Superman's unchained melody!

[Mark (Blue Army)]

Stephen Ireland has urged new boss Roberto Mancini to continue to set him free.

The reigning player of the season looked back to his best in the final 70 minutes of the win over Stoke City and he reckons it was no coincidence that his influence and confidence grew in tandem after a switch in formation.

Ireland started on the right side of a four man midfield, a throwback to the days of Stuart Pearce and Sven-Goran Eriksson.

“I am willing to play anywhere and do anything I can to enable he team to be successful but I have never made a secret of the fact that I am happier in a more central role,” declared the long serving midfielder.

“I started on the right in a 4-4-2 but we switched to a 4-3-3 quite early against Stoke and it enabled me to get on the ball more and influence the game. I think that is where I play my best football.

"Hopefully that is something I will be
able to repeat under the new manager.
I feel like the chains were off against
Stoke after I had been doing a lot of
sitting so far this season."

Although at 23-years-old he is no veteran, Ireland has been around the first team long enough to see managers and coaches come and go at City and he remains philosophical about the latest change at the helm that has seen former Inter boss Mancini take over from Mark Hughes.

“The change of manager was a shock to the system for everyone in the dressing room, we didn’t really see it coming,” he revealed. “But we are professionals and we have to get on with it.

“For me I have already played under loads of managers here. They have come and gone and it is a shame. It could happen to anyone in football, including me. It is a shame for the people involved but you have to put it behind you as quickly as possible.

“Football moves on very quickly. We have to train every day and prepare for games and there is no time to dwell on these things and get over them. You have to respect the decision and adjust to the new manager’s ideas and get used to his ways.

“If you want to be part of things here and be part of where we are going then you have to just get on with things.

“Roberto Mancini got everyone together and is keen for the staff to bond as quickly as possible with the players. The new manager has encouraged us to play football on the floor and only play it long as a last resort.”

from mcfc.co.uk

[colonel_muck]

totally agree with him much better in the middle he doesn't have the pace to play out wide. could understand roberto's thinking because of his ability to find space and his excellent range of passing, but he just gets lost out wide. stevie is a genius for me the best at finding space in the premiership.

[BrianBlackleyBlue]

He seemed to be making more of those late surging runs on Saturday he just never got picked out. If he plays the same role tonight I reckon he'll score.

[Original Dub]

Well there it is in black and white.... again.

He's been asked to sit back more this season and his form dipped as a direct result of this. I think he's only been given the free role in that central position for maybe two games before the Stoke one with Scunthorp being the stand out one... and he was excellent in that game, just like he was against Stoke.

I did say that I didn't really like Ireland being asked to do anything other than what he did so effectively last season, but I also said if him being asked to sit back or even get dropped was for the good of the team, then so be it....

The thing is, it wasn't for the good of the team and on far too many occasions we were screaming out his direct creavtivity play - screaming out for him to pull the strings.

Him not being able to do this could well have cost Hughes his job IMO.

[Ted Hughes]

Well there it is in black and white.... again.

He's been asked to sit back more this season and his form dipped as a direct result of this. I think he's only been given the free role in that central position for maybe two games before the Stoke one with Scunthorp being the stand out one... and he was excellent in that game, just like he was against Stoke.

I did say that I didn't really like Ireland being asked to do anything other than what he did so effectively last season, but I also said if him being asked to sit back or even get dropped was for the good of the team, then so be it....

The thing is, it wasn't for the good of the team and on far too many occasions we were screaming out his direct creavtivity play - screaming out for him to pull the strings.

Him not being able to do this could well have cost Hughes his job IMO.

The problem starts if that system doesn't suit the other current or future players & Ireland can't adapt then he loses out. I don't like 4-4-2 myself but with Robinho poncing about on the left wing last Saturday stood next to Petrov, it was never a 4-4-2 anyway, just a mess.

[Original Dub]

Well there it is in black and white.... again.

He's been asked to sit back more this season and his form dipped as a direct result of this. I think he's only been given the free role in that central position for maybe two games before the Stoke one with Scunthorp being the stand out one... and he was excellent in that game, just like he was against Stoke.

I did say that I didn't really like Ireland being asked to do anything other than what he did so effectively last season, but I also said if him being asked to sit back or even get dropped was for the good of the team, then so be it....

The thing is, it wasn't for the good of the team and on far too many occasions we were screaming out his direct creavtivity play - screaming out for him to pull the strings.

Him not being able to do this could well have cost Hughes his job IMO.

The problem starts if that system doesn't suit the other current or future players & Ireland can't adapt then he loses out. I don't like 4-4-2 myself but with Robinho poncing about on the left wing last Saturday stood next to Petrov, it was never a 4-4-2 anyway, just a mess.

To be honest, I think he's the type of player you build your system around and that was Hughes' downfall. When he's pulling the strings in the middle of the park we're a better side.

[LookMumImOnMCF.net]

To be honest, I think he's the type of player you build your system around and that was Hughes' downfall. When he's pulling the strings in the middle of the park we're a better side.

Woah, let us not get carried away here. He's a very good player and was easily our best last year but he's not so good that we build a system to suit where he wants to play. There's a lot more he has to do, like not go missing against the big teams for one.

Truly great players adapt to a system and continue to be outstanding when they are asked to play out of their comfort zone.

[Ted Hughes]

To be honest, I think he's the type of player you build your system around and that was Hughes' downfall. When he's pulling the strings in the middle of the park we're a better side.

Woah, let us not get carried away here. He's a very good player and was easily our best last year but he's not so good that we build a system to suit where he wants to play. There's a lot more he has to do, like not go missing against the big teams for one.

Truly great players adapt to a system and continue to be outstanding when they are asked to play out of their comfort zone.

I agree with that. I don't believe in building a team around any player no matter how good.

[Original Dub]

To be honest, I think he's the type of player you build your system around and that was Hughes' downfall. When he's pulling the strings in the middle of the park we're a better side.

Woah, let us not get carried away here. He's a very good player and was easily our best last year but he's not so good that we build a system to suit where he wants to play. There's a lot more he has to do, like not go missing against the big teams for one.

Truly great players adapt to a system and continue to be outstanding when they are asked to play out of their comfort zone.

Hold on, firstly I'm saying that last season he pulled all the strings because he was playing in his favourite position and with the players around him now, he can only be better if allowed to do so again.... so I believe that the system we should use when we have a player like Ireland should be one that incorperates a playmaker. He was the best player in our entire squad last season and one of the best in the country in his position, so yes, I would build a SYSTEM around him because he would bring out the best in the players around him.

Secondly, my point is that he has gone missing in games and looks lost because it the role he was given this season does not suit him, plain and simple. All this talk of the truely great players will adapt is all fine and dandy, but the fact is he is a class playmaker and needs to be played as a playmaker.

Ronaldo is a world class player, but I don't think he'd shine in a holding midfielder's role. Nor do I think Scholes would because the bloke can't tackle to save his fucking life. Beckham wouldn't be a very good striker IMO.... I could go on, but the main point is that some players are built for a certain role and they need to be played in that role unless in case of emergency as cover.

This kid has vision beyond most footballers in the league and its his greatest quality. He can tackle decently enough and that's great the odd time when needed, but to ask playmaker with fantastic vision to sit back is just silly IMO. I'm not saying he has to be played come hell or high water, but either play him as a playmaker or don't play him at all.

And I re-iterate that I believe a system where he pulls all the strings will most likely be our best system, but we won't know for a while because he's only played for 70 mins in his postion and IMO so far, so good.

[Ted Hughes]

To be honest, I think he's the type of player you build your system around and that was Hughes' downfall. When he's pulling the strings in the middle of the park we're a better side.

Woah, let us not get carried away here. He's a very good player and was easily our best last year but he's not so good that we build a system to suit where he wants to play. There's a lot more he has to do, like not go missing against the big teams for one.

Truly great players adapt to a system and continue to be outstanding when they are asked to play out of their comfort zone.

Hold on, firstly I'm saying that last season he pulled all the strings because he was playing in his favourite position and with the players around him now, he can only be better if allowed to do so again.... so I believe that the system we should use when we have a player like Ireland should be one that incorperates a playmaker. He was the best player in our entire squad last season and one of the best in the country in his position, so yes, I would build a SYSTEM around him because he would bring out the best in the players around him.

Secondly, my point is that he has gone missing in games and looks lost because it the role he was given this season does not suit him, plain and simple. All this talk of the truely great players will adapt is all fine and dandy, but the fact is he is a class playmaker and needs to be played as a playmaker.

Ronaldo is a world class player, but I don't think he'd shine in a holding midfielder's role. Nor do I think Scholes would because the bloke can't tackle to save his fucking life. Beckham wouldn't be a very good striker IMO.... I could go on, but the main point is that some players are built for a certain role and they need to be played in that role unless in case of emergency as cover.

This kid has vision beyond most footballers in the league and its his greatest quality. He can tackle decently enough and that's great the odd time when needed, but to ask playmaker with fantastic vision to sit back is just silly IMO. I'm not saying he has to be played come hell or high water, but either play him as a playmaker or don't play him at all.

And I re-iterate that I believe a system where he pulls all the strings will most likely be our best system, but we won't know for a while because he's only played for 70 mins in his postion and IMO so far, so good.

Scholes has played everywhere mate, including at the back of midfield. I agree Ireland is best suited to a freer role but in the future he may have to adapt again if he's to feature. Bellamy's not a left winger but he's managed to be our best player whilst doing it.

[Original Dub]

To be honest, I think he's the type of player you build your system around and that was Hughes' downfall. When he's pulling the strings in the middle of the park we're a better side.

Woah, let us not get carried away here. He's a very good player and was easily our best last year but he's not so good that we build a system to suit where he wants to play. There's a lot more he has to do, like not go missing against the big teams for one.

Truly great players adapt to a system and continue to be outstanding when they are asked to play out of their comfort zone.

Hold on, firstly I'm saying that last season he pulled all the strings because he was playing in his favourite position and with the players around him now, he can only be better if allowed to do so again.... so I believe that the system we should use when we have a player like Ireland should be one that incorperates a playmaker. He was the best player in our entire squad last season and one of the best in the country in his position, so yes, I would build a SYSTEM around him because he would bring out the best in the players around him.

Secondly, my point is that he has gone missing in games and looks lost because it the role he was given this season does not suit him, plain and simple. All this talk of the truely great players will adapt is all fine and dandy, but the fact is he is a class playmaker and needs to be played as a playmaker.

Ronaldo is a world class player, but I don't think he'd shine in a holding midfielder's role. Nor do I think Scholes would because the bloke can't tackle to save his fucking life. Beckham wouldn't be a very good striker IMO.... I could go on, but the main point is that some players are built for a certain role and they need to be played in that role unless in case of emergency as cover.

This kid has vision beyond most footballers in the league and its his greatest quality. He can tackle decently enough and that's great the odd time when needed, but to ask playmaker with fantastic vision to sit back is just silly IMO. I'm not saying he has to be played come hell or high water, but either play him as a playmaker or don't play him at all.

And I re-iterate that I believe a system where he pulls all the strings will most likely be our best system, but we won't know for a while because he's only played for 70 mins in his postion and IMO so far, so good.

Scholes has played everywhere mate, including at the back of midfield. I agree Ireland is best suited to a freer role but in the future he may have to adapt again if he's to feature. Bellamy's not a left winger but he's managed to be our best player whilst doing it.

True, but bellamy's 30, Ireland is still developing as a player and I want to see him be the next Liam Brady like I think he can be, but not in a different role.

[Ted Hughes]

To be honest, I think he's the type of player you build your system around and that was Hughes' downfall. When he's pulling the strings in the middle of the park we're a better side.

Woah, let us not get carried away here. He's a very good player and was easily our best last year but he's not so good that we build a system to suit where he wants to play. There's a lot more he has to do, like not go missing against the big teams for one.

Truly great players adapt to a system and continue to be outstanding when they are asked to play out of their comfort zone.

Hold on, firstly I'm saying that last season he pulled all the strings because he was playing in his favourite position and with the players around him now, he can only be better if allowed to do so again.... so I believe that the system we should use when we have a player like Ireland should be one that incorperates a playmaker. He was the best player in our entire squad last season and one of the best in the country in his position, so yes, I would build a SYSTEM around him because he would bring out the best in the players around him.

Secondly, my point is that he has gone missing in games and looks lost because it the role he was given this season does not suit him, plain and simple. All this talk of the truely great players will adapt is all fine and dandy, but the fact is he is a class playmaker and needs to be played as a playmaker.

Ronaldo is a world class player, but I don't think he'd shine in a holding midfielder's role. Nor do I think Scholes would because the bloke can't tackle to save his fucking life. Beckham wouldn't be a very good striker IMO.... I could go on, but the main point is that some players are built for a certain role and they need to be played in that role unless in case of emergency as cover.

This kid has vision beyond most footballers in the league and its his greatest quality. He can tackle decently enough and that's great the odd time when needed, but to ask playmaker with fantastic vision to sit back is just silly IMO. I'm not saying he has to be played come hell or high water, but either play him as a playmaker or don't play him at all.

And I re-iterate that I believe a system where he pulls all the strings will most likely be our best system, but we won't know for a while because he's only played for 70 mins in his postion and IMO so far, so good.

Scholes has played everywhere mate, including at the back of midfield. I agree Ireland is best suited to a freer role but in the future he may have to adapt again if he's to feature. Bellamy's not a left winger but he's managed to be our best player whilst doing it.

True, but bellamy's 30, Ireland is still developing as a player and I want to see him be the next Liam Brady like I think he can be, but not in a different role.

If the two things coincide then fair enough but I recon Mancini will play a variety of systems, if he survives long enough.

[Grob]

Irelands seeming lack of adaptability is worrying. Tonight again he looked good when he was in his favured role but the dropoff in his play when he was moved wide right was staggering.

The drop off in his performance when he is not played in that one role is worrying. A player in this day and age can not be so inflexible.

[Fidel Castro]

Irelands seeming lack of adaptability is worrying. Tonight again he looked good when he was in his favured role but the dropoff in his play when he was moved wide right was staggering.

The drop off in his performance when he is not played in that one role is worrying. A player in this day and age can not be so inflexible.

Thought he looked quite poor in his favoured position too tonight tbh.