Ireland Departure?

[Original Dub]

I dont think Ireland is quite right physically this season, he needs a good rest.

He also cant play in the same team as Tevez, because Tevez's energy takes him into Ireland positions.

I really really dont think we would ever sell him to the scum or a direct competitor without benefiting heavily from a swap.

Why cant we loan him to Spain or something next season? Or even some newly promoted team.

I know he hasnt really been great this season, but he hasnt ever been settle, not found his feet with our new set up. He would become great again given the chance.

If you had to choose Ireland or Mancini to stay, who would you pick?

That's the main problem in my opinion. And sorry Stevie, but Tevez is a better footballer then you are ...
Ireland will have to force himself to adept to another role (either more box-to-box, or on the wing), or be content being a bit part player for us.

Or leave which I'd say will happen. He's too good to be a bit part player IMO.

Like you say, Tevez is a better player, but it seems Stevie's only effective as an out and out playmaker and if we can't accomodate him and Tevez then I reckon someone else will move for him in the summer... probably arsenal or the rags.

[Im_Spartacus]

Under a good few different managers, he has struggled with the exception of the games we won under Hughes. In the games we lost he was almost as non-existant as Robinho, as he was under Sven, as he was under Hughes' more defensive system, as he has been under Mancini.

Surely the purple patch in last year's team is looking more like the exception rather than the rule. If we are not going to play balls out attacking football under this or any future manager, Ireland doesnt have a future here as he seems only to fit a very narrow style of play and seems unable to adapt his game to anything beyond that.

Love the guy to bits, but at some point we have to face facts, he consistently doesnt do it in the system our managers have chosen to employ over the past several years - the annoying thing is that the suitors can all see just how well he would potentially fit in the attacking style of United and Arsenal where I think he would do a great job.

So, do we change the whole team's style of play permanently to fit Ireland (is he THAT good?), or do we eventually bite the bullet and let him leave to further his career. It would be cruel not to allow his talent to flourish elsewhere if he wanted to.

[Ted Hughes]

In truth, none of us know for sure how good Ireland is or what his true capabilities are & I don't think he does either. I can't help wondering about that early season fainting spell & what the reasons behind it are. Everyone's passed it off as nothing but it's another pretty wierd occurrence in what's been, if we're honest, a sometimes exhilarating, often disappointing but fucking bizarre career so far. It may have been affecting him & managers may be keeping an eye on him.

Positionally, my own opinion is that the world's best playmakers have more attacking strings to their bow than Ireland. They often take all the set pieces & consistantly deliver wicked balls into the danger area for a start. If we're going to be the best & IF we want a playmaker, we want the best playmaker. Imagine a 23 yr old Gazza playing there? Good as Ireland can be, there's no comparison.

Imo the job Hughes asked Ireland to do; being a top quality alround midfield player, one who does a bit of everything very well, is well within Ireland's capabilities if he gets on with the job & learns to do it. He'd be worth a fortune if he put his mind to that & would be 1st name on our teamsheet.

Ironically if he signed for the rags he'd be doing exactly that job; they don't have playmakers, just players. Arsenal are the only team who'd let him swan around with a feather up his arse.

[Green & Blue]

I would take anything read on Bluemoon with a pinch of salt.The site is notorius for rumours and wind ups.

[Bojinov's left foot]

IMO it would be a sad day if Ireland left City but I acknowledge that Ireland has not had his best season and as we move forward bringing in better players then we will see some of our 'old favourites' moving on.

[carolina-blue]

IMO it would be a sad day if Ireland left City but I acknowledge that Ireland has not had his best season and as we move forward bringing in better players then we will see some of our 'old favourites' moving on.

Totally agree , As we aspire to bigger and better things we will see players we all like move on,and if some come back to bite us ,so be it . Although I would like It to be through natural progression and not through " Another New Manager buying his people syndrome" .

[The Foggy Blue]

WE DO NOT NEED TO SELL STEPHEN IRELAND. AS LONG AS HE WANTS TO STAY AT THE CLUB, HE SHOULD STAY HERE.

Thanks.

[pepsi_dave]

Makes me laugh how people DEMAND instant success and are not prepared to be patient with our managers, but yet are prepared to be patient with the playing staff that the manager has to work with.....

I agree with what someone has already said, as long as Ireland is happy to stay at the club, I am happy for him to stay here.

[paulmclaren]

It would be a loss if he goes but he has simply not been good enough this season, so if he leaves, well that is football I'm afraid.

[DoomMerchant]

It would be a loss if he goes but he has simply not been good enough this season, so if he leaves, well that is football I'm afraid.

and if he stays, well, that is football as well.

thanks for the insight.

cheers

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

I dont think Ireland is quite right physically this season, he needs a good rest.

He also cant play in the same team as Tevez, because Tevez's energy takes him into Ireland positions.

I really really dont think we would ever sell him to the scum or a direct competitor without benefiting heavily from a swap.

Why cant we loan him to Spain or something next season? Or even some newly promoted team.

I know he hasnt really been great this season, but he hasnt ever been settle, not found his feet with our new set up. He would become great again given the chance.

If you had to choose Ireland or Mancini to stay, who would you pick?

just the other week Mancini went public saying how much he rates Ireland's talent and plans to use him heavily in future. So why would go down to that.

Also, those who remember Mancini's playing days know that as a player he wasn't all that different to what Ireland is.

[Swales4ever]

I dont think Ireland is quite right physically this season, he needs a good rest.

He also cant play in the same team as Tevez, because Tevez's energy takes him into Ireland positions.

I really really dont think we would ever sell him to the scum or a direct competitor without benefiting heavily from a swap.

Why cant we loan him to Spain or something next season? Or even some newly promoted team.

I know he hasnt really been great this season, but he hasnt ever been settle, not found his feet with our new set up. He would become great again given the chance.

If you had to choose Ireland or Mancini to stay, who would you pick?

just the other week Mancini went public saying how much he rates Ireland's talent and plans to use him heavily in future. So why would go down to that.

Also, those who remember Mancini's playing days know that as a player he wasn't all that different to what Ireland is.

This! ^^^
I tried myself to highlight that with differnt words in another thread yday. As soon as the whole gear will be completely set up (including the addition of a very top deep lying) Mancini style surely provide for the use of a playmaker.
Then, it will take Steven to show next season if he might be that very talented and effective playmaker to claim for a starting City shirt in such a key role. Bearing in mind that if we get 4th this season, I don't think to be wrong if I say the Club will be asking the manager for having a full lenght CL run in 2 (hopefully 3) seasons...

Additionally, the most spot on argument I reckon, as per MRM, the forthcoming rules about home grown players: as long as he will be glad to be at City, it would be idiotic to sell him. Steady starter or luxury spare, it will be on him...

[Wooders]

Ireland is like south park, one season is good, full of happy memories, one season is bad, with weird moments you don't quite understand

I'd be disappointed to see him go but I really don't see him flourishing under Mancini - he also wants games, if he goes to a club like West Ham etc he will be a hero

edit - I also can't picture that three of the other top four teams are after him - no way

[King Kev]

I clicked the link, read

Just had a coffee with a very good contact on the agent side. I can't give any more info but he's been very reliable in the past.

then slapped myself for clicking the link.

[Alex Sapphire]

I also can't picture that three of the other top four teams are after him - no way

This

do we seriously think that if Scum, Arse and Chelski were stood with their wallets enquiring about Stevie, that Mancini hates him so much he'd let one of them have him?

I'm sure he's confident in his own ability (maybe more than I am), but you can't get a clearer message that Stevie is OK than that if it were true.

and what the fook does "on the agent side" mean?

[dawn]

any manager would love stephen in their team and we are just going to hand him over to our rivals.

how stupid is that?

[Blunderer]

Hi fellas, I'm the original poster on that thread.

Any questions?

[dazby]

Okay, what have you done with my ><?

Forget that, I didn't read the thread, what do you know?

[Alex Sapphire]

Hi fellas, I'm the original poster on that thread.

Any questions?

just the one I asked up there: what is "on the agent side", i.e. were you drinking coffee with Stevie's agent?

[Blunderer]

Hi fellas, I'm the original poster on that thread.

Any questions?

just the one I asked up there: what is "on the agent side", i.e. were you drinking coffee with Stevie's agent?

Unlike ather players, he doesn't have an out and out agent. His financial advisor acts as his agent.

I'm not going to reveal my source.