VillaGoMarching Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 I think Ireland played decently saturday, worked his socks off i though too, tracked back and put alot of tackles in, certainly not the sort of play we saw 6 months ago. Him and N'zog linked up well i thought in spells. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dont_do_it_doug. Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 I don't get all this "specialist player" bollocks, as if he can only be bought on for 15 minutes a game. He plays as an attacking mid/second striker. He can play in almost any formation you can think of that involves a front two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laivasse Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 I think he needs to be part of a five man midfield to get the best out of him, but tbh the same can probably be said about most of our midfielders and wide types atm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
largelugs Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 I don't get all this "specialist player" bollocks, as if he can only be bought on for 15 minutes a game. He plays as an attacking mid/second striker. He can play in almost any formation you can think of that involves a front two. There is no way he is a second striker, he doesn't make runs beyond the other attacker, he has very little urge to even score goals. He is a lightweight midfielder who plays the advanced role because of his aversion to hard work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSufferingVilla Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 In the pub for the Red Bulls opener yesterday, a lot of talk about Ireland making the move to NY. From what I heard the MLS have reached out to his agent (via the club) and were told that Ireland would entertain the possibility of a move to the US should Villa be willing to sell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVFCforever1991 Posted March 12, 2012 Share Posted March 12, 2012 In the pub for the Red Bulls opener yesterday, a lot of talk about Ireland making the move to NY. From what I heard the MLS have reached out to his agent (via the club) and were told that Ireland would entertain the possibility of a move to the US should Villa be willing to sell. Oh yeah I was reading something about that here: http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3353/mls/2012/03/10/2958563/mls-teams-reportedly-interested-in-stephen-ireland-and-ivica Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philosopher Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 If we could get the 8 - 10 mil he was worth as part of the milner deal it I would sell him. Think his current form is OK, but from where I was in the upper north stand on saturday he was disapointing. Spent most of the match standing around (apart from putting in the odd good tackle), rarely got into the box even though he was playing as a second striker and both Petrov and Herd were sitting deep. Gave the ball away a lot and generally looked to be playing for himself. Many people have criticised Albrighton for over hitting crosses, but most of the time Gabby was the only player in the box for Albie to aim at and he was being double marked. I cannot recall anyone following up at the far post when a cross was being delivered which the exceptions of crosses from the left with Ablie making the run towards the back post. Ireland should've been getting in the box or Herd should have been given the freedom to make the late runs into the box from deep. Not the type of player to build a team around contrary to what some have said. The only thing he has which is top class is his first touch. Everyone talks about his great one season at citeh, but we must remember he was playing alongside Robinho and they were very good at home that season, but dreadful away from home. The only reason he is being singled out for praise is because going forward he is the only inventive player playing full games. Bannan was far more effective when he came on than Ireland, he spread the play intelligently, kept the ball and is alway on the look out for the oppourtunity to make a killer pass. Bannan is the best playmaker in the squad period. Ireland still has a hell of a lot to prove in my eyes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rossco76 Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 The only reason he is being singled out for praise is because going forward he is the only inventive player playing full games. Maybe the manager isn't as stupid as some think and another reason he is being singled out for praise is to increase his potential value. I too would be happy to sell Ireland for anything over $6m, his purported $80k a week wages could go on 3 to 4 squad players. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chappy Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Bannan was far more effective when he came on than Ireland I can't agree with that. I thought Ireland was our best attacking player by a long chalk on Saturday (gave motm to Herd though). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KHV Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 The only reason he is being singled out for praise is because going forward he is the only inventive player playing full games. Maybe the manager isn't as stupid as some think and another reason he is being singled out for praise is to increase his potential value. I too would be happy to sell Ireland for anything over $6m, his purported $80k a week wages could go on 3 to 4 squad players. I think we have already replaced Ireland with that Aussie bloke Brett thingy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P3te Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 The only reason he is being singled out for praise is because going forward he is the only inventive player playing full games. Maybe the manager isn't as stupid as some think and another reason he is being singled out for praise is to increase his potential value. I too would be happy to sell Ireland for anything over $6m, his purported $80k a week wages could go on 3 to 4 squad players. buying squad players is why we're in this mess to begin with Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milfner Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 buying squad players is why we're in this mess to begin with Well yes and no. The problem with O'Neill's "squad" players were that they were rarely used and were over-priced, over-paid and under-performing shites. That's what got us into the shit. Every team needs a squad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rossco76 Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 buying squad players is why we're in this mess to begin with Well yes and no. The problem with O'Neill's "squad" players were that they were rarely used and were over-priced, over-paid and under-performing shites. That's what got us into the shit. Every team needs a squad. Bingo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P3te Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 buying squad players is why we're in this mess to begin with Well yes and no. The problem with O'Neill's "squad" players were that they were rarely used and were over-priced, over-paid and under-performing shites. That's what got us into the shit. Every team needs a squad.yes, every team needs a squad, but you build a squad by buying first team players to relegate your existing first team players to the bench, not by buying players who aren't good enough for the first team to begin with Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cule4life Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Bannan was far more effective when he came on than Ireland I can't agree with that. I thought Ireland was our best attacking player by a long chalk on Saturday (gave motm to Herd though). Agreed ! I think that the manager hasn't helped his situation and i cant blame Ireland for being pissed off with it as we could tell with the F.U. He was quality at City and hasn't been half the player since then. I bet Ireland seems puzzled with half of MClueless's decisions like the day he dropped Zog and Ireland despite him saying he didn't have a problem with them. In term's of attacking threat after dropping those two didn't be bring on Heskey and who was the other one again ? Im sure our opposition were trembling at the thought ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rossco76 Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 buying squad players is why we're in this mess to begin with Well yes and no. The problem with O'Neill's "squad" players were that they were rarely used and were over-priced, over-paid and under-performing shites. That's what got us into the shit. Every team needs a squad.yes, every team needs a squad, but you build a squad by buying first team players to relegate your existing first team players to the bench, not by buying players who aren't good enough for the first team to begin with Well that depends entirely what type of squad you're building and what restraints you have to build it. Yeah, sure, if money is no object I'd keep "Stevie" hanging around but money is an issue and if we can replace him with 3 or 4 inferior players (in terms of skill) for the same wages then I'd jump at it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dchitz Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 If we could get the 8 - 10 mil he was worth as part of the milner deal it I would sell him. Think his current form is OK, but from where I was in the upper north stand on saturday he was disapointing. Spent most of the match standing around (apart from putting in the odd good tackle), rarely got into the box even though he was playing as a second striker and both Petrov and Herd were sitting deep. Gave the ball away a lot and generally looked to be playing for himself. Many people have criticised Albrighton for over hitting crosses, but most of the time Gabby was the only player in the box for Albie to aim at and he was being double marked. I cannot recall anyone following up at the far post when a cross was being delivered which the exceptions of crosses from the left with Ablie making the run towards the back post. Ireland should've been getting in the box or Herd should have been given the freedom to make the late runs into the box from deep. Not the type of player to build a team around contrary to what some have said. The only thing he has which is top class is his first touch. Everyone talks about his great one season at citeh, but we must remember he was playing alongside Robinho and they were very good at home that season, but dreadful away from home. The only reason he is being singled out for praise is because going forward he is the only inventive player playing full games. Bannan was far more effective when he came on than Ireland, he spread the play intelligently, kept the ball and is alway on the look out for the oppourtunity to make a killer pass. Bannan is the best playmaker in the squad period. Ireland still has a hell of a lot to prove in my eyes! More importantly how did you enjoy watching your first ever game of football. I have no problem admitting when a player plays poorly but I think youl find that the majority of voters one this site thought he had a great game. (won the motm poll by c.20%). Whilst I agree he may have something to prove, to say he was poor is just daft. Numerous times he was ahead of play and looking for the ball first time in the box especially in the first half but he ends up in an offside position because it takes 3,4,5 touchs before gabby/alby had it under control to spot him. I didnt think he gave the ball away much at all compared to others, would like to see some stats?? And he won position as much as anyone else if not more. By the way the further up the pitch you play, the harder it is to retain possession, regarding Bannan, I think youl find it much easier to spread the play or play the horizontal safe pass if your sitting deeper. Bannan doesnt make killer passes he plays hollywood balls that come off 1 in 10, Ireland on the other hand can deliver the "killer pass your talking about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philosopher Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 I thought Ireland was disapointing, as I have explained, why because he is built up to be this amazing player on a fine run of form, but other than his first touch everything looks average, he's had one good season, and even in that he only played well in the home games. The truth is he has done very little to justify the billing he gets and his form has been OK not great. All Ireland did was play a few nice touches and make 3 good tackles. I don't think you have ever really watched bannan play because he is always looking for and attempting killer passes., so for you to say he doesn't play killer balls, renders your post as BS in my eyes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deeps Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 Selling Ireland is something we shouldn't do IMO of course. He's a good player slowly finding his way again. He is light years ahead of the rest of the squad when it comes to movement and passing etc. Only Zog seems to read him at times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roonst83 Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 Ireland is our most intelligent player without doubt. We need him for next season for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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