Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Concrete John on January 16, 2012, 11:10:11 AM
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This has been debated a bit on the transfer thread, but thought it worthy of it's own home.
We've recently seen some great football from the enigmatic Stephen Ireland, with him finally showing us what he's capable of. I doubt anyone thought he lacked the ability, but his head wasn't right, which has been a feature through out his career, and we had an expensive duffer on our hands. Until recently, that is.
So the big question is will he keep this up and prove to be an asset to the club or is this a just a temporary return to good form until the next thing sets him off and he goes back to being a liability for us?
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It's impossible to know but something has certainly clicked recently. I was always against the signing and have been one of his biggest critics but I am really enjoying watching him at the moment. I hope that as his understanding with others develops we'll see even more from him but there is always the nagging doubt that it could all turn again. However, I'd rather concentrate on the positives and look forward to more of the same.
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I'd rather concentrate on the positives .
There's a turn-up.
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He's impressed with his last few showings but If there was more movement around him we'd see the real Stephen Ireland.
I think he will work well with Keane who always makes himself busy.
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Really liked him when he was at City and was unlucky to be pipped to young player of the year by Ashley Young.
Was chuffed (as I could be) after losing Milner and Ireland coming in as part of the deal.
Really hope now he maintains this form & effort. He's exactly the type of midfielder we've been missing.
He seems the only player in our team with a bit of imagination.
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Any player not performing is the fault of McLeish.
Stephen Ireland playing better is a flash in the pan. A fluke. It won't last. Then we can blame McLeish for that as well.
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Any player not performing is the fault of McLeish.
Stephen Ireland playing better is a flash in the pan. A fluke. It won't last. Then we can blame McLeish for that as well.
The thread isn't meant to be pro or anti McLeish in any way - just trying to guage the views of H&V as to whether Ireland has truely turned the corner for us or not.
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Any player not performing is the fault of McLeish.
Stephen Ireland playing better is a flash in the pan. A fluke. It won't last. Then we can blame McLeish for that as well.
The thread isn't meant to be pro or anti McLeish in any way - just trying to guage the views of H&V as to whether Ireland has truely turned the corner for us or not.
OK. I accept that. It seems like every thread is an excuse for a pop at McLeish. Unfortunately one of his supporters, me, got in before his opponents.
I would like to hit the 'yes' button but it might prove to be the kiss of death. If he is still playing an improved game come the end of the season then we must hope that he has helped to pick up the games of a few other poor performers along with him.
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Ireland on form is a top Premiership midfielder and at this moment in time he's definitely on form.It appeared that Houllier never wanted him and he's obviously the type who needs to feel wanted.Whatever Mcleish is doing with him it's working and in all fairness to McLeish he's playing ireland at the expense of his biggest signing N'Zogbia.That takes courage so fair play.
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I hope it's a sign of things to come. However, based on his performances over his time at Villa, and being aware of the sort of person he is (albeit through word of mouth), I don't think it will last, which is a shame because playing like this he could play centre-midfield easily as he's (currently) willing to put the effort in when he doesn't have the ball as well as using the ball really well.
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He is starting to show what he can do now.
Whilst there's a way to go still, and these are early days, I think he deserves as much encouragement as we can get him now.
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Promising signs (at last) from a player I'd always rated - until he pulled a Villa shirt on! If he can stay fit, which has been a problem since he joined us, and get a run of games in the side (something that he's never managed, for various reasons, before), then we could yet have a very good player on our hands. He's 25 years old and should be approaching his prime - be great if that's with us. He's playing himself into a bit of form.
Only slight grumble would be that I don't like seeing him wide left, instead of N'Zogbia. I think we'll see the best of him either as that third midfield in a 4-3-3/4-5-1/4-2-3-1 set up, or even, perhaps, in a 4-4-2 alongside a set defensive midfielder (could he, perhaps, do the job Petrov is doing, if he had Clark or Herd in there?)
Encouraging signs though.
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Its hardly great football, good yes but great no. Or is how we see things during the crap that is being served up, a few minutes here and a few minutes there. He still owes us for the millions we have paid him for 18 months of moaning/bench warming/ lack of interest.
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It's right that everyone is a bit cautious but it is great to see a Villa player who gets people off their seats when he's on the ball around the penalty area. He is a talented and exciting player - and he will create chances for us if the players begin to make the right movement for him and get on his wavelength.
As a season ticket holder, he is one of the reasons I'm sticking it out at the moment.
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The answer is yes unless he is completely stupid. He needs to make sure he is selected by ROI in their WC squad. That would be a great chance for him to showcase his talent against the best in the world. I suppose the thing that could de-motivate him is our general form and having to play with inadequate players but he should use that as a positive opportunity to shine.
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I'd rather concentrate on the positives .
There's a turn-up.
Clearly change is all around us and not just with Ireland!
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Can tell he appreciated the fans singing his name.
I liked how he clapped himself when the anncouncer read out he was MOTM. ;D
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The answer is yes unless he is completely stupid. He needs to make sure he is selected by ROI in their WC squad. That would be a great chance for him to showcase his talent against the best in the world. I suppose the thing that could de-motivate him is our general form and having to play with inadequate players but he should use that as a positive opportunity to shine.
I thought he had retired from international football after being found out telling lies about his grandmothers dying when in fact his girfriend had had a miscarriage or something like that. Why didnt he tell the truth? no one would have thought lesser of him.
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Yep, his form won't get him back into the Ireland fold as even if he asked to be considered again, I think he's burned his bridges with Trapatoni.
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Hope he continues in this way, because he does seem to have gain a connection with the crowd and he can do things others players can't.
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He was definitely the best player on the pitch on Saturday from either side. Just hope he can do it consistently for us.
In a way he's our Mario Ballotelli, mad as a hatter and you just never know what he's going to do next.
He obviously appreciates the crowds reaction to his recent form.
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"It's one of the targets I've set, to get on better with the fans," Ireland said. "It's nice when they sing your name. I've not had the greatest of relationships with them but I've not had a consistent run in the team. It's been frustrating but I seem to be playing now and I'm pleased."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/jan/15/stephen-ireland-aston-villa-everton
That first quote there is key. He's set himself targets and is looking to get his career back on track. I really hope it works out for him (and in turn us), as I like an enigma, and he's just a very enjoyable footballer to watch. My kind of player.
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I like him. Technically very good. And I like the flicks here and there. He's willing to be unpredictable and when he's got a chance to deliver, he delivers decent service. He kind of reminds me of Nol Solano a little bit. A touch of flair amongst average footballers.
What I'd like now is for him to take it a step further a make me think of the Merse.
We'll see how it goes, but I'd like to think he'll do the business. He's got a great engine too, so if he maintains his form, I don't think he'd need to much resting between now and the end of the season.
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if he maintains his form, I don't think he'd need to much resting between now and the end of the season.
I shouldn't fucking think so - he's hardly played for 18 months!
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If he I never thought he'd make it with us so I am pleasantly surprised.
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I just hope he is improving as he is beginning to feel more involved and more settled. I think he is certainly capable of maintaining his form, but I accept that like most players he will have the odd poor game. When this happens, I just hope the fans have patience and stick with him because if he loses confidence, we might not see him get it back.
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I've defended him as much as possible over the past 16 months when it's been very hard to do so!
I believe that certain players who are capable of producing something special need to be treated specially at times, even molly-coddled to an extent if necessary, in order to coax the best out of them. If he feels wanted and is given a chance, which seems to be happening at the moment, it can only be good for all of us.
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The answer is yes unless he is completely stupid. He needs to make sure he is selected by ROI in their WC squad.
Won't he need an affidavit proving he has no more grannies?
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Can tell he appreciated the fans singing his name.
I liked how he clapped himself when the anncouncer read out he was MOTM. ;D
Yeah, reminded me of when Ginola did that one time (can't remember who against - Fulham maybe?). Difference is time was never going to be kind to Ginola after that, whereas Ireland has nothing if not time on his side to carry on improving.
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I like his eye for a pass (needs team-mates to have an eye for them too though), the way he makes space for himself, and the fact that, although he couldn't tackle rice-paper, he has this trick of sneaking up behind people and nicking the ball off them.
More goals would be nice, and once he's won the fans over he should make request appearances in a variety of comedy wigs. Again. I'm torn between a Beatles wig or a Fellaini wig. Either would be great fun and far more entertaining than the football currently.
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I hope he can maintain this form and improve. I think he needs the right players around him for him to take it to the next level. Keep it up Ireland.
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I've always sympathised with him over the miscarriage thing. Maybe he and his girlfriend really wanted it to remain a private matter and the lie about his nan was seen by them as the lesser of two evils. I can understand that and certainly don't agree with the posters on here who think he's mentally ill. Also think it was quite admirable the way he fought for and won custody of his children. Can't see many 19 year-old professional footballers bothering their arse with all that.
Supremely talented player BTW.
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We've recently seen some great football from the enigmatic Stephen Ireland
Your use of the word "enigmatic" sums up the answer to your question: who knows!
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In terms of pure technical ability he's our best player by a mile.
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In terms of pure technical ability he's our best player by a mile.
Who's now playing with a smile.
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I'll admit that I was convinced he was a nut case that we should be looking to get rid of.
Well done to the player for proving that he gives a shit and for his recent upturn in form.
And well done to McLeish for getting the best out of the player. (Something which Mancini, Houllier and Pardew didn't manage to do.)
The explanation that I'm sticking to now, is that his poor form was probably more down to a lack of fitness, and not so much a bad attitude. He's probably a complex character, whose form, fitness, motivation and confidence are strongly linked (all them because the cause of others).
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In terms of pure technical ability he's our best player by a mile.
I can't agree with this enough. None of our midfielders with the exception of a luke-warm Barry Bannan can actually receive a ball and pass it to their teammate. While Gabby is still an incredible asset to this team, Ireland's ability to retain possession while having a keen eye for threatening passes is bar none on this squad. I expect to see a lot more Ireland shirts next season.
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His interception that led to Bents goal against Chelsea was top class, don't think any other Villa player could have done it.
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It's nice to see him looking like he wants to play for us, rather than looking like he has been sent here as a punishment.
I think he's a confidence player, and being a makeweight in the Milner deal just made him feel second rate. He seems to be getting that confidence back and winning over the fans is now putting him on an upward spiral instead of a downward one.
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His interception that led to Bents goal against Chelsea was top class, don't think any other Villa player could have done it.
He rarely makes a tackle, but always seems to intercept. His reading of the game is top notch.
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His interception that led to Bents goal against Chelsea was top class, don't think any other Villa player could have done it.
He rarely makes a tackle, but always seems to intercept. His reading of the game is top notch.
To be fair the way red cards are being dished out at the moment you're better off being an interceptor than a tackler
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His interception that led to Bents goal against Chelsea was top class, don't think any other Villa player could have done it.
He rarely makes a tackle, but always seems to intercept. His reading of the game is top notch.
To be fair the way red cards are being dished out at the moment you're better off being an interceptor than a tackler
I agree, we've seen how Delph who is a tackler gets himself booked early on and then is missing for the rest of the game
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I hope he can maintain this form and improve. I think he needs the right players around him for him to take it to the next level. Keep it up Ireland.
+1.
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He always had the ability but that's useless if your head isn't right (see one SVC, probably the most talented striker of his generation). Love to watch him play when he's at the races, and he has been lately. Needs to stay in the middle though, not out wide, and he could do with the other players being a bit more on his wavelength and offering more movement. I do have this nagging doubt that his chance for rehabilitation only came about because of the (new) Jenas injury, but whatever, it seems to be working out well so far.
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I do have this nagging doubt that his chance for rehabilitation only came about because of the (new) Jenas injury, but whatever, it seems to be working out well so far.
Indeed. You have to take your chance when it comes.
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Obvious yes to this poll (for me) as he has shown an improvement in attitude and performance, but still not at the level he should be and still not consistently making the contribution we hope for and most believe he is capable of.
He's the kind of player that will be 9 out of 10 some weeks and 5 or 6 other weeks - the issue is to get more good than bad games and balance the team with enough players who will regularly be a 7.5 or 8 to compensate and also have other options to replace Ireland on days when it is not working for him (or more particularly the team).
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Why did he not play today?
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Why did he not play today?
Tight hammy
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And why did Nzog not appear today, please?
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Heel injury apparently.
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And why did Nzog not appear today, please?
My guess is that he has been crap so far and his attitude and temperament are very suspect...or possibly an injury...hmmm who knows.
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And the latest episode of the Stephen Ireland saga has his partner (who I think is a birmingham girl) tweeting that her other half wishes to play for the Republic of Ireland omce again and "all it will take is a phone call" I am sure Trap is rummaging through his pockets for a bit of change as we speak
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And the latest episode of the Stephen Ireland saga has his partner (who I think is a birmingham girl) tweeting that her other half wishes to play for the Republic of Ireland omce again and "all it will take is a phone call" I am sure Trap is rummaging through his pockets for a bit of change as we speak
Ah not this shite again.
Ironically enough I don't think he would suit the Trap system at all. That and he is a grade one nutter whose inclusion in the squad would likely cause a Saipan like meltdown in the camp mean I can't see it happening even if it were true
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And the latest episode of the Stephen Ireland saga has his partner (who I think is a birmingham girl) tweeting that her other half wishes to play for the Republic of Ireland omce again and "all it will take is a phone call" I am sure Trap is rummaging through his pockets for a bit of change as we speak
I think she's right, but it's Stephen who'll need to make that phone call.
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Ireland doesn't seem the brightest spark to me...
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Ireland doesn't seem the brightest spark to me...
Isn't that a bit racist? :)
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Ireland doesn't seem the brightest spark to me...
I dont know what that's based on. He seems quite intelligent to me. As footballers go anyway.
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Ireland doesn't seem the brightest spark to me...
I dont know what that's based on. He seems quite intelligent to me. As footballers go anyway.
Indeed, his football brain is way ahead of most others in the squad. That's more important to me than him knowing the capital of American Samoa. (It's Pago Pago if you're interested).
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Ireland doesn't seem the brightest spark to me...
I dont know what that's based on. He seems quite intelligent to me. As footballers go anyway.
Indeed, his football brain is way ahead of most others in the squad. That's more important to me than him knowing the capital of American Samoa. (It's Pago Pago if you're interested).
Gosh, I learn something every day. I thought that a Pago Pago was a thrusting dance move demonstrated by the big guy in the dodgy syrup in that brilliant film 'Strictly Ballroom'.
Anyway, Stephen Ireland. Can he do a Pago Pago, I wonder, and would it help his chances of getting back into the Ireland team? More importantly, would it confuse opposing defenders and allow our Darren through to bang in a few more?
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It was his missus who tweeted the pic of him puffing on a shisha wasn't it? She doesn't half cause the chap problems.
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Sure I read somewhere she was appearing in a musical about WAGS!
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It was his missus who tweeted the pic of him puffing on a shisha wasn't it? She doesn't half cause the chap problems.
She could cause many a man a few problems mate. He is a lucky, lucky boy.
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And the latest episode of the Stephen Ireland saga has his partner (who I think is a birmingham girl) tweeting that her other half wishes to play for the Republic of Ireland omce again and "all it will take is a phone call" I am sure Trap is rummaging through his pockets for a bit of change as we speak
Pretty sure she is Irish too.
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She isn't that special.
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Stephen Ireland cares about the planet (http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10265~2659452,00.htm)l
Ireland urges fans to think before they travel to Bolton
Stephen Ireland is encouraging fans to use public transport or car share for Villa's big clash with Bolton on Tuesday.
The message from the playmaking midfielder comes as part of Villa's support of Climate Week.
Climate Week is aimed at inspiring people to create a sustainable future.
A week of activities is being held around the country with schools, business, councils and charities showcasing their own practical solutions.
Villa's participation includes a staff transport day this Friday and a call to action for supporters on Tuesday, asking them to follow suit and cut down on emissions by travelling economically.
That can mean jumping in your mate's motor for the midweek game, using the train or even sampling our special bus services
Stephen said: "Everyone is aware of the need to look after the planet we live on and Climate Week does a great job of not only reiterating our responsibilities but also encouraging our involvement.
"I would ask all our fans to join in and ditch their cars for the evening and find other modes of transportation."
That's not the only sustainable element of life in B6.
Villa's VMF restaurant is renowned for delivering excellent food - but it is also leading the way when it comes to sustainability.
VMF is continually doing its bit for the environment by using fruit and vegetables grown at the club's own allotment, as well as other locally-sourced produce.
What's more, as VMF strives to reflect the club's relationship with the local community through its recipes, 80 per cent of the produce used at the restaurant is sourced from within a 40-mile radius of Villa Park.
(http://cfatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Stephen-Ireland-Range-Rover.jpg)
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Just pissed myself laughing on the train to work after reading the above and seeing that picture. What an absolute bellend! Imagine the stick he gets rocking up to bodymoor in that every day! Or maybe not. They all probably think its totally sick !!
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We'll all come in a taxi
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I would say that they miss the excellent work our fans are already doing to save the planet. Look at how many of our fans care so much about the environment that they are not going to games at all.
(An open goal, that not even Heskey could have missed. I'll get me coat.)
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His heart is in the right place.
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His heart is in the right place.
So is his mouth, unfortunately.
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And the pipe. Still, I'm glad he's considering the bigger picture, environmentally speaking.
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Absolutely.
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Let him be our future legend.
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I seem to recall someone pointing out that this vehicle belongs to his missus and he posed for the photo to promote a breast cancer charity or some such.
Anyway, when Renee Dustcart from Allo Allo said "I'm pink therefore I'm spam", he wasn't kidding around.
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I'll be honest. Looking at the tattoo coverage I was not encouraged. But Stephen has convinced me that he is a committed environmental warrior, eschewing merely cosmetic solutions to landfill that are only skin-deep.
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I'd love to see him do well in a claret and blue shirt but...................................
what a monumental bellend.
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I wouldn't worry about the car, that's an old photo judging by the state of his hair.
He's long since traded it in and got himself a bicycle. I dare say he now composts his garden waste too, rather than smoke it.
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Stephen Ireland is a half hearted wet middle of the road semi-committed politically incorrect wrong shade of green. Use public transport ? No .. still too much carbon footprint!
Proper unreconstructed pure eco-warrior Villa supporters either walk or go by push-bike. I refer all Sutton based supporters to my thread last year - "A countryside ramble to Villa Park"
http://www.heroesandvillains.info/forumv3/index.php?topic=44369.msg1857631#msg1857631
PS. As its a night game and a bit cold, I will jump in my brothers car instead.
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I'll be honest. Looking at the tattoo coverage I was not encouraged. But Stephen has convinced me that he is a committed environmental warrior, eschewing merely cosmetic solutions to landfill that are only skin-deep.
He, he.
He's thoroughly dislikeable, IMO.
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I like Stephen Ireland much more than I thought I would.
Twelve months ago I would have swapped him for a bag of multi-purpose compost and a packet of broad bean seeds.
Today he is like a magic claret-and-blue beanstalk, shooting skywards to a land of dreams
Or some fucking thing
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Behemoth driving Stephen Ireland asking me to use public transport.
What next?
George Michael advising against Anal sex?
Bill Gates telling me to shop at Lidl?
Prince Harry speaking out about illegitimate children?
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Just wait til he finds out that HS2 is going to run through his back garden.
And that's not a euphemism.
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Just wait til he finds out that HS2 is going to run through his back garden.
And that's not a euphemism.
He can use some of his old syrups to derail the train.