Stephen Ireland

[scousedub]

Stephen Ireland pulls out of Ireland squad as he says he says he cant do himself or his country justice!
Well good ridance, players with an attitude like that dont deserve another chance, hopefully he never gets called up again!
He owed his country big time after what happened in the Czech Republic and he goes and does this..........bye bye Stephen Ireland.:mad:

[sean]

Thats very disappointing, this was an ideal opportunity to put the whole episode behind him. Now its going to hang over his head for another while and if Stan is still around for the next campaign it won't do his international career any good at all.

[megager]

Bloody eck!!! What the FCUK??

[JOE]

The worst of the lot was the fact that he played so well on the weekend...

[sean]

The worst of the lot was the fact that he played so well on the weekend...

He sure did. With McShane and Hunt already out we needed all our remaining players to pull together and put on a mightly performance to get anything out of this game. This sorry saga has just blown all that out of the water big time. The Germans must be laughing, they'll be the first side to qualify if they win, and that now seems an almost dead cert.

[south]

I think he might be afraid that his appearance on the pitch might draw a bad reaction from the crowd and have a bad effect on the rest of the team.. saying that tho I don’t think he’d have to worry to much on the last few displays

[redchariot]

Give the man a break!!! He is obviously going through an emotional period at the moment. I know that he certainly brought all on himself due to the lie after the Slovakia match but we all make stupid decisions from time to time particularly under distress.

I know that Shankly says football is more important than life or death and it is easy to say that at times but deep down we all know it is b*llox; family comes first and Ireland obviously thought that too

:confused::confused::confused:

[McGinty]

ireland has been below average for ireland, he's popped up and scored the odd goal but done shag all else

brian kerr was right in leaving him out of the squad, nevermind all the confusion last month over his girlfriend and that, this episode should prove to everyone that the lad shouldnt get another call up

[BornaRedLass]

Fair enough he has a lot of family stuff but hes fine to play for his club he should be fine to play for his country. I agree, this is his chance to make up for the Czech game and this is only making matters worse. How will he come back to the team after this?

[Aido82]

I say, give him a chance, at the moment the irish midfield aint the greatest and we need all the young players to pull together. I think most of the crowd understand the situation and it would be bad form to boo or jeer him

[sean]

I say, give him a chance, at the moment the irish midfield aint the greatest and we need all the young players to pull together. I think most of the crowd understand the situation and it would be bad form to boo or jeer him

After a good nights sleep I'm after changing my attitude a bit on this story. The thought has occured to me that the lad is only 20 years old, and his girlfriend had a miscarraige no more than 5 weeks ago. A few stories are out too that the lad is currently receiving treatment, and only feels "safe" in Manchester where is therapist is on standby. Time to give the lad a break I think, if his head really is as messed up as I think it is, then we should lay off him and let him sort it out. This qualifying campaign is over anyway, let him come back when there is something to play for and he's ready.

[Paul]

How many Stephen Ireland threads do we need?:rolleyes:

[Kopite]

in fairness the lad is abit of a bungalow, but sure its not as if we have a plethora of quality midfielders that we dont need him, but he needs to get his head right.

[callyno3]

ireland has been below average for ireland, he's popped up and scored the odd goal but done shag all else

brian kerr was right in leaving him out of the squad, nevermind all the confusion last month over his girlfriend and that, this episode should prove to everyone that the lad shouldnt get another call up



The whole Steven Ireland fiasco is dissapointing. But I'd imagine it is much worse for the Lad himself.
Hopefully you or your partner never has been involved in a situation where there has been a misscarraige.If not you are in no position to judge the young Lad.You don't know his demeanor or his personal situation!!!Man City and Stan to be fair to him seem to be supporting him and it is known that he is recieving counselling or physicatric help.

As for Kerr dropping him.
There was a falling out some years ago when Ireland underage were playing a friendly in his hometown of Cobh. Apparently Kerr informed Ireland he would play some part in this match and then didn't. That happened at underage and should not have mattered in the selection of the senior squad.

Scored the odd goal and did shag all else ????
The odd goal as in the first goal in the 2-2 draw with the slovaks away and the winner against Wales at home and the last min winner against san marino away and another odd goal against cyprus away

thats 4 goals in 5 game not too bad.

The lad is having a difficult time without people getting on his back, give him the time he needs .

[WexRed]

Fair enough he has a lot of family stuff but hes fine to play for his club he should be fine to play for his country. I agree, this is his chance to make up for the Czech game and this is only making matters worse. How will he come back to the team after this?

Exactly he's fine to play for his club or is he afraid to play away matches outside of manchester ? I think we're giving far too much credit to him. He didn't have the guts to tell the truth twice before ("personal reasons" would've sufficed) and now doesn't have the guts to face the fans and team mates and put the whole incident to bed.

He seems to be very juvenile in his attitude and needs to grow up. I'm not sure if he's naive or just egotistical but either way I seriously doubt his character. I don't think Sven would've been pushing him if he thought there was a valid reason for him not to play, usually club managers would be the exact opposite.

I don't think the crowd will actually cut him much slack after this. Honesty and commitment are values that most people value very highly and he's shown neither. Stan has to handle him with kid gloves to try to keep him but the fans live in the real world where every crisis doesn't become a big drama.

I'm sure he'll grace us with his skills against Brazil though.

[thirty]

by not playing he is only making matters wors for himself

[Fowler's God]

Fair to him i'd say, if he is not in the right frame of mind it could have been a deterrent to the team as a whole. Like the events happened in his personal life are tragic enough. Better off he did what he did.

[dorgie]

by not playing he is only making matters wors for himself

I agree with that.

I don't have much sympathy for the guy to be honest. He's got a career that millions of kids crave for but never get the chance.

What happened over in Czech/Slovakia just beggars belief and there is no excuse for the story he spun. I know people are saying he's young, but the lie he went along with and actually made worse by changing Grandmothers is something you wouldn't expect from a 12 year old, but this guy is 20 ffs.

[Gerry]

very hard to pass comment on this because if the lad is suffering from some issues in his head and recieving councelling who are we to say whats right and wrong ?? there is obvioulsy something not right in the fellas personal life or in his head

I seen a good mate go through some menthal health issues obviousy alot worse than whatever is wrong with ireland and im telling you now i would not wish it on any one

[dorgie]

very hard to pass comment on this because if the lad is suffering from some issues in his head and recieving councelling who are we to say whats right and wrong ?? there is obvioulsy something not right in the fellas personal life or in his head

I seen a good mate go through some menthal health issues obviousy alot worse than whatever is wrong with ireland and im telling you now i would not wish it on any one

I would go along with that and I totally understand that mental health problems are often an invisible illness and my sympathies go to those unfortunate enough to suffer from them, however Stpehen Ireland is playing (and playing well) for City right now. Surely if his head was that messed up, his club form would be suffering ? In my opinion, it is now simply the case that he couldn't face the rest of the squad, and the likely slagging he was going to get, after his "performance" in Czech/Slovakia.

I'm just not sure I can believe anything the guy is coming out with right now.

[WexRed]

Exactly you can't believe a word he says and he's well enough to play for his club. His manager is pushing him to play which I doubt he would do if he didn't think it was in his best interests. I know lads who doubt even the story he settled on in the end and when you think about it why wouldn't they, which lie do you choose to believe. I'll leave the whole girlfriend/miscarriage bit aside but suffice to say from what I've observed its not correct to assume that everybody accepts this as an excuse for everything.

I think people are reading between the lines in terms of any mental health issues. To me given his form it most likely looks like a cop out. We can't tell because of the whole lack of honesty. But I believe he's too gutless to rejoin his team mates and face the fans and has generally acted like a juvenile throughout. Although young and given his profession obviously pampered/indulged I (and any lads who've I've heard first hand speak about it) just can't relate to his whole attitude at all and wouldn't have when we were his age either.

[poorscousertommy]

Another Cork player who thinks he is bigger than his country, should sign for Sunderland, then we can hear Keane paraniod bleating about Cork players.

[sean]

Another Cork player who thinks he is bigger than his country

Tell me your having a laugh!

[poorscousertommy]

Tell me your having a laugh!

No langerland strikes again. Whats the quote Cobh then Cork then Ireland ?????

[harrybosch]

i really have to say, i dont get this big melee thats after blowing up around stephen ireland.... i totally understand where he was coming from as regards the puul out from the last game, i mean, lets have a heart, his girlfriend just miscarried and he didnt want to tell the whole world, is that so bad in the end?... i mean, why broadcast something personal like that to the world.......people sometimes need to realise, it is just a game at the end of the day.....

[stephenocall]

would everyone just leave the poor lad alone,hes obviously going through a tough time of it,hes only young and all this spotlight would make the most experienced players buckle,give the lad a break!

[poorscousertommy]

i really have to say, i dont get this big melee thats after blowing up around stephen ireland.... i totally understand where he was coming from as regards the puul out from the last game, i mean, lets have a heart, his girlfriend just miscarried and he didnt want to tell the whole world, is that so bad in the end?... i mean, why broadcast something personal like that to the world.......people sometimes need to realise, it is just a game at the end of the day.....


I'd normally agree with you, but the facts are he lied to get out of a match so who can believe if the miscarrige story is true either. All he had to do was tell the manager the truth, state he wanted it to be kept confidential, annouce through the FAI he'd picked up a knock in the Slovak game and return to Manchester with nobody any the wiser. There was no need for any of the attention he brought on himself. Sounds like a spoilt brat stamping his feet for attention to me.

[Kopite]

I'd normally agree with you, but the facts are he lied to get out of a match so who can believe if the miscarrige story is true either. All he had to do was tell the manager the truth, state he wanted it to be kept confidential, annouce through the FAI he'd picked up a knock in the Slovak game and return to Manchester with nobody any the wiser. There was no need for any of the attention he brought on himself. Sounds like a spoilt brat stamping his feet for attention to me.

I think that he is just stupid rather than being a spoiled brat. These footballers are not always top of the class. I seen him in his plain clothes (standing beside his pimped up Land rover ) in the paper the other day and my first thought was "muppet". Thats maybe a bit unfair and HE IS a good player.

[WexRed]

i really have to say, i dont get this big melee thats after blowing up around stephen ireland.... i totally understand where he was coming from as regards the puul out from the last game, i mean, lets have a heart, his girlfriend just miscarried and he didnt want to tell the whole world, is that so bad in the end?... i mean, why broadcast something personal like that to the world.......people sometimes need to realise, it is just a game at the end of the day.....

Two words - Personal Reasons

[WexRed]

would everyone just leave the poor lad alone,hes obviously going through a tough time of it,hes only young and all this spotlight would make the most experienced players buckle,give the lad a break!

In short No. Honesty and commitment are two basic principles fans should be able to expect from any player who's in his privileged position because of those same fans.

[WexRed]

I'd normally agree with you, but the facts are he lied to get out of a match so who can believe if the miscarrige story is true either. All he had to do was tell the manager the truth, state he wanted it to be kept confidential, annouce through the FAI he'd picked up a knock in the Slovak game and return to Manchester with nobody any the wiser. There was no need for any of the attention he brought on himself. Sounds like a spoilt brat stamping his feet for attention to me.

Couldn't agree more but would add that he's obviously a thicko too. How could an adult think they'd ever get away with so many lies. I only found out the other day that after going through his two Grannies he tried to switch the story to his divorced Grandad's partner !!!!! And that it only all came to light when one paper was threaten to be sued by relatives of his second 'dead' Granny.

Many quote the miscarriage as justification but is that the truth or just the fourth lie considering how ridiculous particularly the third one was. Saw it reported initially as him returning to his "lonely" girlfriend and there's strong speculation from Cork that thats all it was and she's basically a bit of a pyscho b1tch and him a wimp. Maybe more truth in that than any of the lies.

[yodabenitez]

Leave him alone, he's a kid.

[Pimboli]

I've no sympathy for him. Granted I understand why he left the team last game, though killing two of his grannys off in the process was not exactly a great idea.

The fact is if he can play for his club, he can play for his country, period.

He pulled out because he was afraid of the stick he might get from the crowd, now it will be worse if and when he does play again as he effectively turned his back on his country.

[Trevinem]

I agree with you mate. In fairness he must have been all over the place but he should have just told the truth after all even the FAI are human beings! He's a good young player but he needs a good kick up the arse. I think a majority of fans would have welcomed him on saturday and probably will when he returns. He obviously has mental problems but he needs sympathy not slaughter

[WexRed]

Leave him alone, he's a kid.

He's NOT a kid. He may act like one but that doesn't mean we should treat him like one. At the end of the day he seems to be seriously lacking in some cop on. More money than sense.

[WexRed]

Nothing (http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8684_2802067,00.html)would surprise me at this stage - http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8684_2802067,00.html

[carragherisgod]

Another Cork player who thinks he is bigger than his country, should sign for Sunderland, then we can hear Keane paraniod bleating about Cork players.

No langerland strikes again. Whats the quote Cobh then Cork then Ireland ?????

Dude, I think you're way out of line there. Not to mention insulting.

[Pimboli]

Nothing (http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8684_2802067,00.html)would surprise me at this stage - http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8684_2802067,00.html

Seriously, did he really think that at his age getting hair transplants he want going to have the mickey taken out of him.

big baby

[harrybosch]

Lads, I hate to see all this stephen Ireland bashing, the lad has been a good player for us, and why oh why have the media and others just lambasted him for gods sake......In fairness, one of the most exciting players to emerge for the national side in quite a while

[WexRed]

In fairness people don't like being lied to repeatedly. Its insulting and he can't expect respect from fans after it. This is what the third time he's excluded himself from playing for his country and he's only 21 ! He's plainly a twat and people are entitled to call it as they see it.

Far from being media driven I think they've been extremely restrained on the whole thing prob not wanting to carry the can if he quits for good or get sued ! Nothing like whats being said on the street/terraces/workplaces is being printed as God knows he wouldn't be able to take that level of slagging given how he overreacts to everything.