An update from the forum's favourite son...

Xavi6

Remember Stephen Ireland?

He tweets rarely these days but this caught the attention today -

https://twitter.com/#!/StephenIreland

might have to give trap a buzz to get a game!

This response gave me a laugh -

Man City kicked u out. Aston Villa will do the same soon...I hear Darlington have a position for an ex-international. Forget it.Nobody wants u playing for Ireland , u asshole

Watch this space!

Degag

Xavi6 wrote: »

Remember Stephen Ireland?

He tweets rarely these days but this caught the attention today -

https://twitter.com/#!/StephenIreland



This response gave me a laugh -



Watch this space!

Meh, if he did a U Turn i'd welcome him back with open arms. Hasn't lit it up with Villa yet but he's still a great player IMO.

super_furry

Meh. There's nothing to be said that hasn't been said a hundred times before. The only difference now is that he probably wouldn't get into the squad now anyway.

stovelid

Oblivion is beckoning, Stephen. Run along, good lad.

ziggy

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ctrl-alt-delete

ziggy wrote: »

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Yeah, but i think he has achieved just as much as those in his position in the Ireland squad!

I admire his sense of humour!

And I reckon that was Paul Green responding to him!

Keano

Enda Brady, Irish guy working for Sky News tweeted last week that Stephen Ireland would be coming back!

He's has just tweeted...

endabrady
and whatever anyone thinks, I'm told @StephenIreland will be welcomed back. "Water under the bridge, let's move on", I hear . . .

Doodee

Hopefully this is a sign of his intention to compete.
He's looked very apathetic in some games for Villa but still manages to play the odd killer ball. I really hope he changes his attitude soon

Degag

ziggy wrote: »

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Not really. He had a great season with City, what the season before last? Was played in a less attacking role for the start of last season and then frozen out in the second half. Bad start this season but i saw enough of him 2 seasons ago to describe him as a great player.

ziggy

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LeeroyJones

Beggars cannot be choosers................. so the question is, are we beggars?!!!

Degag

ziggy wrote: »

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Having a bad season or two doesn't make you a bad one either.

28064212

Degag wrote: »

Having a bad season or two doesn't make you a bad one either.

Good thing no-one said he was a bad player so, just that he wasn't great.

And isn't Xavi's OP pretty much the definition of trolling?

Degag

28064212 wrote: »

Good thing no-one said he was a bad player so, just that he wasn't great.

And isn't Xavi's OP pretty much the definition of trolling?

Well it's great we all have different opinions then. He was a big creative force behind City that season. Never stopped running for the full ninety anytime i saw him. Often helping his defense out and straight away up to attack. Chipped in with alot of assists and goals.

Doodee

Degag wrote: »

Well it's great we all have different opinions then. He was a big creative force behind City that season. Never stopped running for the full ninety anytime i saw him. Often helping his defense out and straight away up to attack. Chipped in with alot of assists and goals.

Wish he would do that at Villa.

Tbh, until he does then Ireland wouldn't be better off without him.
He's not playing much at Villa cause he was told to work harder, he doesn't seem interested in doing so if he's looking to come back to the national squad.

It's a horrible shame. Great talent being wasted.

Johner

I thought this thread was about CHD.

Mikeyt086

Johner wrote: »

I thought this thread was about CHD.

And I thought it was Boggles.

Mars Bar

Johner wrote: »

I thought this thread was about CHD.

Mikeyt086 wrote: »

And I thought it was Boggles.

Headshot was the first name that jumped into my head...

L'prof

28064212 wrote: »

Good thing no-one said he was a bad player so, just that he wasn't great.

And isn't Xavi's OP pretty much the definition of trolling?

Only if you're not familiar with Xavi!

Helix

twitter isnt his apparently

eagle eye

super_furry wrote: »

Meh. There's nothing to be said that hasn't been said a hundred times before. The only difference now is that he probably wouldn't get into the squad now anyway.

LMFAO. I didn't realise we had a star studded midfield. We don't have one guy capable of playing midfield to a decent level until David Meyler is fit.

L'prof

eagle eye wrote: »

LMFAO. I didn't realise we had a star studded midfield. We don't have one guy capable of playing midfield to a decent level until David Meyler is fit.

Ireland isn't playing well, but he'd still walk into our first team!

Ush1

LeeroyJones wrote: »

Beggars cannot be choosers................. so the question is, are we beggars?!!!

Yes.

thegen

LeeroyJones wrote: »

Beggars cannot be choosers................. so the question is, are we beggars?!!!

Well the IMF think we are;););)

davyjose

Ush1 wrote: »

Yes.

Speak for yourself buddy. I'm no beggar.

I watched us barely fail to qualify for the last WC, no thanks to that balding little prick. And I'm telling you now, I won't be supporting an Ireland team with him on it. Fcuk him.

x in the city

no one has put his jeep in yet so..........

this is another of his 'specials'

Jordonvito

say what....

Ebbs

Helix wrote: »

twitter isnt his apparently

I doubt it too. His tweets are too normal considering hes a complete headcase.

He doesnt fit into Trap's system anyway, so cant see him being welcomed back straight into the team, which is what he expects I'm sure.

Panthro

Whoever posted that reply on twitter deserves his/her own National day of appreciation.

lordgoat

Johner wrote: »

I thought this thread was about CHD.

mink man surely?

Yakult

Would like to see him play again. Would be a great player to have in our mediocre team.

x in the city wrote: »

no one has put his jeep in yet so..........

this is another of his 'specials'

Jordonvito wrote: »

say what....

Love the way these threads follow the same pattern.

Someone posts a picture of hes car and then the thread just flies off topic taking the piss out of him.
Gets pretty repetitive.

OPENROAD

L'prof wrote: »

Ireland isn't playing well, but he'd still walk into our first team!

I take it you don't mean Arsenal?

grenache

Stephen Ireland does not deserve to play for Ireland after the disrespect he showed the whole country by refusing to line out for the national team. It is an honour and a privilege to play for one's country. He turned his back on his native land, and insulted every Irish person in the process.

You are not welcome in this country Mr Ireland (oh the irony of his name) and you are certainly not welcome back in an Irish shirt.

Degag

grenache wrote: »

Stephen Ireland does not deserve to play for Ireland after the disrespect he showed the whole country by refusing to line out for the national team. It is an honour and a privilege to play for one's country. He turned his back on his native land, and insulted every Irish person in the process.

You are not welcome in this country Mr Ireland (oh the irony of his name) and you are certainly not welcome back in an Irish shirt.

OTT IMO. He could walk back onto the team IMO. No central midfielder in our set up can even touch him i think. He made a mistake, that's true. Being honest i'd overlook it if he came back. He has 4 goals in 6 games, a small sample period but i honestly think he could have the same affect as a Roy Keane if he came back.

L'prof

OPENROAD wrote: »

I take it you don't mean Arsenal?

Haha, no! Not even with Fabregas injured and Ramsey at Forest!

eagle eye

grenache wrote: »

Stephen Ireland does not deserve to play for Ireland after the disrespect he showed the whole country by refusing to line out for the national team. It is an honour and a privilege to play for one's country. He turned his back on his native land, and insulted every Irish person in the process.

You are not welcome in this country Mr Ireland (oh the irony of his name) and you are certainly not welcome back in an Irish shirt.

Ah will you get out of it ffs.

Michael Laudrup and his brother didn't play for Denmark for a couple of years over the coach. Ireland made a mistake and probably was embarrassed over it when it became national news. Its rumoured that certain players went overboard after that giving him stick. It turned him off the whole thing but if he can get over it and come back then its fine by me. He is still only 24 years of age and its not like he always refused to play for the team, its only since that incident happened. It didn't help to have a hopeless case in charge of the team who was only too willing to blame him for his own failures at the time. Trapp didn't help things either with his comments about not making eye contact. He should have kept his mouth shut.

If he came back I'd be delighted, it would increase our chances of winning games. At the end of the day thats what matters most. Don't get lost in your Irish pride and forget that what we want is the best for the national team and Stephen Ireland improves that team a lot.

Mister men

Degag wrote: »

Meh, if he did a U Turn i'd welcome him back with open arms. Hasn't lit it up with Villa yet but he's still a great player IMO.

No he's not he's average. Attitude means a hell of a lot in football and his sucks. There is a reason he's a failure at every club he's played for.

Xavi6

Mister men wrote: »

No he's not he's average.

He really isn't.

Attitude means a hell of a lot in football and his sucks.

He's one of the most professional footballers going. His dedication in training etc is second to none.

There is a reason he's a failure at every club he's played for.

I didn't realise being voted a club's Player of the Year ahead of the likes of Robinho, Elano and Dunne (4 time winner) amongst others makes you a failure.

Not forgetting a nomination for the league's Young Player of the Year.

jaykay74

Degag wrote: »

OTT IMO. He could walk back onto the team IMO. No central midfielder in our set up can even touch him i think. He made a mistake, that's true. Being honest i'd overlook it if he came back. He has 4 goals in 6 games, a small sample period but i honestly think he could have the same affect as a Roy Keane if he came back.

In fairness to Roy he is pushing on a bit now.


Houlliers take on Ireland a couple of weeks back...

"If you say 'he is a good player but he doesn't defend, he doesn't run back, he loses too many balls in crucial areas', then that is difficult. He needs to get rid of these 'buts' about him and be a good player. He needs to work harder in games."

I would say good enough for Ireland since the bar is so low He has gone backwards fast over the last season and the bit of this one so far.

Sappy404

I wouldn't read too much into this. His previous tweet (from July) was "staying in manchester!"

That said, it sounds as though he's more receptive to a recall. If he gets his game - or a loan move - and shows signs of a return to good form, I'd not be against him playing for Ireland again.

homerjay2005

Helix wrote: »

twitter isnt his apparently

that would be my feeling also, can any say for sure its not him?

Mikeyt086 wrote: »

And I thought it was Boggles.

boggles is alive and well and in good form, just not posting here.

Ush1

davyjose wrote: »

Speak for yourself buddy. I'm no beggar.

I watched us barely fail to qualify for the last WC, no thanks to that balding little prick. And I'm telling you now, I won't be supporting an Ireland team with him on it. Fcuk him.

I'm not your buddy, friend!


But seriously, our squad is by far the most impoverished with regards to quality in many generations.

I think if he wants to play and plays well, I've no problem with that. The real issue is, would Trap even play him? If he did I think it would only be on the wing.

grenache

L'prof wrote: »

Haha, no! Not even with Fabregas injured and Ramsey at Forest!

Thanks for Ramsey by the way, we'll take good care of him

SlickRic

potentially our best player alright, but i love the way we all assume Trap would play him.

*cough* Séamus Coleman, Andy Reid, even Steven Reid *cough*

28064212

R_H_C_P wrote: »

Love the way these threads follow the same pattern.

Someone posts a picture of hes car and then the thread just flies off topic taking the piss out of him.
Gets pretty repetitive.

Yeah, but it's invariably Xavi who is the first to post a picture "to get it out of the way"

jonnyfingers

I hate all this crap like "he doesn't deserve to play for the team after the disrespect he showed". As an Irish supporter all I care about is winning games and qualifying for major tournaments. To do that we need our best players.

Now if I had my choice between Green and Ireland in midfield I know who I'd pick. Ireland gives us something we're severly lacking, an attack minded midfielder who's good on the ball and can score goals. Yes his attitude can leave a lot to be disired and I might not like him as a person but if he comes into the team and plays well then I'm more than happy.

bullpost

I think he'll come back when he realises not playing for your country can count against you in your professional career.
I expect to see him back, weave cap in hand pretty soon.

GavRedKing

I'd jump at the chance to have him back. Hes the type of player that can win a game, last time I checked we didnt have to many of them in our squad.

28064212

bullpost wrote: »

I think he'll come back when he realises not playing for your country can count against you in your professional career.

How? I suppose you won't get quite the same exposure as you would at a World Cup, but any manager would much prefer if their players didn't play international football. You only have to look at Man United to see the advantages of giving up international football to further your professional career - Scholes, Giggs, Van Der Sar, Berbatov

bullpost

"I will speak to him. I prefer to speak to all my players, not with email. I know that he is a very good player and I am not one of those coaches who don’t like my players to go and play for their national team. I like them to play, it means they are at the top of their form if they are playing for their country," said Houllier.

Not a universally held sentiment but oddly enough our Stephen has ended up playing for such a manager.

Call it Karma!

28064212 wrote: »

How? I suppose you won't get quite the same exposure as you would at a World Cup, but any manager would much prefer if their players didn't play international football. You only have to look at Man United to see the advantages of giving up international football to further your professional career - Scholes, Giggs, Van Der Sar, Berbatov

Ush1

28064212 wrote: »

How? I suppose you won't get quite the same exposure as you would at a World Cup, but any manager would much prefer if their players didn't play international football. You only have to look at Man United to see the advantages of giving up international football to further your professional career - Scholes, Giggs, Van Der Sar, Berbatov

What benefits has he reaped?