Stephen Ireland

[Rick_avfc]

I hope he can maintain this form and improve.  I think he needs the right players around him for him to take it to the next level.  Keep it up Ireland.

[Percy McCarthy]

I've always sympathised with him over the miscarriage thing. Maybe he and his girlfriend really wanted it to remain a private matter and the lie about his nan was seen by them as the lesser of two evils. I can understand that and certainly don't agree with the posters on here who think he's mentally ill. Also think it was quite admirable the way he fought for and won custody of his children. Can't see many 19 year-old professional footballers bothering their arse with all that.

Supremely talented player BTW.

[Mister E]

We've recently seen some great football from the enigmatic Stephen Ireland

Your use of the word "enigmatic" sums up the answer to your question: who knows!

[Matt C]

In terms of pure technical ability he's our best player by a mile.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

In terms of pure technical ability he's our best player by a mile.

Who's now playing with a smile.

[Eigentor]

I'll admit that I was convinced he was a nut case that we should be looking to get rid of.

Well done to the player for proving that he gives a shit and for his recent upturn in form.

And well done to McLeish for getting the best out of the player. (Something which Mancini, Houllier and Pardew didn't manage to do.)

The explanation that I'm sticking to now, is that his poor form was probably more down to a lack of fitness, and not so much a bad attitude. He's probably a complex character, whose form, fitness, motivation and confidence are strongly linked (all them because the cause of others).

[villadelph]

In terms of pure technical ability he's our best player by a mile.

I can't agree with this enough. None of our midfielders with the exception of a luke-warm Barry Bannan can actually receive a ball and pass it to their teammate. While Gabby is still an incredible asset to this team, Ireland's ability to retain possession while having a keen eye for threatening passes is bar none on this squad. I expect to see a lot more Ireland shirts next season.

[ROBBO]

His interception that led to Bents goal against Chelsea was top class, don't think any other Villa player could have done it.

[amfy]

It's nice to see him looking like he wants to play for us, rather than looking like he has been sent here as a punishment.

I think he's a confidence player, and being a makeweight in the Milner deal just made him feel second rate. He seems to be getting that confidence back and winning over the fans is now putting him on an upward spiral instead of a downward one.

[PaulTheVillan]

His interception that led to Bents goal against Chelsea was top class, don't think any other Villa player could have done it.

He rarely makes a tackle, but always seems to intercept. His reading of the game is top notch.

[QBVILLA]

His interception that led to Bents goal against Chelsea was top class, don't think any other Villa player could have done it.

He rarely makes a tackle, but always seems to intercept. His reading of the game is top notch.

To be fair the way red cards are being dished out at the moment you're better off being an interceptor than a tackler

[PaulTheVillan]

His interception that led to Bents goal against Chelsea was top class, don't think any other Villa player could have done it.

He rarely makes a tackle, but always seems to intercept. His reading of the game is top notch.

To be fair the way red cards are being dished out at the moment you're better off being an interceptor than a tackler

I agree, we've seen how Delph who is a tackler gets himself booked early on and then is missing for the rest of the game

[sg]

I hope he can maintain this form and improve.  I think he needs the right players around him for him to take it to the next level.  Keep it up Ireland.

+1.

[ktvillan]

He always had the ability but that's useless if your head isn't right (see one SVC, probably the most talented striker of his generation).  Love to watch him play when he's at the races, and he has been lately. Needs to stay in the middle though, not out wide, and he could do with the other players being a bit more on his wavelength and offering more movement.   I do have this nagging doubt that his chance for rehabilitation only came about because of the (new) Jenas injury, but whatever, it seems to be working out well so far.

[Dave Clark Five]

I do have this nagging doubt that his chance for rehabilitation only came about because of the (new) Jenas injury, but whatever, it seems to be working out well so far.

Indeed. You have to take your chance when it comes.