Bannan and Ireland

[Chris Harte]

The sooner Ireland is off our books the better.

[eastie]

Barry Bannan offers nothing as a professional footballer. Absolutely nothing.

He's played around 60 league games for us, scored one goal (a penalty I think) and set up very few. Defensively he's a complete liability.

The same could have been said about Delph. Last season when TSM played him alongside Stan, it was Petrov who was playing the more advanced role and Delph as the defensive central midfielder. He was shocking.

Like Delph, play him in his best position and we might start to see the player we all hoped he'd become.

I think gary Gardner will play a big part next season - as for bannan and Ireland , get rid!

[Rigadon]

They both have talent but neither are effective in this team.  They both might flourish in a team with better players, but in this Villa team they are a luxury we can probably not afford for the last 10 or so games. 

I have more time for Bannan.  It takes a lot for me to care little about seeing a player in a Villa shirt ever again, but for me, Ireland fills those boots above any other in the squad.  He just doesn't give a toss. 

[Can Gana Be Bettered!?!?]

Ireland is a bald ******.

Potentially the best player at the club, but is a modern day stereotypical footballer. A twat.

[Rigadon]

Quite, Can Baldy Be Battered.  Quite. 

[Cuz]

Bannan weak, small offers nothing. Ireland just picking up his highly inflated wages every month and doesn't give a fuck.
I wish them all worst.

[OzVilla]

Stephen Ireland was on the tele again the other night here on one of those EPL Preview bullshit shows aimed at 14 year olds or new footy fans in Shanghai.  He's such a twat it's incredible.

"I like to train the way i play, get stuck in and really give it 100%"

I think I dislike him more than any Villa player before ever, he makes Steve Hodge look like Ian Taylor. 

And I don't even think there's this decent player that everyone seems to think there is either.  One decent season 5 years ago ffs!  He looked a good player in a poor side for a few months and has done the sum total of fuck all since, just a midfield version of Jlloyd Samuel really.

As for Bannan, he's not PL quality i'm afraid but might do a job for us if we go down.  Might!!

[claret and blue blood]

Ireland played OK under McLeish and Bannan did OK under Houllier.....................................just saying ? OK

[Zakk Fatt]

Ireland is just a D list celebrity who used to be a footballer so enough said about him.

Bannan however is a different kettle of fish.  At times in games this season he has shown his mettle but he needs to be in a defensive midfield role with attacking midfielders going forward in front of him to make it work.

When the team are up against it he is weak but when we are attacking the lad gives us options.  The problem is for most games this season the team have been back tracking against superior opposition and this leads to mistakes, Bannan can't really be blamed for this lack of confidence amongst the other 9 outfield players. He is young, he needs leadership and guidance but there is none out there.

As for the crowd influence then we have to concede we have a bearing, the team currently look better away than at home - Why?The section of the upper Holte to my right that booed Gardner after his mistake on Monday should take a long hard look at the effect that thier moronic actions have on a young player because this hardly instills any sort of confidence.

We are all devestated by the last couple of seasons, we are probably going down but booing our players is not the answer, abusing our owner is justified (but I dont see us giving Randy or Faulkner a hard time - shame on us) along with overpaid dicks like Ireland, but not the youth, it is the youth that will dig us out of the Championship next season hopefully at the first hurdle so all of us need to give them our full backing - even when we are losing.

[Jockey Randall]

Ireland's best position is where N'Zogbia and Holman can both do a better job. Look how many goals and assists he gets - which is obviously a good judge of an attacking midfielder. For me that's why he's not in the squad. I actually think his work rate has been ok. He's just lost the player he was 3/4 years ago. Bannan doesn't keep the ball as well or tackle/intercept as well as Delph, Westwood and El Ahmadi. Obviously he also lacks height. I'm not saying he's a bad player, just that when those 3 are fit it it should be a choice between him and Sylla for the other midfield bench spot. Obviously at this stage Lambert rates Sylla as a better option. I imagine Bannan will be back on the bench in the next 2 games.

[eastie]

Ireland is a half arsed player who used to be famous.
Bannan is a championship player at best.

[tomd2103]

Ireland's best position is where N'Zogbia and Holman can both do a better job. Look how many goals and assists he gets - which is obviously a good judge of an attacking midfielder. For me that's why he's not in the squad. I actually think his work rate has been ok. He's just lost the player he was 3/4 years ago. Bannan doesn't keep the ball as well or tackle/intercept as well as Delph, Westwood and El Ahmadi. Obviously he also lacks height. I'm not saying he's a bad player, just that when those 3 are fit it it should be a choice between him and Sylla for the other midfield bench spot. Obviously at this stage Lambert rates Sylla as a better option. I imagine Bannan will be back on the bench in the next 2 games.

I still believe that Bannan's best position is in that attacking midfield role as well.  He hasn't got a lot of the attributes needed to play as a defensive midfielder and played in a more advanced position for the reserves.  I never want to see Ireland in a Villa shirt again, but I do hope that Bannan is given a chance in his more natural position before being totally written off.

[Greg N'Ash]

Stephen Ireland was on the tele again the other night here on one of those EPL Preview bullshit shows aimed at 14 year olds or new footy fans in Shanghai.  He's such a twat it's incredible.

"I like to train the way i play, get stuck in and really give it 100%"

Heh. The thing is, is he actually suffering from that sort of lack of self-awareness or is he just subtlely taking the piss? I really haven't a clue which it is. Has he even asked for a transfer yet? If he hasn't, then seeing the way different managers have frozen him out, you know he's content to sit here collecting his money till his contract ends.

[Ads]

Would either of them get into a top ten side?

In my view, no.

[brontebilly]

One of them might get another shot at the weekend. Both were given more than enough chances though and don't see anything in them to suggest they will turn around their form like Delph has.