Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Staffsvillan on May 20, 2013, 11:02:39 PM
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Does anyone know how long he's got left on his contract. Hopefully PL can release him this summer without having to pay him off
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Runs until 2014 so we've got another year of the twat sucking £70k a week out the club.
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One year left I believe.
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Oh FFS pay the twat off. I can't stand that arsehole being connected with my club.
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I think he will be given a free this summer for someone to take him off our hands. Not made the squad since Jan says it all.
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Not made the squad since Jan says it all.
Crikey.
I didn't know that was the case. Are you sure?
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Not made the squad since Jan says it all.
Crikey.
I didn't know that was the case. Are you sure?
His last appearances was the Bradford home leg. He may have made the bench a couple of times but not very often.
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Hasn't made the 18-man match-day squad since the home defeat to Newcastle in January according to the Telegraph.
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The Bradford game was a last-chance it seems looking at it now. A bold and brave decision by Lambert...which utterly failed sadly. I still maintain that signing Ireland whilst we had no manager was the worst decision ever made under the Lerner regime. Yes, even worse then THAT decision!
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Not made the squad since Jan says it all.
Crikey.
I didn't know that was the case. Are you sure?
I was trying to recall if he had played since Bradford when we were discussing the Bradford second leg on the highs and lows and I don't reckon he would have played in that had literally any other option been available. Not signed Sylla yet and no Westwood, plus injuries made it impossible to leave him out. Otherwise I think the Wigan game, where he was not even close to being an apology for a footballer, would have been his last.
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The Bradford game was a last-chance it seems looking at it now. A bold and brave decision by Lambert...which utterly failed sadly. I still maintain that signing Ireland whilst we had no manager was the worst decision ever made under the Lerner regime. Yes, even worse then THAT decision!
I would say in hindsight probably, essentially 8 million in fee off the Milner money, plus 3.5 million a season in wages, for 4 seasons. 22 million ish.
The Given, NZogbia, Hutton, Jenas, McLeish 12 months might just run it very close though in terms of cash being pissed down the drain like a drunk without control.
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The Bradford game was a last-chance it seems looking at it now. A bold and brave decision by Lambert...which utterly failed sadly. I still maintain that signing Ireland whilst we had no manager was the worst decision ever made under the Lerner regime. Yes, even worse then THAT decision!
To be fair I along with many others was quite excited when we initially signed him, don't think THAT decision got anyone excited.
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The Bradford game was a last-chance it seems looking at it now. A bold and brave decision by Lambert...which utterly failed sadly. I still maintain that signing Ireland whilst we had no manager was the worst decision ever made under the Lerner regime. Yes, even worse then THAT decision!
I would say in hindsight probably, essentially 8 million in fee off the Milner money, plus 3.5 million a season in wages, for 4 seasons. 22 million ish.
The Given, NZogbia, Hutton, Jenas, McLeish 12 months might just run it very close though in terms of cash being pissed down the drain like a drunk without control.
There are loads of examples of us burning money over the last few years, sadly, and they're all extremely depressing.
People too often just look at the transfer fee and don't think about the enormous cost of having some of these wasters on our books. Ireland is a particularly depressing example.
If we have had to go back to "year zero"squad-wise this season, then you don't have to scout around too hard for examples of why this has been necessary.
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The Bradford game was a last-chance it seems looking at it now. A bold and brave decision by Lambert...which utterly failed sadly. I still maintain that signing Ireland whilst we had no manager was the worst decision ever made under the Lerner regime. Yes, even worse then THAT decision!
I agree, but that's because I didn't want him in the first place. But plenty were very happy when he signed, I remember more than saying we had the better end of the deal, and that we'd got such a good deal that we'd mugged City blind. So hard to say it was a terrible decision.
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Not made the squad since Jan says it all.
Crikey.
I didn't know that was the case. Are you sure?
I was trying to recall if he had played since Bradford when we were discussing the Bradford second leg on the highs and lows and I don't reckon he would have played in that had literally any other option been available. Not signed Sylla yet and no Westwood, plus injuries made it impossible to leave him out. Otherwise I think the Wigan game, where he was not even close to being an apology for a footballer, would have been his last.
I was actually a fan of Ireland, trying to believe he was misunderstood etc, and I do think there is talent there. However, this game was nothing short of shocking and when he was hauled off with resounding boos, he must have had an idea his goose was cooked. The modern day Stan Collymore.
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I think he will be given a free this summer for someone to take him off our hands. Not made the squad since Jan says it all.
Who on earth would have him?
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He's the one player I think we'll struggle to shift. Maybe some rich overseas club would take him, but I don't hold my breath.
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I am hoping MLS clubs come in, there was interest before from New York.
If not maybe Hull on a free, Bruce might fancy a bit of flair.
Can we get Mark Hughes a job and send him there?
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He was linked with some MLS sides before, maybe we can have a whip-round for his flight.
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I see what people are say
The Bradford game was a last-chance it seems looking at it now. A bold and brave decision by Lambert...which utterly failed sadly. I still maintain that signing Ireland whilst we had no manager was the worst decision ever made under the Lerner regime. Yes, even worse then THAT decision!
I agree, but that's because I didn't want him in the first place. But plenty were very happy when he signed, I remember more than saying we had the better end of the deal, and that we'd got such a good deal that we'd mugged City blind. So hard to say it was a terrible decision.
I see what you are saying but you don't need hindsight to know that signing players when there is no manager in place is a bad idea. I thought it at the time and so it has proved.
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The Bradford game was a last-chance it seems looking at it now. A bold and brave decision by Lambert...which utterly failed sadly. I still maintain that signing Ireland whilst we had no manager was the worst decision ever made under the Lerner regime. Yes, even worse then THAT decision!
I would say in hindsight probably, essentially 8 million in fee off the Milner money, plus 3.5 million a season in wages, for 4 seasons. 22 million ish.
The Given, NZogbia, Hutton, Jenas, McLeish 12 months might just run it very close though in terms of cash being pissed down the drain like a drunk without control.
There are loads of examples of us burning money over the last few years, sadly, and they're all extremely depressing.
People too often just look at the transfer fee and don't think about the enormous cost of having some of these wasters on our books. Ireland is a particularly depressing example.
If we have had to go back to "year zero"squad-wise this season, then you don't have to scout around too hard for examples of why this has been necessary.
As much as we grind the numbers long into the night and wake up in cold sweats, I imagine Randy has too over what he's doled out since 2006, and what he has to show for it. He likely rocks back and forth in a corner of a dark room repeating "what the fuck have I done?" as he reels off to himself transfers and management mistake, one after another. The direction the club has taken in the past 12 months is all about getting things back to a point where there is complete transparency and control, is some sort of plan that isn't made up as you go along and is sustainable. As painful and dangerous as it has often been it is understandable.
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MLS is a good call Ozzjim, hopefully one of the clubs here will take a chance on him because I can't imagine anyone in England (who can afford him) touching him.
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If we can't get him sold, loaning out is the second best option with half the wages paid.
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I always maintained that we should never have signed him, at least not without a manager in post who wanted him. Citeh mugged us: they took one of our most consistent performers and managed to palm us off with a prima donna with a track record of one decent season in his professional career, yet every other club they were dealing with was successful adding millions to the transfer fee they asked. The fact that most of their fans that I know were sadder when Dunne joined us perhaps says it all. It also says a lot for the negotiating skills of those at the top of the club. If we were to pay up the rest of his contract and show him the door this summer, it won't be a moment too soon.
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Wasn't he fans player of the year last year? I'm sure there is a little bit of revisionism being displayed by some parties in here. Or maybe that is simply a good marker of how low we had fallen
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Lesson - Never sign a player that has just been on a stupid wages contract - (there are not many that perform after going down pay-check-wise)
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Potentially best footballer at the club. Definitely the biggest twat at the club. No more chances so get rid as soon as possible.
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The Bradford game was a last-chance it seems looking at it now. A bold and brave decision by Lambert...which utterly failed sadly. I still maintain that signing Ireland whilst we had no manager was the worst decision ever made under the Lerner regime. Yes, even worse then THAT decision!
I agree, but that's because I didn't want him in the first place. But plenty were very happy when he signed, I remember more than saying we had the better end of the deal, and that we'd got such a good deal that we'd mugged City blind. So hard to say it was a terrible decision.
put my hands up,
I was one of them, I really rated Ireland at City and thought he would be great for us, just shows how wrong you can be
in mitigation i didn't want N'zogbia, so in my own tiny little mind i;m quits
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Apparently he's spent the last 3 months looking for a new club and the financial people are looking to buy out his contract.
Don't know how true, though.
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I was excited when we signed him, and there is still a footballer in there somewhere. But there's something not right in his head.
I predict he will have an Indian Summer somewhere like Barnsley in a year or so which will 'prove us all wrong' while proving precisely fuck all.
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Ireland is one of those players where I don't think he'll be too difficult to shift. Dunne maybe but not Ireland. hes got the talent he just never applies it, theres always a manager that will be determined he'll be able to manage him and get the most out of him and take that gamble.
If there's a club always willing to give Barton a chance then anything is possible!
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The difference being that Barton, while a gobby little thug, is still a hard worker and probably takes little motivating.
Incidentally, the Marseille fans have quite taken to him. Although that probably says more about them than it does about him...
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That'll be the French accent. They think he's one of them ;-)
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The difference being that Barton, while a gobby little thug, is still a hard worker and probably takes little motivating.
Incidentally, the Marseille fans have quite taken to him. Although that probably says more about them than it does about him...
Hasn't he been liked by the fans in most of the clubs before he's caused the worst problems? Tenacious hard working midfielders are usually liked by the fans.
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Hasn't Ireland's workrate on the training pitch been praised, since he's been with us? You have to wonder why that doesn't translate to playing actual matches... Poor bloke. I was really pleased, when he came but there's been absolutely no point to him being at the Villa for at least a year.
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I don't think it's any co-incidence we've been a better and more together looking side since he stopped being included in any of the matchday squads.
We could pay the wages of two promsing youngsters from the lower leagues with the wages he's most likely taking home.
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I'd say longer than a year. You see snippets of what he's capable of then he disappears for the rest of the match. I was one of those in favour of Ireland when the deal was done. Seeing the potential that the player has. Be its impossible to argue against that he's been a complete waste of a villa shirt. With our current model and wage structure he earns the equivalent of Westwood, syilla, lowton and possibly Weimann combined.
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Ireland is one of those players where I don't think he'll be too difficult to shift. Dunne maybe but not Ireland. hes got the talent he just never applies it, theres always a manager that will be determined he'll be able to manage him and get the most out of him and take that gamble.
If there's a club always willing to give Barton a chance then anything is possible!
Dunne's out of contract, so should be fairly easy to give the boot.
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Hasn't Ireland's workrate on the training pitch been praised, since he's been with us? You have to wonder why that doesn't translate to playing actual matches... Poor bloke. I was really pleased, when he came but there's been absolutely no point to him being at the Villa for at least a year.
To be honest I have never understood all the Ireland bashing this year. I think he worked hard when he came into the side. He's just lost the player he was and it's quite sad for the bloke that he'll probably never get that player back. Lambert probably persisted with him for so long thinking game time would unlock the player that we knew before at Citeh but it's clearly never happened. He needs a championship club to try and turn his career around asap before it's too late. I can't see him wanting to rot away not playing for another year.
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The Bradford game was a last-chance it seems looking at it now. A bold and brave decision by Lambert...which utterly failed sadly. I still maintain that signing Ireland whilst we had no manager was the worst decision ever made under the Lerner regime. Yes, even worse then THAT decision!
To be fair I along with many others was quite excited when we initially signed him, don't think THAT decision got anyone excited.
Same here - I had high hopes for Ireland, but he's made a right pig's ear of it.
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The Bradford game was a last-chance it seems looking at it now. A bold and brave decision by Lambert...which utterly failed sadly. I still maintain that signing Ireland whilst we had no manager was the worst decision ever made under the Lerner regime. Yes, even worse then THAT decision!
To be fair I along with many others was quite excited when we initially signed him, don't think THAT decision got anyone excited.
Same here - I had high hopes for Ireland, but he's made a right pig's ear of it.
I thought he would do well. The problem is he works his nads off one week, then looks totally disinterested the next. Passes great one week, then so lazily the next it could go anywhere. I don't think it is an attitude thing though, or that he is a bad bloke, or a bad apple. I just think that he is not good enough consistently to cope in a premier league midfield, and carries no goal threat playing behind the forward. He needs a manager to love him and build a side around him. QPR would be a good move under Redknapp in the Championship were he willing to take the pay cut. I think a loan until his deal runs out is the most likely outcome.
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Ireland is one of those players where I don't think he'll be too difficult to shift. Dunne maybe but not Ireland. hes got the talent he just never applies it, theres always a manager that will be determined he'll be able to manage him and get the most out of him and take that gamble.
If there's a club always willing to give Barton a chance then anything is possible!
Dunne's out of contract, so should be fairly easy to give the boot.
Oh yeah, I forgot he was out of contract.
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MLS is a good call Ozzjim, hopefully one of the clubs here will take a chance on him because I can't imagine anyone in England (who can afford him) touching him.
Agreed , especially as the Blue Eyed Sheikhs of ManCiteh are reputedly setting up a new Club in New York ......hey , maybe we can get rid of Bent ( unfortunately ) Ireland & Podger Dunne ...all in one swowl foop ? .......Godzvilla!
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I bet someone like Cardiff coming in for him
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Is Ireland that bothered about playing football? I don't see him having too much motivation to be honest. He's got talent but not the desire. I think he likes the lifestyle more so than actually playing the game now, which is a shame. Look at his international career. He could have been a star for the national team but in the end he just couldn't be bothered.
I think he's happier in shisha lounges than he is really trying to do something on the pitch.
I'm not sure it's even a lack of effort on his part, more a case of going through the motions. What you could say for Emile Heskey for example is that despite not having a natural footballing gift, he applied himself and worked very hard, and always seemed to enjoy playing.
I would say perhaps that Joe Cole is a lazier player than Ireland. The difference is that Cole really seems to enjoy playing football. Granted he's been bobbins in the top flight since leaving Chelsea, but that's another matter.
That said, I also think many people overrate Irelands "talent." He has some ability and had 6 really good months in an erratic City side. He's not got enough in his locker to ever be more than an okay Premiership midfielder. He just doesn't have the motivation.
He could go and coast in the MLS, look fairly decent, pick up his money, lounge in the sun etc. In fairness he's never shirked the off pitch responsibilities like visiting the kids hospitals etc. Genuinely he seems to enjoy it. But again, it doesn't seem to me like he really enjoys playing football that much.
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I don't think his abilities are over-rated. His touch is a class above most players, he's always looking for the give and go, and he's capable of making ghost-runs into the box.
There is clearly a cultured player in there which is obvious when he's playing well such as Chelsea away last season but for whatever reason - players not being on the same wavelength, losing heart quickly when things don't come off, he's not been able to sustain it.
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His best spell was for 12-18 months at City, and that was four or five years ago now. At some point, you wonder whether Ireland is a very talented player going through a bad patch, or just an average footballer who had a very good patch right at the start of his career. He wouldn't be alone in being someone who made an impact as a teenager and then faded.
Something's not right. Houllier couldn't wait to get rid of him in his first season, he did fairly well under McLeish, and Lambert gave him plenty of chances during the first half of this season. He didn't do an awful lot. I'd say he's had plenty of opportunities to convince and hasn't done so. The hunger and desire just doesn't seem to be there.
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At the end of the day, WE gave him that contract. He didn't draw it up himself so if we're stuck with him we only have whoever arranged the contract to blame. But to be fair, when he did sign (+18m) i think a fair few of us thought it looked a decent deal at that time.
Milner's not gone on to show he's an 18m (or 26m) player either. In fact he's gone from being dubbed 'the future of England' to a squad player that looks anything but top drawer. Works hard but shows very little top class (which the fee we got for him suggested he was) qualities
And Ireland's done nothing in a Villa shirt to make me think he should have started more games, and it seems like the form is temporary, class is permanent theory is correct. Sadly in Ireland's case, in reverse. The form being that one great season he had and the class being everything before or after which has been mediocre at best
If you look at the whole deal, and whether it was value for money. I doubt either side would be bragging at how it's all turned out.
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He'd do well up in Scotland but I guess nobody could afford his wages up there.
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Perhaps he should retire from the game as he doesn't love football. I think he should work with Petrov in new foundation for charity.
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When I have seen him warming up before a game when he has been picked as a sub, he hasn't looked in the slightest interested and very half heartedly warms up looking like he doesn't give a shit.
Sooner he goes the better.
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In the thread pre-season about the coming campaign I adamantly demanded that Lambert build the team around him.
Oh how wrong I was.
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In the thread pre-season about the coming campaign I adamantly demanded that Lambert build the team around him.
Oh how wrong I was.
Lambert did try to do that to an extent.
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Not made the squad since Jan says it all.
Crikey.
I didn't know that was the case. Are you sure?
I was trying to recall if he had played since Bradford when we were discussing the Bradford second leg on the highs and lows and I don't reckon he would have played in that had literally any other option been available. Not signed Sylla yet and no Westwood, plus injuries made it impossible to leave him out. Otherwise I think the Wigan game, where he was not even close to being an apology for a footballer, would have been his last.
I was actually a fan of Ireland, trying to believe he was misunderstood etc, and I do think there is talent there. However, this game was nothing short of shocking and when he was hauled off with resounding boos, he must have had an idea his goose was cooked. The modern day Stan Collymore.
That's a bit harsh on Collymore. SVC put in a number of outstanding performances and was clinically depressed.
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A number of outstanding performances?
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A number of outstanding performances?
Yes.....
... Not a high enough number I'll admit.
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In the thread pre-season about the coming campaign I adamantly demanded that Lambert build the team around him.
Oh how wrong I was.
Not just you mate.
I said a few times earlier on in the season that i thought he'd be better played just behind the striker. It was after that game against Bradford at home where he did'nt seem that bothered that he was playing in a cup Semi Final that did it for me.
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I struggle with more than 5 good ones, never mind a number of outstanding ones. Arsenal 2nd half, Liverpool, Madrid second half, Albion (when they were shit), Stromgodset (who were even shitter than the Albion) and a good freekick against Spurs but can't remember him doing anything else of real note in that match so doesn't qualify as a good game.
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Good player. Even bigger waster. Ged rid. He's had a chance and has wasted it. Under a few managers.
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I struggle with more than 5 good ones, never mind a number of outstanding ones. Arsenal 2nd half, Liverpool, Madrid second half, Albion (when they were shit), Stromgodset (who were even shitter than the Albion) and a good freekick against Spurs but can't remember him doing anything else of real note in that match so doesn't qualify as a good game.
He was pretty good in that Spurs game, considering he was in the clink on the morning of the match.
But that would be my list of good Stan games. Biggest disappointment in a player I have ever had watching Villa. Was my favourite player at the time of signing, and I was so gutted it did not work out for him and us.
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The Bradford game was a last-chance it seems looking at it now. A bold and brave decision by Lambert...which utterly failed sadly. I still maintain that signing Ireland whilst we had no manager was the worst decision ever made under the Lerner regime. Yes, even worse then THAT decision!
I said after the disgrace of his performance at home to Wigan (he lost me as a fan that day) that it wouldn't shock me if he didn't play for us again that season.
He made the bench afterwards but I think that was only due to the huge injuries we had that meant it was a struggle to even pick an 18.
Then he randomly was picked to start vs Bradford and did little so was axed properly.
No idea how we'll get rid of him but that's always some mental club that thinks it can revive these dormant footballers so we'll see.
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I see what people are sayThe Bradford game was a last-chance it seems looking at it now. A bold and brave decision by Lambert...which utterly failed sadly. I still maintain that signing Ireland whilst we had no manager was the worst decision ever made under the Lerner regime. Yes, even worse then THAT decision!
I agree, but that's because I didn't want him in the first place. But plenty were very happy when he signed, I remember more than saying we had the better end of the deal, and that we'd got such a good deal that we'd mugged City blind. So hard to say it was a terrible decision.
I see what you are saying but you don't need hindsight to know that signing players when there is no manager in place is a bad idea. I thought it at the time and so it has proved.
When was he signed, after West Ham.
I fully believe the plan was to give MacDonald the job full time. That obviously changed aftert the twin disasters of 6-0 at Newcastle and the Vienna 2nd leg. Respectable results in those and Macdonald would've had the job for the season at least I reckon.
He worked with Ireland when he was playing for ROI and if you go back there are quotes of Macdonald being happy with the signing and vice versa.
Obviously the dynamics changed soon after and clearly Houllier didn't like him one little bit.
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Wasn't he fans player of the year last year? I'm sure there is a little bit of revisionism being displayed by some parties in here. Or maybe that is simply a good marker of how low we had fallen
He was. There wasn't much choice but at least he was showing improvement and getting slowly back to the level he was at City in 08-09.
Obviously Chelsea away was his standout game but he tended to do alright in most of the other ones he played and did actually worked harder (Sunderland 0-0 he tracked back and cleared a Bendtner shot off the line near the end).
Likewise I thought he was alright 1st half of this season until it feel apart over xmas in which my abiding memory was him just scratching his head at every kick off after another one of the 15 went in against us.
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I don't think it's any co-incidence we've been a better and more together looking side since he stopped being included in any of the matchday squads.
We could pay the wages of two eight promising youngsters from the lower leagues with the wages he's most likely taking home.
Fixed.
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The Bradford game was a last-chance it seems looking at it now. A bold and brave decision by Lambert...which utterly failed sadly. I still maintain that signing Ireland whilst we had no manager was the worst decision ever made under the Lerner regime. Yes, even worse then THAT decision!
I can still remember that clown Krulak giving it the big one at here at the time at how the Milner/Ireland swap deal was signed and sealed when O'Neill was at the club despite Milner playing for us after O'Neill left. Signed and Sealed indeed. A good few of the erstwhile posters on here were caught up in forelock tugging towards Krulak and Lerner at the time.
As for Ireland, a born and bred tosser. Not a hope of him taking a pay cut to go elsewhere and looking to get out of his contract. We will be paying him off to leave so might aswell try and integrate him back him in rather than the Maloudaesque situation continuing. His biggest problem is his complete lack of heart on the pitch. Despite that there is a degree of revisionism with him too as he was one of our better players in the second half of the McLeish season and if he were getting the same wages as Bannan there would be complaints that he wasnt getting enough chances.
But at his wages he has been a dead loss.
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Like N'Zogbia, Ireland is a very talented player who could play at the very highest level. It's a shame players blessed with such natural ability don't appreciate how lucky they are. What Ireland can't see coming is the day his Villa contract expires and future offers from clubs will reflect his reputation as a waster and be a fraction of what he's currently earning.
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Can we do something like Apollo Creed Coaching Rocky to get his eye of the tiger feeling back to get fire and hunger back after losing to Clubber Lang for Stephen Ireland to get his fire, passion and heart and love of the game and motivation. There must be a way to unlock it.
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Can we do something like Apollo Creed Coaching Rocky to get his eye of the tiger feeling back to get fire and hunger back after losing to Clubber Lang for Stephen Ireland to get his fire, passion and heart and love of the game and motivation. There must be a way to unlock it.
Clubber lang? In Stephen's own Cork vernacular he'd be known as the biggest langer at the club.
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Can we do something like Apollo Creed Coaching Rocky to get his eye of the tiger feeling back to get fire and hunger back after losing to Clubber Lang for Stephen Ireland to get his fire, passion and heart and love of the game and motivation. There must be a way to unlock it.
"You crazy fool". Cut your jibber jabber. I predict pain for Ireland. ;D
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Can we do something like Apollo Creed Coaching Rocky to get his eye of the tiger feeling back to get fire and hunger back after losing to Clubber Lang for Stephen Ireland to get his fire, passion and heart and love of the game and motivation. There must be a way to unlock it.
"You crazy fool". Cut your jibber jabber. I predict pain for Ireland. ;D
What I'd really like is for Randy Lerner to pull out Irelands contract, take a look at it and say: "I must break you!"
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Can we do something like Apollo Creed Coaching Rocky to get his eye of the tiger feeling back to get fire and hunger back after losing to Clubber Lang for Stephen Ireland to get his fire, passion and heart and love of the game and motivation. There must be a way to unlock it.
Can't we just tell the arrogant, idle tosspot to sling his hook ASAP?
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It still amazes me how people manage to use a spike in form over 6 months of one season over 5 years ago into whether the player has genuine talent. If we used that rational then J Lloyd Samuel is still potentially a world beater.
Stephen Ireland is the worst of both worlds - a hugely over rated footballer with a shocking attitude.
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He has apparently changed agents recently to one based in the US. Hopefully that will see the back of him.
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Can we do something like Apollo Creed Coaching Rocky to get his eye of the tiger feeling back to get fire and hunger back after losing to Clubber Lang for Stephen Ireland to get his fire, passion and heart and love of the game and motivation. There must be a way to unlock it.
He's gonna need a montage!
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He has apparently changed agents recently to one based in the US. Hopefully that will see the back of him.
Wasn't Ireland linked with a move to the MLS a while ago? Hopefully to be rekindled sometime soon. A complete waste of wages for the club.
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I think there is a minority of footballers who consider themselves so lucky as to be running out playing in front of a large crowd each week. To many of them it is just a job and as in life there are some who will take advantage of a situation for their own good. Words like loyalty, passion, effort and commitment are a complete anathema to them andif they can get 50k a week for doing a 100% of sweet FA, and thereby enjoy all the trapping this type of income brings then so be it. I think as supporters we delude ourselves that it will be any different and players like Ireland are just systematic of the Football Industry slowly eating itself.
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The day we boot the useless twunt out of the club cannot, repeat cannot, come soon enough.
A lamer, a waster, a cretin, a leech.
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I struggle with more than 5 good ones, never mind a number of outstanding ones. Arsenal 2nd half, Liverpool, Madrid second half, Albion (when they were shit), Stromgodset (who were even shitter than the Albion) and a good freekick against Spurs but can't remember him doing anything else of real note in that match so doesn't qualify as a good game.
Yep that's about it for me too. Stromgodset - what a name? Didn't the Vass man score 2 against them in the first leg when he came on as a sub.
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I struggle with more than 5 good ones, never mind a number of outstanding ones. Arsenal 2nd half, Liverpool, Madrid second half, Albion (when they were shit), Stromgodset (who were even shitter than the Albion) and a good freekick against Spurs but can't remember him doing anything else of real note in that match so doesn't qualify as a good game.
Yep that's about it for me too. Stromgodset - what a name? Didn't the Vass man score 2 against them in the first leg when he came on as a sub.
Yep, we were either 2-0 down or 2-1 down, and Vass came on and scored twice for a 3-2 win.
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I think there is a minority of footballers who consider themselves so lucky as to be running out playing in front of a large crowd each week. To many of them it is just a job and as in life there are some who will take advantage of a situation for their own good. Words like loyalty, passion, effort and commitment are a complete anathema to them andif they can get 50k a week for doing a 100% of sweet FA, and thereby enjoy all the trapping this type of income brings then so be it. I think as supporters we delude ourselves that it will be any different and players like Ireland are just systematic of the Football Industry slowly eating itself.
I'm not sure I agree with a lot of that. Loyalty I'll give you, but the top of the league becoming a closed shop is the cause of that, not the attitudes of players. I actually hold some sympathy with the idea that in a 12-13 year career you can't afford to be overly loyal if you want to achieve as much as you're capable of.
I think a lot of players get so far and then think they've made it because they've got people telling them how great they are, and they earn a years wages (compared to people they were at school with) in 2-3 days. That's why a manager who can motivate the players to keep getting better is so important.
The very best in the world have that desire for themselves, which is part of why they are the best, but to expect that from every player all through their career is a bit much.
The problem comes when you get the ones who can't even be bothered to stay at the level they reach, Ireland is a great example of this group and he deserves any abuse he gets.
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I struggle with more than 5 good ones, never mind a number of outstanding ones. Arsenal 2nd half, Liverpool, Madrid second half, Albion (when they were shit), Stromgodset (who were even shitter than the Albion) and a good freekick against Spurs but can't remember him doing anything else of real note in that match so doesn't qualify as a good game.
Yep that's about it for me too. Stromgodset - what a name? Didn't the Vass man score 2 against them in the first leg when he came on as a sub.
Yep, we were either 2-0 down or 2-1 down, and Vass came on and scored twice for a 3-2 win.
You can now read all about Vassell's memories of that game over on the Villa Memories Section sponsored by As Time Goes By fragrance fresheners.
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The day we boot the useless twunt out of the club cannot, repeat cannot, come soon enough.
A lamer, a waster, a cretin, a leech.
Absolutely agree.
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Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert will let Stephen Ireland go -sunday people
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Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert will let Stephen Ireland go -sunday people
Cardiff will sign him, bet ya.
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Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert will let Stephen Ireland go -sunday people
Cardiff will sign him, bet ya.
We need Hughes to take over at Stoke - that is the retirement home for footballers living on former glories. Plus he worked with him at Cit-eh
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Mark Hughes and Sturke would go well together. Guaranteed relegation.
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From the Mail by Matt Kendrick
Stephen Ireland and Villa will attempt to strike a compromise over his likely summer exit when the exiled midfielder returns from holiday.
The 26-year-old is surplus to requirements as manager Paul Lambert sets in motion the next phase of overhauling the claret and blues squad.
Ireland is currently out of the country but is due to meet with the Villa hierarchy in an effort to resolve his future on his return next month.
The possibility of agreeing a settlement on the final year of his contract will be discussed with Ireland and his representatives.
With a reported salary of £65,000 per week, Ireland would stand to earn more than £3 million if he stays until his deal expires next summer.
But Villa would be loathe to give the former Manchester City favourite a ‘golden handshake’ of that scale after an uninspiring three year spell.
Ireland has fallen out of favour with Lambert during the second half of the season and has not been in Villa’s matchday squad since January.
His last appearance in claret and blue was during the Capital One Cup semi-final exit against Bradford at Villa Park four months ago.
Last season he was also banished to train with Villa’s academy youngsters when Lambert decided the first team squad could do without him.
He was conspicuous by his absence from Villa’s annual awards dinner and lap of appreciation following the last home match of the season.
Despite his surprise supporters’ player of the season award in 2011-12, Ireland has rarely lived up to his £8 million price-tag.
He has made 47 starts and 13 substitute appearances, scoring one goal, since arriving as the makeweight in the James Milner deal in 2010.
It is thought Ireland would consider a move to the continent if his departure from Villa can be resolved to his and the club’s satisfaction.
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When's he back off holiday? He's been gone for four months already.
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When's he back off holiday? He's been gone for four months already.
Well he's been to Dubai ,then after a week back here he's now in Miami having a well earned break.
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So what happened?
In May '12 Ireland was voted player of the season by the fans and now the fans are using pretty strong language to deny his talent and condemn him as a person.
So what is the evidence to substantiate the claim that since breaking his wrist he has become all the things the fans have accused him of?
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He has been on holiday since arriving. As for fans player of the year, i have had the misfortune of watching him live in every one of his home games. He dont give a shit. Worst value for money signing since Balaban. Yup, even worse than Beye for me
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So what happened?
In May '12 Ireland was voted player of the season by the fans and now the fans are using pretty strong language to deny his talent and condemn him as a person.
So what is the evidence to substantiate the claim that since breaking his wrist he has become all the things the fans have accused him of?
A dearth of talent in last years squad coupled with a few modest performances led some to hope a corner had been turned. However, in a Villa shirt he always was and always will be what the fans accuse him of - a half arsed spent force with no ability to head, tackle, pass more than 5 yards, create or score - other than that he's not bad.
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I thought he was mediocre last season too. I'd have voted Stan as POTY for his half season, or Given personally. Ireland was one of the slightly better of a really bad attacking bunch. I think that award is utterly meaningless. Put him in our 09/10 side and he wouldn't even finish top 10 in the running for POTY.
And for his brilliant contribution last year, how many goals and assists did he get?
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I thought he was mediocre last season too. I'd have voted Stan as POTY for his half season, or Given personally. Ireland was one of the slightly better of a really bad attacking bunch. I think that award is utterly meaningless. Put him in our 09/10 side and he wouldn't even finish top 10 in the running for POTY.
And for his brilliant contribution last year, how many goals and assists did he get?
He was wihtout doubt mediocre last season. He probably had four good games. I voted Robbie Keane as my player of the season. It was a tongue in cheek vote simply for the three months he had here.
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I still want to meet someone who voted for him as player of the season last year...
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And why is a broken wrist a precursor to being a shite footballer. i remember a World Cup finalist managing to struggle through the pain barrier in 1978 to play. ireland is a watse of space and all fan's are doingf is unleashing the disappointment that we mostkly feel about him. We have given him every chance to produce what we thought he was capable of and i disagree I don't think he has had 4 good games. i'd say last season he had spells in games when he was okay. Nothing else. But because we wanted him to be the player he was in one brief spell at man City he even got a fan's award.
Since he's been here he has been utter garbage.
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The plaudits last year were a triumph of hope over reality. In a truly dire season he appeared the man most likely (Keane's loan aside) to create something. That sums up our season. Player of the season for just looking more likely to do something special than the rest.
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I still want to meet someone who voted for him as player of the season last year...
Guilty as charged! It was entirely based on his performance at Chelsea as when it came to the voting I struggled to think of one other performance/thing of note that season which warranted me actually voting. Its frightening to think you could distill the whole of a season into one 90 minute performance from the whole team that was actually noteworthy.
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I still want to meet someone who voted for him as player of the season last year...
Guilty as charged! It was entirely based on his performance at Chelsea as when it came to the voting I struggled to think of one other performance/thing of note that season which warranted me actually voting. Its frightening to think you could distill the whole of a season into one 90 minute performance from the whole team that was actually noteworthy.
I can't remember which site it was on but Ireland was their Player of the Season for one simple reason; he won more Man of the Match polls than any other player.
That sort of excludes the idea that he just produced one memorable performance alone.
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That sort of excludes the idea that he just produced one memorable performance alone
I'm really struggling to think of one.
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If only there was a way of getting rid without paying him off....
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I still want to meet someone who voted for him as player of the season last year...
Guilty as charged! It was entirely based on his performance at Chelsea as when it came to the voting I struggled to think of one other performance/thing of note that season which warranted me actually voting. Its frightening to think you could distill the whole of a season into one 90 minute performance from the whole team that was actually noteworthy.
I can't remember which site it was on but Ireland was their Player of the Season for one simple reason; he won more Man of the Match polls than any other player.
That sort of excludes the idea that he just produced one memorable performance alone.
The Terrace Trophy can be won by being voted MOTM just 4 or 5 times out of a 38 games season. Considering how totally wank we were for the vast majority of the season, it wouldn't be that hard to win as not one player stood out as they were all pretty much crap. If it was by votes Herd would have been who I voted for. That's how shit we were.
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I got slated on here during a match thread early on in the season ( By someone who I have to presume was pissed at the time)for suggesting he was subbed at half time because he was crap as opposed to it being a tactical substitution.
I first heard the term "A Wastrel" mentioned in relation to him and I shall forever associate that term with him.
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Loan him out to Walsall. He might just have a good game. On second thoughts no, i like Walsall, give him to the Noses, free. That would finish them off for good.
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Loan him out to Walsall. He might just have a good game. On second thoughts no, i like Walsall, give him to the Noses, free. That would finish them off for good.
I like the cut of your jib.
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Been told he can go according to the Telegraph ...
http://alturl.com/695pr
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Even in that picture he is surrounded by more skilful players with better attitude to the game
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No problem with that!
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Who on earth would want to sign him?
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'Stephen Ireland is the latest high earner to be told he can leave' somewhat irks, 'Stephen Ireland is the latest shit footballer with a piss poor attitude to be told he can leave' more like.
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Whoever takes him off our hands will become my new favourite second team.
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I thought he was mediocre last season too. I'd have voted Stan as POTY for his half season, or Given personally. Ireland was one of the slightly better of a really bad attacking bunch. I think that award is utterly meaningless. Put him in our 09/10 side and he wouldn't even finish top 10 in the running for POTY.
And for his brilliant contribution last year, how many goals and assists did he get?
He was wihtout doubt mediocre last season. He probably had four good games. I voted Robbie Keane as my player of the season. It was a tongue in cheek vote simply for the three months he had here.
I thought Robbie Keane really showed Ireland up during the three months he was at the club. Keane scored goals, created chances and worked really hard in games - none of which Ireland has done for the majority of the time he has been at the club.
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Whoever takes him off our hands will become my new favourite second team.
Even if it's Birmingham City...that's how shite he is.
Okay, maybe not.
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Whoever takes him off our hands will become my new favourite second team.
Even if it's Birmingham City...that's how shite he is.
Okay, maybe not.
I'll make an exception for him.
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'Stephen Ireland is the latest high earner to be told he can leave' somewhat irks, 'Stephen Ireland is the latest shit footballer with a piss poor attitude to be told he can leave' more like.
"Stephen Ireland is the latest overpaid waste of skin we can't wait to shit into the pan of somewhere-else-ness"
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I reckon he'll end up at Stoke as part of Hughes's plan to detoxify them. It won't work.
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Could someone not just pump him full of drugs and then grass him up? Or is that unethical?!
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Could someone not just pump him full of drugs and then grass him up? Or is that unethical?!
Unethical is drawing the fucking wages he has for the work in return.
So it's fair game to me.
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'Stephen Ireland is the latest high earner to be told he can leave' somewhat irks, 'Stephen Ireland is the latest shit footballer with a piss poor attitude to be told he can leave' more like.
"Stephen Ireland is the latest overpaid waste of skin we can't wait to shit into the pan of somewhere-else-ness"
Two posts that tell the truth. Just get rid off him. Leech.
Fuck it, shoot him.
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'Stephen Ireland is the latest high earner to be told he can leave' somewhat irks, 'Stephen Ireland is the latest shit footballer with a piss poor attitude to be told he can leave' more like.
"Stephen Ireland is the latest overpaid waste of skin we can't wait to shit into the pan of somewhere-else-ness"
Two posts that tell the truth. Just get rid off him. Leech.
Fuck it, shoot him.
Err, steady on Dan.
We want it to like an accident, eh? ;)
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'Stephen Ireland is the latest high earner to be told he can leave' somewhat irks, 'Stephen Ireland is the latest shit footballer with a piss poor attitude to be told he can leave' more like.
"Stephen Ireland is the latest overpaid waste of skin we can't wait to shit into the pan of somewhere-else-ness"
Two posts that tell the truth. Just get rid off him. Leech.
Fuck it, shoot him.
Err, steady on Dan.
We want it to like an accident, eh? ;)
Bloody hell. It is a good job that nobody from the Government will take a look at our Conspiracy theory thread !
Oh, we do not have one of those by the way, no siree.
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Mark Hughes and Roberto Martinez reported as considering offering Ireland an exit out of Villa Park lets hope so. According to the article in the Sunday People wages would not be a problem for either club as he is quoted a s being on only £30k per week!!
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Mark Hughes and Roberto Martinez reported as considering offering Ireland an exit out of Villa Park lets hope so. According to the article in the Sunday People wages would not be a problem for either club as he is quoted a s being on only £30k per week!!
I think that might be a bit wrong. 30k, no way. You would think more like 75k.
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People will have to take back half of the nasty things they said about Ireland if he's only on 30k.
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People will have to take back half of the nasty things they said about Ireland if he's only on 30k.
And possibly take up a collection.
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It's widely reported he's on between £260,000-£320,000 a month. Depending on goal bonuses etc.
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Didn't he take a pay off from city because we wouldn't match his wages?
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I really hope there is another club as stupid as we were to take him on.
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It's widely reported he's on between £260,000-£320,000 a month. Depending on goal bonuses etc.
I reckon the goal bonus column of his pay slip mustn,t see much action
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Didn't he take a pay off from city because we wouldn't match his wages?
Yeah, but probably why he's only on about 70k a week instead of 100k. There's not a chance in hell we're only paying him 30 grand. No way. He's probably our highest paid player, on at least matching Benty for incomings.
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I heard City pay about £50k of his £80k a week.
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It's widely reported he's on between £260,000-£320,000 a month. Depending on goal bonuses etc.
So £260,000 a month then
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In that case can we really be mithering about having to pay some of Bent's wages at his next club? Though, I can't see why Citeh would have to pay him anything beyond the length of time his last contract with them had left to run: i.e When we signed him he may have had two or three years left on his Citeh contract and perhaps they subsidised some of that when we signed him but surely that would now be up and thus ending their obligations towards him?
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Put his contract through a shredder.
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I really hope there is another club as stupid as we were to take him on.
I don't imagine he'll fancy going back to Newcastle though.
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I really hope there is another club as stupid as we were to take him on.
I don't imagine he'll fancy going back to Newcastle though.
He wont be going back to Newcastle unless he can eat fire or juggle knives, as they've got enough clowns at that circus as it is.
See what I did there? Huh, topical.
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I heard he's on a "pay as you say" deal, where he drops the club an email telling them how much he wants to be paid that month.
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Put his contract through a shredder.
And then set it on fire.
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Put his contract through a shredder.
Put him through a bloody shredder.
Although you would probably need a wood chipper, like in Fargo.
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Put his contract through a shredder.
Put him through a bloody shredder.
Although you would probably need a wood chipper, like in Fargo.
Excellent film
'...There's no problem. We're co-operating...'
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Ahh, I want to dig my Fargo DVD out of the cupboard now. "He was kinda funny lookin' - Yah!"
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"where is pancakes house"
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Put his contract through a shredder.
Put him through a bloody shredder.
Although you would probably need a wood chipper, like in Fargo.
Excellent film
'...There's no problem. We're co-operating...'
Ahh, I want to dig my Fargo DVD out of the cupboard now. "He was kinda funny lookin' - Yah!"
Yes me too. Wonderful film.
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Blood has been spilled in Brainerd.
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I'm not surprised that stephen is still here at the Villa as I dont think its just up to the club to just release him as Ireland gaining full independence is a rather tricky question
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Well it was until 1922 but I think we're sorted now.
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Well it was until 1922 but I think we're sorted now.
There are six counties still under contract.
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Put his contract through a shredder.
Put him through a bloody shredder.
Although you would probably need a wood chipper, like in Fargo.
Excellent film
'...There's no problem. We're co-operating...'
Kill him. Then take him to Detroit.
Now there's a film.