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Are you watching .. Stephen Ireland!

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posted on 8/6/12

Don't need players like him, I would prefer players like Paul Green and McShane at least they're proud to wear the jersey and try their best for their country

posted on 8/6/12

Although he is a tool of the highest order he is a class player and would walk back into the team. Not saying I want him back though....

Anyone else getting kinds giddy about Sunday? Butterflies in my stomach and smile on my face whenever I think about! COYBIG

posted on 8/6/12

Anybody remember Andy Reid? 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

I honestly don't see the hype about this guy, he had one good season at Man City, where he was surrounded by high quality players who made him look good and he has since been found out at every other club he's gone to.

"laissezz-faire" definitely sums up his attitude on the pitch. Sure he has good touch and passing, but in the modern game you need an awful lot more than just that to be a top player.

Even the most talented players in the game like Messi and Van Persie track back and work harder in defence than Ireland does

That's why I found it laughable when he quit Ireland and started giving all these crackpot interviews to journalists

A seriously delusional player who probably though he was making a brave stand and being a hero and popular rebel like Roy Keane, when in reality everyone was just laughing at him.

Good riddance.

posted on 8/6/12

New Aston Villa manager Paul lambert won't put up with his Diva type behaviour that for sure!!

He'll be off to join Fleetwood Town with NIreland star player David Healy

posted on 8/6/12

Anybody remember Andy Reid? 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
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And you are purposely forgetting to add that at the time when he was being ignored by trap, he was the best Irish midfielder. He was doing brilliant for Sunderland but was being ignored for Glen 'New Gattuso' Whelan who by the way wasn't even making the bench for Stoke. Apparently he was too much of an attacking midfielder for Ireland so we had to put up with invisible Glen and work hard Keith. Nowadays he is out of shape again so I wouldn't have him anywhere near the squad but back then, he was the best Irish midfielder apart from maybe Stephen Ireland if he counts.

posted on 8/6/12

Maybe we should do what England do instead and pointlessly call up players for international games whenever they have a few good games at club level, i.e. Jay Boothroyd, Bobby Zamora.

England chop and change their starting XI for every friendly and every competitive game and the manager always bows to media and fan pressure to call up which ever player happens to be on good form that particular month.

Lots of continuity and organisation there.

I guess that's why they've done so well at tournements in recent years

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?

comment by Reiver (U13607)

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...

comment by (U11421)

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.

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