Are you watching, are you watching ,Stephen Ireland!!!
Wonder is this young man sitting at home and casting an envious eye to the East in the direction of Poznan!!!
Where did it all go wrong Stephen?? You could have been part of a Euro Championship qualifying squad but for your own ego and belief that you were bigger than the team.
Take a look at Darron Gibson and lately James Mc Clean for example .Both these players have had to put with sectarian abuse just because they have made decision to play for the team they grew up supporting all their lives.
You could say both these players have actually taken a risk for deciding to play for Ireland.
And then you look at the likes of Stephen Ireland!! A man who said he was happier spending time at home relaxing rather than flying over to Dublin and beyond to represent his country!!
Well we don't need players with that laissezz-faire attitude. Our side is made up of men who would run through brick walls in order to represent their country!!
Something Richard Dunne litteraly did out in Moscow when he sent himself and a Russian player crashing onto the running track surrounding the pitch and into an Advertising hoarding.
"I said put on some more Russians, there are no more Russians"!!!!!
Just shows how far we have come that Stephen of Cobh probably wouldn't get near our side if he did make himself available for selection.
COYBIG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Are you watching .. Stephen Ireland!
posted on 8/6/12
And whos that comment aimed at? It wouldn't need to be aimed at me as ive said nothing of the sort. And its a bit ironic you say that as James McClean has been called up after one good half of a season.
If you think Andy Reid had a few good games then your wrong. He was top class and better than any Irish midfielder for two years and much much better than Glen 'ive no talent but jaysus I work hard' Whelan. Since 2010 he has put the weight back on and doesnt deserve a call up. Look at Reids career statistics, 45 goals and 63 assists for a midfielder. Better than anything wee Glen will have achieved. And im not just saying, im just saying.
posted on 8/6/12
And you are purposely forgetting to add that at the time when he was being ignored by trap, he was the best Irish midfielder.
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Rubbish! Reid was never a top player. Yes, he had a good left peg and could conjure up a decent cross or through ball now and again but his overall game was poor. Couldn’t tackle, couldn’t track back….things that are needed by the modern midfielder. I’m not saying Whelan or Andrews are better players but I remember Trap not picking Reid and the fuss about it. You would swear he had dropped Messi!!
posted on 8/6/12
Anybody remember Liam Brady? I remember everyone saying back in the day how we needed him and how it was a disgrace how he wasn't in the team? I wouldn't want him or Ireland anywhere near the squad!
posted on 8/6/12
Brady = legend. He is the reason im an Arsenal fan!
posted on 8/6/12
Fair enough he wasn't a top player as in one of the best in the premier league, but at the time he was the best Irish player bar Stephen Ireland. You say he couldn't tackle or track back? Whelan and Andrews can barely bass a ball. The cant even string a decent ball forward and are not very good at tackling themselves.But to be fair they work hard and that's all you need to be an Irish midfielder isn't it?When it comes to passing a ball forward to Keano or Doyle, they struggle. These are simple things that are needed by a modern midfielder. Gibson is a better passer of the ball then they are and thats saying somethin.Im not one for hyping young McCarthy but even he is better than Glenn and Keith, yet wont even get a look in in a friendly because he 'wont track back'
No doubt you were one of the idiots supporting traps decision to call up players like Green, Kilbane, Keogh and McShane over more talented players. Sure Green and McShane deserve to be at the Euros ahead of Wilson and Coleman dont they?
posted on 8/6/12
Fact is, Ireland showed he had the potential to be the greatest ROI midfielder of his generation. Seems Ireland, a sensitive young man, was handled in a very insensitive way which lead to him developing an antipathy towards representing his country. Surely the ROI management were as much to blame as Stephen. Reid, in his day, was also perhaps the second best ROI midfielder available. Liam Brady was a genius! Today I would say midfield along with possibly central defence are the weak areas of the ROI side. They could do with midfielders of the quality of Ireland and Reid! If they come up short at this Euro opportunity, Im sure questions will be raised regarding the team selection!
posted on 9/6/12
Ghodfather, I liked Reid myself but to be honest he just didn't fit into this team. Ireland may have but sadly we will never know.
I've been very frustrated with some of Traps selections but he's got us so strong in shape and tactics that I can't argue anymore.
My team would be
Given
Coleman O'Shea Dunne Ward
McGeady/Duff McCarthy Gibson McLean
Keane Walters
I'd swap McGeady or Duff to whoever's playing better and put Long on up front for either striker. But while I think this a much better team Trap has his methods and they've worked a treat....
Anyways lets enjoy this and come on ye boys in green...
posted on 9/6/12
Hosed, how's she cuttin?Will Doc Rivers have the other boys in green set up right in Miami?
posted on 9/6/12
Why do people keep mentioning Brady, Reid and Ireland in the same sentence??? Like comparing Paul Green with Roy Keane
Brady was genuinely world class... the other two are second rate, average premier league quality and always have been.
They would be completely useless in the current Ireland team, unless you used them as impact subs for the last 20, they'd get exposed defensively as they did many times in the past against Cyprus (2-5) and Israel (2-2).
In an international team there is no point making these attacking midfielder types the focal point of your team unless they are champions league standard. otherwise the other 10 players on the pitch have to work 100 times harder to compensate for their constant lack of work rate (and talent).
.... That's ok if the player is Messi, Robben or Modric, but not Ireland or Reid
posted on 9/6/12
You know fine well no one even compared Reid and Ireland to Liam Brady. Your just looking for any excuse to use the smileyface as many times as possible to make it look like you have a clue what your talking about.