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Post by sheikhmomo on Aug 15, 2015 19:08:17 GMT
The missing piece of the jigsaw? Football's weird ain't it?!
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Post by mailman44 on Aug 15, 2015 19:11:24 GMT
Never been a question of "can" with this lad. Always a question of "if".
Superbly gifted footballer who seems to suffer from self induced mental blocks. Believe it was our very own Bayern Oatcake who penned this iconic quote: "The only person that can stop Stevie Ireland is .... (Wait for it) ..... STEVIE IRELAND!!!!!"
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Post by bayernoatcake on Aug 15, 2015 19:11:39 GMT
Not really, last week it was calling out for him vs Liverpool.
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Post by vahl on Aug 15, 2015 19:17:53 GMT
The missing piece of the jigsaw? Football's weird ain't it?! His link up play today was brilliant. Super sub - I haven't seen a change turn a game on its head in such a way for a while. Question is this though - can Bojan do it better? I think so. |
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Post by jukeboxjury on Aug 15, 2015 19:26:04 GMT
It's not surprising that he had a good game is it.
His future is in the balance with the new arrivals and he showed today what a good player he can be.
Just my take on him.
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Post by Gary Hackett on Aug 15, 2015 19:32:19 GMT
Why is it weird?
He's proven time and time again he's the best option behind the striker.
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Post by ayem on Aug 15, 2015 19:32:52 GMT
He's had his chance to lead the team from the middle, before bojan was in form. His talents fit MHs scheme, and it's why he's still around. He's been marginalized, but fit well today and could in the future.
Glad we have depth enough to put in a former POTY to come in for a champions league winner.
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Post by PotterLog on Aug 15, 2015 19:33:55 GMT
I'd have thought it.
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Post by ayem on Aug 15, 2015 19:35:27 GMT
Why is it weird? He's proven time and time again he's the best option behind the striker. "When bojan is injured". Good ahead and add that. He links play together well, and this is the type of game he can make an impact. Some days when the midfield is given room Adam is the better option to sub in. It's great to have depth and options. |
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Post by Mr Claypole on Aug 15, 2015 19:39:48 GMT
The missing piece of the jigsaw? Football's weird ain't it?! You're weird... That's for sure.  |
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Post by Trouserdog on Aug 15, 2015 19:42:27 GMT
I think it was all of 2 days ago that I said something along the lines of his time here being up! ???
I haven't seen the game today but it sounds like Ireland's had one of his extremely rare 'world beater' days. If only he had a few more of them then no-one would question his worth and Sparky wouldn't keep signing players to replace him! Still, if he's played himself into contention again then fair enough- here's the shirt Stephen, it's yours to keep if you can turn it on most weeks.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2015 19:45:07 GMT
Why is it weird? He's proven time and time again he's the best option behind the striker. Even when Bojan is fit?. |
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Post by Gary Hackett on Aug 15, 2015 19:47:12 GMT
Why is it weird? He's proven time and time again he's the best option behind the striker. "When bojan is injured". Good ahead and add that. He links play together well, and this is the type of game he can make an impact. Some days when the midfield is given room Adam is the better option to sub in. It's great to have depth and options. Well I certainly don't think Adam can play the role behind the striker well at all so I wouldn't have brought him on today unless it was for a deeper midfielder. |
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Post by ayem on Aug 15, 2015 19:52:22 GMT
"When bojan is injured". Good ahead and add that. He links play together well, and this is the type of game he can make an impact. Some days when the midfield is given room Adam is the better option to sub in. It's great to have depth and options. Well I certainly don't think Adam can play the role behind the striker well at all so I wouldn't have brought him on today unless it was for a deeper midfielder. And that's what happened today. If the ball gets at his feet he is dangerous, even with 3 minutes to play. But Ireland was needed, and did great. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2015 19:56:34 GMT
Its not the first time he has come on and made the difference. If only this lad could be consistent. Thought he was outstanding today.
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Post by stokerstayinup on Aug 15, 2015 20:02:15 GMT
Every list I see of who should go because our squad is too big semms to contain Ireland.Fortunately the manager is still a fan.
Seems to understand the game more than the average footballer.Think he'd fit right in with all our superstar signings.
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Post by Gunslinger on Aug 15, 2015 20:03:45 GMT
The missing piece of the jigsaw? Football's weird ain't it?! Not surprising, really. He's talented and got plenty of ability, but injuries have not been too kind to him. He's going to be a real asset if we can keep him fit. |
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Post by cheeesfreeex on Aug 15, 2015 20:08:53 GMT
Shop window appearance?
Great cameo today.
He was in his element once they took Kane off and Spurs sat back and let us run at them.
If Steven could play like that week in week out he'd justify a start, but despite several opportunities to grasp the chance he hasn't been able to string a quality run of games together for us in the league.
He has been outstanding in friendlies and Cups.
Too many appearances when he's flapped around midfield like a discarded carrier bag making no impression on proceedings.
And I do feel he's not fulfilled his promise for us during what could have been peak years for him {27/28 years of age}.
Hughes obviously rates him, on the post-match interview seemed to intimate that he'd expressed his frustrations at Ireland.
I presumed he'd just be a Crash Test Dummy while Bojan gets up to speed.
But we did start last season with Ireland and Bojan playing, so who knows?
He was brilliant today and hope he can keep it up, but will the return of Bojan scupper his chance?
He should have buried that header.
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Post by Mr Claypole on Aug 15, 2015 20:10:17 GMT
I think it was all of 2 days ago that I said something along the lines of his time here being up! ??? I haven't seen the game today but it sounds like Ireland's had one of his extremely rare 'world beater' days. If only he had a few more of them then no-one would question his worth and Sparky wouldn't keep signing players to replace him! Still, if he's played himself into contention again then fair enough- here's the shirt Stephen, it's yours to keep if you can turn it on most weeks. That is the thing I like most about Mark Hughes. He will reward players on their previous performances. I remember him saying after Kenwyn had scored a hat trick in a cup game, that he would of been upset himself if he hadn't been 1st on the team sheet the following game. |
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Post by richardparker on Aug 15, 2015 22:11:03 GMT
Not that weird. At Man City he was a regular stand out and immense talent.
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Post by Kjones9 on Aug 15, 2015 22:16:49 GMT
Bojans first replacement for me.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2015 22:20:23 GMT
Not that weird. At Man City he was a regular stand out and immense talent. Only for 1 season,the rest of the time he flattered to deceive. That's the thing with Ireland,he can come on like today and completely boss the game or he can be totally annonymous,more often than not it's the latter. Yet again the Oatcake gets over excited by 1 performance  |
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Post by mightyone on Aug 15, 2015 22:22:15 GMT
Most underrated and largely slagged off on this board but when on the pitch he rarely lets us down.
He's a very intelligent footballer who I would definitely give him a run in the team. Really rate him and glad he's at our club.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2015 22:23:11 GMT
The missing piece of the jigsaw? Football's weird ain't it?! He's a very good player mate. Not surprised in the slightest. |
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Post by Kjones9 on Aug 15, 2015 22:24:19 GMT
Not that weird. At Man City he was a regular stand out and immense talent. Only for 1 season,the rest of the time he flattered to deceive. That's the thing with Ireland,he can come on like today and completely boss the game or he can be totally annonymous,more often than not it's the latter. Yet again the Oatcake gets over excited by 1 performance Isn't that the same for every player? He's also bossed more games than not, it's just fitness is an issue with him, he can't go more than 3 games without getting injured. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2015 22:26:43 GMT
I remember at the start of last season Hughes trying a midfield of Whelan, Ireland and Bojan. Could it happen again? We'd probably win and lose games by the odd goal in 7 most weeks.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2015 22:29:59 GMT
Only for 1 season,the rest of the time he flattered to deceive. That's the thing with Ireland,he can come on like today and completely boss the game or he can be totally annonymous,more often than not it's the latter. Yet again the Oatcake gets over excited by 1 performance Isn't that the same for every player? He's also bossed more games than not, it's just fitness is an issue with him, he can't go more than 3 games without getting injured. He had a spell towards the end of Hughes 1st season where he was excellent.I don't think he was anywhere near that standard last season and with Bojan back I can't see where he'd fit in as a starter |
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Post by Kjones9 on Aug 15, 2015 22:30:55 GMT
Isn't that the same for every player? He's also bossed more games than not, it's just fitness is an issue with him, he can't go more than 3 games without getting injured. He had a spell towards the end of Hughes 1st season where he was excellent.I don't think he was anywhere near that standard last season and with Bojan back I can't see where he'd fit in as a starter He won't be, but he's the next best player for that exact position. |
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Post by crownmeking on Aug 15, 2015 22:37:55 GMT
Not that weird. At Man City he was a regular stand out and immense talent. Only for 1 season,the rest of the time he flattered to deceive. That's the thing with Ireland,he can come on like today and completely boss the game or he can be totally annonymous,more often than not it's the latter. Yet again the Oatcake gets over excited by 1 performance He completely changed the game today, so why shouldn't people be excited about that? |
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Post by ashleyscfc on Aug 15, 2015 22:47:08 GMT
The fact people think he and Adam are interchangeable amazes me. Totally different players.
When Ireland is up for it he can be superb and offers a vision, I dare say better, than even bojan.
It may be controversial but for me I'd let Adam go before Ireland. Ireland has one clearly defined role and he's good at where as I never really know what Adams meant to be doing or where he's best deployed.
Trying to fit him into the side I still think is more trouble than it's worth. I could see Ireland and Diouf making a great cup team where as bojan would be better served behind Joselu
I will say anyone who's seen his interview on the player is quite telling. Stating he "sees his long term future here" wants to hear the fans "singing his name". I'd keep him over Adam. Perhaps wants a new contract?
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