Skruff Posted September 9, 2012 Share Posted September 9, 2012 No he didn't I don't need stats or a website to know you are talking bollocks ;-) These stats? Irelands average last season: 2.3 tackles per game. (Cheik Tiote 2.8 N'zonzi 1.7) 2.6 interceptions. ( Cheik Tiote 2.5 N'zonzi 1.7 ) 0.6 clearances (Cheik Tiote 1.4 N'zonzi 2.3) 0.3 blocked shot.(Cheik Tiote 0.4 N'zonzi 0.2) Isn't it possible that all those stats would be higher than what they should be as we'd have been defending so much? Yup, just as his offensive play suffered. I expect it to be somewhat the other way around this season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gilbertoAVFC Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 Stephen Ireland was awful last season. His performances certainly didnt help us - in fact if anything they hindered us - just like the performances of the vast majority of the players. A truly disgusting season in which there were very little positives. Weimanns goal against Fulham and Hutton save against West Brom was the bit of luck we had to keep us up. Thankfully we can all move on, and im pleased to say that Stephen Ireland appears to be showing signs hes moving on and improving for Aston Villa. Fixed that for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillaChris Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 No he didn't I don't need stats or a website to know you are talking bollocks ;-) These stats? Irelands average last season: 2.3 tackles per game. (Cheik Tiote 2.8 N'zonzi 1.7) 2.6 interceptions. ( Cheik Tiote 2.5 N'zonzi 1.7 ) 0.6 clearances (Cheik Tiote 1.4 N'zonzi 2.3) 0.3 blocked shot.(Cheik Tiote 0.4 N'zonzi 0.2) Those defensive stats don't particularly read that strong from any of those players. If you look at it fairly, Ireland did OK last season. He certainly wasn't brilliant, but he wasn't terrible. Getting POTS was more a testimony to our squads underperformance in general, than him being outstanding. That said, so far this season he has also been OK. Thankfully, we have a couple of players outperforming him this year. Yes this for me. There's one simple reason in mind why Ireland has to play 90% of the time. The reason is he at least has the ability to move the ball quickly in central midfield, either to another midfielder or out wide. CI, I take it you were at the Everton game? I assume you observed the snail pace speed the ball was being moved at whenever Herd or Bannan were in possession? Ireland and KEA from what I've seen are both quick passers so yes that should be a partnership allowed to develop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DamsonwoodVillan Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 Ireland had one really top performance last year - Chelsea away on NYE. He has to step up to the plate with a consistent amount of assists, key passes and goals this season, to be viewed as a successful season for him. Hopefully PL has the management skill to channel his attitude and find his form on the pitch. Completely agree VillaChris Ireland's value to the team comes in his ability to keep us moving. Much like KEA, and Delph should be doing this also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CI Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 I was on hols VillaChris so missed the everton game. I'm looking forward to Saturdays game which should be an open passing game very much a place for Ireland to flourish ? Looking ahead to see him in his own environment as it were. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8pints Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 I sure Ireland made two saving tackles in two separate games last season, near the end of the campaign. Liverpool on the 7th April and West Brom on the 28th April. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P3te Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 plus countless others in other matches the amount of important blocks and tackles he got in in the last 3 months of the season was massive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macca_UTV Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 Joe Bennett said on the OS: Best Trainer Stephen Ireland by a mile - and that's not knocking any of the other lads. He works really hard and he's really unbelievable on the ball. He always knows what he's going to do with it and is just a quality player. I have trained with Gaizka Mendieta at Middlesbrough but Stephen is up there with him. He rarely loses the ball. Most Skilful I'd say Stephen Ireland again. He's just so good with his feet. There doesn't seem to be many players in football these days who do stepovers and tricks. But Stephen can do all that and it's a joy to watch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delphinho123 Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 I wonder what CI has to say to that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bickster Posted September 11, 2012 Moderator Share Posted September 11, 2012 So without wishing to dis da Ireland boy, what the **** happens in football matches how does he go from Ronaldo crossed with Messi into Mr Adequate / Reasonable, not a bad player but not a bloody world beater either Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon_c Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 So without wishing to dis da Ireland boy, what the **** happens in football matches how does he go from Ronaldo crossed with Messi into Mr Adequate / Reasonable, not a bad player but not a bloody world beater either This is exactly what I find myself asking too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeyp102 Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 So without wishing to dis da Ireland boy, what the **** happens in football matches how does he go from Ronaldo crossed with Messi into Mr Adequate / Reasonable, not a bad player but not a bloody world beater either This is exactly what I find myself asking too. Yep thought that when I read it...wonder if it is actually the players thoughts or just pr bull?.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonic_bouma Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 I wonder what CI has to say to that. He'd probably say that it is training so ultimately counts for bugger all... I hear Heskey was a good trainer too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CI Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 There are lots of players who can "do it" on the practice ground. It's about doing it when it matters, when the pressure is on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CI Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 Looking forward to seeing Ireland's contribution tomorrow (if selected of course) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P3te Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 Looking forward to seeing Ireland's contribution tomorrow (if selected of course) you're hoping he has a stinker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delphinho123 Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 Looking forward to seeing Ireland's contribution tomorrow (if selected of course) I suspect he will be one of our better players again, as he has been in nearly every game for the past 12 months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mantis Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 Can I just ask CI what exactly Ireland has done to get you so against him? Ok I don't think he's great and he isn't worth his wages IMO but he certainly isn't deserving of the hate you constantly send his way either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVFCforever1991 Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 He doesn't deserve the wages he is on, but he also doesnt deserve some of the stick he gets on here. Really think he will come best against Swansea today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CI Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 Can I just ask CI what exactly Ireland has done to get you so against him? It's more about what he hasn't done on the pitch What he has done is toss it off for 2 years here No hiding place now for him & he has yet to convince me this season Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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