Houllier says Ireland Must Up His Game

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

Ireland at 22/23 was more than holding his own in a City side containing some of the world's best players. Milner at 24 currently isn't.

You're losing it, Kev, go and have a sit down and a nice cup of tea.

Ireland couldn't get in their side last season and can't get in ours this.

They've improved their squad over the summer and Milner has started 9 league games for them, the same number as Yaya Toure. How is he 'not holding his own'?

Add to that Milner is playing in a position (wide) where he was no better than above average for us and we'd rather have A.Young playing there. As a centre midfielder, he's probably the best player Man City have got, but Mancini is too crap a manager to see it.

[ronshirt]

In 1957 there was a nuclear disaster at Windscale. The government simply changed the name of the plant to Sellafield and the problem went away. Indeed since that decision was made we have all enjoyed limitless cheap nuclear generated energy.

So the solution to Mr Ireland's disastrous start to his Villa career could be a simple change of name. I believe if this were effected the player would not only become the Premier League's top scorer but also a regular in England's No 9 shirt.

Here are a few suggestions:

James Milner
Gareth Barry
Sasha Curcic
Harry Gregory
Harry Worth
Charlie Drake
George N. Mildred.

[Bosco81]

The thing with Petrov and Downing is that they were kept in the side as they were the manager's choice, Ireland has been in and out of the team and Houllier is unsure about him.

We've needed a player like him for a while but GH needs to trust him before we can judge him.

[KevinGage]

In twelve months time Ireland could be fulfilling a crucial role for us as Ash's replacement. Or he could be gone altogether. I think it's reasonable to give him at least that period - effectively that same bedding in time that Petrov, Downing and Milner were allocated. Providing he's showing a willingness to adapt and improve.

I agree entirely with that.

I'm so glad. I hate it when we fight.


Which is why I almost (almost) overlooked this:

Ireland at 22/23 was more than holding his own in a City side containing some of the world's best players. Milner at 24 currently isn't.

You're losing it, Kev, go and have a sit down and a nice cup of tea.

Ireland couldn't get in their side last season and can't get in ours this.

Ireland is, what 24 now?

So that would make him 23 last year (when he was playing under Hughes for the first part of the campaign)  and 22 the year before -when he was Player of the Season there.

[brontebilly]

What we expect of any player is to put in a genuine effort every time they go out. I dont mind Ireland missing chances, trying passes that dont come off etc. That will come with confidence. What I do mind is him hiding on the pitch, not demanding the ball and at best half hearted if not downright cowardly efforts at winning the ball back. So much for the kung fu training he does and the long running. people point to Luka Modric and it is an apt comparison - Mark Noble is another one. Not the biggest or quickest guys but still they put a genuine effort into winning the ball, when the get ahead of the ball they burst their arse to get back into position. Before the Bolton goal was a perfect example of this - he was unlucky to lose the ball in midfield but just kept running along like an u-12 instead of turning quickly and chasing back to his position. I saw Ireland play in a midfield 2 for City against Liverpool at Anfield before, he had a fine game. But there has been countless other times in which he abdicates all responsbility to do what he likes - Ireland's 5-2 defeat in Cyprus for one where he scored but was hopeless or any of his Villa appearances to date. Its up to him, he is not as good as Ronaldo to warrant not bothering getting the ball back, we arent as good as Real Madrid either where we can afford to have a player who only plays when he wants. If he can get his head right he will still be a serious addition to us but I suspect the money, fame etc has totally gone to his head and he feels he doesnt need to graft anymore. Really hope I'm proved wrong as he has huge ability.

Much and all that Milner is a loss - 24m was crazy money to pay for someone who had shown good form for Villa for about 6 months. He is an average wide player, leggy and one paced and its hardly a surprise he hasnt starred for City back in that position. Barry too has gone backwards since his Villa days. As the attacking midfielder in a 451 for Villa he was superb - remember him against Ajax. Capello and Mancini have made a huge mistake thinking he is a holding midfielder when he hasnt the pace or bite to play there. If Capello performs the necessary surgery to their national team they will lose their places so hard to know if it was worth it for their careers. Still and all its a pity MON couldnt hold onto them. Reo Coker, Milner and Barry in a midfield three would nearly have everything.

[peter w]

I'd rather have Milner as well, but Milner would rather have Manchester City.

No, Milner would rather have money, and lots of it.

I think this is just wrong. The money was always going to be better but he wanted what Man City could offer in terms of trophies and medals. Which is a lot more than we can.

[villaross]

Yes Ireland needs to improve but you can't help but think his confidence has been a bit shaken since leaving Manchester City.

The midfielder was one of the best players at Eastlands and within months he became surplus to requirements.

It will just take him time to settle in at Villa Park then I am sure he will be setting up and scoring goals as he did at City.

[Ger Regan]

One of the positives today for me was the impact Ireland had when he came on. A few really great balls to set up Downing, ones that (barring Bannan, from what I've seen from him) none of our other midfielders would have been able to produce.

[Karl Bridges]

I know hindsight makes it easy but if he had come on 10 minutes before, I'm sure we would have opened them up a few more times on the break and snatched it.

[The Situation]

One of the positives today for me was the impact Ireland had when he came on. A few really great balls to set up Downing, ones that (barring Bannan, from what I've seen from him) none of our other midfielders would have been able to produce.

Yep, it was only 7 minutes he played but for those 7 minutes he was very useful leading the line of attack. His passing and tackling is done with such precision.

[PaulWinch again]

He did very well in his few minutes on the pitch.

[Monty]

Every pass he made today in his cameo was a through-ball weighted to perfection. Bit more of that and I think there'll be much less of the angst there is earlier in this thread.

[Rigadon]

Every pass he made today in his cameo was a through-ball weighted to perfection. Bit more of that and I think there'll be much less of the angst there is earlier in this thread.

Agree.

[PaulWinch again]

In his cameo he was excellent today, and he showed just what he can offer us. He has natural ability that many players do not have.

[Chris Smith]

One of the positives today for me was the impact Ireland had when he came on. A few really great balls to set up Downing, ones that (barring Bannan, from what I've seen from him) none of our other midfielders would have been able to produce.

Yep, perhaps for the time being that's how we should be using him. Having a player who can do that to bring on is a useful weapon and it allows him to build up his confidence.