I agree that technique gets you only so far, But I sometimes think people forget why they watch football. For me I would much rather watch technical players than players like Agbonlahor, Heskey, Warnock, Hutton, Albrighton etc etc try really hard but fail. I Watch football to be entertained and has crazy as this sounds I would rather villa finished 15th than 8/9th playing attacking football.
Players like Ireland /and Nzogbia may be odd and annoying characters but I would much rather watch them play.
This is Slightly off point though....
I feel Ireland would have been great in some of our past teams, Playing in front of Barry and Milner Ireland would excel. Put a forward in front of him with an ounce of a football brain and he would be even better. Im not trying to say hes world class but I think if played well He is a great assest to this club.