Stephen Ireland

[fredm]

He's a good player but we haven't looked right with him in the team so far. The first challenge for Houllier when he arrives (in November) will to be sort out a way to accommodate him in the side.

From what I have seen so far, the best way to accommodate him would be to put him behind the main striker.  That would mean Ash, Downing and Albrighton across the middle with Petrov and NRC in front of the back four.  I think Ireland is much more of a goal threat than Ashley is so, at the moment, should be played in a more advanced role.

Whether that will necessarily be the same in January after GH has had a look at things and maybe brought in some additions, who knows.

[Karl Bridges]

Who are you leaving out? A striker or a goalie?

[Nastylee]

Gk and usual back four. Then have Petrov and NRC as holding midfielders with Ireland push on and Young and Dowining/Albrighton supporting a lone striker.

[peter w]

To get the best out of Ireland we have to move Ashley Young out of the way and put him back onto the left-wing, where he is our best player by far. In the middle he is ordinary.

[stevo_st]

I can see "Stephen Ireland" becoming a long term replacement for Petrov, playing in that deep lying role

[Monty]

I can see "Stephen Ireland" becoming a long term replacement for Petrov, playing in that deep lying role

I really disagree, I think when Ireland had to drop deep against Newcastle he looked thoroughly uncomfortable, and I do think he's very much a player for the final third. For me Delph has the energy, range of passing and long-shooting (among other things) to replace Petrov in the deep-lying role, with Ireland further forward.

[Toronto Villa]

I can see "Stephen Ireland" becoming a long term replacement for Petrov, playing in that deep lying role

we've already taken one attacking midfield player and forced him into being a defensive midfielder. Can we please not do it with another. His admitted strength is breaking from midfield and arriving late in the box. I'd like to see more of that at Villa. Something we've sorely missed for a good number of years.

[KevinGage]

I can see "Stephen Ireland" becoming a long term replacement for Petrov, playing in that deep lying role

I really disagree, I think when Ireland had to drop deep against Newcastle he looked thoroughly uncomfortable, and I do think he's very much a player for the final third. For me Delph has the energy, range of passing and long-shooting (among other things) to replace Petrov in the deep-lying role, with Ireland further forward.

Agreed, I don't see that at all.

I even have doubts about him as a conventional CM.

We'll see the best of him either drifting in from the flanks or just off the forwards. Pretty much anywhere he can exploit space and doesn't need to concentrate too heavily on tracking the opposition.

[Monty]

Agreed, I don't see that at all.

I even have doubts about him as a conventional CM.

We'll see the best of him either drifting in from the flanks or just off the forwards. Pretty much anywhere he can exploit space and doesn't need to concentrate too heavily on tracking the opposition.

Exactly how I see it. He's one of those players that you don't want to pin down to a specific area on the pitch because he is good wherever there is space, so wherever there is space should be his area. Generally, though, that area should ideally be in the final third, because that's where he's most dangerous (but of course also where it's most difficult to find space).

[Somniloquism]

My worry with Ireland is the same issue we have had with other potentially skilled players, will the rest of the team be on his wavelength. With his excellent season with City, a lot of that was his linkup with Robinho. Several times during the first half against Newcastle he made runs that weren't picked up by his team mates. It doesn't matter how good you are if the rest of the team don't see you or understand how you play. ( I would argue that's the reason that Sidwell has done so shit. I'm not saying he is as good as Ireland, but that some times he has made runs into the box that has been missed as we look to wings too often.)

[curiousorange]

Ireland is ruined when you ask him to do the donkey work of someone like Petrov. Petrov might not be the most popular player to ever pull on the shirt but what you see is what you get - works hard, attempts to break up play and tried to start attacking phases. Ireland is a skilled attacker with a good football brain and two good feet. Monty and KevinGage have it correctly: say 'here you are son, play how you like' like England did with Rooney the other week and we'll see the best of him.

[Risso]

I think Ireland would do a far better job playing the free role that Young has currently been trying.  Stick Ash back on the wing, then play Ireland just off Gabby.  We'll tear teams a new one.

[Concrete John]

I think Ireland would do a far better job playing the free role that Young has currently been trying.  Stick Ash back on the wing, then play Ireland just off Gabby.  We'll tear teams a new one.

Exactly what I'd do!

[peter w]

And its what I said posts before. I want the credit.

[Mazrim]

And its what I said posts before. I want the credit.

I said it ages ago, before we signed him. Do one.