Stephen Ireland - Clean Slate?

[sg]

I'd like to give him another chance, but fear his hearts not in it, so theres no point hindering the progression of the youf like Delph/Bannan/G.Gardner. May as well give them the shirt instead, at least they'll want to put a shift in.

[MoetVillan]

I voted no, but would like to be suprised by him.  His appearances and subsequent quotes did nothing at all to encourage me that he even wants to make it with us.  I want players that want to play well and prepared to graft when things arnt going quite to plan.  I dont see this with him, and never saw it at City either. When he is good, his is very good, when he is bad, crikey he makes John OShea look like Messi.  We dont want or need fair weather players at the moment

[Namlod]

Stephen Ireland has proven previously in the Premiership that he can cut the mustard. I agree to date he has looked a bag of shite for the Villa but if he can rediscover his form, he'll be a massive addition to our squad.

People comment about how he should not play in front of Fabian Delph?
If he starts playing to his ability then yes he should.

I'm not sure how many people have ever seen Delph play for Leeds but I watched him on quite a few occasions in 2008:

Peterborough they lost 2-0 and he was shite

Southend they lost 1-0 and Delph was not to be seen for 90 minutes

Derby they lost 2-1 and Delph was lucky to stay on the pitch (I'm sure I remember his foul gave away the free kick for Derby's first goal)


Now I'm not saying Delph is shite because I have also seen him turn games on their head. I'm just saying he has not done enough at Villa to earn the over hyped reputation some are giving him. I too believe Delph will make it at Villa but until he has established himself as a first team regular then he still has it all to prove. If Ireland keeps him out of the starting line up because he is playing better than Delph, then good for him.

[OzVilla]

My heart says yes but my head says no. 

If his attitude is anything other than 100% right when they report back for Pre- Season i'd be in favour of getting rid asap.

Over to you then Stephen, you little shit.

[Namlod]

This ^^^^^^

[SoccerHQ]

Him and Warnock will both be given second chances imo.

I get the feeling the club are fed up over the last few seasons of signing these players for 8m and then over the next year the valuations go right down to pretty much zero when they get frozen out from the team so it will be stressed to the manager to give these two in particular a second chance.

[Pete3206]

Unless someone wants to buy him, Villa are stuck with him. So yes.

[Holte L2]

Yes but with a reservation.  He would be in my eleven against Fulham. Hoping he gets off to a flyer!

[villa_oldie]

resounding 'no' from me.

It's possible to burn a bridge to the point of no return.

I'd love it, however for the club - if we got him back to his previous form, but I certainly won't be singing his name or his praises for that matter.
Treat him with the contempt an imbecile like that deserves, and if he does some good on the field - well... that's his job.

[Damo70]

I think that given the loss we would make on his valuation from last summer it would be negligent not to give him a second chance. He needs to show he's up for it though. He needs to be careful not to piss AM off or he could find himself as makeweight in a part swap again, this time destination Small Heath.

[mozza]

I'm in the minority on this one -

He's had more chances than you get on the coconut shy at the bloody fair -

It's not his 'form' but his 'head' that needs sorting out. Aston Villa are a football club and
not a benevolent fund for someone who will play if he feels like it -

The guy clearly has problems which I have some sympathy but he is the only one that can
sort it out and there hasn't been much sign of that happening since he arrived at Villa Park -

[Louzie0]

resounding 'no' from me.

It's possible to burn a bridge to the point of no return.

I'd love it, however for the club - if we got him back to his previous form, but I certainly won't be singing his name or his praises for that matter.
Treat him with the contempt an imbecile like that deserves, and if he does some good on the field - well... that's his job.

This is exactly what I would want to say about the little waster. 

I'm aware of people who are on the edge, and deserving and could have completely turned their lives around on less than a quarter of the chances this guy has had. 
He really needs to prove to me that he is interested and can deliva for da Villa.

Or I'm sending the boys round.  With the cushions (ref. MontyP, Spanish Inq.)

[Nirog72]

Given what he is paid, I would imagine if he doesn't turn up to pre-season, apologise for being a twat and demonstrate the attitude of someone who knows he has a lot of making up to do, he will be f*cked off one way or another very quickly. I have absolutely no belief he will attempt to do this so bye bye.

[Ian.]

I think the sort of bloke AM is, he will see what is on offer in pre-season and make a decision pretty quick as to whether two bob Ireland has got it or not. The amount of guts AM has shown I reckon we wont have any problems with trouble makers and time wasters this season.

[damon loves JT]

He can have a clean slate. An extremely small one.

I think time will put the Villa in the right on this one, as on MON. Time will show that he is a waster and a wrong'un.