing any stories that would give rise to that view.
He's a twat, always has been and always will be. If we're lucky we'll get £500k for him from Leicester.
Not at all. I didn't want him in the first place and was castigated on here for calling him a border line metalist when we were linked with him. When he signed I gave him the benefit of the doubt but instead of giving me cause to question my initial stance he went out of his way to confirm it.
Chris, he didn't want to sign for us, he was told to.
Then he faced a Manager who couldn't work with him ( he's not the only player in that boat) so, give the guy a break.
He can play, ask any Citeh fan.
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I admire the moral stance being taken here by a lot of people.However as has been demonstrated in recent months if a player starts doing well then the fans soon forget the players misdemeanours.
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How many chances does he need? He messed it up at Man City by believing his own hype and going from their most naturally talented player to someone nowhere near the squad, to pissing his international career down the drain through outrageous stupidity to showing levels of unprofessionalism rarely seen when signing for us and clearly not giving a toss.
It's not just whether he can contribute to the team or not, it's the affect he has on the other players. If he's slagging the place off (as he's already done very publicly) whilst training at Bodymoor then it's going to damage the team ethic. It was a painful and expensive mistake but we're better off getting him out of the club, either on loan or for good ASAP.
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Yes why not. Let's give him another chance and see if we can turn a turd into gold.
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If Mcleish can get Ireland performing to his very best then he has execeptional man management skills.
It would be an even greater achievment than what Brian Clough did with Kenny Burns career.
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Fuck him off, no question.
The ******.
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I hope Eck transforms Ireland; and I take comfort from the fact he got Lee Bowyer performing very well at SHA.
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hope all players should be given a chance , but step out of line once and out the door they must go, whoever it is
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7 milion and ireland for Nzogbia ...
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Is that an ITK on conjecture?
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Is that an ITK on conjecture?
nah , If I was AM ;-)
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Fuck him off, no question.
The c***.
Easier said than done. First, because of his poor playing record (or lack of it) we are not likely to be seeing the kind of money that we valued him at as a makeweight for the Milner deal.
Second, if he is on the reputed 60K a week wages that translates to us paying him about 9.36M for the three remaining years of his contract.
Our best chance to offload him came and went with Newcastle trying to do something which went pear shaped as we all know.
So for these reasons alone, and there are many more that we can conjure up, Big Eck doesn't really have any option other than to offer the clean slate amnesty available to the non-performing "stars" that MON signed up.
IF McLeish manages to get SI back on the park playing reasonable football I think it will be nothing short of a minor miracle and my outlook on AM will change enormously.
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He get's one clean slate off Lucky Eddie. Just the one mind and he'd best keep it absolutely spotless or I'll be looking to smash it over his head :o
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7 milion and ireland for Nzogbia ...
Actually, if he doesn't make a go of things here, that could well be the next type of move that he makes. At least he'll be closer to home.
He didn't exactly set the world on fire up at Newcastle when he eventually got on the pitch and I can't see any bigger club going for him the way he's carried himself over the last 12 months.
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Unless McCleish has the midas touch,i honestly can't see looney tunes getting his career back on line. I dont think he has the hunger for it and though he has the talent and time on his side i think his better days are behind him.
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No for me. He's an arse.
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New manager, lets see what happens. Hasnt done anything yet. Lets just see.....
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One chance, then that's it. On form he's a £10 million player, if it doesn't work out we'd be lucky to get anything for him. We have to take the gamble.
Agreed - one chance only.
Agreed
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Until Eck sits down with him and asks him if he is prepared to work for his place, there is no point in speculating.
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Might be off the mark but I always got the impression from him that he never really wanted to play for Villa at any stage - he just kinda ended up here. While I can obviously accept not every player will be head-over-heels in love with Villa, I would like it if they had an idea about the club and wanted to be a part of it.
So, no thanks. Good luck at where ever he ends up next.
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AM needs to insist on Ireland getting psychiatric counselling in return for a shot at the first team.
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I find it rather amusing that a number of people on this site seem to know more about Ireland's mental state of mind than Aston Villa FC.
How can anyone think AM has the right to demand Ireland see a psychiatrist before being allowed to play again?
IMO Ireland was a great player at Man C and lost his place (unfairly) to some highly paid big named pri Madonna which better signified the wealth the new Man C had.
He was then sold to Villa, a move he did not want but had no choice. He screwed every last penny (wages wise) he could from Man C which to be fair, I would have done as well, and started his Villa career injured. When he did get a game, he was crap but how does this make him a mental case?
Yes we had the issue with his Nan but short of that he strikes me as a normal spoiled premiership footballer.
Should we give him another chance? IMO yes. If he make a go of it and succeeds great. If he still plays a pile of shit, get rid but to state he needs to see a psychiatrist is a bit OTT...... but maybe all spoilt premiership brats should see a psychiatrist
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I asked some Geordie chaps at work what they think of him up there, pretty much what we think. They can't wait to get rid.
Unless he gets his head right we are wasting time / effort. I don't think he will, so sell him to the Boggies.
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but to state he needs to see a psychiatrist is a bit OTT...... but maybe all spoilt premiership brats should see a psychiatrist
IMHO the person that needs to see a trick cyclist is the twerp that decided that we should allow a makeweight value of 8M and pay him 60K a week for four years.
What I really don't understand is how Randy would trust managers or caretakers to spend that kind of money on his behalf without making them accountable for it in some way.
Did anyone do a due diligence report on SI before they accepted him in the Milner deal? Surely if they had and they had also taken into account his and/or his agents attitudes before leaving citeh, or considered why Mancini sent him to the reserves to train, they might have thought at least twice about it.
It would be very interesting to know if MON was involved in SI's acquisition before he left, or was MON's approach more like "OK, IF you HAVE to sell Milner then lets ask for 30M cash. Then I would like to use 10M of that to bring in McGeady."
If that was the scenario then the whole episode of what happened last August makes sense, because right now it simply doesn't.
How many of us would wager any significant money that SI will have a breakout season under McLeish?
Certainly I would give him a chance but do we really have any other options apart from crossing our fingers and toes and praying to the Football Gods to forgive us all our fickle sins ?
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I dont think there is any need to go into the pros and cons of Ireland's career to date as there would be a general consensus on everything.
Pro - Looked a potentially world class player for a season or 2 at City.
Cons - Too many to go into and we all know and agree what they are.
Now from a purely selfish Villa point of view, we have to decide how we get the most out of Ireland.
Impulse reaction is to sell, get rid. But how many clubs are actually going to come in for him with a decent offer? As pointed out he has done little to nothing in the last 2 years to cover himself in glory. So, unless some Turkish or Russian club come in with silly money we would be writing off a good chunk of what we sold Milner for.
The other option is to wipe the slate clean, as Big Eck is saying he will. Ireland is not an idiot, well he is, but even he must realise that his stock will have fallen massively. His agent will probably be able to tell him as much, such will be the lack of interest in him this summer. So even if he hates it at Villa (which I'm not sure he does, I think it was more the Houllier issue that was the problem) it will be in his interest to play his way into the shop window. If he does this, we get great service out of him until Xmas or the summer plus sell him for a lot more than we would this summer.
Or else, and this might be expecting too much, he rediscovers his form of two seasons ago, starts to really enjoy his football and ends up wanting to stay. As was mentioned by another poster, if he scores 10 or more goals with a few more assists, no one will give a flying f*** how much of a twat he was last year.
If I was Big Eck, I would do the opposite of Houllier and talk him up in the press about how much talent he has blah, blah, blah...it's what a simpleton like Ireland needs to hear.
I do have a bad feeling that he is going to come out with some tripe in the press about how he has nothing to prove or something.
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If this ****** ever got a shirt over Delph or Bannan I'd be disgusted.
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I'd like to give him another chance, but fear his hearts not in it, so theres no point hindering the progression of the youf like Delph/Bannan/G.Gardner. May as well give them the shirt instead, at least they'll want to put a shift in.
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I voted no, but would like to be suprised by him. His appearances and subsequent quotes did nothing at all to encourage me that he even wants to make it with us. I want players that want to play well and prepared to graft when things arnt going quite to plan. I dont see this with him, and never saw it at City either. When he is good, his is very good, when he is bad, crikey he makes John OShea look like Messi. We dont want or need fair weather players at the moment
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Stephen Ireland has proven previously in the Premiership that he can cut the mustard. I agree to date he has looked a bag of shite for the Villa but if he can rediscover his form, he'll be a massive addition to our squad.
People comment about how he should not play in front of Fabian Delph?
If he starts playing to his ability then yes he should.
I'm not sure how many people have ever seen Delph play for Leeds but I watched him on quite a few occasions in 2008:
Peterborough they lost 2-0 and he was shite
Southend they lost 1-0 and Delph was not to be seen for 90 minutes
Derby they lost 2-1 and Delph was lucky to stay on the pitch (I'm sure I remember his foul gave away the free kick for Derby's first goal)
Now I'm not saying Delph is shite because I have also seen him turn games on their head. I'm just saying he has not done enough at Villa to earn the over hyped reputation some are giving him. I too believe Delph will make it at Villa but until he has established himself as a first team regular then he still has it all to prove. If Ireland keeps him out of the starting line up because he is playing better than Delph, then good for him.
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My heart says yes but my head says no.
If his attitude is anything other than 100% right when they report back for Pre- Season i'd be in favour of getting rid asap.
Over to you then Stephen, you little shit.
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This ^^^^^^
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Him and Warnock will both be given second chances imo.
I get the feeling the club are fed up over the last few seasons of signing these players for 8m and then over the next year the valuations go right down to pretty much zero when they get frozen out from the team so it will be stressed to the manager to give these two in particular a second chance.
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Unless someone wants to buy him, Villa are stuck with him. So yes.
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Yes but with a reservation. He would be in my eleven against Fulham. Hoping he gets off to a flyer!
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resounding 'no' from me.
It's possible to burn a bridge to the point of no return.
I'd love it, however for the club - if we got him back to his previous form, but I certainly won't be singing his name or his praises for that matter.
Treat him with the contempt an imbecile like that deserves, and if he does some good on the field - well... that's his job.
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I think that given the loss we would make on his valuation from last summer it would be negligent not to give him a second chance. He needs to show he's up for it though. He needs to be careful not to piss AM off or he could find himself as makeweight in a part swap again, this time destination Small Heath.
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I'm in the minority on this one -
He's had more chances than you get on the coconut shy at the bloody fair -
It's not his 'form' but his 'head' that needs sorting out. Aston Villa are a football club and
not a benevolent fund for someone who will play if he feels like it -
The guy clearly has problems which I have some sympathy but he is the only one that can
sort it out and there hasn't been much sign of that happening since he arrived at Villa Park -
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resounding 'no' from me.
It's possible to burn a bridge to the point of no return.
I'd love it, however for the club - if we got him back to his previous form, but I certainly won't be singing his name or his praises for that matter.
Treat him with the contempt an imbecile like that deserves, and if he does some good on the field - well... that's his job.
This is exactly what I would want to say about the little waster.
I'm aware of people who are on the edge, and deserving and could have completely turned their lives around on less than a quarter of the chances this guy has had.
He really needs to prove to me that he is interested and can deliva for da Villa.
Or I'm sending the boys round. With the cushions (ref. MontyP, Spanish Inq.)
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Given what he is paid, I would imagine if he doesn't turn up to pre-season, apologise for being a twat and demonstrate the attitude of someone who knows he has a lot of making up to do, he will be f*cked off one way or another very quickly. I have absolutely no belief he will attempt to do this so bye bye.
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I think the sort of bloke AM is, he will see what is on offer in pre-season and make a decision pretty quick as to whether two bob Ireland has got it or not. The amount of guts AM has shown I reckon we wont have any problems with trouble makers and time wasters this season.
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He can have a clean slate. An extremely small one.
I think time will put the Villa in the right on this one, as on MON. Time will show that he is a waster and a wrong'un.
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An emphatic No from me.
I tend to agree with Gregnash that there are shades of the SVC meltdown here, but at least Collymore has an affection for the Villa whereas Ireland has nothing but contempt.
If Alex McLeish does give him another chance and gets him performing to the level that some posters believe he can deliver, it has got to rank right-up there alongside Lazarus.
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If Alex McLeish does give him another chance and gets him performing to the level that some posters believe he can deliver, it has got to rank right-up there alongside Lazarus.
You are Mark Lawrenson and I claim my £5.
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IMO McLeish is quite OK to convince average player to perform better. Let's give him a chance.
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Mcleish is a football manager not a shrink. And i would be very suprised if he can "stabalise" Ireland. Give him a couple of weeks of pre season training and lets see what happens .........
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He'll be given a clean slate and to be honest we don't really have a choice. If the club are planning to cut back then we can't afford to have a player on such high wages sitting in the reserves.
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ireland is a wanker and can fuck right off as far as i am concerned...
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I want to see what Ireland, Warnock and, ok, Beye can do and if anybody can get them to pull their socks up then McL is The Man. If he can't do it, nobody can.
Three - 3!!!...Managers later, this is the crunch. Go for it, Alex!
If not, then we don't sell them. No. We put them in the stocks outside VP and hurl random vegetables and handfuls of unthinkably, unbelieveably, outrageously stinking ordure at them until they are wilting under the pressure of tons of recycleable organic matter. Because they wouldn't play for the Villa.
That's what I'd do.
(Mediaeval or what?! )
Make them drive a Range Rover with big Pink Wheels and front grille - thats what I would do
He can fook right off
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ireland is a wanker and can fuck right off as far as i am concerned...
very difficult to disagree here
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ireland is a wanker and can fuck right off as far as i am concerned...
He's not going to "fuck right off" though. Neither is anyone going to take him. We can either let him stay at home on massive wages or we can try and get something out of him for them.
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Make them drive a Range Rover with big Pink Wheels and front grille - thats what I would do
He can fook right off
I've seen Irelands house, I somehow don't think he's going to see that as a punishment
I've given it a lot of thought, and I just dont want him here, or Beye, I'm willing to give warnock a try though
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ireland is a wanker and can fuck right off as far as i am concerned...
He's not going to "fuck right off" though. Neither is anyone going to take him. We can either let him stay at home on massive wages or we can try and get something out of him for them.
cut our losses and flog him for what we can get - he aint gonna do it for us even if Alex Ferguson was our boss
he did not want to come and he certainly dont want to be here (called Birmingham a shitehole or something)
unfortunately he could be a good player if and when he choses - but he`ll always be a tw@
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Was it nine million he was valued at last year? Maybe Newcastle will top that after his impressive loan spell there. AM needs to try and get him going again. His attitude has stank but theres principles and theres writing off nine million plus wages (plus what he's still owed in signing on fees if he doesn't officially ask for a transfer, which he won't for that reason.)
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ireland is a wanker and can fuck right off as far as i am concerned...
He's not going to "fuck right off" though. Neither is anyone going to take him. We can either let him stay at home on massive wages or we can try and get something out of him for them.
in theory that would be wonderful if we could get him to "earn" his wages, and for the amount he is reportedly on, if he did "earn" them, then he would be doing the busness for us... and no one would be more delighted than me for him to make me eat my own words regarding his future at the villa, as underneath the mentalist self pitying little arsehole personality, is actually a cracking little player...
however as he has already proven that he is unstable and cant take responsibility for his own negative actions, then its probably best not to infect the rest of the squad, cut our losses and learn from the experience...
sadly, all the talent in the world isnt worth a grain of salt, if the player hasnt got the determination and the desire to improve their own flaws... and when a player blames everyone else for his own flaws, there isnt much hope of them trying to rectify their own issues....
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He reminds me of The Mekon.
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McLeish has a good record dealing with idiots players and fans - about 20,000 of them on a regular basis recently ;D) so maybe it is worth a punt. Does anyone want him for the wages he is on? Doubt it unless our Geordie freinds take him for 8m.
As Dave said he isn't just going to fupp off though however much we want him too.
I said before McLeish (for his many limitations) will never do what Houllier did and antagonise so many senior players so quickly. At least McLeish has the self awareness that he has a very hostile 'audience' to win over. Clueless Clousseau was 'surprised' by the reaction after his Liverpool Love-in despite many decades in football.
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Given the massive amount of cash we forfeited for taking him, I don't see how we can afford not to give him another chance.
That said, I think he's a massive twat and he'll probably fvck up, unfortunately.
We were proper shafted on that transfer deal. Still annoys me when I think about it
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Given the massive amount of cash we forfeited for taking him, I don't see how we can afford not to give him another chance.
That assumes the impact of his signing ended there.
We're still paying his silly wages and he's still skulking around the place when the rest of the team know he's publicly the city off and basically told the world he doesn't want to be here.
Whether it's a loan deal or we give him to someone for free, getting rid is the best possible option.
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not entirely sure what you were trying to say there mate
I think we've got to give him a go - you never know, there's a slight chance he might come good. But in the likely event it doesn't work out, we'll need to ship him quick. Turkey at Christmas?
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not entirely sure what you were trying to say there mate
I think we've got to give him a go - you never know, there's a slight chance he might come good. But in the likely event it doesn't work out, we'll need to ship him quick. Turkey at Christmas?
What I'm saying is we're better off writing off the transfer fee now if it means we can get rid of him rather than saying he cost us a lot of money so we might as well keep giving him another chance.
Sometimes you have to just admit mistakes and move on and that's what the club should do with Stephen Ireland.
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His attitude must have stunk out Bodymoor Heath.
You don't invest the money we did in him, only to sideline him after a few games.
He's trouble, pure and simple.
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So you reckon sell in this window then? who would buy?
Who needs a troubled mentalist that hasn't played a decent game for three seasons?
Give him ago I reckon, then fuck him off in january to Albion
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He's a knob. And a disrespectful one at that. But I reckon AM should involve him in at least the pre-season, to see how/if he works under him - there's nowt to lose. I admit I'm clutching at straws with day-glo pink wheels.
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So you reckon sell in this window then? who would buy?
Who needs a troubled mentalist that hasn't played a decent game for three seasons?
Give him ago I reckon, then fuck him off in january to Albion
After what he said about Birmingham you think he could be convinced to go to Smethwick?!
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Get what we can for him and free up some salary money, preferably for someone who isn't a flake.
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This is were SAF is smart if he wants to get rid of a player he showcases them, gives them time on the pitch then sells them.
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id give him 1 more chance because he is a quality player when he wants to be,shame he can be such a twat!
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The official site is saying Newcastle still have him on their radar, bonus.
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Stephen Ireland plans fresh start at Aston Villa under Alex McLeish!!!!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/jul/04/stephen-ireland-aston-villa-alex-mcleish
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I'm sure McLeish will get more out of Ireland than Houllier did (I know not hard) it's good news that he's reportedly getting a flat in Brum too
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I'm sure McLeish will get more out of Ireland than Houllier did (I know not hard) it's good news that he's reportedly getting a flat in Brum too
Sure, I was delighted when we signed him even after losing Milner but last season was very disappointing so this shows a much better committment, now do it on the pitch Stephen.
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Given our rather generous interpretation of "Proven Premiership Experience" I don't see how anyone who is prepared to give the manager a chance can be opposed to giving Ireland the same.
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Given our rather generous interpretation of "Proven Premiership Experience" I don't see how anyone who is prepared to give the manager a chance can be opposed to giving Ireland the same.
Well as far as I can remember McLeish hasn't slagged off us and our city, and spent a year sat on his arse whinging whilst drawing £60k a week.
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I can't see anyone else prepared to pay his wages. Unless they do, I don't think we can afford to sideline him purely on principle. There's probably a 10% chance he'll ever be at the top of his game again, but if he did he'd be the perfect foil for bent.
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Randy bought him, why doesn't he just have him serving coffee on his jet?
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I've always rated him & I think his passing, vision & through balls would be a dream for Darren Bent.
I just hope McLeish can get the best out of him, he's done it with dickhead footballers before like Lee Bowyer & Barry Ferguson.
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If we give him a second chance (or is it third chance) it will simply end up in tears. The only possible reason for this pathetic excuse of a footballer bleating about fresh starts is because he’s on his very last drink at last chance saloon. If it does not work out then he’ll be the Gerald Ratner of football. I see absolutely no reason whatsoever why the club should waste an ounce of coaching time on this idiot. Let him rot at home sitting on his Stephen Ireland monocle rug staring out at his pink Stephen Ireland monocle Range Rover crying into his Stephen Ireland monocle handkerchief.
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If we give him a second chance (or is it third chance) it will simply end up in tears. The only possible reason for this pathetic excuse of a footballer bleating about fresh starts is because he’s on his very last drink at last chance saloon. If it does not work out then he’ll be the Gerald Ratner of football. I see absolutely no reason whatsoever why the club should waste an ounce of coaching time on this idiot. Let him rot at home sitting on his Stephen Ireland monocle rug staring out at his pink Stephen Ireland monocle Range Rover crying into his Stephen Ireland monocle handkerchief.
Great idea as we pay him £70,000 pw
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If we give him a second chance (or is it third chance) it will simply end up in tears. The only possible reason for this pathetic excuse of a footballer bleating about fresh starts is because he’s on his very last drink at last chance saloon. If it does not work out then he’ll be the Gerald Ratner of football. I see absolutely no reason whatsoever why the club should waste an ounce of coaching time on this idiot. Let him rot at home sitting on his Stephen Ireland monocle rug staring out at his pink Stephen Ireland monocle Range Rover crying into his Stephen Ireland monocle handkerchief.
Great idea as we pay him £70,000 pw
So what do you propose. Bring him back into the fold, wait for one of his hissy fits and then watch the dressing room mood implode?
I couldn't care less how much he is paid. He's got a track record of trouble and he would be better suited somewhere else. If the club is foolish enough to think that we must play him due to his the weekly wage packet they negotiated then we will suffer the consequences.
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Were must have been mad signing him in the first place. He has always had a shit attitude, City fans couldn't wait to see the back of him and he didn't want to come to us anyway hence the drawn out transfer.
Another 8 million down the toilet. Add to that the money spent on NRC and Cuellar and thats 25 million.
Unbelievable.
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Were must have been mad signing him in the first place. He has always had a shit attitude, City fans couldn't wait to see the back of him and he didn't want to come to us anyway hence the drawn out transfer.
Another 8 million down the toilet. Add to that the money spent on NRC and Cuellar and thats 25 million.
Unbelievable.
O.K, he hasn't always had a shit attitude. When he was motivated and playing well he was one of the most consistently brilliant players in the league. A lot of City fans (certainly thiose I know) were actually disappointed to see him go and he was very popular there. He had come through the ranks to be one of their best players after all. Which is also why he was reluctant to move. Aside from his youth in Ireland, its the only club he'd known. I cant blame him for that but I do expect him to get his shit together at Villa.
What he needed coming to Villa after leaving the club he's been with since he was a child, was solidity. We were all over the place and he didn't get that. He also shares the blame of course for how it has worked out but there is still capacity to get going again. He's too big a potential asset to just write off and as we wouldnt get anything like what we should for him we may as well see if there's still a player there.
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I voted yes only because i think we are more or less stuck with him like we are with Beye. I cant stand the guy and his attitude stinks but everyone deserves a second chance and maybe our new manager might just be able to get him to play like he did at Man City before he fell out of favor there.
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The game against Chelsea at home when he was put clean through and dragged the shot wide - if that had of gone in then i think his career with us would have been so different
One last chance as i know there is a good player in there
this is exactly my thoughts on the matter Hookey
UTV
The Doc
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Give him ONE chance only.
If we can't shift the fucker dont want him earning £60k a week in the reserves
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We have to give him a chance. It's pointless not doing so. Give him a few starts pre-season and hopefully he'll shine.
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Posted last week and said if he comes back for pre-season training, why not? And the Guardian article suggests he's up for doing just that, moving to Birmingham, and giving it a go. At the end of the day, we don't know an awful lot about what happened with Ireland last season. He didn't, to be fair, get much game time, he was frequently injured, he seemed to be outside the manager's plans as soon as Houllier arrived. How much of that was down to him, how much was down to the manager (considering the case of Warnock, who was transformed from never-hear-a-peep-from model pro to banished-to-the-reserves-never-to-play-again in a couple of months)?
I don't know. What I do know is Ireland needs to hit the ground running in the next couple of months and if he does that, I've no problem with seeing what he can do.
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Nobody is going to buy him for anything more than a pittance.
I have nothing buy disdain for the little scrote, but we're now in a situation where we are going to have to at least try to get something out of him.
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The only possible reason for this pathetic excuse of a footballer bleating about fresh starts is because he's on his very last drink at last chance saloon.
Which may prove to be sufficient motivation to get his act together. The last chance saloon means you do have one last chance, so let's see what he does with it.
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I actually was looking forward to him signing. I didn't realise he was such a prize prick though. I judged him on his footballing ability from his Man City days and thought he would be good.
So I would give him a chance, if we can get that good player back we are the ones who will benefit from him.
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Despite still being very young SI already has a long history of spouting bollocks and I don't see this is any different.
We should get rid ASAP even if it's for free. At least it would get the wage bill down.
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the crazy thing with Ireland is that he's a 10 million plus player if decides to be. The way football is, if he really dedicatedd himself in the next few weeks, and I realise that's a Moby Dick sized "if", he could be every bit the player we are looking for, and would gladly spend that kind of money on to improve ourselves no end. You want creativity, service, skill, flair and goals from midfield, Man City player of the year for 2009, Stephen Ireland's yer man. A little piece of me still hangs on to hope that this comes true.
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I'm more wary about giving Dunne another chance if I'm honest.
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I'm more wary about giving Dunne another chance if I'm honest.
me too, but like Ireland, a slim, motivated Dunne circa 2009/2010 can be an asset. A fat fucking tub of lard Dunne circa 2010/2011 is a massive liability. It depends on which version shows up.
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There’s no denying the talent there, just as there was no denying the talent of Stan. How many second chances did Stan get and how many times did he blow it? Stan got away with it due to his exploits in the Athletico ¼ final. This cretin has not even provided a whiff of quality since signing.
I’m not going to be a person that says ‘I told you so.’ In fact I will happily eat my words washed down with ample humble pie if he comes good. I’ll be utterly gobsmacked if this self-centred cretin does though. He’s a gold plated example of the pampering spoilt footballer, puffed up with his own self-image. If he’s brought back into the fold and there is even the slightest whiff that he’s not giving 110% then he can make himself useful by cleaning the boots of the players at the club who do work for the shirt.
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I'm more wary about giving Dunne another chance if I'm honest.
me too, but like Ireland, a slim, motivated Dunne circa 2009/2010 can be an asset. A fat fucking tub of lard Dunne circa 2010/2011 is a massive liability. It depends on which version shows up.
And me. I was so angry with him last year. But like TV says if we have him onside, fit and back to form lets give him a chance too.
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I'm more wary about giving Dunne another chance if I'm honest.
I've seen Dunne perform very well in a Villa shirt including in a few games towards the end of last season. Ireland has been a total failure. I know which one my money would be on doing a job next season.
I didn't want Ireland and so far he's lived down to my expectations but I'd love him to prove me wrong.
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72.6% prepared to wipe the slate clean - are you watching Stephen ?
Step up to the plate and give us what you can next season ......
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Perhaps his experience in Newcastle, Ashley Young moving on and new manager will stop him him sulking and get on with his work. Alex will probably be better equipped to handle him. But as long Stephen realise he don't have any other option and Aston Villa is a great club to play for and give 110% there is no problem.
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But as long Stephen realise he don't have any other option and Aston Villa is a great club to play for and give 110% there is no problem.
It's amazing to think Darren Bent cam in saw what a club Villa was and what we had to offer and was quite blown away by the set up to Stephen's view point of it all. If he can knuckle down and re-locate his footballing brain he could be very, very usefull.
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Let him rot in the stiffs until the end of his contract. I'm not usually one to have an intense dislike of anyone, but for this rodent I make an exception.
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Let him rot in the stiffs until the end of his contract
That way, everybody wins.
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The only serious option we have is to let him start over. See if the new manager makes any difference, if he does fantastic but the first sign of him being a prick and we need to offload as soon as we can.
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If we sell him now we may get a couple of mil if we start afresh and he does well he becomes a ten to fifteen mil player, no brainer.
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One thing I would say is that he is our 'wild card'. He has the potential to be a very good player if he applies himself. We are facing a creative void with the departure of Young and potentially Downing and a mentally right Ireland can provide that. We expect so little from him that we are missing that potential. Ireland CAN be a top player who can be the force that pushes us forward as a team.
I am not a head shrinker but I think that Ireland's problems at City and here last season stemmed from his not feeling wanted. If Alex can put an arm round him and make him feel happy then he might have his head straight.
The dream scenario is that we get in a few good players (a winger or two, a couple of full backs, a goalie and perhaps a centre half) AND we see Ireland and the Michelin man become the players they can be if they can sort their mental and physical problems. We would be in a very good position if that happened. I'm not saying that will happen (I'd be a fool if I did) but I am saying it might happen.
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One thing I would say is that he is our 'wild card'. He has the potential to be a very good player if he applies himself. We are facing a creative void with the departure of Young and potentially Downing and a mentally right Ireland can provide that. We expect so little from him that we are missing that potential. Ireland CAN be a top player who can be the force that pushes us forward as a team.
I am not a head shrinker but I think that Ireland's problems at City and here last season stemmed from his not feeling wanted. If Alex can put an arm round him and make him feel happy then he might have his head straight.
The dream scenario is that we get in a few good players (a winger or two, a couple of full backs, a goalie and perhaps a centre half) AND we see Ireland and the Michelin man become the players they can be if they can sort their mental and physical problems. We would be in a very good position if that happened. I'm not saying that will happen (I'd be a fool if I did) but I am saying it might happen.
agree entirely. I'm at a point where I want to see our top kids come through and have a settled club again. I'm willing to give all of the players that fell out under GH another chance to prove they are still very good players. Get rid of the players that want out and do what Moyes has done at Everton. Get a close knit club where players generally stick together and they stay competitive every year.
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Mark Hughes got Ireland performing, maybe Mcleish can have a similar affect.
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Mark Hughes got Ireland performing, maybe Mcleish can have a similar affect.
Somebody needs to get a decent shift out of him, its strange that in another thread we are debating the potential pitfalls of taking on Owen Hargreaves and the so called incredible risk that would be..........and then on the other hand we have Stephen Ireland......it don't get riskier, here's a player that won't turn up for games if when he walks out the door in the morning on match day there's a cloud in the sky and it looks like rain.
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I'd rather resign Nigel ReoCoker! Didnt want to play for us last year, bad atitude and was made to sign for us with the Milner deal! Forget it.
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Would much prefer NRC as opposed to the Mekon.
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Yes. He'd be like a new signing. And a good one at that, providing he's on form.
Last chance saloon though.
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Yes. He'd be like a new signing. And a good one at that, providing he's on form.
Last chance saloon though.
Spot on. Would love to see him do well for us and do himself some good at the same time. If he has a brain (and that's a genuine "if") he must realise that if he doesn't do something soon his career is as good as over in the Prem or similar (abroad). But if he's gonna play his face like he did last season no one will want him, ever!
Definitely a clean slate, but.....
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Ireland is still a quality player. Maybe with Young gone we can play him and allow him the attacking freedom he needs to really shine. His ability pulling the strings for Bent could be what makes us in the upcoming season.
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Its 3 seasons now since he did anything as a player, that is a hell of a long time to get physically and mentally right. Ireland is a tantrum waiting to happen, I would love to believe he could get himself right and show the talent he has but I can not see it.
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It's up to him is'nt it really? It's either he wants to return to doing what he's very very good and be respected for it, or just take his money every week and have his photo taken in clubs like every other celebrity.
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AVFCOfficial Aston Villa FC
Gabby Agbonlahor, Richard Dunne and Stephen Ireland among the first to arrive for pre-season training today. #avfc
Someone's keen ;)
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I reckon if he's ready to knuckle down and work for the club he's gonna have a great season and terrorize defences all year.
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I reckon if he's ready to knuckle down and work for the club he's gonna have a great season and terrorize defences all year.
Make that a truly massive "IF"!
Hope it happens for him and for us!
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http://yfrog.com/kiss9aej
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Want to be optimistic. So lets get him fit and playing in pre-season games and see what happens .........
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Whilst I partly blame Richard Dunne for being a bad influence on Ireland, I'm wondering what kind of positive influence Shay Given will have on him, assuming he's heading to B6 next week. By all accounts, a model pro. We can but dream.
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The prodigal son or the returnee from the funny farm?
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If he does come good for us, how long do you think he'll stick around?
Longer or shorter than some others?
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If he does come good for us, how long do you think he'll stick around?
Longer or shorter than some others?
Depends how tightly they tie his strait jacket up.
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hopefully he will put the effort in this pre season and find some form,he is a quality player on his day!
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If he does come good for us, how long do you think he'll stick around?
Longer or shorter than some others?
Well if he plays to his potential we would get £10+ for him at the present moment after last season we would struggle to get £3m for him
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Should have posted in here instead of the transfer thread. Matt Kendrick has Tweeted about an interview he's done with Stephen Ireland saying that he is determined to be a success at Villa. I really hope it works out, he could be a seriously good player if he gets his game face on.
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Should have posted in here instead of the transfer thread. Matt Kendrick has Tweeted about an interview he's done with Stephen Ireland saying that he is determined to be a success at Villa. I really hope it works out, he could be a seriously good player if he gets his game face on.
Read that - it's written up in the Mondays news I think.
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If he does come good for us, how long do you think he'll stick around?
Longer or shorter than some others?
Well if he plays to his potential we would get £10+ for him at the present moment after last season we would struggle to get £3m for him
The thing is given the investment and the contract he's on it makes much more sense for the club to try and get him back into the fold and being productive again. The one thing very much working in McLeish's favour is that he had no previous with any of these players so he can speak to them without bias. He'll tell Ireland and Warnock that he's in this together with them, that as manager he wants to prove a lot of people wrong and that they can help each other do this.
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Should have posted in here instead of the transfer thread. Matt Kendrick has Tweeted about an interview he's done with Stephen Ireland saying that he is determined to be a success at Villa. I really hope it works out, he could be a seriously good player if he gets his game face on.
Deja Vu.
We should've signed him instead.
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If he does come good for us, how long do you think he'll stick around?
Longer or shorter than some others?
Well if he plays to his potential we would get £10+ for him at the present moment after last season we would struggle to get £3m for him
The thing is given the investment and the contract he's on it makes much more sense for the club to try and get him back into the fold and being productive again. The one thing very much working in McLeish's favour is that he had no previous with any of these players so he can speak to them without bias. He'll tell Ireland and Warnock that he's in this together with them, that as manager he wants to prove a lot of people wrong and that they can help each other do this.
I agree 100% Toronto if McLeish can get Ireland/Warnock playing again then it will be like having 2 new players in the squad
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Ireland & Warnock are now at a point where they might not get a better chance to be playing top flight football at a big club.
If either of them fuck this up then they'll be on the slide somewhere shit like Wigan or Stoke.
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Should have posted in here instead of the transfer thread. Matt Kendrick has Tweeted about an interview he's done with Stephen Ireland saying that he is determined to be a success at Villa. I really hope it works out, he could be a seriously good player if he gets his game face on.
In much the same way that Craig Gardner has always been a "massive [insert club here] fan".
Ireland is full of shit. I'll give him a month before he's back training with the reserves after spitting his dummy out again or showing he can't be arsed, and another month after that before he's in the press slating the club/manager/city/owner/etc.
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Yeah. Give him a chance. Nice.
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Odds on Ireland being bloody brilliant this season and us flogging him next summer?
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Odds on Ireland being bloody brilliant this season and us flogging him next summer?
About the same as me winning last night's Euromillions.
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Odds on Ireland being bloody brilliant this season and us flogging him next summer?
Yeah well i'd take that right now as the Stephen Irelands of this world never seem to stay on the staright and narrow for longer than 9 months before their next blow up.
If he has a great year and we make some money on him then great because with his track record a year is probably all your gonna get before his next dummy spit.
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When you are trying to steady the ship the last thing you need in the whole wide world and all the oceans is a loose cannon; And make no mistake, that is what this chap most definitively is to the core of his being. He may be brilliant for a while, but he he will fuck up as sure as eggs is eggs.
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From OS
Stephen Ireland is ready to make a fresh start to his Villa career, insisting: "I'll give my all for the cause."
The Irish midfielder endured a difficult first season after joining from Manchester City last August.
He picked up a couple of niggling injuries and then slipped down the pecking order under former boss Gerard Houllier.
A frustrating loan spell at Newcastle followed when an ankle problem restricted him to just two appearances.
But Ireland is determined to kickstart his claret and blue career under new manager Alex McLeish.
"You have to start with a fresh new slate now," he said. "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 want to play as often as I can and that is why you do pre-season - to stamp your name on the teamsheet as early as you can and then maintain it all season.
"There is a lot I want to give for the team and the cause and I am hoping I get a fair shot."
A major regret for Ireland since his switch from Eastlands is the lack of opportunities to shine in front of the Villa faithful.
That is something he hopes to address quickly with consistent performances.
"That's my main goal and my target," Ireland said. "I haven't played enough games and that's what I intend to put right.
"The only way of me building up a better relationship with the fans is by playing, regardless of what's said in the press.
"You do the talking on the field and that's exactly what I want to do.
"The fans are brilliant and all I ever wanted was to play in front of them but I haven't been given those opportunities.
"Summer has gone and pre-season is here and we just need to move on with the new manager and new staff."
Ireland revealed he is set to claim his favourite no.7 shirt for the 2011-12 campaign after it was vacated by Ashley Young.
The reshuffle will allow Darren Bent to take the traditional goalscorer's no.9 jersey.
"Darren's taking no.9 and I'm taking no.7," he added. "My number has always been seven, but when I came here Ash had got that number.
"But now I've got the one I want and so has Darren so we're really happy about that.
"I've always worn the no.7 since I was a young boy and it's the number I love. It kind of is a superstitious thing.
"The no.9 probably comes with a bit more pressure but I'm sure Darren can handle that and score the goals and hopefully I can do what a number seven should and set him up for a few of them."
Easy to be cynical and say he's a nutter who is just saying what he needs to, I hope he knuckles down and becomes the player we expected him to be. We've all had bosses we didn't like, let's hope AM fires him up and he rsponds.
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Well if he plays to his potential we would get £10+ for him at the present moment after last season we would struggle to get £3m for him
[/quote]
Do you honestly think he's worth a tenner?! ;)
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What is a notch above a happy clapper?
Not sure why but I reckon McLeish and Ireland could be a good match. They both have a huge point to prove yet each of them needs the other in order to succeed. A perfect storm if you like, and if Ireland performs like he can/has then he is class and arguably better than we could normally buy.
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I like what he's said. It's what I hoped he'd say. Now he has to prove it to himself first and by doing so he'll prove it to us. He's a wonderful player when he wants to be.
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Giving him the number 7 shirt would suggest he will be given every chance to prove himself, I think, and quite right too.
It's a long shot, but if it comes off he could be a huge success; Ireland sliding a through ball for Bent to run onto on a regular basis would be very welcome!
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We all know that Ireland is a very good
footballer but he was forced to join us - he arrived under the title 'make weight' , not exactly flattering was it .
Ad@m, open your mind - give the guy some slack instead of throwing darts at his photographs.
He isn't a labotomy case - but like most of us, he needs an ego boost and whatever salary he 's on, that's irrelevant to how he feels about himself.
My message to SI is to pull the shirt on with pride and play your heart out for us
now - become Superman again - you have the talent.
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I'd give him a clean slate, as long as I could drop it on his shiny pate from a great height.
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Maybe he will perform without two wingers in our system. Just a suggestion
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I'd give him a clean slate, as long as I could drop it on his shiny pate from a great height.
You'd make a great 'man manager' :)
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Should have posted in here instead of the transfer thread. Matt Kendrick has Tweeted about an interview he's done with Stephen Ireland saying that he is determined to be a success at Villa. I really hope it works out, he could be a seriously good player if he gets his game face on.
In much the same way that Craig Gardner has always been a "massive [insert club here] fan".
Ireland is full of shit. I'll give him a month before he's back training with the reserves after spitting his dummy out again or showing he can't be arsed, and another month after that before he's in the press slating the club/manager/city/owner/etc.
Same as virtually every other footballer then in other words? I don't like what he has said or done (allegedly perhaps in some cases) but it's just the norm very sadly these days and the pragmatist in me says give him a chance and he could be like a new signing. We are so crying out for someone like him to bring flair and link up play to the midfield and it would make absolutely no sense from any perspective whatsoever to not give him a chance again...
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We all know that Ireland is a very good
footballer but he was forced to join us - he arrived under the title 'make weight' , not exactly flattering was it .
Ad@m, open your mind - give the guy some slack instead of throwing darts at his photographs.
He isn't a labotomy case - but like most of us, he needs an ego boost and whatever salary he 's on, that's irrelevant to how he feels about himself.
My message to SI is to pull the shirt on with pride and play your heart out for us
now - become Superman again - you have the talent.
I'm sorry Tim but I just can't see it this way.
SI is paid an absolute fortune to do something most of us would give an arm for. He had one good season at Man City where he looked like he was going to be a world beater but since then he has given the appearance of someone who thinks he's better than he is and has done fuck all as a result. Surely it's not a coincidence that Mancini, Houllier, and Pardew at club level and Brian Kerr and Stan Staunton at international level have all said thanks but no thanks. Hughes is the only manager who got anything out of him but that may not have been down to him as it was the one season blip.
On top of this apparent talent but even more apparently limited application, the guy comes across as an absolute wanker. Way beyond most modern footballers. The repeatedly lying about the death of his grandparents, the appearance of his house and car, the nightclub incident at Newcastle, the public slagging off of Eire and Cork, the public slagging off of Birmingham when he plays for a Birmingham club. FFS, the guy's only 24 and he's already got all this public baggage. It's not going to stop here is it? Although on a much more criminal scale, Joey Barton proves that players don't change.
Houllier went on record to say SI didn't try in training and if we're going to be relying more on the kids this year then the last thing they need as a role model is a prima-donna who thinks he's better than us and can't be arsed to put the effort in. These 'interviews' are nothing more than internal marketing which the club absolutely has to do but there's no way I'm going to believe that SI actually thinks the things he's saying.
SI's got a whole lot of growing up to do but sadly I don't think he's got it in him. As a result I'd much rather we got rid of him as soon as possible and we can use the £80k pw we spend on him (or whatever it is) to pay players who actually want to play and fight for the club.
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That didn't take long did it.
After typing that he's out there shoving his foot firmly down his throat again...
Regarding his winter move to St James' Park, Ireland said: "I got sent to Newcastle basically against my own will."
Part of a Sky Sports interview.
He really can't help himself. The guy's toxic. Get rid now!
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I'll bet any money that he starts off well with a good attitude and works hard, then after a couple of months, he'll be subbed or have a problem at the training ground and we'll be back to square one.
He's an accident waiting to happen.
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Oh, I'm sure the #7 shirt will make a huge difference to his attitude and performances. We should have given him that number last year, all our troubles would have been solved and we might even have won a cup or the league something.
In all seriousness, the most i'm hoping for is that he sorts himself out and then leaves for a few million in January. Get him off the wage bill and spare us the sight of this deluded, self-obsessed ringpiece in a Villa shirt for one minute longer.
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cant stand this self absorbed deluded little tosspot...
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As much as i really dont like him. I have a feeling he is going to turn this round. Think he will create a major supply line to Bent .........
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Fcuk it, he's got one chance and one chance only. If he takes it we'll all benefit.
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Depends how he starts. If well, he might surprise a few people. If not, he won't recover and we won't get more than half a million for him.
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If he has a storming year next season and becomes a key player for us how are the people who are unhappy with him getting another chance going to react? Are they going to continue to dislike him or are they going to let it pass? I'm not being critical or anything just curious.
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I think the best thing we can do is give him a resounding applause when he comes on, sing his name and gee him up, Mcleish is a good manager to have for this situation, I think he'll put his arm round him and remind him just how much bloody talent he has, if Mcleish gets in his head and sorts him out he'll save us millions.
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If he has a storming year next season and becomes a key player for us how are the people who are unhappy with him getting another chance going to react? Are they going to continue to dislike him or are they going to let it pass? I'm not being critical or anything just curious.
If he has a storming season, he'll be angling for a move at the end of it.
I don't think he's ever truly wanted to be here and he's admitted he doesn't like Birmingham.
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If he has a storming year next season and becomes a key player for us how are the people who are unhappy with him getting another chance going to react? Are they going to continue to dislike him or are they going to let it pass? I'm not being critical or anything just curious.
I'd imagine I'll still think he's a twat (the pictures of his house will live long in the memory!) but I'll be glad he's helping the Villa. I'm a Villa fan, not a SI fan.
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Of course I'll give him a chance, although he doesn't deserve one. I'll give him a chance because we need him.
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I'll give the grinning imbecile a chance because he'll be wearing a Villa shirt.
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I think his latest statement is genuine, new manager, clean slate and all that, but I think on a reverse psychology level he's making those noises so that Eck doesn't bring in a centre mid and thus he gets his automatic start for lack of choice. Assuming Downing does the offski and we don't buy it's a 4 of Albrighton, Petrov, Ireland, Delph/Bannan, unless we go with 5 in the middle and Gabby gets shunted to the wing.
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I think his latest statement is genuine, new manager, clean slate and all that, but I think on a reverse psychology level he's making those noises so that Eck doesn't bring in a centre mid and thus he gets his automatic start for lack of choice. Assuming Downing does the offski and we don't buy it's a 4 of Albrighton, Petrov, Ireland, Delph/Bannan, unless we go with 5 in the middle and Gabby gets shunted to the wing.
Makoun?
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It's going to be hard to accomodate Ireland and Makoun in the same midfield.
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It's going to be hard to accomodate Ireland and Makoun in the same midfield.
It's not going to be hard to decide between the two, is it?
I mean, that jumper Makoun turned up in when he signed was fucking quality.
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I think Makoun has great quality, so want to see him play.
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If he has a storming year next season and becomes a key player for us how are the people who are unhappy with him getting another chance going to react? Are they going to continue to dislike him or are they going to let it pass? I'm not being critical or anything just curious.
If he has a storming season, he'll be angling for a move at the end of it.
I don't think he's ever truly wanted to be here and he's admitted he doesn't like Birmingham.
He never said that, there are no direct quotes to back up that he said that publicly. In this so called interview that he gave he reputedly said that he hated Cobh, where he grew up. SI gave an interview soon after all this broke to clarify that what was in that interview was untrue. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/04/stephen-ireland-interview-villa-newcastle
Last season was a disaster for him, he fell out with the management, but so did a lot of other players. Give him and Warnock, Dunne, Collins and whoever else a chance. A united dressing room will have a big change in our team for this season.
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If he has a storming year next season and becomes a key player for us how are the people who are unhappy with him getting another chance going to react? Are they going to continue to dislike him or are they going to let it pass? I'm not being critical or anything just curious.
If he has a storming season, he'll be angling for a move at the end of it.
I don't think he's ever truly wanted to be here and he's admitted he doesn't like Birmingham.
He never said that, there are no direct quotes to back up that he said that publicly. In this so called interview that he gave he reputedly said that he hated Cobh, where he grew up. SI gave an interview soon after all this broke to clarify that what was in that interview was untrue. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/04/stephen-ireland-interview-villa-newcastle
You want direct quotes? How about "Birmingham is a rubbish town"?!
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3445385/Stephen-Ireland-tears-into-Aston-Villa-boss-Gerard-Houllier.html
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It's going to be hard to accomodate Ireland and Makoun in the same midfield.
Would have to be a 5 man midfield. Delph, Makoun and Ireland would be pretty useful imo.
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If he has a storming year next season and becomes a key player for us how are the people who are unhappy with him getting another chance going to react? Are they going to continue to dislike him or are they going to let it pass? I'm not being critical or anything just curious.
If he has a storming season, he'll be angling for a move at the end of it.
I don't think he's ever truly wanted to be here and he's admitted he doesn't like Birmingham.
He never said that, there are no direct quotes to back up that he said that publicly. In this so called interview that he gave he reputedly said that he hated Cobh, where he grew up. SI gave an interview soon after all this broke to clarify that what was in that interview was untrue. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/04/stephen-ireland-interview-villa-newcastle
You want direct quotes? How about "Birmingham is a rubbish town"?!
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3445385/Stephen-Ireland-tears-into-Aston-Villa-boss-Gerard-Houllier.html
I really don't care if he said that or not. I'd be really upset had he said "Aston Villa is a rubbish club". It's what he does from here on in that I care about, and as he's moving to Birmingham it can't be all that bad.
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If he has a storming year next season and becomes a key player for us how are the people who are unhappy with him getting another chance going to react? Are they going to continue to dislike him or are they going to let it pass? I'm not being critical or anything just curious.
If he has a storming season, he'll be angling for a move at the end of it.
I don't think he's ever truly wanted to be here and he's admitted he doesn't like Birmingham.
He never said that, there are no direct quotes to back up that he said that publicly. In this so called interview that he gave he reputedly said that he hated Cobh, where he grew up. SI gave an interview soon after all this broke to clarify that what was in that interview was untrue. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/04/stephen-ireland-interview-villa-newcastle
You want direct quotes? How about "Birmingham is a rubbish town"?!
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3445385/Stephen-Ireland-tears-into-Aston-Villa-boss-Gerard-Houllier.html
Thanks Adam.
I knew he'd blabbed it somewhere.
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If he has a storming year next season and becomes a key player for us how are the people who are unhappy with him getting another chance going to react? Are they going to continue to dislike him or are they going to let it pass? I'm not being critical or anything just curious.
If he has a storming season, he'll be angling for a move at the end of it.
I don't think he's ever truly wanted to be here and he's admitted he doesn't like Birmingham.
He never said that, there are no direct quotes to back up that he said that publicly. In this so called interview that he gave he reputedly said that he hated Cobh, where he grew up. SI gave an interview soon after all this broke to clarify that what was in that interview was untrue. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/04/stephen-ireland-interview-villa-newcastle
You want direct quotes? How about "Birmingham is a rubbish town"?!
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3445385/Stephen-Ireland-tears-into-Aston-Villa-boss-Gerard-Houllier.html
Thanks Adam.
I knew he'd blabbed it somewhere.
Ahh, the Sun, a bastion of truth and honesty. I stand corrected, of course he said it then. Well done Adam.
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I'll bet any money that he starts off well with a good attitude and works hard, then after a couple of months, he'll be subbed or have a problem at the training ground and we'll be back to square one.
Precisely
let's not forget his "tummy ache" the night before Man Ure at home
He's an accident waiting to happen.
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If he has a storming year next season and becomes a key player for us how are the people who are unhappy with him getting another chance going to react? Are they going to continue to dislike him or are they going to let it pass? I'm not being critical or anything just curious.
If he has a storming season, he'll be angling for a move at the end of it.
I don't think he's ever truly wanted to be here and he's admitted he doesn't like Birmingham.
He never said that, there are no direct quotes to back up that he said that publicly. In this so called interview that he gave he reputedly said that he hated Cobh, where he grew up. SI gave an interview soon after all this broke to clarify that what was in that interview was untrue. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/04/stephen-ireland-interview-villa-newcastle
You want direct quotes? How about "Birmingham is a rubbish town"?!
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3445385/Stephen-Ireland-tears-into-Aston-Villa-boss-Gerard-Houllier.html
Thanks Adam.
I knew he'd blabbed it somewhere.
Ahh, the Sun, a bastion of truth and honesty. I stand corrected, of course he said it then. Well done Adam.
A direct quote from him though.
If it's false then Ireland should sue.
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It's going to be hard to accomodate Ireland and Makoun in the same midfield.
I think we have to see exactly what sort of a player we have in Makoun first. He played the holding role in France, but I'm unconvinced he's be up to it in the PL. A three of him, Ireland and someone like Parker could be excellent together.
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I'll bet any money that he starts off well with a good attitude and works hard, then after a couple of months, he'll be subbed or have a problem at the training ground and we'll be back to square one.
Precisely
let's not forget his "tummy ache" the night before Man Ure at home
He's an accident waiting to happen.
Exactly what I expect to happen.
I think McLeish's mandate is to try and get the best out of players like him, Warnock and Dunne. So he'll give it a go and may have a measure of success, but with Ireland you'll always feel it's a matter of time before his 'personality issues' resurface.
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To be fair, tummy aches do hurt though.
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To be fair, tummy aches do hurt though.
I'd have a fucking ulcer if I was his Manager.
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We have to give him a chance because we have no option. We're losing players and we're finding it hard to attract players. We have to work with what we've got. That's the reality of the situation. However, he is not a well man and his general attitude is poisonous, so I doubt very much that it will work out. But what choice do we have?
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We have to give him a chance because we have no option. We're losing players and we're finding it hard to attract players. We have to work with what we've got. That's the reality of the situation. However, he is not a well man and his general attitude is poisonous, so I doubt very much that it will work out. But what choice do we have?
I think that's a bit unfair considering we signed Bent in January from a side who was 6th at the time. I agree I think we have to work with what we've got at the moment but I would say it's more of a case of we're not really looking at the moment rather than people turning us down.
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Get ready for his cousins Aunties perm went a bit frizzy so i need a month off
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We have to give him a chance because we have no option. We're losing players and we're finding it hard to attract players. We have to work with what we've got. That's the reality of the situation. However, he is not a well man and his general attitude is poisonous, so I doubt very much that it will work out. But what choice do we have?
I think that's a bit unfair considering we signed Bent in January from a side who was 6th at the time. I agree I think we have to work with what we've got at the moment but I would say it's more of a case of we're not really looking at the moment rather than people turning us down.
We're a very different proposition now to six months ago. And if it's true that 'we're not really looking at the moment', with the shape our squad is in, then that sends a very clear message to players about our ambition, or lack thereof.
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Well, now that the psychological issues are sorted we should see the best of him in the coming season....
Quote taken from the official site...
"I've always worn the no.7 since I was a young boy and it's the number I love. It kind of is a superstitious thing".
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We're a very different proposition now to six months ago.
You're right - 6 months ago we were in the bottom six and as of right now we finished 9th.
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Get ready for his cousins Aunties perm went a bit frizzy so i need a month off
His cousin's aunty would also be his aunty (or his mom).
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At l
Get ready for his cousins Aunties perm went a bit frizzy so i need a month off
His cousin's aunty would also be his aunty (or his mom).
At least it's not his gran.
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Expect to see Ireland or Gabby on one wing, with Albrighton on the other.
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Expect to see Ireland or Gabby on one wing, with Albrighton on the other.
Can't see that - Ireland isn't a winger and playing him out of position would only endanger whatever stability Mcleish can get back into him. If Downing leaves and A N Other winger doesn't come in, which I doubt, I can see either Delph or Bannan being asked to play wide.
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We have to give him a chance because we have no option. We're losing players and we're finding it hard to attract players. We have to work with what we've got. That's the reality of the situation. However, he is not a well man and his general attitude is poisonous, so I doubt very much that it will work out. But what choice do we have?
I think that's a bit unfair considering we signed Bent in January from a side who was 6th at the time. I agree I think we have to work with what we've got at the moment but I would say it's more of a case of we're not really looking at the moment rather than people turning us down.
We're a very different proposition now to six months ago. And if it's true that 'we're not really looking at the moment', with the shape our squad is in, then that sends a very clear message to players about our ambition, or lack thereof.
I think it's no secret that the club are preparing for 2013 and there is still a good chunk of players at the club that took us to 6th. Personally I don't really blame them for not wanting to spunk 7 million and 70,000pw in wages on ageing talent like Scott Parker just finish a little bit further ahead of the also rans. I don't think it's a case of ambition, more of just being sensible and realising we are going to have to wait until football sorts itself out.
In reality, our current squad with right management should easily be able to secure 7th or 8th which is our level at the moment. There's no point bankrupting the club and trying to keep up with the teams at the top when we just don't have the resources to compete.
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We're a very different proposition now to six months ago.
You're right - 6 months ago we were in the bottom six and as of right now we finished 9th.
Some things have happened since the end of the season and now, in case you hadn't noticed. Where will we be in six months' time with the current squad and manager? Time will tell.
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We're a very different proposition now to six months ago.
You're right - 6 months ago we were in the bottom six and as of right now we finished 9th.
Some things have happened since the end of the season and now, in case you hadn't noticed. Where will we be in six months' time with the current squad and manager? Time will tell.
Yes, it will. But I fail to see how we're a less attractive proposition now than in January? Houllier was hardly being lauded as a managerial genius and there were several fallings out with players.
All that's happened is we've lost Young and have a new manager, whether or not he's any good remains to be seen.
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All that's happened is we've lost Young and have a new manager, whether or not he's any good remains to be seen.
Sadly, I don't think it's as simple as that.
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Expect to see Ireland or Gabby on one wing, with Albrighton on the other.
Funny that, I was thinking that comical and cheap option might well come into play.
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Get ready for his cousins Aunties perm went a bit frizzy so i need a month off
His cousin's aunty would also be his aunty (or his mom).
Not necessarily
My cousin could have an auntie from the other side of their family
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Get ready for his cousins Aunties perm went a bit frizzy so i need a month off
His cousin's aunty would also be his aunty (or his mom).
Not necessarily.
Cousin might have an aunt on the other side of the family
ie Stephen Ireland's dad has a sister who has a daughter, that daughter is SI's cousin. However, the cousin's father has a sister, who is the cousin's aunt, and no connection at all to SI.
God.
Has anything happened in the transfer market yet?
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No but abovementioned Auntie has made an appointment at "A cut above" so expect the worse
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No chance of Gabby on the wing. At least not more than occasionally during a match. McLeish has said Gabby was misused as a winger and intends to get him back firing up front. Which is great news because he's still a potential 20 goal a season player if properly focused and utilised.
Funnily enough, Gabby and Bent might not be able to play together UNLESS somebody like Ireland links them together.
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Just come on here for a peep and i thought i had accidently slipped onto some sort of "Family Tree" site. Anyway got to go. My Cousins, sister is at the door .........
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Disagree about Gabby being a 20 goal striker.
I like gabby, tries hard but a natural finisher he aint and I feel he has reached his plateau
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Gabby can be a natural finisher if he relaxes and backs himself. I recall a couple of seasons ago he was doing this at the start of the season, scoring from long range and close range with instinctive finishes and then it went stale a bit. He has it in him, not to the levels of Bent but still a high standard.
He may need more chances than Bent to score (most do) but he definitely has it in him to challenge the top of the goal scoring charts. And his pace and strength can get him those chances more than most. In essence, he has to be used right and he has to drop some of this joker attitude and get a bit nasty because physically he could be, he should be... unstoppable.
I want to see Gabby back on the shoulder of defenders, overpowering them and outpacing them, and thus creating chances for himself. Ireland, if he's going to be of use, could be key in playing the type of balls to make this happen. For Bent and Gabby.
It's a tantalising proposition.
Can McLeish make this happen? I hope so.
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Gabby needs to be healthy and slimmer. It's all good and well being built like a brick shithouse but if it doesn't help your primary qualities as a player then it's a hindrance. His asset is his incredible pace and he needs to ensure that he does everything possible to ensure that nothing affects that. Defenders at PL level can combat size, but they all struggle against true pace. If he has that this season he'll not only get into better positions, but he'll get in the heads of the opposition which will open up chances for him and the other players.
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Gabby was constantly increasing his muscle under MON and in the process also increased his goal tally each season until Houllier came in. Now, that's not to say that bulking up meant the increased goal output, but to say it's a hinderance is wrong, IMO.
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No chance of Gabby on the wing. At least not more than occasionally during a match. McLeish has said Gabby was misused as a winger and intends to get him back firing up front. Which is great news because he's still a potential 20 goal a season player if properly focused and utilised.
Funnily enough, Gabby and Bent might not be able to play together UNLESS somebody like Ireland links them together.
It might be further hampered by the sale of Young and Downing in the same transfer window.
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gabbys stats:
2010-11 25 3
2009-10 36 13
2008–09 36 12
2007–08 37 11
2006–07 38 9
2005–06 9 1
20 goals a season i personally dont think so and he's 25 in October with 6 PL seasons behind him so what he can't do now he'll never be able to do
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All Gabbys league goals last season came whilst Bent was on the pitch. I think a partnership could work.
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I agree - Gabby is a 10-15 a season man and 15-20 during a VERY good season. However, his pace is such an assett that he shouldn't be judged on goals alone. For instance, under MON one of the reasons we had such a good away record was that teams were scared to play a high line against him, so would be 10 yards deeper than against some other visiting sides. This in turn helped us defensively as we weren't 'got at' quite so much.
The best thing though is that the goals he does socre are enough to warrant his place anyway, so it's not really a 'sacrifice' for goals in the way Heskey can be.
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He hasn't hit his peak yet and just because it hasnt happened yet, doesnt mean it never will.
Sometimes a change in philosophy or just something "clicking" can mean a player hitting his straps.
He has all the raw ingredients needed and that's most of the battle.
Also, being more muscular doesn't mean he's any slower.
Look at the Olympic sprinters. Most of them are even heavier built than Gabby.
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If the ever increasing stories of slashed budgets are true, we're going to have to play the fucking fruit loop on a regular basis.
Need some good news soon, things are looking a bit grim.
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He hasn't hit his peak yet and just because it hasnt happened yet, doesnt mean it never will.
Sometimes a change in philosophy or just something "clicking" can mean a player hitting his straps.
He has all the raw ingredients needed and that's most of the battle.
Also, being more muscular doesn't mean he's any slower.
Look at the Olympic sprinters. Most of them are even heavier built than Gabby.
I reckon he needs to stop shagging things that look like they chase after car wheels.
His bollocks must be like two dehydrated pancakes.
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He hasn't hit his peak yet and just because it hasnt happened yet, doesnt mean it never will.
Sometimes a change in philosophy or just something "clicking" can mean a player hitting his straps.
He has all the raw ingredients needed and that's most of the battle.
Also, being more muscular doesn't mean he's any slower.
Look at the Olympic sprinters. Most of them are even heavier built than Gabby.
I reckon he needs to stop shagging things that look like they chase after car wheels.
His bollocks must be like two dehydrated pancakes.
Where I'm from, this is known as "Batwings".
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Irelands best game for us was at home to Chelsea, when NRC & Petrov played with him in a middle three. Maybe that's what is needed. 2 work horse players along side him to give him the freedom to get forward.
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Expect to see Ireland or Gabby on one wing, with Albrighton on the other.
Can't see that - Ireland isn't a winger and playing him out of position would only endanger whatever stability Mcleish can get back into him. If Downing leaves and A N Other winger doesn't come in, which I doubt, I can see either Delph or Bannan being asked to play wide.
......neither is Gabby, he hasn't got the ability to do what's required with the ball - pace is not in and of itself, enough.
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Not getting carried away or anything because of the type of game and opposition, but I thought some of his passing last night was excellent. He got into good positions, and picked out runners with some very good through balls. He looked sharp and interested throughout and it's obviously a bit of a shame he's picked up a knock. Hopefully it's not too serious because it will be important for him to keep playing and staying involved. Nice re-start though, as it was for Warnock.
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Expect to see Ireland or Gabby on one wing, with Albrighton on the other.
Can't see that - Ireland isn't a winger and playing him out of position would only endanger whatever stability Mcleish can get back into him. If Downing leaves and A N Other winger doesn't come in, which I doubt, I can see either Delph or Bannan being asked to play wide.
......neither is Gabby, he hasn't got the ability to do what's required with the ball - pace is not in and of itself, enough.
True, but the difference is Gabby wouldn't go into a sulk that would last for the rest of the season if asked to play there.
Ireland might.
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Here's hoping Ireland manages to acknowledge that a change in attitude is needed, in order for him to be a successful player. Surely, SURELY, he must realise that if he carries on like last season, that he'll be heading down the leagues quickly, as we'll fuck him off, and he'll have few takers. It'll be like that club to club, and he'll end up like Marcus Bent. Here there and everywhere and never seemingly that interested in footballing matters.
Ireland has so much potential though. He is still only young and I hope he's ready to knuckle down. I do think McLeish is a man manager and the sort who'll be able to keep a firm discipline, without alienating players (unlike Houllier, who's methods didn't work, even accounting for disgustingly bratty behaviour from senior players).
So far the signs seem good. He's apparently put the work in on the training ground and hit the ground running last night. Good luck to him, because we genuinely need him. Not only because we've lost Ash and Downing, but because he can change the emphasis of our style of play. We've been too reliant on wingers, which has limited our game. We should be playing with one, not two. Tis the modern way. It wouldn't be unreasonable to expect 10-15 goals from an on song Ireland. If he then decides to move on to bigger things a year down the line, we flog him for profit. But it'd be nice to make money on him.
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Of course Ireland deserves another chance. Some of his passes were magnificent yesterday. He needs to develop some chemistry (personally and on the pitch) with some players. I'd like to see Bent (who seems like a really cool guy) mentor him. AM seems to be the type of guy that some of the more "spirited" types could respect. We need Ireland (and a top notch winger) and Ireland needs us.
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He was fantastic yesterday. Great awareness. Superb passes and incisive movement. Long may it continue.
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Well since we are trying to give players who are at the club a chance I'd hope he can reward us, clean slate fair enough.
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Even if he's only playing for a move we could get a few good months out of him. Yes, it was only Walsall but he looked good.
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In reality, our current squad with right management should easily be able to secure 7th or 8th which is our level at the moment. There's no point bankrupting the club and trying to keep up with the teams at the top when we just don't have the resources to compete.
Oh my God - is someone actually talking sense here?
If Stephen Ireland plays up to his strengths it will be like having a world class new signing.
If he plays down to his weaknesses - it will be more of the same old same old.
It is up to him.
And I for one think he can redeem himself - but wouldn't say he will.
And yes, he looked very promising at Bescott.
UTV
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My only concern (other than the obvious mental issues) is that he tends to over play it in midfield sometimes...a stray pass can easily open us up and cause a swift counter attack that would be punished in the Premier League. He also seems a bit lightweight in the tackle when trying to win the ball back.
On the positive side, he showed great vision and played some incisive balls against Walsall...if Bent can stay onside there will be plenty of goals to be had.