|
Post by OldStokie on Jan 10, 2014 10:28:06 GMT
Ireland has improved with games he's played for us. He's an excellent squad addition IMO.
OS.
|
|
|
Post by Gods on Jan 10, 2014 11:24:31 GMT
At times he looks lively and inventive He reminds me of a young Dave kemp. Bright as a button you could say
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2014 11:49:01 GMT
Great bit of business.
|
|
|
Post by foster on Jan 10, 2014 11:55:57 GMT
Certainly a better piece of business than the Tonge or Palacios deals, whichever way you look at it.
Don't get what people are moaning about to be honest.
|
|
|
Post by ukcstokie on Jan 10, 2014 12:10:04 GMT
At least he knows where the goal is unlike most of our players. Think he just needs more game time over months not weeks. It's an awkward one though as he and Adam both seem to play well one week and then average/poor the next. Hopefully with him signing permanently he'll feel more settled and produce his best form for a while. Or it will go the other way and he'll become to comfortable and turn to Aston Villa mode! Let's hope for the former :-) What is more likely? 1. He will suddenly recapture his early promise or 2. He will carry on like he has done for the last 4 or 5 years and have no impact on the games, as he is not willing to work hard or to actually tackle anyone. ...or 3 - continue to improve and be a decent mid table quality attacking midfielder. It would be great if he could recapture his old form, but he certainly has an incentive to work hard and not let things slip. Just to be clear: he hasn't been crap for "4 or 5 years" as you state. He won the player of the season for Villa in 2011-12. Since then it's mostly been down to Lambert view of him. So it's rubbish what you're saying.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2014 12:14:46 GMT
Certainly a better piece of business than the Tonge or Palacios deals, whichever way you look at it. Don't get what people are moaning about to be honest. foster...you're right!
|
|
|
Post by sufolkstokie on Jan 10, 2014 12:20:53 GMT
Nowt official anywhere
|
|
|
Post by Godo on Jan 10, 2014 12:22:16 GMT
I hope he maintains his current level of application as there is always the chance with this type of personality (i.e. spoilt, immature Premiership player!) that he will lose focus again.
I am impressed by his movement off the ball and his composure in front of goal and I think there will be games where he will score a couple of value goals for us with his movement into the box but he is lightweight , he does disappear and he can't seem to keep going beyond about 70 minutes ( but more game time may improve that ). If we are paying say £40k towards his wages then as a free signing worth the gamble....just.
|
|
|
Post by fca47 on Jan 10, 2014 12:33:21 GMT
What is more likely? 1. He will suddenly recapture his early promise or 2. He will carry on like he has done for the last 4 or 5 years and have no impact on the games, as he is not willing to work hard or to actually tackle anyone. ...or 3 - continue to improve and be a decent mid table quality attacking midfielder. It would be great if he could recapture his old form, but he certainly has an incentive to work hard and not let things slip. Just to be clear: he hasn't been crap for "4 or 5 years" as you state. He won the player of the season for Villa in 2011-12. Since then it's mostly been down to Lambert view of him. So it's rubbish what you're saying. His good form was years ago Re his vote as Villas player of the year, some people wonder how he won it www.myoldmansaid.com/stephen-ireland-permanent-transfer-stoke/What about his time at Newcastle etc. ask them if they would have him back.
|
|
|
Post by ukcstokie on Jan 10, 2014 12:39:41 GMT
...or 3 - continue to improve and be a decent mid table quality attacking midfielder. It would be great if he could recapture his old form, but he certainly has an incentive to work hard and not let things slip. Just to be clear: he hasn't been crap for "4 or 5 years" as you state. He won the player of the season for Villa in 2011-12. Since then it's mostly been down to Lambert view of him. So it's rubbish what you're saying. His good form was years ago Re his vote as Villas player of the year, some people wonder how he won it www.myoldmansaid.com/stephen-ireland-permanent-transfer-stoke/What about his time at Newcastle etc. ask them if they would have him back. But he did win Supporters Play of the Year. He may not have been everyone's selection but to say he was crap in all his time at Villa is rubbish. To say he's been crap for 4 or 5 years is absolute garbage. So he had a crap loan period at Newcastle? He hasn't had a crap loan period here (by most people's view).
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2014 13:07:42 GMT
...or 3 - continue to improve and be a decent mid table quality attacking midfielder. It would be great if he could recapture his old form, but he certainly has an incentive to work hard and not let things slip. Just to be clear: he hasn't been crap for "4 or 5 years" as you state. He won the player of the season for Villa in 2011-12. Since then it's mostly been down to Lambert view of him. So it's rubbish what you're saying. His good form was years ago Re his vote as Villas player of the year, some people wonder how he won it www.myoldmansaid.com/stephen-ireland-permanent-transfer-stoke/What about his time at Newcastle etc. ask them if they would have him back. Both of the scenarios you suggest are entirely feasible. One is no more 'likely' than the other. You seem determined to focus only on the negative. Any particular reason?
|
|
|
Post by foxysgloves on Jan 10, 2014 13:11:46 GMT
Surely what's most relevant is how good has be been for us this season?
He's shown flashes of brilliance, put in several solid performances and shown an appetite and desire.
I think signing him is a virtual no lose step. In addition it has the potential to pay off spectacularly. I've a feeling that with a solid pre season behind him we might see a top player next season.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2014 13:12:37 GMT
|
|
|
Post by dozintheseventees on Jan 10, 2014 13:24:57 GMT
Thing is, with Ireland, he was Manchester City's player of the season despite being surrounded by some very high profile players and he simply couldn't believe that they were prepared to sell him/let him go. He was probably even more pissed off when he realised he was going to be the 'make weight' in City's move for James Milner. Despite that he WAS Villa's player of the season in his first season there and the general apathy to that from some Villa fans stems from the fact that it was fairly obvious that Ireland didn't want to be at Villa (gleaned from the several Villa fans I work with). He did apply himself on the pitch that first season with them despite being 'unhappy' and the simmering problems clearly exploded after that and he did/said some very silly things and was completely out of favor.
That said, he's now in a place he wants to be, has largely played well and get's better the more he plays. There's not too many who would doubt his ability and, the truth is, we are getting a player who has a proven pedigree, doesn't have any major injury worries, is looking on track again, is still young enough to make a major impact and provides something different to the team/squad. There are no guarantees in football but this looks a very good piece of business to me.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2014 14:04:01 GMT
He has not signed permanently yet according to Hughes at the pre Liverpool press conference.
|
|