Sven's praise for Ireland

Chris Bailey

October 09, 2007

SVEN Goran Eriksson has praised Stephen Ireland for the "incredible" work-rate he displayed in the game against Middlesbrough.

The Blues midfielder has held his place in the City side despite admitting last month that he lied about the death of his two grandmothers in a bid to be released from international duty so he could be with his girlfriend Jessica who had suffered a miscarriage.

However, Ireland has withdrawn from Steve Staunton's squad for the upcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers with Germany and Cyprus.

"I would like to see the statistics from the Middlesbrough game because the work-rate he produced on Sunday was absolutely incredible," declared the Blues manager. "He is a fantastic footballer and has shown that in the last few games."

Ireland was left out of the home game against Villa because Eriksson felt the player wasn't mentally in the correct frame of mind to play.

However, as soon as the manager could bring the youngster back into the fold, Ireland was restored to the righthand side of the City engine room where he has struck up a fruitful partnership with Elano.

"Not to bring him back would, as you say in England, have been to shoot ourselves in the foot," reasoned Eriksson.

"The last few games he has played for us, he has been fantastic. He ran for miles on Sunday against Boro, showed good discipline and was tactically very aware.

"He could have a couple of goals as well. He was very good. Stephen is a good boy and nice young man. He may have had some problems and we have had to try and resolve those as much as possible.

"Stephen will have all the help that he needs and as a footballer he can only get better and better."

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Cookie, Droylsden (09/10/2007 at 12:27)

Getting better every game playing along side Elano, Petrov, Hamann and Johnson. Dodgy barnet though!

the mole, a dark place (09/10/2007 at 12:31)

Played well Sunday.Just needs the consistency now.One swallow don't make a summer

woolleyback blue, Heart of the City (09/10/2007 at 12:34)

I confess I was one of Ireland's critics at the start of the season I didn't think he had the speed of thought or foot to fit into Sven's newly created team. How wrong I was, he pushed Elano very hard for MOM against the bar codes and donkey face's middlesboro. It's another case of showing just how good a judge of a footballer Sven is and how brilliant he is at bringing them along at just the right pace. Elano's the catalyst that makes the whole thing tick but you have to have players around him who can play with him and develop that radar with him, Ireland is definately one of those on Elano's wavelength.

bluejedi (09/10/2007 at 12:41)

Ireland was awsome against middlesborough.

But what I want to know whats with the hair he had now hair at the front know he has.

Did he have alapecia and its back now has he had a hair transplant is it hair exstentions or is it a wig.

It looks like a wig i dont mind if it is a wig because since he has been wearing his wig he is playing like he owns the right wing he took on 5 middlesborough players and beat them all.

Peter Doherty. As good as it gets! Levenshulme. (Debt Free) (09/10/2007 at 12:44)

pure class

mozza_100, Ashton-under-Lyne (09/10/2007 at 12:48)

If he can score between 5 and 10 goals this season and continue to play as he has been doing we'll have a 6million pound player.

Chris, Chorlton (09/10/2007 at 12:54)

Grannygate! - It is common knowledge among true City fans that it is accepted practice for first team players to fake the death of their grandmothers, in order to protect them from the amorous advances of young United players!

barnsey (09/10/2007 at 13:01)

Chris, Chorlton.
you obviously dont know wat ya talkin about united's young players are they the one's that got stuffed by coventry???

ooh man city the only football team to come from manchester

MCFCYoungShawsy, Manchester (09/10/2007 at 13:01)

I have always rated Ireland but not on the right of midfield where I feel we need someone new. He will keep getting better with time and will compete with MJ for starting place alongside Elano.

Elano whoa, Elano whoa,
He comes from a sunny place,
To put United in their place,

Elano whoa, Elano whoa,
He comes from Brazil,
To show Ronaldo real skill

MCFCYoungShawsy, Manchester (09/10/2007 at 13:05)

You are Elano, Blumer Elano,
You make me happy scoring goals, Who needs Ronaldo when we've Elano, So please don't take Elano away.

The Goat's Big Toe (09/10/2007 at 13:05)

For all round natural ability Ireland is up there with Elano (just read Micah Richard's blog on the BBC about how highly rated he is by the rest of the team)

It's just a case of getting him focused and giving him the confidence he needs to let that ability shine on match days.

Having one of the world's current best players training with you all week is obviously going to help!

If, like Johnson, Ireland comes good then we really are transforming into a team that can take on anyone.

The Newcastle and Middlesbrough victories have blown away all those pessimistic, moaning, negative vibes that have been hanging round the club for so long.

Let's hope it continues and Ireland turns into the player he's capable of being (on Sunday that volley from Elano's free kick was sublime!)

francis lee's bellybutton, manchester (09/10/2007 at 13:06)

john merricks side are next at home- so lets make sure goblin head gets a taste of the new Man City.I predict another 3-1.

French Tony's Jacksie, On the floor (09/10/2007 at 13:38)

Bluejedi, a great turn of phrase mate. Keep up the good work.

I agree with all the good things said about Ireland. However, what I think he lacks is an eye for goal. There were several times against Boro when he could have had a pop, or continued a run into the area but he opted for the pass, which took away the attacking momentum. Put your foot through the ball lad!

Paul Lake's Knee (09/10/2007 at 13:41)

Not loving the dead rat on his head - but loving the way he is playing... will get better the stronger he gets... not the brightest of chaps (Barton used to rib him for being thick!!!!) but can't be as thick as Darren Huckerby.

Keep it us Stephen

CTID

Beenie's Ghost, Bottom of the Irwell (09/10/2007 at 13:45)

Steve had grown in confidence and stature with practically every game this season. Training effectively with the boys from brazil, MJ, and Didi is always paying huge dividends.
I can see it something on his hair tonight whoa-oh. and ive a feeling its glued on pretty tight whoa-oh.

blue moon risin [songster n' poet] (09/10/2007 at 13:57)

franny lees bellybutton
cruel. but well observed!!.pmsfl . got a lidl ditty in pipeline bout him.

Jimmy Grimble, On loan from Manchester to Rickmansworth (09/10/2007 at 14:05)

Chris, Chorlton - great post mate. I personally faked the death of both my grandmothers when Shrek started spending more time in Manchester.

J (Original) (09/10/2007 at 14:07)

FLB - "John Merrick" - Hilarious! Can't stop chuckling.

Dickov.....Can you believe it!!!, Wembley, 1999 (09/10/2007 at 14:16)

MCFCYoungShawsy, Manchester

Great Elano song - someone (are you listening Ed) should get all the best songs printed onto a song sheet and distribute them before the Brum game.

In Sven We Trust. CTID

anglo-saxon rcfc, Raleigh, North Carolina, in exile. (09/10/2007 at 14:25)

I'm not a "fan" of Mpenza or Ireland, but a couple of weeks ago the pie humble hove into view re both of them.

Phil, Sheffield (09/10/2007 at 14:28)

Nice one FLB!

Ireland is class. Yes he did a lot of good defensive work too on saturday as well as the usual silky skills going forward.

Bluetooth, Manchester (09/10/2007 at 14:55)

FLB - LOL - loved the John Merrick reference.

Ireland has great natural talent, but can drift out of games. On Sunday though he got stuck in and was excellent, especially when he took 4 defenders to the corner flag before winning a corner.

LEE HUDSON (09/10/2007 at 15:18)

And then Stevie Ireland pulls out of the ROI squad cos his head is still not in the right place. I cant blame him, his stability is far more important than ROI or Man City and i hope he can get it together as soon as possible for Steven Ireland the man and the footballer.

blue le manc, Barrow (09/10/2007 at 15:35)

personally I dont think ireland is good enough...yet! I imagine that he will get better but at the moment he is not at the required standard of the new look city team who I believe are immense! I wouldn't mind seeing SWP shooting up and down that wing again in a sky blue shirt! HINT HINT sven christmas is near

mike summerbee's handbag, manchester (09/10/2007 at 16:16)

What is it with certain city fans - can't recognise class when they see it? Ireland has been a talent all the way through the academy and is one of the best passers with an eye for a telling ball. His hair is his own affair. If I was a young man going a bit thin and earning a very good salary I would do exactly the same, if its alright for Shane Warne et al why not Ireland? Against Boro he could have had a hat trick - one difficult volley kept down but blocked, one cracking volley saved at the post and one shot just over the bar. Richard Edgehill was forced out of the club by malcontents, Sun Jihail gets unfair stick - yes he is limited but he does a job and we cant have a team full of Elano's. Get off the players back and be true supporters.

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