Houllier says Ireland Must Up His Game

[5ft811st2 Durham]

I was never happy with this deal.

Our owners sold a player that Man City wanted and we  needed and replaced him with a player that Man City didn't want and we didn't need.

And seeing as we didn't have a manager at the time who were we relying on to come up with an accurate valuation of Ireland's ability?

[PaulTheVillan]

I was never happy with this deal.

Our owners sold a player that Man City wanted and we  needed and replaced him with a player that Man City didn't want and we didn't need.

And seeing as we didn't have a manager at the time who were we relying on to come up with an accurate valuation of Ireland's ability?

I think the £8m for Ireland as part of the deal was a good valuation.

Milner did need replacing.

[PaulTheVillan]

Also,

If Ireland really didn't/doesn't want to be here then he didn't have to join us.

He could have just flatly refused and stayed at Man City. Who knows? Mancini might not be there for a long period and he might have even got named in the 25.

[KevinGage]

The general consensus at the time was that we were getting the better end of the deal.

That was of course dependant on Ireland playing somewhere close to his form of 08/09.
Still far too early (and quite frankly ridiculous) to write him off as bad buy.

In theory he's still got plenty of time to turn it around. That's if he wants to be here. If not that's a different matter altogether.

[5ft811st2 Durham]

I was never happy with this deal.

Our owners sold a player that Man City wanted and we  needed and replaced him with a player that Man City didn't want and we didn't need.

And seeing as we didn't have a manager at the time who were we relying on to come up with an accurate valuation of Ireland's ability?

I think the £8m for Ireland as part of the deal was a good valuation.

Milner did need replacing.

Ireland is evidently not a like for like replacement.   

[PaulTheVillan]

I was never happy with this deal.

Our owners sold a player that Man City wanted and we  needed and replaced him with a player that Man City didn't want and we didn't need.

And seeing as we didn't have a manager at the time who were we relying on to come up with an accurate valuation of Ireland's ability?

I think the £8m for Ireland as part of the deal was a good valuation.

Milner did need replacing.

Ireland is evidently not a like for like replacement.   

I didn't say he was.

[Phil from the upper holte]

I was never happy with this deal.

Our owners sold a player that Man City wanted and we  needed and replaced him with a player that Man City didn't want and we didn't need.

And seeing as we didn't have a manager at the time who were we relying on to come up with an accurate valuation of Ireland's ability?

i don't understand how you can say we didn't need him? Our midfield has been crying out for a creative player since merse left

[5ft811st2 Durham]

I was never happy with this deal.

Our owners sold a player that Man City wanted and we  needed and replaced him with a player that Man City didn't want and we didn't need.

And seeing as we didn't have a manager at the time who were we relying on to come up with an accurate valuation of Ireland's ability?

i don't understand how you can say we didn't need him? Our midfield has been crying out for a creative player since merse left

What I'm saying is that in the circumstances  what we needed was someone who could replicate Milner's role in the side which Ireland evidently can't do.

Ireland would have been a good addition to the squad had Milner stayed. 

[Chris Smith]

The general consensus at the time was that we were getting the better end of the deal.

That was of course dependant on Ireland playing somewhere close to his form of 08/09.
Still far too early (and quite frankly ridiculous) to write him off as bad buy.

In theory he's still got plenty of time to turn it around. That's if he wants to be here. If not that's a different matter altogether.

The general consenus was clearly wrong (again).

[Phil from the upper holte]

I was never happy with this deal.

Our owners sold a player that Man City wanted and we  needed and replaced him with a player that Man City didn't want and we didn't need.

And seeing as we didn't have a manager at the time who were we relying on to come up with an accurate valuation of Ireland's ability?

i don't understand how you can say we didn't need him? Our midfield has been crying out for a creative player since merse left

What I'm saying is that in the circumstances  what we needed was someone who could replicate Milner's role in the side which Ireland evidently can't do.

Ireland would have been a good addition to the squad had Milner stayed. 

I see what your saying but Milner didn't want to stay. In an ideal world MON would have taken Ireland and replaced Milner with someone suitable, However he left. thus not allowing us to replace Milner, This is now what Gerrard must do.

Fingers crossed he will.

[Toronto Villa]

It shouldn't surprise anyone that some people are slagging off and writing of one of our players so quickly. It's no different to the emerging band of Houllier doubters. We could have landed Mourinho and Ronaldo and if we hadn't won 5 straight, and the player hadn't scored 4 hattricks out of 5, they's both be shit in the eyes of some.

[PeterWithesShin]

Maybe, just maybe, it's simply down the the fact he can't actually be very good consistently?
He's in his 6th season as a professional and has had one good season to date. The same thing applies to many professionals in all sports, one standout year and the rest of their career they never reach those heights again.

There must be some reason that Houllier has felt the need to say what he said, and i'm sure Mancini said something last season about Ireland sorting himself out.

As for him not being match fit, while a fair few might have been from the subs bench, i'm pretty sure he played in about 30 games last season, it's not like he was never kicking a ball due to injury.

I'm currently at slightly concerned, on the worry-ometer.

[Phil from the upper holte]

It shouldn't surprise anyone that some people are slagging off and writing of one of our players so quickly. It's no different to the emerging band of Houllier doubters. We could have landed Mourinho and Ronaldo and if we hadn't won 5 straight, and the player hadn't scored 4 hattricks out of 5, they's both be shit in the eyes of some.

Although your'e right its also the manager saying he's not pulling his weight. I personally think Ireland can come good but its in his own hands

[KevinGage]

The general consensus at the time was that we were getting the better end of the deal.

That was of course dependant on Ireland playing somewhere close to his form of 08/09.
Still far too early (and quite frankly ridiculous) to write him off as bad buy.

In theory he's still got plenty of time to turn it around. That's if he wants to be here. If not that's a different matter altogether.

The general consenus was clearly wrong (again).

I'll give it a little longer than two and a bit months at the club, one full 90 minutes and four other starts before I make that kind of call.

Whilst we're on the subject of Milner comparisons, he wasn't a regular starter when he came back in 08/09 either. It was only in Nov/ Dec that he cemented a place as a first team regular - and even after that his form was up and down.

[5ft811st2 Durham]

I'll give it a little longer than two and a bit months at the club, one full 90 minutes and four other starts before I make that kind of call.

Whilst we're on the subject of Milner comparisons, he wasn't a regular starter when he came back in 08/09 either. It was only in Nov/ Dec that he cemented a place as a first team regular - and even after that his form was up and down.

Your memory's letting you down there, he barely missed a match after his return in 2008.