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So....Stephen Ireland......

  • 11-02-2008 12:32AM
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,584 ✭✭✭


    Ive asked this before in the odd thread but never got a response.

    Aside from the whole grannygate thing, as we know there was word of the whole thing being caused by what he perceived as bullying over, a...ha...haha.... an alledged hair transplant. Anyone any knowledge of whether he has, if at all, interacted with any of his fellow Irish EPL players since September. From the papers Ive only heard any type of word from

    Duff: only in passing, but he said back in his day the younger players wouldnt have said boo to a goose, but from what he said Ireland sounded like he had balls like boulders in dealing with the older players and management.

    Hunt: if I recall correctly he said he wasnt aware of any massive amount of bullying, but if he had got some stick he should get over himself and realise thats what lads do (he also mentioned that if it had been hair related he should grow up, as Hunt himself mentioned he gets no end of stick from the lads over his own hairdo :D Which Id well imagine, after nothing but blade 2s from age 12 or so I decided to let her grow from about Jan to April 07 no cuts. The lads took the piss, I scored like a mutha****a :D )

    Talk about peer pressure, I went back to blade 2s after two incidents of skangers roaring "get a ****in hair cut" from cars twice last summer. And when she saw photos of me the current bird says I looked woeful with it :D Ah well)

    Givens: ah.....who cares.....we all know

    Both Sven and Stan seemed to largely stick up for him.

    So, post Man U v Man C did him and John O Shea interact? Reading v Man C did he shake hands and chat with An Tri Muscatiri? Him and Shay chat post Newky? Anyone know if he still has any type of rapport/contact with the players?


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Comments

  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 23,139 Mod ✭✭✭✭Bounty Hunter


    well he obviously does with his club captain Richard Dunne, who writes an article for some newspaper maybe NOTW and iirc Dunne has said that he wants him back playing for Ireland, has said this to Stephen and hopes the next coach will approach him immediatley about it. dont think many of the others have spoke out about the subject though


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 20,617 ✭✭✭✭PHB


    Surely Dunne as his captain must be an influence over him. I think he'll come back.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,103 ✭✭✭estebancambias


    I'm convinced if Trappa is announced as manager, we will get Finnan and Ireland back.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,584 ✭✭✭shane86


    PHB wrote: »
    Surely Dunne as his captain must be an influence over him. I think he'll come back.

    *slaps head*

    All my "does he shake hands with Given/McShane/the Reading 3/O`Shea" post match and I forget he plays with Dunne :confused:

    re what esteban said, do yis reckon Finnans retirement was more of a threat, a kick up the arse to the FAI to do things right by previously one of our strongest and most commited players? That he will come back?


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 23,139 Mod ✭✭✭✭Bounty Hunter


    I would doubt it was a threat but often players are convinced to make a U-turn on international retirement and prehaps soeone like Trapa could convince Finnan that it would be worth his while.

    doubt it personally but i do think that S.Ireland will play under the next Gaffer


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 41,077 ✭✭✭✭Xavi6


    Stevie Ireland lookalike...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 729 ✭✭✭scruff321


    fair balls to stephen ireland for sortin out that mop (or lack of) woulda done the same.id say he will come back we need all the quality players we can get, stevy finnan wont come back imo no chance


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,911 ✭✭✭✭whatawaster


    We need him. I thought he was superb against United.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 26,567 ✭✭✭✭Fratton Fred


    I haven't been following this too closely, other than the whole granny/girlfriend thing, which in my mind is a case of some things being more important than football, but other than that, what is it he has done wrong? I read in the Metro that Givens is waiting for him to contact him, but surely it is up to the manager to contact players he wants in the squad?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 41,926 ✭✭✭✭_blank_


    I haven't been following this too closely, other than the whole granny/girlfriend thing, which in my mind is a case of some things being more important than football, but other than that, what is it he has done wrong?
    Some people think he shouldn't have lied about hi grannies dying.

    Some people don't think the miscarriage story is true.

    I read in the Metro that Givens is waiting for him to contact him, but surely it is up to the manager to contact players he wants in the squad?
    Manager should be naming the squad, and contacting the players before, I agree with this alright.

    I mean, if everyone who wanted a game for Ireland had to contact Givens, I'd be on the phone to him tomorrow ffs.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,372 ✭✭✭✭Mr Alan


    but didnt Ireland withdraw from selection after the whole grannygat/lying thing?

    if he withdrew (which i think he did), he shoudl let someone know he is available for selection again.

    he is a class player, but we shouldnt be hounding anyone to play for their country. they either want to, or they can piss off.

    Roy keane wasnt bigger than his country, and he was 1000 times the player ireland is, Ireland is just a young upstart, with a dodgy barnet. if he wants to play, i'm sure a word with Richard Dunne to pass on that sentiment is all it would take. but the ball is in his court


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 41,926 ✭✭✭✭_blank_


    Mr Alan wrote: »
    if he withdrew (which i think he did), he shoudl let someone know he is available for selection again.

    he is a class player, but we shouldnt be hounding anyone to play for their country. they either want to, or they can piss off.
    The (caretaker) manager should ring him before every squad.

    That isn't hounding. That is man-management.
    Mr Alan wrote: »
    Roy keane wasnt bigger than his country, and he was 1000 times the player ireland is, Ireland is just a young upstart, with a dodgy barnet. if he wants to play, i'm sure a word with Richard Dunne to pass on that sentiment is all it would take. but the ball is in his court

    The ball is in the new manager's court tbh.

    Bad hair? So bleedin' what?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,103 ✭✭✭estebancambias


    If natural talent exists, I'm sure Ireland has more of it than Roy Keane had.


  • Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators Posts: 18,973 Mod ✭✭✭✭Kimbot


    Also remember when Keane came back it was the manager that contacted him to get him back not the other way around as far as I know.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,372 ✭✭✭✭Mr Alan


    DesF wrote: »
    The (caretaker) manager should ring him before every squad.

    That isn't hounding. That is man-management.

    no he shouldnt. not when Ireland had withdrawn in the first place.

    if someone said they didnt wanna play for Bordeaux anymore, for watever personal reason mental issues etc etc, would you continue to ring them before every game to see if they fancied returning to the fold? doubt it.


    DesF wrote: »
    The ball is in the new manager's court tbh.

    Bad hair? So bleedin' what?

    Hair is very important when it comes to footballers.

    http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40972000/jpg/_40972848_lg_pa.jpg

    http://www.liverpoolpies.tv/torres%20(2).jpg

    http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42269000/jpg/_42269704_gerrardtintin203.jpg

    :cool::cool::cool::cool:

    thats just how i roll.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,117 ✭✭✭CrowdedHouse


    .... but I have to say the commentary(particularly on radio) is less confusing when he's not playing :D

    Seven Worlds will Collide



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,365 ✭✭✭✭super_furry


    Don Givens couldn't manage a team of under-fives, nevermind the Irish national team. The list of players that he's fallen out with is huge and I certainly wouldn't blame Ireland for what happened.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 609 ✭✭✭Dubit10


    We shouldnt go asking him to play for Ireland.It's his country. If he doesnt want to play for us then he can **** off.It should be a privelage for him:mad: Dont believe his miscarrige story neither


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,103 ✭✭✭estebancambias


    To a point I agree, playing for your country should be important and be a privelage to him, but I believe it is.

    However he pulled out of the squad, he like any other player should expect a call.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 36,714 ✭✭✭✭LuckyLloyd


    I'm in the "**** anyone who doesn't want to play for Ireland" camp. When he wants to, he should announce his availability for selection. Then he should not be selected for at least one squad after that happens.

    It is one thing when Steve Finnan (+50 caps, honest service) announces retirement with a couple of years left on the clock. Quite another when you have young players like Ireland and Richie Foran (lol) exhibiting delusions of grandeur.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,372 ✭✭✭✭Mr Alan


    Mr Alan wrote: »
    no he shouldnt. not when Ireland had withdrawn in the first place.

    if someone said they didnt wanna play for Bordeaux anymore, for watever personal reason mental issues etc etc, would you continue to ring them before every game to see if they fancied returning to the fold? doubt it.

    Des.........


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 41,926 ✭✭✭✭_blank_


    Mr Alan wrote: »
    Des.........
    Yes.

    I've done it.

    A player left for a season, and I asked him to come back.

    He came back.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,372 ✭✭✭✭Mr Alan


    did he leave due to physcological reasons?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 41,926 ✭✭✭✭_blank_


    Mr Alan wrote: »
    did he leave due to physcological reasons?
    Erm...I don't think so. :D

    He is a bit of a nutball though.

    But.

    If it WAS psychological reasons, is that even more of a reason for the manager to call him?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,372 ✭✭✭✭Mr Alan


    NO! thats all the reason in the world to give him space till he is ready to come back. Not to pressure him. BUT when he wants to come back he has to ask. as i said, ball is very firmly in his court.

    although with the new manager situation, it makes it a little easier to sort, he can call him once, see if he is ready to come back, if he is not, then leave him alone till he is ready.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 10,921 ✭✭✭✭Pigman II


    I'd feel a bit weird cheering Ireland in the green again now that I know he wears a crown-topper.

    It'd be like we had 12 players out on the pitch there (Ten men, one boy and a wookie). It's just not fair to the opposition.

    Andy Townsends contact lenses popping out during that 0-0 with Liechtenstein was bad enough but what would happen if Stevies "hair" blew off with 5 mins to go in a tough away game Montenegro? Would he 'wig out' again and go chasing his furry friend around the pitch instead of the ball?

    The boy's not right!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,658 ✭✭✭✭Peyton Manning


    Off topic, I drew a nice little MS Paint comic today involving Stephen Ireland's sudden growth of hair and Cesc Fabregas's rumoured £3,000 leaser chest hair removal. Wont post it up here, PM if you want a link :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,625 ✭✭✭✭BaZmO*


    Ireland stated at the time that he wanted to take a break from International football, and as we all know it was a very public announcement. I don't see why someone like Givens needs to ring him up every time he's picking a team especially considering that he's only a caretaker manager. I also don't think he should have made the comments about Ireland, when asked, Givens should have just said we all know what the situation is.

    However, I think that a new manager would be mad not to contact Ireland to see if he was available for selection. It'd be silly just to wait for the player to declare his availability.

    Pigman II wrote: »
    ...but what would happen if Stevies "hair" blew off...
    I was actually genuinely wondering about this the other day. How is the thing attached?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 36,714 ✭✭✭✭LuckyLloyd


    I know that Ireland gets a kind of free pass around here because people are sympathetic with regards to his personal problems. But remember that this is the player who declared that he would not play for Ireland so long as Brian Kerr was manager.

    He might just be more trouble than he is worth.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 10,921 ✭✭✭✭Pigman II


    LuckyLloyd wrote: »
    He might just be more trouble than he is worth.

    Much like his new barnet.


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