Stephen Ireland - Clean Slate?

[Karl Bridges]

The only serious option we have is to let him start over. See if the new manager makes any difference, if he does fantastic but the first sign of him being a prick and we need to offload as soon as we can.

[ROBBO]

If we sell him now we may get a couple of mil if we start afresh and he does well he becomes a ten to fifteen mil player, no brainer.

[TheSandman]

One thing I would say is that he is our 'wild card'. He has the potential to be a very good player if he applies himself. We are facing a creative void with the departure of Young and potentially Downing and a mentally right Ireland can provide that. We expect so little from him that we are missing that potential. Ireland CAN be a top player who can be the force that pushes us forward as a team.

I am not a head shrinker but I think that Ireland's problems at City and here last season stemmed from his not feeling wanted. If Alex can put an arm round him and make him feel happy then he might have his head straight.

The dream scenario is that we get in a few good players (a winger or two, a couple of full backs, a goalie and perhaps a centre half) AND we see Ireland and the Michelin man become the players they can be if they can sort their mental and physical problems. We would be in a very good position if that happened. I'm not saying that will happen (I'd be a fool if I did) but I am saying it might happen.

 

[Toronto Villa]

One thing I would say is that he is our 'wild card'. He has the potential to be a very good player if he applies himself. We are facing a creative void with the departure of Young and potentially Downing and a mentally right Ireland can provide that. We expect so little from him that we are missing that potential. Ireland CAN be a top player who can be the force that pushes us forward as a team.

I am not a head shrinker but I think that Ireland's problems at City and here last season stemmed from his not feeling wanted. If Alex can put an arm round him and make him feel happy then he might have his head straight.

The dream scenario is that we get in a few good players (a winger or two, a couple of full backs, a goalie and perhaps a centre half) AND we see Ireland and the Michelin man become the players they can be if they can sort their mental and physical problems. We would be in a very good position if that happened. I'm not saying that will happen (I'd be a fool if I did) but I am saying it might happen.

 

agree entirely. I'm at a point where I want to see our top kids come through and have a settled club again. I'm willing to give all of the players that fell out under GH another chance to prove they are still very good players. Get rid of the players that want out and do what Moyes has done at Everton. Get a close knit club where players generally stick together and they stay competitive every year.

[not3bad]

Mark Hughes got Ireland performing, maybe Mcleish can have a similar affect.

[Villanation]

Mark Hughes got Ireland performing, maybe Mcleish can have a similar affect.

Somebody needs to get a decent shift out of him, its strange that in another thread we are debating the potential pitfalls of taking on Owen Hargreaves and the so called incredible risk that would be..........and then on the other hand we have Stephen Ireland......it don't get riskier, here's a player that won't turn up for games if when he walks out the door in the morning on match day there's a cloud in the sky and it looks like rain.

[GJH]

I'd rather resign Nigel ReoCoker! Didnt want to play for us last year, bad atitude and was made to sign for us with the Milner deal! Forget it.

[Legion]

Would much prefer NRC as opposed to the Mekon.

[villa1]

Yes. He'd be like a new signing. And a good one at that, providing he's on form.

Last chance saloon though.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Yes. He'd be like a new signing. And a good one at that, providing he's on form.

Last chance saloon though.

Spot on. Would love to see him do well for us and do himself some good at the same time. If he has a brain (and that's a genuine "if") he must realise that if he doesn't do something soon his career is as good as over in the Prem or similar (abroad). But if he's gonna play his face like he did last season no one will want him, ever!
Definitely a clean slate, but.....

[Summers]

Ireland is still a quality player. Maybe with Young gone we can play him and allow him the attacking freedom he needs to really shine. His ability pulling the strings for Bent could be what makes us in the upcoming season.

[hawkeye]

Its 3 seasons now since he did anything as a player, that is a hell of a long time to get physically and mentally right. Ireland is a tantrum waiting to happen, I would love to believe he could get himself right and show the talent he has but I can not see it.

[Clampy]

It's up to him is'nt it really? It's either he wants to return to doing what he's very very good and be respected for it, or just take his money every week and have his photo taken in clubs like every other celebrity.

[VillaAlways]

AVFCOfficial Aston Villa FC
Gabby Agbonlahor, Richard Dunne and Stephen Ireland among the first to arrive for pre-season training today. #avfc

Someone's keen

[Summers]

I reckon if he's ready to knuckle down and work for the club he's gonna have a great season and terrorize defences all year.