Houllier confirms Ireland wants to leave!

[Chris Smith]

I'm waiting for Greg's post saying that Ireland doesn't really wnat to leave and it's all Houllier's fault for making it public.

[LeeB]

You could argue that Houllier's snipes are affecting Ireland's confidence, that he's also in danger of affecting his market value, and that maybe a different approach might bring out the player we were hoping to see.

But, on a personal level, I'm delighted he's not fannying around him. There's only one person to blame for Stephen Ireland utterly wank, and that's Stephen Ireland.

[TimTheVillain]

I think GH should stop this press stuff - What purpose does it serve ?

[LeeB]

I think GH should stop this press stuff - What purpose does it serve ?

The purpose it serves is it sets a marker as to what is required to play for this club. It's not a fucking holiday camp, and you don't turn up here and claim £60k a week for doing fuck all.

[Merv]

I see the Sun are still banging on about Ash being out for a month when GH confirmed a few days ago he should be fit to play Tottenham...

[Whiney MacWhineface]

He's certainly got a way with words.

[Dave]

They report that Reo-Coker is back in training. What a relief, considering he played against West Brom nearly two weeks ago.

Dozy bunch of pricks.

[damon loves JT]

I think GH should stop this press stuff - What purpose does it serve ?

becaue if he doesn't do it, they write stories about `Under-Fire Houllier In Hiding'. The trick is to do a weekly press conference but make it almost supernaturally boring

[SoccerHQ]

I have a little problem with Houllier here seeing as Young hasn't been very good in the free role himself this season.

[citizenDJ]

Interesting to see him refer to 'Young's position' - certainly indicates that that is where he sees Ashley playing. Perhaps this little quote is less about upsetting Ireland and more about pleasing Ashley?

[Chris Smith]

I have a little problem with Houllier here seeing as Young hasn't been very good in the free role himself this season.

I completely disagree.

He has played pretty well there but like the rest of the team he's suffered from all the enforced changes. All of our best performances have been when he's played that role.

He does far more in 5 minutes than that skiver Ireland does in 5 games.

[SoccerHQ]

I have a little problem with Houllier here seeing as Young hasn't been very good in the free role himself this season.

I completely disagree.

He has played pretty well there but like the rest of the team he's suffered from all the enforced changes. All of our best performances have been when he's played that role.

He does far more in 5 minutes than that skiver Ireland does in 5 games.

Well from the games I've seen live I've been really disappointed with what Young has offered there bar second half of the Manure and Baggies games. Dosen't score or create enough in that position, I prefer him back out wide where he does do those things regularly.

I did miss the West Ham and Everton games though.

[AV82EC]

You also missed him play it in the Sunderland game when he was thrillingly brilliant in the second half.  I'm still wondering how we didn't score 5 that day.

[Chris Smith]

I have a little problem with Houllier here seeing as Young hasn't been very good in the free role himself this season.

I completely disagree.

He has played pretty well there but like the rest of the team he's suffered from all the enforced changes. All of our best performances have been when he's played that role.

He does far more in 5 minutes than that skiver Ireland does in 5 games.

Well from the games I've seen live I've been really disappointed with what Young has offered there bar second half of the Manure and Baggies games. Dosen't score or create enough in that position, I prefer him back out wide where he does do those things regularly.

I did miss the West Ham and Everton games though.

Albrighton and Downing can do the wide job, nobody else can play the free role. Ireland isn't worth considering, he clearly hasn't got the heart for the battle.

It's interesting that you pick the Manu and Albion games as in between those two we weren't able to pick the three players I mentioned together and when we have them available we are just so much better balanced.

[TimTheVillain]

Unless Ireland leaves and then slags the club off I can't see why he should leave the club with Villa fans hating the guy.

He hasn't been an £8 million player, but then he never was, was he.

He came as a 'make-weight' in the Jimmy deal.

Definition of 'makeweight' ---  "an unimportant person or thing that is only included to complete something."

Not an ego massaging thing to be !