CI Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 I do think it admirable that Ireland spent the afternoon at the kids hospice. Brilliant stuff. I also apologise for my earlier comment which in hindsight was without thinking why he rushed off. It's a shame he couldn't stop and sign a few autos pose for the odd photo as fans player of the year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roonst83 Posted October 23, 2012 Share Posted October 23, 2012 My understanding is you have slagged off Ireland...... only to find out that A. he has a broken wrist which probably meant he couldn't sign anything (have done it myself and it kills!)... Who were you signing autographs for? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeyp102 Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 Didn't see the whole game, but how the hell did he miss the target after there keeper did the overhead kick? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazdavies79 Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 He should have put Gabby in on one counter attack but ended up doing nothing. Equally he put the ball on a plate for Weinman who should have scored. He also put Benteke in with a nice little chip, Benteke fluffed it. He got stuck in at times, but his bread and butter passes were a bit hit and miss. He could have scored and had two assists on another day. All in all he had an up and down game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keyblade Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 ^ Pretty much. But I'd say it was Gabby's lack of movement that made him dwell on the ball. How was he going to put him through when the defender was right on him, and Gabby wasn't trying to run in behind? His passing was a bit lacking at times but he kept going and was working hard off the ball as usual. Still, without him a lot of our breaks would have came to nothing and he is still probably our most creative player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markavfc40 Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 ^ Pretty much. But I'd say it was Gabby's lack of movement that made him dwell on the ball. How was he going to put him through when the defender was right on him, and Gabby wasn't trying to run in behind? His passing was a bit lacking at times but he kept going and was working hard off the ball as usual. Still, without him a lot of our breaks would have came to nothing and he is still probably our most creative player. Totally agree. He gave the ball away a few times yesterday in the first half but he worked his bollocks off, had a knack of getting into some lovely positions finding space and him, Bannan and Westwood linked up very well together. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AvfcRigo82 Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 Sadly as much of his work rate and break up play were good, his passing and end product was not up to scratch yesterday. He will prob play a blinder the next game. That is what you seem to get with Ireland. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qwpzxjor1 Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 I don't think it's a coincidence that his return has seen 2 wins. Whilst he was out injured our midfield looked woeful. It's still not great, but I think Ireland has added that bite of experience that we needed and was able to calm down our players and help dictate the play a little. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillaChris Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 Our best performances this season (yesterday, Newcastle, Swansea) have all come with him in the team. No fan of Bannan but he also seems to play better when Ireland is in the team. Has to play for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LockStockVilla Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 Our best performances this season (yesterday, Newcastle, Swansea) have all come with him in the team. No fan of Bannan but he also seems to play better when Ireland is in the team. Has to play for me. I'm a big Ireland fan boy, so might be a bit bias, but it definitely does seem that when him and Bannan are in midfield, we play better and our movements also seem to have more fluidity. I hope the two of them continue to get selected to start and surely it will only get better, especially if Ireland is a bit more consistent in his passes in the final third. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurtsimonw Posted November 5, 2012 Share Posted November 5, 2012 Really impressed with him. He obviously has a bit of quality and while he got caught in possession a little on Saturday, he worked very hard for the team and got stuck in. I'll be more than happy if he plays like that every week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodigan Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 agree that his workrate has been good... would just love to see him with a bit more confidence in attack... if he were to start pinging in shots, it would make players come to him and hopefully free up others to give him more options.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CI Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 He will prob play a blinder the next game. That is what you seem to get with Ireland. Blinder ? When has he EVER done that for us ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyBM Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 got to admit, im also a fan of his, but hes never played absolutely amazing for us which we know he can play, he still an important part in midfield Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coda Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 Good performance from Ireland who was busting a gut at times. When he's playing well he makes us tick and we need to get the players around him on the same wavelength. A very encouraging performance overall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PieFacE Posted November 10, 2012 VT Supporter Share Posted November 10, 2012 Thought Ireland was excellent today. He works really well with Bannan and Westwood Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrenm Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 Yep, I think that's our best midfield 3 at the moment. The thing is, you could easily make a case for El-Ahmadi, Delph and N'Zogbia also, which means we should have enough of a squad to cope with injuries, suspensions and cup runs this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo985 Posted November 10, 2012 VT Supporter Share Posted November 10, 2012 I've said it again and again, someone in Ireland's position is vital to the way we play. It's where we struggled last season and it's where we've struggled this season without him. He's not the future, but while we have no-one else, Ireland has to play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CI Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 That's his best game in a Villa shirt. If he can keep that up I will be a convert. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AVFCforever1991 Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 Very impressed with Ireland today, hopefully can build on this performance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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