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Is he ill or something? He certainly wasn't anywhere near as sharp as he usually is.

See he didn't have the best games, but I noticed 3 times in the first half he had made some great runs but didn't get the ball to him, one of these stood out and would have probs ended with a goal.
Although he was "quite" he made some good runs and drew some players with him, just wasn't getting the right balls.

Not the best performance, but not as bad as I think people will make out!

King Kev wrote:Is he ill or something? He certainly wasn't anywhere near as sharp as he usually is.

I think he was awesome last season, but it will be interesting to see how he fares this year. So far, even though Hughes was credited with Ireland's form of last season, little has been said about how ATROCIOUS his performances have been ALL season.

Hughes changed the system this year early on, dropped Ireland quite rigthly after some dreadful performances and Ireland has never recovered. Wonder if there is some truth in the theory that Ireland only plays with Robinho / Robinho only plays with Ireland?

All I can hope is that he takes his development on to the next level and steps up to the plate again like he did last time we changed managers.

He never looks great when playing on the right hand side of midfield. It's where he played under Sven and he was in Elano's shadow for much of that season.

If SWP was fit, I'm sure he'd play on the right.

Stevie will have to fight for a place in the middle of park against Barry, De Jong and anyone else we may buy in Jan.

Just before we brought him off I said to a mate that I would seriuosly start thinking about droppin Ireland. He just doesnt seem to get involved and he doesnt seem to do a terrible amount with the ball. Great player, just think him being dropped might help him find that spark again.

Lee_Kinda wrote:See he didn't have the best games, but I noticed 3 times in the first half he had made some great runs but didn't get the ball to him, one of these stood out and would have probs ended with a goal.
Although he was "quite" he made some good runs and drew some players with him, just wasn't getting the right balls.

Not the best performance, but not as bad as I think people will make out!

HE HAD A STINKER MATE - A FUCKING STINKER.

Went straight down the tunnel when subbed so I think he must of been carrying a knock. However, when he was moved onto the right wing midway through the first half (closest to us away fans) he just didn't look happy at all throughout the match. Whether it was an injury, disappointed with his performance or fed up of been on the wing is up for debate.

Had a knock according to the commentry. Was annonymous really and as discussed in another thread his lack of adaptability to perform slightly different roles in the team other than his favoured position is worrying.

I thought he played well, just didn't get picked out, if he did people would be singing a different tune

PoC wrote:I thought he played well, just didn't get picked out, if he did people would be singing a different tune

Nope , disagree. I think CARL hammered the nail on the head.

Lee_Kinda wrote:See he didn't have the best games, but I noticed 3 times in the first half he had made some great runs but didn't get the ball to him, one of these stood out and would have probs ended with a goal.
Although he was "quite" he made some good runs and drew some players with him, just wasn't getting the right balls.

Not the best performance, but not as bad as I think people will make out!

perfect description mate. he is getting into great positions but not getting the ball.

When playing in his 'favoured' position, he gave the ball away about 7 times out of 8 touches & the whole system was failing because of it. Mancini, to his credit, changed the system & it was a vast improvement. Didn't do himself any favours tonight but I worry about that mystery illness thing. Just doesn't look as sharp to me, mentally or physically.

Didn't have a good game tonight but still made some great runs. He had a hamstring problem and had been trying to stretch it out before he was taken off.

Clearly the new manager has yet to build a system to suit him.

I can't be the only one who has noticed that Ireland only looks good when Robinho is on song.

Irelands good form last season was 110% related to Robinho linking up with him.

I don't really reckon its his fault, but he just doesn't get the same link-up play from anyone else and half the time I have to double check if he's even on the pitch.

LookMumI'mOnMCF.net wrote:Clearly the new manager has yet to build a system to suit him.

Are you suggesting he should?

johnpb78 wrote:

LookMumI'mOnMCF.net wrote:Clearly the new manager has yet to build a system to suit him.

Are you suggesting he should?

I dunno if you've read this thread or not: viewtopic.php?f=119&t=29036

If you have and you're being funny then you've fooled me : / If not then you'll see I was having a little joke

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:Didn't have a good game tonight but still made some great runs. He had a hamstring problem and had been trying to stretch it out before he was taken off.

Ah well if he's got a hamstring problem, perhaps it's been bothering him on & off for a while.

Ted Hughes wrote:

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:Didn't have a good game tonight but still made some great runs. He had a hamstring problem and had been trying to stretch it out before he was taken off.

Ah well if he's got a hamstring problem, perhaps it's been bothering him on & off for a while.

Scandalous ! This is Superman you two are talking about. Mr Fitness himself...............

Can't you just accept tat he had a bad game tonight ?

he just gets lost out wide. as many have already pointed out he still made great runs and found space with bellers or tevez choosing other options, but as he said this morning he prefers to be in a central role and for me that is where he needs to be to thrive. he was pissed off with himself when he came off we all know thats the kind of guy he is. credit to mancini though making a decisive decision like that, shows a great tactical awareness, which i admittedly struggled to see!