Ireland Speaks Out

[Wooders]

sorry, I know some of you are trying to defend it but this interview and subsequent ones are the exact reason why I never bought into the whole "ireland will be world class" thing - he doesn't have the attitude - in his mind he is a loser - so will never be the best at anything, its a shame for the lad, as he has all the other tools in spades

[colonel_muck]

all the best stevie glad you're somewhere where you'll be appreciated letting you go is a huge mistake and i hope you come back to haunt us. top player, top guy.

[Wooders]

all the best stevie glad you're somewhere where you'll be appreciated letting you go is a huge mistake and i hope you come back to haunt us. top player, top guy.

why not go and support villa if your such an ireland fan that he comes back and beats us?? FFS... some people need to crawl out of his arse

[CityGer]

all the best stevie glad you're somewhere where you'll be appreciated letting you go is a huge mistake and i hope you come back to haunt us. top player, top guy.

You hope he comes back to haunt us?

What a fucking ridiculous thing to say, you tool!!

[OliverHardy]

quality points here too. [url]sports.yahoo.com/soccer/blog/dirty-tackle/post/Stephen-Ireland-rips-everyone-at-Man-City-is-ki?urn=sow-264094[/url] . Alarmed at some of the people on here actually slating true city fans off for being annoyed at wiggies slating of their club. No matter which way ireland attempts to sugar coat his shit, he is just sulking that he wasnt man enough to make it at city. Was expecting him to cry in the interview. Pathetic

[Mase]

all the best stevie glad you're somewhere where you'll be appreciated letting you go is a huge mistake and i hope you come back to haunt us. top player, top guy.

why not go and support villa if your such an ireland fan that he comes back and beats us?? FFS... some people need to crawl out of his arse

I really don't understand it mate. The guy was more trouble that he was worth! Whether what he said was true or not, it just shouldn't have been said. The interviewer didn't say "Hey stevie, what are the kids like at City?" it was off his own back that he came out with that shite.

It all screams of bitter cunt if you ask me. Maybe the interview should have asked him why non of the "big 4" were after him?

[s1ty m]

Amazing defence of the little turf. Stunning that someone wants him to haunt us. I though we were all blues?

I will post a pic of my signed, framed match worn Stevie shirt and one of his buddies can bid me for it. Any takers?

Sure as hell not sitting on my wall next to Foe, Goater and Ali B shirts.

[s1ty m]

[Ted Hughes]

He says in the interview that we've been 'trying to replace him' for years.

Anyone talking about 'reading between the lines' etc, read that, & think about it.

Manchester City FC have been trying to replace Stephen Ireland FOR YEARS. Don't let's talk about it being misinterpreted, or what he said on the kid's fun day, or after he'd been to Rio Ferdinand's restaraunt; he thinks that City have been trying to get him out FOR YEARS.

In the next breath he blames Mancini & says he had a good relationship with Hughes, yet it was Hughes who 1st dropped him & his comments above mean that Hughes & Sven were trying to replace him, as Mancini only arrived last Christmas. Is this normal? Why were all these people trying to replace him? What had this young lad done that was so bad City would be trying to replace him FOR YEARS? Could it be that they weren't & that it's all in his head? Could it be the guilt from murdering his grannies that makes him feel that way? Oh they're still alive though aren't they, it's easy to forget as caring honest Stevie said they were dead.

Why isn't he playing international football by the way? Just remind me. Sven? Hughes? Mancini? Gary Cook? Lloyd Bridges? Because all the Irish players were out to get him? Or is it because of Stephen Ireland that he's not playing?


It's a fucking good job Villa took him before the ambulance came for him.

[Crossie]

Watching that and being barely able to hear it, he looked like he was about to cry, and I was thinking that he was saying how much he loved us and wanted to stay but was forced into moving.

Then I read the transcript.......

I'll certainly look out for him this season, I'd have liked him to stay, but if he has no passion left for us, then he has to go. He may well suit a less pressurised situation by being at Villa, he's also likely to be played in his favourite position and have Agbonglahor to slip through balls to.

The Stevie Ireland of 2008/09 was going to be the next Zidane.
The Stevie Ireland of 2009/10 was shit, and apparently passionless.

[Ted Hughes]

Watching that and being barely able to hear it, he looked like he was about to cry, and I was thinking that he was saying how much he loved us and wanted to stay but was forced into moving.

Then I read the transcript.......

I'll certainly look out for him this season, I'd have liked him to stay, but if he has no passion left for us, then he has to go. He may well suit a less pressurised situation by being at Villa, he's also likely to be played in his favourite position and have Agbonglahor to slip through balls to.

The Stevie Ireland of 2008/09 was going to be the next Zidane.
The Stevie Ireland of 2009/10 was shit, and apparently passionless.

There's the key mate. that's why he can't hack it at City or for Ireland.

[s1ty m]

Watching that and being barely able to hear it, he looked like he was about to cry, and I was thinking that he was saying how much he loved us and wanted to stay but was forced into moving.

Then I read the transcript.......

I'll certainly look out for him this season, I'd have liked him to stay, but if he has no passion left for us, then he has to go. He may well suit a less pressurised situation by being at Villa, he's also likely to be played in his favourite position and have Agbonglahor to slip through balls to.

The Stevie Ireland of 2008/09 was going to be the next Zidane.
The Stevie Ireland of 2009/10 was shit, and apparently passionless.

There's the key mate. that's why he can't hack it at City or for Ireland.

Spot on. If we want to win the title, we need more than a half-baked nutjob like this fella. He'll be fine at Villa, they are firmly established as an 8th in the league type of side. That's his level. We want silverware and Milner is a better bet than this closet rag.

[Mase]

So if we've been trying to force him out for years why did we offer him and why did he sign a new contract last year for 80k a week??

[Beefymcfc]

Did anyone see the 'I'd like to say a fond farewell to all the fans who have supported me through thick and thin, they were superb' statement?

I'm not going to say anything bad about Stevie because that'd just be fickle after supporting him all these years. What I will say though is that he really does need to sort his sweed out at Villa and just do the thing he is good at - playing football. Hopefully Dunney will put his arm around him and get him concentrating, rather than disappearing from hotel rooms, running away from training camps and basically not having the sense to be a professional footballer.

Good luck Stevie, hope you get your Super-pants back!

[Original Dub]

Cunt.

Just like Richard Dunne?

And everyone else that leaves whilst still having something to offer.
I'm done idolising individual players and then having to read threads like this everytime they leave. It makes me feel slightly ashamed to be a city fan.

[Original Dub]

Now you have slung the rope around the tree, loaded ireland onto the horse, whacked its arse and left Ireland dangling to hang, Just take a moment to think whether there just might be a little grain of truth in what he has to say.
None of us likes to hear criticism of our beloved club and I, like you have defended City through thick and thin over many years. But some of this over emotional lynch mob crap is sickening to say the least.
First, none of us truly knows what has gone on inside the club. None of us truly knows what has been said by who to whom, when and why. I have followed this club for many years under some almost tragic regimes of stewardship and managership but I have never known the amount of mud slinging or criticism by fans or more importantly by leaving players.

All players when they leave have their own personal opinions and many have over the years voiced them. This time however some of those criticisms are being repeated. Tevez, Bellamy and Ireland have all complained about their relationship with Mancini or Mancini's relationship with the players. Each of those players are experienced pros and have been around the game for a long time. They would know.
I wonder if some of you can actually read the words then understand the meaning of what was written, or whether like sheep, when the first one goes baa, it becomes a contest to see who can baa the loudest. being a noisy sheep does not make you a better City supporter. Have any of you ever given your all in a job, then felt sidelined by the boss? Have any of you ever got to the point of feeling "I am wasting my time putting this effort in?" "No matter what I do, it will never be respected or appreciated." Have any of you ever got to the point of thinking "What's the fucking point?". I don't believe that Ireland never cared about this club. I do believe that there were times when he felt unwanted by the club and therefore detatched from the regime that controlled it.

What makes me so certain?...because only a couple of weeks ago, I had a lovely and heartfelt conversation with Stephen Ireland, we discussed a number of things, and I can assure all of you that he loves our club dearly but is gutted about some of the stuff that is going on with the present regime.

I wish I'd read your post before I gave mine John, but that's exactly how I feel.

All these players are wankers all of a sudden? Please.

There is no difference between us and the scum these days. None. And its a horrible horrible feeling.

[Blue2]

Now you have slung the rope around the tree, loaded ireland onto the horse, whacked its arse and left Ireland dangling to hang, Just take a moment to think whether there just might be a little grain of truth in what he has to say.
None of us likes to hear criticism of our beloved club and I, like you have defended City through thick and thin over many years. But some of this over emotional lynch mob crap is sickening to say the least.

First, none of us truly knows what has gone on inside the club. None of us truly knows what has been said by who to whom, when and why. I have followed this club for many years under some almost tragic regimes of stewardship and managership but I have never known the amount of mud slinging or criticism by fans or more importantly by leaving players.

All players when they leave have their own personal opinions and many have over the years voiced them. This time however some of those criticisms are being repeated. Tevez, Bellamy and Ireland have all complained about their relationship with Mancini or Mancini's relationship with the players. Each of those players are experienced pros and have been around the game for a long time. They would know.
I wonder if some of you can actually read the words then understand the meaning of what was written, or whether like sheep, when the first one goes baa, it becomes a contest to see who can baa the loudest. being a noisy sheep does not make you a better City supporter. Have any of you ever given your all in a job, then felt sidelined by the boss? Have any of you ever got to the point of feeling "I am wasting my time putting this effort in?" "No matter what I do, it will never be respected or appreciated." Have any of you ever got to the point of thinking "What's the fucking point?". I don't believe that Ireland never cared about this club. I do believe that there were times when he felt unwanted by the club and therefore detatched from the regime that controlled it.

What makes me so certain?...because only a couple of weeks ago, I had a lovely and heartfelt conversation with Stephen Ireland, we discussed a number of things, and I can assure all of you that he loves our club dearly but is gutted about some of the stuff that is going on with the present regime.

Since their comments both Tevez & Bellamy have come out in support of Mancini and said what a good manager he is. Ireland's problems probably had nothing to do with Mancini, he was shit and "sidelined" whilst Hughes was still manager. Your not just using this as a stick to beat Mancini with are you?
IMO , he saw better players coming in and couldn't hack it. The ex players that have been whining have all gone to lesser clubs and they are pissed that they are no considered good enough to be part of the new City that is actually now good enough to start winning things. Why can't they just keep their big gobs shut, take the money, have a bit of humility and get on with their new careers. They aren't good enough, its as simple as that.

[Original Dub]

Now you have slung the rope around the tree, loaded ireland onto the horse, whacked its arse and left Ireland dangling to hang, Just take a moment to think whether there just might be a little grain of truth in what he has to say.
None of us likes to hear criticism of our beloved club and I, like you have defended City through thick and thin over many years. But some of this over emotional lynch mob crap is sickening to say the least.

First, none of us truly knows what has gone on inside the club. None of us truly knows what has been said by who to whom, when and why. I have followed this club for many years under some almost tragic regimes of stewardship and managership but I have never known the amount of mud slinging or criticism by fans or more importantly by leaving players.

All players when they leave have their own personal opinions and many have over the years voiced them. This time however some of those criticisms are being repeated. Tevez, Bellamy and Ireland have all complained about their relationship with Mancini or Mancini's relationship with the players. Each of those players are experienced pros and have been around the game for a long time. They would know.
I wonder if some of you can actually read the words then understand the meaning of what was written, or whether like sheep, when the first one goes baa, it becomes a contest to see who can baa the loudest. being a noisy sheep does not make you a better City supporter. Have any of you ever given your all in a job, then felt sidelined by the boss? Have any of you ever got to the point of feeling "I am wasting my time putting this effort in?" "No matter what I do, it will never be respected or appreciated." Have any of you ever got to the point of thinking "What's the fucking point?". I don't believe that Ireland never cared about this club. I do believe that there were times when he felt unwanted by the club and therefore detatched from the regime that controlled it.

What makes me so certain?...because only a couple of weeks ago, I had a lovely and heartfelt conversation with Stephen Ireland, we discussed a number of things, and I can assure all of you that he loves our club dearly but is gutted about some of the stuff that is going on with the present regime.

Since their comments both Tevez & Bellamy have come out in support of Mancini and said what a good manager he is. Ireland's problems probably had nothing to do with Mancini, he was shit and "sidelined" whilst Hughes was still manager. Your not just using this as a stick to beat Mancini with are you?
IMO , he saw better players coming in and couldn't hack it. The ex players that have been whining have all gone to lesser clubs and they are pissed that they are no considered good enough to be part of the new City that is actually now good enough to start winning things. Why can't they just keep their big gobs shut, take the money, have a bit of humility and get on with their new careers. They aren't good enough, its as simple as that.

Saying a player isn't good enough is one thing. Lynching quality players that leave is another. And as far as I know, John doesn't hate Mancini and what you're saying is that his disappointment at threads like this is purely to get at the manager?
I don't buy it.

I'm disappointed too. Not because Ireland has left, not because Dunne has left, not because Given is leaving (I wish they weren't all Irish, its making my point harder!!)... because we sound like scum fans. We don't care for what players have done for us, even if it was only for a season or two. Why? Because they air their disappointment. Oh, and because we have loads of money and we don't have to give a shit anymore.

Yuk.

[Green & Blue]

Wow some ugly views floating around on here.

I do feel slightly sorry for Ireland, a couple of years back he was the fans favourite, having songs belted out around the stadium for him and banners made and hung up at coms in his favour.He was everyones bargain buy star in fantasy football, all was good.He became player of the year deservedly so.He expressed his love for the club, signed a new deal claiming he wanted to be city for life.Its fair to say both fans and player alike could not have been more happy at the time.

When Ireland was at his best he was up and down the pitch, winning balls starting moves and following up on the move making sure he was still in support if he was needed and sometimes he was finishing off a move he started.He just seemed to have endless energy at the time.He was witout a doubt our key player.
No one can honestly say that at the time they did not hold hope that we had finally found our own Lampard/Gerrard the player with the ability to create something to win us a game or knick us a point even when the team was not performing.

How it all went wrong for him at city has to have been a bitter pill to swallow for the player.The collapse on the pitch seemed to trigger a lack of confidence in Ireland as a player and the willingness to cover every blade of grass seemed to evade him.It has been frustrating watching him on the pitch at times when hes looked unsure of himself and more often than not was just a passenger in the side.I think Ireland needed more support and encouragement to regain his form and more than anything time.Unfortunatly with the quality of the additions we had made and our need to keep momentum going last season i dont think that time could be afforded to him.

As of now we have certainly improved our squad to the point that if he had stuck around he would have seen very little game time so i think it was the best move for him and i wish him well and thank him for the good times.
In a sense he has been just a victim of the clubs contiuous improvement.


[youtube]UmOKva_tBKQ[/youtube]

[Blue2]

Now you have slung the rope around the tree, loaded ireland onto the horse, whacked its arse and left Ireland dangling to hang, Just take a moment to think whether there just might be a little grain of truth in what he has to say.
None of us likes to hear criticism of our beloved club and I, like you have defended City through thick and thin over many years. But some of this over emotional lynch mob crap is sickening to say the least.

First, none of us truly knows what has gone on inside the club. None of us truly knows what has been said by who to whom, when and why. I have followed this club for many years under some almost tragic regimes of stewardship and managership but I have never known the amount of mud slinging or criticism by fans or more importantly by leaving players.

All players when they leave have their own personal opinions and many have over the years voiced them. This time however some of those criticisms are being repeated. Tevez, Bellamy and Ireland have all complained about their relationship with Mancini or Mancini's relationship with the players. Each of those players are experienced pros and have been around the game for a long time. They would know.
I wonder if some of you can actually read the words then understand the meaning of what was written, or whether like sheep, when the first one goes baa, it becomes a contest to see who can baa the loudest. being a noisy sheep does not make you a better City supporter. Have any of you ever given your all in a job, then felt sidelined by the boss? Have any of you ever got to the point of feeling "I am wasting my time putting this effort in?" "No matter what I do, it will never be respected or appreciated." Have any of you ever got to the point of thinking "What's the fucking point?". I don't believe that Ireland never cared about this club. I do believe that there were times when he felt unwanted by the club and therefore detatched from the regime that controlled it.

What makes me so certain?...because only a couple of weeks ago, I had a lovely and heartfelt conversation with Stephen Ireland, we discussed a number of things, and I can assure all of you that he loves our club dearly but is gutted about some of the stuff that is going on with the present regime.

Since their comments both Tevez & Bellamy have come out in support of Mancini and said what a good manager he is. Ireland's problems probably had nothing to do with Mancini, he was shit and "sidelined" whilst Hughes was still manager. Your not just using this as a stick to beat Mancini with are you?
IMO , he saw better players coming in and couldn't hack it. The ex players that have been whining have all gone to lesser clubs and they are pissed that they are no considered good enough to be part of the new City that is actually now good enough to start winning things. Why can't they just keep their big gobs shut, take the money, have a bit of humility and get on with their new careers. They aren't good enough, its as simple as that.

Saying a player isn't good enough is one thing. Lynching quality players that leave is another. And as far as I know, John doesn't hate Mancini and what you're saying is that his disappointment at threads like this is purely to get at the manager?
I don't buy it.

I'm disappointed too. Not because Ireland has left, not because Dunne has left, not because Given is leaving (I wish they weren't all Irish, its making my point harder!!)... because we sound like scum fans. We don't care for what players have done for us, even if it was only for a season or two. Why? Because they air their disappointment. Oh, and because we have loads of money and we don't have to give a shit anymore.

Yuk.

I get your point mate, but where are the statements saying what we have done for them? Works both ways. If he hadn't come out with his statement I doubt he would be getting the abuse that he is. Like I said if he/ they say nowt I'm sure everybody would be happy.