Houllier says Ireland Must Up His Game

[Dave]

Eventually I'd like to see Ireland with NRC and Delph in a middle 3. With Downing & Young on the wings.

Definately

I still think Ashleys best position is as a wide man as opposed to where he's been playing for the last few games

Eventually I'd like to see Delph and Ireland playing alongside someone better than Reo-Coker in a middle three.

[TheSandman]

Eventually I'd like to see Ireland with NRC and Delph in a middle 3. With Downing & Young on the wings.

Definately

I still think Ashleys best position is as a wide man as opposed to where he's been playing for the last few games

Eventually I'd like to see Delph and Ireland playing alongside someone better than Reo-Coker in a middle three.

I agree.

I'd also like to see Albrighton in the team. If he builds on his initial form then he could have either Downing or Young's shirt.

[SoccerHQ]

I remember we were having these threads a month or so after Milner joined.

And probably a year after Merson joined.

Have faith, Ireland will come good when Gabby returns.

[timeoutbigbar]

I like Houllier, but I think he may have got it wrong airing this in the press.  As others have said, seems to be more of an 'arm around the shoulder' sort of player.

[themossman]

Maybe, but then he's not exactly green and he's seen more of ireland than any of us. Let's face it it's not in anyone's interests for him to end up a busted flush. I'm pretty confident quality will out in the long run.

[TimTheVillain]

Does anyone have a kind of 'does he REALLY want to be at Villa ?' background thought ?

That is the slight concern I'd like to see removed.

I think he will be a VP star after a while, he has the ability alright - he has that in spades.

[BannedUserIAT]

That Troy Eccles fella posted up some analytical tripe after Ireland's first interview, concluding that he looked rather uncomfortable and simply put, didn't want to be here. Oh how everyone mocked. Seems Troy was onto something. Ireland's heart bleeds for Man City. He's finished as a top flight footballer. He'll do just enough to try to keep his bank balance looking healthy but he'll never be what people want him to be.

If he does, I hope someone quotes me so I can eat some humble pie.

[PaulTheVillan]

Let's get behind Ireland. I trust Houllier with how he's handling this.

[supertom]

Houllier has done nothing but talk honestly since he joined. He's acknowledged what we've all seen and will address.

I personally don't see the problem in him addressing the issue to the press. He was responding to a question. It's down to Ireland to up his game and really try to make an impact. Once he gets back into the swing in terms of practice and fitness, he'll be fine.

But Houllier is quite correct, players must adapt to how the manager wants them to play. If Ireland has to add facets to his game then he has to. Simple as that, or he gets moved on.

[Olneythelonely]

That Troy Eccles fella posted up some analytical tripe after Ireland's first interview, concluding that he looked rather uncomfortable and simply put, didn't want to be here. Oh how everyone mocked. Seems Troy was onto something. Ireland's heart bleeds for Man City. He's finished as a top flight footballer. He'll do just enough to try to keep his bank balance looking healthy but he'll never be what people want him to be.

If he does, I hope someone quotes me so I can eat some humble pie.

Thinking this somehow proves you right is worth a bit more mockery I reckon.

[Phil from the upper holte]

What did ireland cost us? Was he worth £8m in the deal? I read in the paper today newcastle & West Ham are interested, would we get anywhere near £8m?

I think we should give him a bit of time but if he continues not to perform then i'd have him out as he is a top earner

[fredm]

Maybe next season when GH has brought in some players who are on the same wavelength as Ireland re passing and movement, then we might see the player that is in there somewhere.  As someone said previously, the present lot have to have the MON tactics coached out of them before they instinctively pass and move.

Also look at Downing tghis season compared to last, following a full pre-season with the team.

Sometimes, I think people believe a player can just step into a team as though they have played there for years.  In reality it takes months for them to settle in, and we must be prepared to give people this time not expect instant results.

[KRS]

Playing him up front didn't really help Ireland on Wednesday, he just seems to float about at the moment without any real structure to his position.

I was very disappointed with his performance against Burnley. Playing up front against a Championship team was the perfect opportunity for him to boost his confidence with a few much needed goals, but he looked lazy and out of place. We all know he is a talented and gifted footballer, but where is he hiding?

[KevinGage]

Does anyone have a kind of 'does he REALLY want to be at Villa ?' background thought ?

I think that's an understandable concern and I have my doubts but one thing I'm pretty certain of is that Houllier having a pop at in him the press isn't the best way to motivate him.

He's generally responded to the carrot rather than the stick in the past. You could argue that £60k + per week is carrot enough and I'd tend to agree. But he seems to thrive in an environment when he's appreciated. The first whiff that he doesn't have the manager or coaching staff on side and he goes into his shell -or walks out completely as per Rep Ireland.

That sounds unprofessional - and it is to a certain extent. But then he'll go and do things like spend a whole summer doing fitness and strength conditioning to improve his game - more than most other professionals would.

He's a walking contradiction, one of those famous awkward characters. But at his best - or anywhere close to it- he would be a huge asset to us. So that should be our aim, to get the best out of him. I don't think taking pot shots at him in print is the way to go about it. In fact, if you asked me if there was one method guaranteed to have the opposite effect that would be it.

Time will tell.

[Bosco81]

Playing him up front didn't really help Ireland on Wednesday, he just seems to float about at the moment without any real structure to his position.

I was very disappointed with his performance against Burnley. Playing up front against a Championship team was the perfect opportunity for him to boost his confidence with a few much needed goals, but he looked lazy and out of place. We all know he is a talented and gifted footballer, but where is he hiding?

The thing with the Burnley game is, it wasn't as a result of some managerial brainwave to play him up front, Carew didn't turn up, GH didn't want Emile to have a full game and he didn't want to start Delf for some reason, so Ireland played up front, which isn't his position so I have a degree of sympathy with him, but I am amazed at how little he gets involved.