sellyoakvilla

He'll start against Blackburn in the cup and he will play well if his injury has gone. Suspect he'll be on the bench against Wigan too

He is genuinely injured to be fair

It's very easy to say he's been poor in all of those games, you'd need to analyse his performances very closely to get a fair opinion on it. For what it's worth from what I've seen he hasn't been as bad as everyone is making out. He has shown glimpses and for a player who has been in Manchester at a club he loves to death all his life, to move to Birmingham and try and settle, it's always going to be difficult. Took me a while to settle at my new job after being at my old one for 2 years and I didn't even have to move house. I remember everyone saying Downing was shit, and Petrov, but the difference is MON didn't have the balls to drop them for anyone else. Maybe that was a good thing as they eventually came good but in my opinion Ireland needs a pre season, or at least a period out of the team (which is what he's getting) to be able to work with the team, the staff and the management without the stress of games coming up thick and fast, let alone the situation we are in

Also at Blues away in the cup he showed signs of promise and should have scored twice, but for good saves. He's a good player. Just been treated badly by Houllier and not given a fair chance.

I think he'd do well with Makoun in the side because Makoun is the kind of player who has potential to be the 90 minute engine for the team, if Ireland loses the ball there's protection behind him who is almost guaranteed to clear up the mess as he'll be all around the pitch. Ireland will come good if he stays, believe me, he's too good of a player to just let go and he will come back and bite us if we let him go to someone like Everton (Moyes can easily sort him out and he'll get 10 goals a season there)

Maybe so, if he has I'll stand corrected as I remember a few of his appearances in CM that's all. Whenever Young comes back he is always going to be one of the first names on the teamsheet so it's just unfortunate that he's got a better player in his position.

Sorry but for me this is slightly absurd. Kranjcar is being kept out of a very impressive side by internationals playing at the top of their game. When Kranjcar has played he has done well barring a few occasions. Ireland is being kept off our bench by kids who themselves are being kept out of the team by kids. When he has played, he has played shite. The situations are totally different. He couldn't BE any lower in the pecking order and given that we don't see the training sessions I imagine he only has himself to blame. Since he's been here he has always carried a knee injury. Whenever he's played he has always been played in CM. He is not a CM. He is a CAM. If you played Ashley Young in CM in place of Milner everyone would start to call him shit too as everyone would cut straight through our midfield. When Ireland has played he has shown glimpses of class but how can you place a pass into space when the kids who have played aren't technically clever enough to get into that space? The only person who has the vision for a pass into space is Bannan, and he was never playing with him. Now all of our players are back and we have a quality striker who will make the runs into space, Ireland will get a chance.

No. Then again, you can understand Houllier's point of view because he obviously knows how he wants to play and he's been saddled with a misfit or doesnt fit into his system Ireland ain't a missfit, Krancjar can't get into the Tottenham first team, does that make him a misfit/shit? When he's recovered from this injury I fully expect Houllier to give Ireland a chance, it's all about fighting for your place

At the end of the day Houllier only sees Ireland's position as the hole behind the striker but Ashley Young is better and will always play there over him. Would any of you be happy if he dropped Young for Ireland? I don't think Ash would be either.

Cats

Arcade Fire - Ready To Start

I'm friends with Danielle in Malpas, great band, she's Danielle Perry off Kerrang if you ever listen in the car..

hahaha! I was gonna say, anything GarethRDR likes is usually worth avoiding ;-) Gareth actually has a surprisingly good music taste 8)

What twitter thing?

Crystal Fighters broke through in 2010 but chose them because I reckon they'll have an even bigger 2011. I booked them for their Birmingham gig in October and I've got them back again for the HMV Institute on March 23 if you fancy it! Tickets will go on sale soon... shameless promotion...

E&TW are playing Hare & Hounds on Feb 8 with support from Trophy Wife, my mates band Silver Souvenirs are also supporting, going to be a good gig. I saw Egyptian Hip Hop at The Flapper a couple months ago, wasn't really impressed, just another poser band for me. Is Tropical and Tall Ships are quality though, never really got into Morning Parade but willing to give them another chance...

Thought I'd open this thread so everyone could give their insights on who they tip for 2011 success and who they are currently diggin' so far. I'm a big fan of the alternative scene - indie / lo-fi / underground etc. For me there's quite a few bands who I think will break through this year, these are the ones I'm loving at the moment.. The Vaccines Mona Esben & The Witch Brother Crystal Fighters For those who like a bit of rap/grime (been around for a few years before 2011 but tipping him for deserved success this year).. Wretch 32 I know they're not a new band but The Walkmen's new album is incredible. Jamie Woon will do well too. Who are you tipping for success in 2011 (self-promotion of your own band is acceptable! Just..)

Balotelli is a **** bellend, overated tosser who says in an interview he's going back to Milan next season and is only at City for one more season. He got the softest hat trick against us I have ever seen, he did **** all else apart from that and he wears the same hat a giant would wear as a glove. What a prized cnut!

Shocking, we need an original anthem not an embarrassing song with no substance. Almost as bad as the championees cup final song

Just followed you

Bumder

:oops: :oops: :oops: :oops:

Got that in the post this morning.. Firstly- I'm not a supporter Secondly- What the **** is the Birmingham City FC Community Trust? Thirdly- £5 adults and £1 a kid for Man City at home!? desperate or what and finally- Why are they buying third party addresses off mailing lists ?? What a joke of a club!!

Cheer up Stevie Bruce Oh what can it mean To a, sad Mackem bastard with no, Bent in his teaaaam