Stephan Ireland... Again

[blue and white army]

Out of interest, what would you lot rather see brighton get promoted, or England win the world cup?

Brighton obviously, you were dying to elicit a response.

 

[hopper_182]

Brighton obviously, you were dying to elicit a response.

Not fishing, as much as wondering others opinions.

Why Obviously??

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

Yes, and he knew it.
But when Terry and King were both out injured, he could reasonably have expected to get a game ahead of Tango.
Seemingly not though, and thats mainly why he jacked it in.

I really wish King wasnt dead from a club and international view, he is pretty good now playing with one leg

 

[Spanish Seagulls]

I work for an Irish developer who is close to a couple of the Irish players who told me the story about stephen Ireland is that he won't go back with the international squad due to the fact that while he was a young member of the squad he was continually having the piss taken out of him because of his "combover".

He was losing his hair from a young age so used to try covering it over with a Scargill-esque comb over......... ensuring that other members of the squad would really take the piss out of him.

He couldn't take it so............................

And thats the truth behind him not wanting to join up with the squad. Apparently.

 

[Lady Whistledown]

Some people just need to be in their comfort zone, and don't like being taken out of it. I don't see what's wrong with that, we accept different personalities in every other aspect so why should he get flak for being straight about it? Not every footballer sets his sights on playing in the World Cup or wherever, they just want to be the best they can be at the level they play at. It's no different to your average company- not everyone wants to be promoted to the board of directors, some folk are quite happy where they are for whatever reason, and it doesn't make them bad people.

Ireland is probably good enough, but if he wants to put his family first, he shouldn't get abuse for it. Moreover, he's probably right about other players feeling the same- Karim Benzema has recently stated he doesn't try as hard when he plays for France as he does for Real Madrid. Better for Ireland to be honest, than turning up for internationals out of a grudging sense of duty and playing crap because he can't motivate himself. At least someone who really wants it can have a go instead.

I quite admire his honesty.

 

[ATFC Seagull]

Some people just need to be in their comfort zone, and don't like being taken out of it. I don't see what's wrong with that, we accept different personalities in every other aspect so why should he get flak for being straight about it? Not every footballer sets his sights on playing in the World Cup or wherever, they just want to be the best they can be at the level they play at. It's no different to your average company- not everyone wants to be promoted to the board of directors, some folk are quite happy where they are for whatever reason, and it doesn't make them bad people.

Ireland is probably good enough, but if he wants to put his family first, he shouldn't get abuse for it. Moreover, he's probably right about other players feeling the same- Karim Benzema has recently stated he doesn't try as hard when he plays for France as he does for Real Madrid. Better for Ireland to be honest, than turning up for internationals out of a grudging sense of duty and playing crap because he can't motivate himself. At least someone who really wants it can have a go instead.

I quite admire his honesty.

I think whats "wrong with it" is that he seems to talk as if Ireland don't derserve him, the comment about "he didn't sell it to me" says wonders. How many international footballers have had international football "sold" to them? If its an issue with comfort zones etc (aka Marcus Trescothick), then he could just say that couldn't he.

Bottom line is, how will he feel when he is one of a handful of Man City players not at the world cup?

 

[auschr]

I wish Gerrard would retire, save England having a player too scared to get injured for his next game and spend more time passing to the opposition.

 

[Easy 10]

Well thats just silly now isn't it mike.

Anyhoo, I really rate Ireland as a player. He was head and shoulders the best player on the pitch at Withdean last year, and always impresses me with his workrate whenever I see him on the tellybox. I think he's a cracking player.

 

[hopper_182]

I think whats "wrong with it" is that he seems to talk as if Ireland don't derserve him, the comment about "he didn't sell it to me" says wonders. How many international footballers have had international football "sold" to them? If its an issue with comfort zones etc (aka Marcus Trescothick), then he could just say that couldn't he.

Bottom line is, how will he feel when he is one of a handful of Man City players not at the world cup?

Probably the same as Ryan Giggs. glad for the rest over the summer, knowing he will be fresh for the new season. Also it will no doubt extend his playing career by a few years.

oh and he gets to spend time with his kids.

i agree with E10 hes a superb player.

 

[Normal Rob]

Sorry you complete Spaker, i did state at the start of the thread that it was a long story so why comment? :mendoza:

Spaker?

oh and, erm, it was a frivolous comment making reference to what you had already stated! Bit highly strung aren't we?

 

[SpidersLegs]

I wish Gerrard would retire, save England having a player too scared to get injured for his next game and spend more time passing to the opposition.

That's the biggest load of crap I've heard in a long time. What planet you on?

 

[clapham_gull]

I work for an Irish developer who is close to a couple of the Irish players who told me the story about stephen Ireland is that he won't go back with the international squad due to the fact that while he was a young member of the squad he was continually having the piss taken out of him because of his "combover".

He was losing his hair from a young age so used to try covering it over with a Scargill-esque comb over......... ensuring that other members of the squad would really take the piss out of him.

He couldn't take it so............................

And thats the truth behind him not wanting to join up with the squad. Apparently.

The story has been reported in the press over here. When he came back with the comb forward Beatle Cut, he was held down by the other players as they tried to find out whether he was wearing a wig.

Bullying essentiaaly, but I have little sympathy for wearers of the syrup. Looking at it, I would say it was some kind of weave rather than a transplant or a cheap Frankie Howerd.

Isn't this the player who dropped out of the squad by falsely claiming his Grandmother was very ill ?

 

[Easy 10]

Isn't this the player who dropped out of the squad by falsely claiming his Grandmother was very ill ?

Very ill indeed. DEAD in fact.

When said grandmother turned out to be alive and well (after a bit of digging by the press), he then claimed it was his OTHER granny.

Who it then turned out was also alive.

 

[clapham_gull]

Very ill indeed. DEAD in fact.

When said grandmother turned out to be alive and well (after a bit of digging by the press), he then claimed it was his OTHER granny.

Who it then turned out was also alive.

Stupid me, of course it was that player. He was apparently being bullied about his hair and made up an excuse to get out of the squad.

Well he's probably justified in not wanting to play for them, although if you walk into a dressing room with a syrup....

I think he's a great player. I honestly don't take a lot of notice to the premiership (I'd struggle to name more than 4 or 5 Chelsea players, let alone anyone who plays for Arsenal), but this Stephen Ireland chappy always makes me look up.

Only other players who I honestly like to watch on the ball are Rooney and at the moment Craig Bellamy.

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

Partly. Things came to a head when McLaren was putting Wes Orange in the team ahead of him. I'm reading his autobiography at the moment, .

Put the book down, Easy and walk away. It's not too late to save yourself several hours or tedium. I've read his bok and it is shite. In fact, I lost a fair bit of respect for him after reading it.

 

[alan partridge]

I started reading that thinking 'what's this plum going to say now?' but in the end quite enjoyed his honesty.

Shame he couldn't have been a bit more upfront with the granny incident (hadn't his girlfriend had a miscarriage?)

 

[Kalimantan Gull]

I started reading that thinking 'what's this plum going to say now?' but in the end quite enjoyed his honesty.

Shame he couldn't have been a bit more upfront with the granny incident (hadn't his girlfriend had a miscarriage?)

Ditto

 

[seagullsoverlincoln]

Ireland is entitled to his views,but for a young footballer not to want to represent his
country and have the possibility of going to the world cup-its beyond belief and very sad.

 

[Mick Beard BHA]

Stephen Ireland is a complete twat. End of.

 

[Easy 10]

Put the book down, Easy and walk away. It's not too late to save yourself several hours or tedium. I've read his bok and it is shite. In fact, I lost a fair bit of respect for him after reading it.

I'm quite enjoying it actually. Its not as bland as most footballers autobiographies, he's pretty forthright with his opinions. Doesn't come across as a very likable character I'd agree, but I wouldn't call it dull.