Cheerio and current squad

[paul_e]

It would be a convenient escape for us.

Either way, I think it looks like Ireland is not going to be any kind of use for us, and so although it's plenty of money to do so I'd say the club would be best served paying up his contract and getting him off the books.

Easily Faulkner's worst signing ;-)

Let's not be overly critical of Faulkner over this one, check all the fans forums from that summer and you'll see a lot of people thinking we got a very good deal and that Ireland was going to be a great signing.

[citizenDJ]

Yeah, I was just kidding, hence the winky thing! I was one of the ones who thought it was a good signing! I may even have used the phrase 'missing piece of the jigsaw' at some point...

[Toronto Villa]

Yeah, I was just kidding, hence the winky thing! I was one of the ones who thought it was a good signing! I may even have used the phrase 'missing piece of the jigsaw' at some point...

a lot of people thought he was a good signing. All of that money plus Stephen Ireland looked a decent deal. Off course losing Milner was a disaster, but the possible upside was Ireland and seeing if he could find again the form that a couple of years or so prior had seen him emerge as one of the games future stars. He looked superb for man City when he first broke on to the scene. Unfortunately the game isn't as important as the other things his money has got him which is a crying shame.

[villa kicks]

Wouldn't it be nice if professional pride made players like Ireland seek another challenge even if it meant lower wages?
It's not like he will ever want for money is it?
But no, he'll leech off us doing fuck all until his contract runs out or until we pay him off.

Reasons to hate modern football #3588

to be fair to Ireland he was given that contract by the club. He will be advised by his people to have the best deal possible for him and if a transfer that doesn't offer both him and villa suitability he ll just be shipped out on loan... Then released end of season. I see him  moving stoke west ham hull norwich thesee managers would be a good fit for Ireland

[Phil from the upper holte]

Not the Fonz :-( he's shite, move him on nothing to see here, sane goes for Bannan, Ireland Hutton

[kipeye]

I would be happy to see Stevens stay as I think he will turn out to be the best of the three at full-back. I think he will do well for a longer loan spell and develop into a good player.
Lichaj was good cover and usually soild (think I'll leave that typo in), but seem to have moments of madness and was unlikely ever to replace Bennett who was better going forward-which suits Lambert's style.

[kipeye]

Not the Fonz :-( he's shite, move him on nothing to see here, sane goes for Bannan, Ireland Hutton

He is not shite-but he has never looked good enough whenever I have seen him-despite the Vassel-like quality of scoring eye-catching goals out of the blue. I never forget the game I saw him against Brighton a couple of seasons ago-he looked like he had all the talent but his head-down attitude reminded me of Collymore on one of his bad days.

[Dave Cooper please]

Wouldn't it be nice if professional pride made players like Ireland seek another challenge even if it meant lower wages?
It's not like he will ever want for money is it?
But no, he'll leech off us doing fuck all until his contract runs out or until we pay him off.

Reasons to hate modern football #3588

to be fair to Ireland he was given that contract by the club. He will be advised by his people to have the best deal possible for him and if a transfer that doesn't offer both him and villa suitability he ll just be shipped out on loan

Yes I know that. But I was talking about professional pride. You know, wanting to play football, it's what his job is supposed to be after all. It's not like he really needs more buckets of cash is it?
Ireland is a complete waste of undoubted talent. I'd like to think he will look back on his career later in life and think the same but he'll probably just laugh at how easy it all was.

[villa kicks]

Yes professional pride though there is a combination of factors in securing a move and getting game time. There is also a combination of factors in a player wanting a move as well as professional pride - that said Ireland would be better served if he transfer out.

Id say bye bye to following players and get around £20m - £25m in fees aswell as in cases of Ireland Hutton Nzogbia Bent real aid in decrease wage bill. If buyers can't be found would loan them out though i feel these 4 and the other 2 ive listed can find clubs to move onto

Hutton 2m
Holman 2m
delfoneso 2m
Ireland 3m
Nzogbia 5m
Bent 8m

[McGraths Dry Cleaning]

Not the Fonz :-( he's shite, move him on nothing to see here, sane goes for Bannan, Ireland Hutton

He is not shite-but he has never looked good enough whenever I have seen him-despite the Vassel-like quality of scoring eye-catching goals out of the blue. I never forget the game I saw him against Brighton a couple of seasons ago-he looked like he had all the talent but his head-down attitude reminded me of Collymore on one of his bad days.

He was a bit head-down when i saw him in Mothercare in Solihull a couple of weeks ago but to be fair so was I - havn't women heard of the internet?

[Salsa Party Animal]

Is there anyway the club can cut loose players like Ireland. I mean in NFL if the player is unneeded the team can cut him much easier that english football. Can we just release him on free transfer ? if we don't want to keep him.

[eastie]

Is there anyway the club can cut loose players like Ireland. I mean in NFL if the player is unneeded the team can cut him much easier that english football. Can we just release him on free transfer ? if we don't want to keep him.

No he is under contract and if we want rid of him we would have to pay him to terminate the contract .
We can't just say we don't need you anymore and show him the door , thats the security of a contract .

[lovejoy]

Do we know who gave the go ahead for the Ireland purchase?

[villa kicks]

Do we know who gave the go ahead for the Ireland purchase?

man city. They offered him in player and cash deal for milner. Its easy to forget where Ireland signed from as he was by all accounts not doing much at man city. I remember though and other may too he had a nice season a few before he was signed to us in the exchange and cash deal he has never reached those heights since. 

[silhillvilla]

Not the Fonz :-( he's shite, move him on nothing to see here, sane goes for Bannan, Ireland Hutton

He is not shite-but he has never looked good enough whenever I have seen him-despite the Vassel-like quality of scoring eye-catching goals out of the blue. I never forget the game I saw him against Brighton a couple of seasons ago-he looked like he had all the talent but his head-down attitude reminded me of Collymore on one of his bad days.

He was a bit head-down when i saw him in Mothercare in Solihull a couple of weeks ago but to be fair so was I - havn't women heard of the internet?

Where is the Mothercare in Solihull ? I've lived here for 30 years and never seen it ??