Ireland. Has there ever been a less committed player?

[TheSandman]

Damn me and my attempts to type quickly!

I remember a while back Troy Eccles constructed an elaborate theory on Ireland and how he is finished. I thought Troy was being a bit yampy but I'm coming round to his theory.

[eamonn]

Well I think we have been a committed player since becoming members of the EEC. Sure we were given a lot of grants to build roads and that, but that's to be expected after 800 years of oppression from the Brits who left us with infrastructure designed for horses and carts.

Oh, you mean the other 2010 hapless version of Ireland...

[KevinGage]

Well I think we have been a committed player since becoming members of the EEC. Sure we were given a lot of grants to build roads and that, but that's to be expected after 800 years of oppression from the Brits who left us with infrastructure designed for horses and carts.

It's OK, with Bono on the case the country is close to indestructible.

It is still his life long mission to cancel Third World debt, is it not?   (winky effort)

[ozzjim]

GH praised his attitude since his moan about him 2 weeks ago before the game yesterday, and trusted him to start when going 4-4-2 with Gabby and Fonz was an option, so backed him to produce. He was though, about as bothered about playing as Fat Sam is about trying to entertain the fans where he manages. Poor display but even more frstrating is the fact he clearly is a good player, and when he tried to be involved looked like he could make something happen. He needs to get fully fit by the look of him, and he needs a flea in his ear before he does end up at a Fulham or worse.

[Eigentor]

GH has apparantly said that Ireland will stay. When asked if Ireland would leave Villa in January, Houllier reportedly replied: “To Tottenham?”

[TimTheVillain]

In H&V there are 5 'Slow Starters'

Maybe Ireland is another ?

Just a thought ....

[supertom]

We really miss having a good skipper in the middle of the park to give some of our players a rocket. Namely Ash Young when he's fannying about, or Gabby when he's doing something thick as fuck, and most certainly Ireland, reclined in his fucking deck chair, sipping a pina colada. We need a Roy Keane.

I really don't rate Dunney as a skipper at the moment. Nigel is good, he leads by example and we've missed his energy and legs in midfield a lot. To be honest, with how Gerard wants to play, if we had Milner still, alongside Nigel, we'd be looking good imo.

[Merv]

I guessed a thread with this kind of title would appear as soon as I saw Ireland in the starting line-up.

I thought he was quite bright in the first half, some great movement, passing. We didn't get him in dangerous attacking situations though, that was my disappointment. He looked very much like a player who was starting his first game for weeks, somewhat out of the loop. That'll happen when a guy doesn't play much.

Overall, he was average on Sunday. That puts him on a par with several of our players, and above one or two (you know who you are, Mr Warnock).

[JUAN PABLO]

It did look like A.Young didnt want to pass the ball to him yesterday. Young  was trying to do the hard pass and giving the ball away instead of a simple ball to Ireland in space...        There is a very good footballer in there somewhere  , the next 2 mths are going to be a big period for Ireland If he has a Villa career , If not, that's another £5 million lost, as he will probably go to a Fulham or Sunderland for £3 million...

[Clark W Griswold]

The only player I can remember who was less arsed than Ireland, ever, was Nigel Callaghan, and it took him a good six months to get this bad. You'd think professional pride would make him at least put some effort in.

He always springs to mind in these discussions, he sets the standards that only a few have got close to. Ireland is going the right way towards sinking to Callaghan depths though. I have to say John Carew has had his moments, anyone who witnessed his 'efforts' against Newcastle would probably agree. Someone else mentioned Curcic. I think he was just insane, but he was streets ahead of Ireland talent wise, in fact streets ahead of most i've seen at the Villa. Thats why it was so gauling.

[Chris Smith]

When a player loses confidence they tend to revert to taking the easy way out and not go looking for the ball. It looks a lot like they can't be arsed.

I don't know if Ireland really can't be arsed or it is just a confidence thing but it's probably a little early to write him off and a game against one of Fat Sam's anti-football sides is definitely not the one to use as the final nail.

[Yeltzer]

He needs a cattle prod up his arse

[Salsa Party Animal]

Maybe our manager should have a chat with a Leicester City Manager about him. Perhaps we should send him to Leicester on loan as Sven know how to handle him.

[sfx412]

Maybe our manager should have a chat with a Leicester City Manager about him. Perhaps we should send him to Leicester on loan as Sven know how to handle him.

Good idea. Trouble is we'd no doubt end up paying his wages while he did.
Perhaps a loan to Doncaster would be more suitable, or somewhere special like Bangor City. They are doing well and would suit him

[Dribbler]

I've been quite angry when watching some of his performances as it certainly doesn't look like he is putting the effort in, Houllier's comments would seem to confirm that he isn't.

That said i think we have to give him time, I know that he didn't want to leave Man City, but that doesn't mean he doesn't want to be here. Having watched him quite intently over his last few appearences it's obvious that he hasn't quite fitted in to the team yet, he seems to end up out of position quite a lot, or in ineffective positions. Sometimes that can make it look as though you are not trying when really you are just lost. I've also seen him in some great positions when other players have passed the ball to someone else in a much worse position. That must be very frustrating for him too. He still looks a bit lightweight on the tackling front, but he is starting to get stuck in a bit more, and he put a couple of good meaty challenges in on Sunday, which was nice to see. 

At the end of the day he's come into a new team that's had two managers and very little consistency because of all of our injuries. Most of our players have played together now for at least 2 or 3 seasons and so have developed an understanding together. That will take time to develop.

I'm sure if he hasn't impressed by the end of the season, especially in terms of attitude, he will be one of the first players out of the door. But really i think we have to give him time.

As for Dunne, wtf? He had a great season last year and hasn't been as bad as many people have said he's been this season. Plus he's had knee problems that he's been playing though. Some people really do have short memories.