Ireland's contract

[eamonn]

I don't think his abilities are over-rated. His touch is a class above most players, he's always looking for the give and go, and he's capable of making ghost-runs into the box.
There is clearly a cultured player in there which is obvious when he's playing well such as Chelsea away last season but for whatever reason - players not being on the same wavelength, losing heart quickly when things don't come off, he's not been able to sustain it.

[Merv]

His best spell was for 12-18 months at City, and that was four or five years ago now. At some point, you wonder whether Ireland is a very talented player going through a bad patch, or just an average footballer who had a very good patch right at the start of his career. He wouldn't be alone in being someone who made an impact as a teenager and then faded.

Something's not right. Houllier couldn't wait to get rid of him in his first season, he did fairly well under McLeish, and Lambert gave him plenty of chances during the first half of this season. He didn't do an awful lot. I'd say he's had plenty of opportunities to convince and hasn't done so. The hunger and desire just doesn't seem to be there.

[sirlordbaltimore]

At the end of the day, WE gave him that contract. He didn't draw it up himself so if we're stuck with him we only have whoever arranged the contract to blame. But to be fair, when he did sign (+18m) i think a fair few of us thought it looked a decent deal at that time.

Milner's not gone on to show he's an 18m (or 26m) player either. In fact he's gone from being dubbed 'the future of England' to a squad player that looks anything but top drawer. Works hard but shows very little top class (which the fee we got for him suggested he was) qualities

And Ireland's done nothing in a Villa shirt to make me think he should have started more games, and it seems like the form is temporary, class is permanent theory is correct. Sadly in Ireland's case, in reverse. The form being that one great season he had and the class being everything before or after which has been mediocre at best

If you look at the whole deal, and whether it was value for money. I doubt either side would be bragging at how it's all turned out.

[not3bad]

He'd do well up in Scotland but I guess nobody could afford his wages up there.

[Salsa Party Animal]

Perhaps he should retire from the game as he doesn't love football. I think he should work with Petrov in new foundation for charity.

[manic-road]

When I have seen him warming up before a game when he has been picked as a sub, he hasn't looked in the slightest interested and very half heartedly warms up looking like he doesn't give a shit.

Sooner he goes the better.

[Chipsticks]

In the thread pre-season about the coming campaign I adamantly demanded that Lambert build the team around him.

Oh how wrong I was.

[neo_Villan]

In the thread pre-season about the coming campaign I adamantly demanded that Lambert build the team around him.

Oh how wrong I was.

Lambert did try to do that to an extent.

[oldhill_avfc]

Not made the squad since Jan says it all.

Crikey.

I didn't know that was the case. Are you sure?

I was trying to recall if he had played since Bradford when we were discussing the Bradford second leg on the highs and lows and I don't reckon he would have played in that had literally any other option been available. Not signed Sylla yet and no Westwood, plus injuries made it impossible to leave him out. Otherwise I think the Wigan game, where he was not even close to being an apology for a footballer, would have been his last.

I was actually a fan of Ireland, trying to believe he was misunderstood etc, and I do think there is talent there.  However, this game was nothing short of shocking and when he was hauled off with resounding boos, he must have had an idea his goose was cooked.  The modern day Stan Collymore.

That's a bit harsh on Collymore.  SVC put in a number of outstanding performances and was clinically depressed.

[PeterWithesShin]

A number of outstanding performances?

[oldhill_avfc]

A number of outstanding performances?

Yes.....

... Not a high enough number I'll admit.

[Clampy]

In the thread pre-season about the coming campaign I adamantly demanded that Lambert build the team around him.

Oh how wrong I was.

Not just you mate.

I said a few times earlier on in the season that i thought he'd be better played just behind the striker. It was after that game against Bradford at home where he did'nt seem that bothered that he was playing in a cup Semi Final that did it for me.

[PeterWithesShin]

I struggle with more than 5 good ones, never mind a number of outstanding ones. Arsenal 2nd half, Liverpool, Madrid second half, Albion (when they were shit), Stromgodset (who were even shitter than the Albion) and a good freekick against Spurs but can't remember him doing anything else of real note in that match so doesn't qualify as a good game.

[N'ZMAV]

Good player. Even bigger waster. Ged rid. He's had a chance and has wasted it. Under a few managers.

[ozzjim]

I struggle with more than 5 good ones, never mind a number of outstanding ones. Arsenal 2nd half, Liverpool, Madrid second half, Albion (when they were shit), Stromgodset (who were even shitter than the Albion) and a good freekick against Spurs but can't remember him doing anything else of real note in that match so doesn't qualify as a good game.

He was pretty good in that Spurs game, considering he was in the clink on the morning of the match.

But that would be my list of good Stan games. Biggest disappointment in a player I have ever had watching Villa. Was my favourite player at the time of signing, and I was so gutted it did not work out for him and us.