Ireland's contract

[Virgil Caine]

I think there is a minority of footballers who consider themselves so lucky as to be running out playing in front of a large crowd each week. To many of them it is just a job and as in life there are some who will take advantage of a situation for their own good. Words like loyalty, passion, effort and commitment are a complete anathema to them andif they can get 50k a week for doing a 100% of sweet FA, and thereby enjoy all the trapping this type of income brings then so be it. I think as supporters we delude ourselves that it will be any different and players like Ireland are just systematic of the Football Industry slowly eating itself.

[rob_bridge]

The day we boot the useless twunt out of the club cannot, repeat cannot, come soon enough.

A lamer, a waster, a cretin, a leech.

[rob_bridge]

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.

Yep that's about it for me too. Stromgodset - what a name? Didn't the Vass man score 2 against them in the first leg when he came on as a sub.

[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.

Yep that's about it for me too. Stromgodset - what a name? Didn't the Vass man score 2 against them in the first leg when he came on as a sub.

Yep, we were either 2-0 down or 2-1 down, and Vass came on and scored twice for a 3-2 win.

[paul_e]

I think there is a minority of footballers who consider themselves so lucky as to be running out playing in front of a large crowd each week. To many of them it is just a job and as in life there are some who will take advantage of a situation for their own good. Words like loyalty, passion, effort and commitment are a complete anathema to them andif they can get 50k a week for doing a 100% of sweet FA, and thereby enjoy all the trapping this type of income brings then so be it. I think as supporters we delude ourselves that it will be any different and players like Ireland are just systematic of the Football Industry slowly eating itself.

I'm not sure I agree with a lot of that.  Loyalty I'll give you, but the top of the league becoming a closed shop is the cause of that, not the attitudes of players.  I actually hold some sympathy with the idea that in a 12-13 year career you can't afford to be overly loyal if you want to achieve as much as you're capable of.

I think a lot of players get so far and then think they've made it because they've got people telling them how great they are, and they earn a years wages (compared to people they were at school with) in 2-3 days.  That's why a manager who can motivate the players to keep getting better is so important.

The very best in the world have that desire for themselves, which is part of why they are the best, but to expect that from every player all through their career is a bit much.

The problem comes when you get the ones who can't even be bothered to stay at the level they reach, Ireland is a great example of this group and he deserves any abuse he gets.

[eamonn]

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.

Yep that's about it for me too. Stromgodset - what a name? Didn't the Vass man score 2 against them in the first leg when he came on as a sub.

Yep, we were either 2-0 down or 2-1 down, and Vass came on and scored twice for a 3-2 win.

You can now read all about Vassell's memories of that game over on the Villa Memories Section sponsored by As Time Goes By fragrance fresheners.

[Mister E]

The day we boot the useless twunt out of the club cannot, repeat cannot, come soon enough.

A lamer, a waster, a cretin, a leech.

Absolutely agree.

[villa kicks]

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert will let Stephen Ireland  go -sunday people

[danlanza]

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert will let Stephen Ireland  go -sunday people

Cardiff will sign him, bet ya.

[rob_bridge]

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert will let Stephen Ireland  go -sunday people

Cardiff will sign him, bet ya.

We need Hughes to take over at Stoke - that is the retirement home for footballers living on former glories. Plus he worked with him at Cit-eh

[danlanza]

Mark Hughes and Sturke would go well together. Guaranteed relegation.

[VillaAlways]

From the Mail by Matt Kendrick

Stephen Ireland and Villa will attempt to strike a compromise over his likely summer exit when the exiled midfielder returns from holiday.

The 26-year-old is surplus to requirements as manager Paul Lambert sets in motion the next phase of overhauling the claret and blues squad.

Ireland is currently out of the country but is due to meet with the Villa hierarchy in an effort to resolve his future on his return next month.

The possibility of agreeing a settlement on the final year of his contract will be discussed with Ireland and his representatives.

With a reported salary of £65,000 per week, Ireland would stand to earn more than £3 million if he stays until his deal expires next summer.

But Villa would be loathe to give the former Manchester City favourite a ‘golden handshake’ of that scale after an uninspiring three year spell.

Ireland has fallen out of favour with Lambert during the second half of the season and has not been in Villa’s matchday squad since January.

His last appearance in claret and blue was during the Capital One Cup semi-final exit against Bradford at Villa Park four months ago.

Last season he was also banished to train with Villa’s academy youngsters when Lambert decided the first team squad could do without him.

He was conspicuous by his absence from Villa’s annual awards dinner and lap of appreciation following the last home match of the season.

Despite his surprise supporters’ player of the season award in 2011-12, Ireland has rarely lived up to his £8 million price-tag.

He has made 47 starts and 13 substitute appearances, scoring one goal, since arriving as the makeweight in the James Milner deal in 2010.

It is thought Ireland would consider a move to the continent if his departure from Villa can be resolved to his and the club’s satisfaction.

[Dave Javu]

When's he back off holiday? He's been gone for four months already.

[VillaAlways]

When's he back off holiday? He's been gone for four months already.

Well he's been to Dubai ,then after a week back here he's now in Miami having a well earned break.

[Villadroid]

So what happened?

In May '12 Ireland was voted player of the season by the fans and now the fans are using pretty strong language to deny his talent and condemn him as a person.

So what is the evidence to substantiate the claim that since breaking his wrist he has become all the things the fans have accused him of?