Stephen Ireland

[Merv]

His performance at Stamford bridge last season was the best / classiest of any villa player all season. We're definitely a better side with him in it at the moment, because the formation we're playing suits him and us

Yes. I still expect more from him, but our performances (and results) have been better with him in the side; things went wrong at Southampton after he came off at HT and we missed him for those few games with injury. The way our midfield is set up now we can include a player like him; he does have a touch of class about him. I thought he was good on Saturday, his best performance for a while. A sharper ball from Weimann in the first half and he might have had a goal - that was a great run.

As for his wages - we've got to get over this. A lot of PL footballers are ridiculously well paid, he's no different and there are other big earners at Villa. At least he's playing regularly and contributing - it's when big earners are out of the squad and not involved that winds me up.

[PaulTheVillan]

Lambert obviously likes Ireland, he always seems to start when available. I like him and have always held out some hope we'll get the form from him that he got under Hughes at City.

[not3bad]

I think we're starting to get that form and Ireland is helping us turn the corner.  He was even starting to talk about being a good role model fopr the kids yesterday.  Maybe a strange thing to hear coming from Ireland but it's good to hear he wants to make that kind of investment in the Villa.

[Jarpie]

We dont need to get rid of Ireland and replace him with someone else, we need another player like him to give some rotation and if Ireland gets injured, we have someone similar to back him up.

[silhillvilla]

He hounded Scholes for most of the match on Saturday.

Hmmmm was that the Scholes who was allowed to spray passes around unchallenged for most of the game

[Mazrim]

He hounded Scholes for most of the match on Saturday.

Hmmmm was that the Scholes who was allowed to spray passes around unchallenged for most of the game

News to me. Ireland was chasing him (and others) down almost every time the ball went to him including several interceptions which led to attacks we could and should have done better with.

[Holte L2]

agreed. Just his awareness of Gabby's position for the second goal meant he didn't need to stop the play. It flowed so much better. We've really missed that since Gaz Baz left. Barry could get the ball wide to Ash on the left so quickly that Ash was in acres of space. You give players with talent and speed space they'll do something with it as Gabby did.
[/quote]

Very much so. I would really like to see N'Zogbia get a run in the "Ireland role" though.

[glasses]

agreed. Just his awareness of Gabby's position for the second goal meant he didn't need to stop the play. It flowed so much better. We've really missed that since Gaz Baz left. Barry could get the ball wide to Ash on the left so quickly that Ash was in acres of space. You give players with talent and speed space they'll do something with it as Gabby did.

Very much so. I would really like to see N'Zogbia get a run in the "Ireland role" though.
[/quote]I wouldn't. He spends so much time looking at his feet he wouldn't see the pass

[Merv]

Hmmm, I think our best bet of seeing the best from CNZ isn't in the Ireland role (though I could Holman doing well there) but in the role Gabby has at the moment - left sided striker/attacking player.

[silhillvilla]

I think Ireland played well but no way did he neutralise Scholes.
Scholes and Carrick had so much of the ball and Scholes particularly was pinging accurate 40 yard raking balls all game.

[pauliewalnuts]

I think Ireland played well but no way did he neutralise Scholes.
Scholes and Carrick had so much of the ball and Scholes particularly was pinging accurate 40 yard raking balls all game.

Scholes and Carrick between them completed more passes than our entire team, according to a stat I saw the other day, so if Scholes was neutralised, he must have super powers when left unhindered.

[pedro25]

I agree CN'Z would be well suited to Gabby's role but not Ireland's, again I agree Holman could play Ireland' role and I think Bannan could too.  When all are fit we will have Holman/KEA/CN'Z/Bent/Given/Dunne pushing the first 11 very hard for a start plus Lichaj/Stevens/Baker/Delph/Albrighton etc.

[silhillvilla]

CNZ doesn't have the physical strength of Gabby who is now excellent at holding the ball up.

[Mazrim]

I didn't say he "neutralised" Scholes did I? Very few players have ever managed that.
I said he hounded him, contrary to the notion Ireland wasn't trying or doesn't care.

[Mazrim]

I think Ireland played well but no way did he neutralise Scholes.
Scholes and Carrick had so much of the ball and Scholes particularly was pinging accurate 40 yard raking balls all game.

Scholes and Carrick between them completed more passes than our entire team, according to a stat I saw the other day, so if Scholes was neutralised, he must have super powers when left unhindered.

And doesn't tell the whole story at all. Most of their passes, particularly in the first half, were not really hurting us or finding their forwards. They were mostly sideways and backwards because of the pressure we were applying to the ball.