"I am enjoying things immensely, but I am starting to think I am indestructible," said Shaun, who returned from Chelsea at the start of the season.
"I get kicked a lot but I take that as a compliment and just get on with it.
"I do spend a lot of time between games getting treatment but touch wood there has been nothing serious so far.
"My philosophy is that if I can run I can play. When you play like I do then you get used to being kicked.
"You get it in one match and then the next it starts all over again. It gets to the point where you almost get immune to it."
But apart from his own performances, Shaun has joined the chiming chorus of praise lauding 2008 as belonging to Stephen Ireland.
Resurgent
Micah Richards and Richard Dunne have also been quick to hand a verbal pat on the back to a player who almost left the club for a paltry £3m during the summer turmoil when former owner Thaksin Shinawatra was looking to raise money quickly.
The resurgent Ireland will miss the first league game of the New Year at Portsmouth due to a suspension for picking up five yellow cards in the last 11 games but he will watch from the stands knowing that he has already made himself red-hot favourite to land player-of-the-year honours.
And there are those who are already championing the 22-year-old's claims to be in the running for a top PFA prize if he can finish the campaign as he started it.
"My brother Bradley was in the same group at the Academy as Stevie and he was always banging on about what a really good player he was and he has been proved correct," said Wright-Phillips senior.
"In the years I was away I have watched him develop as an all-round midfielder and the improvement is phenomenal. He has become an exceptional talent both on and off the ball."
Skipper Dunne believes it is maturity that has led to his countryman's recent upsurge in form and consistency.
Money
"Stephen has been the best player this season despite all the money available and the international superstars in the squad," he said.
"He has been the one that has shone through. He has worked that hard and been determined, that no matter who we sign he will be first choice when the team is picked.
"The main thing for Stephen is that he has grown up. He was training non-stop throughout the summer because he wants to become the best he possibly can."
And Ireland made it a hat-trick of tributes when another of the homegrown players, Richards, weighed in with his compliments.
"He has been our best player by far. I think he has already done enough to be voted player-of-the-season. He has been unbelievable. He has had a bit of a negative press at times, but he has dealt with it the right way and shut people up through his football," said the England international.
"Stevie has always been one of the most talented players here even as he was progressing through the youth system but now he is playing with better players he is blossoming even more."
What do you think? Have your say.
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Ireland is Superman...
It's very commendable that Shaun does not react to all the kickings he gets, but surely refs should give him more protection. It's ridiculous. Also Mark Hughes should be more vociferous in complaining about the treatment dished out to SWP.
The United game springs to mind. I thought it was disgusting the way he was hacked to the ground every time he got into a good position. A certain manager across the city would not put up with this treatment - and has asked for protection for one of his starlets already. But great Shaun that you bring a smile to game and play the game in the right spirit. Fantastic for us City fans that you have come "home".
Is dunnne having a pop at our international superstars, reading between the lines i don't think richard is a happy chappy with our foreign brigade. I have never knocked dunne but this sounds like sour grapes in a big way. Either get on with it richard, for the love of the team, or do one. Jesus we should be pulling together not making snide comments.
My old man is a real footie, never has and never will understand my passion for the Blues, and never ever singled out a player for that matter. Until he watched Schalke vs City on the German channel and phoned me the next day to tell me that he finally had seen a City-player he thought was worth mentioning ... he didn't now his name, but the player was a midfielder and bold. I told him his name was Superman. Last Saturday when I visited my dad, he told me he had watched MotD. "That player, Superman, he scored and seemed to have played well again".
Im not gonna confuse him anymore by saying his actual name is Ireland and he was born in Ireland.
Definitely PFA Player of The Season it will be an injustice if not. He is now a player of class, vision and high technical ability with many good years to come.
SWP has been working hard andf playing very well. I have not seen any player kicked as much as he has particular by so-called England players namely Man U. this is where we need two hard nuts who can protect SWP, Robinho and Ireland not like the whimps Dunne and Richards. We need two players who are capable enough to tackle fierce and hard, otherwise the abuse on several of our players will continue as referees are prone to let the wreckless but pre meditated illegal tackles carry on.
This question of protection for players is still causing concern. Why, only this weekend I saw "Roo" reduced to having to try and elbow a Stoke player in the mouth and Cristiano having to try to stamp on another, because the ref was STILL letting them get away with trying to win the ball. If only SAF was more vociferous his players might get the same level of protection as SWP and Robinho.
Kicking or no kicking, Shaun has been awful the last two away games.
Eric. Your dad obviously never saw sunday's game coz Superman was bobbins and nearly got himself sent off ! Both Ireland and SWP have been good this season but not as good as some of those biased towards British or Irish players keep crapping on about. I am a big fan of SWP but he's been poor on several occasions and needs to step it up and get some consistency. His distribution is abysmal at times. As for Ireland, well it would be nice if he played well every game but people seem to ignore his many indifferent displays this season. That's not to say he hasn't done well. The main problem is the defence and the stats prove it. Ted Knott you are spot on.
even shaun not at best he still got more passion than most.
IRELAND IS SUPERMAN
Roger The Immortal, Poynton
30/12/2008 at 12:58
take it youve not been going much this year regarding your whinging on the form of ireland and swp!!!
CTID
dave clare, perth australia
30/12/2008 at 10:47
are you sure your reading what everyone else is reading?
Roger Poynton - you're having a laugh arnt you? Ireland has been absolute class all season, taken control of games, ran at teams, vision, skill, guile..if his name ended with an 'o', we'd be going crazy...
Pete,Collyhurst, City of Manchester
30/12/2008 at 10:43
Pete spot on mate -
Taggert would be well kicking off ...Thats what annoys me with Hughes - no go in him..no 4th official ear bending and even his press comments after the game are abismal.
SWP has had his head down for the last couple of games as someone did say on the review, but I think the little man in Jan 09 will be hopefully buzzing playing hopefully once again with decent talent!
nuff said
General rule of thumb, When someone tells Ted he is "Spot on", THEY are not. Stevie is worth his weight in diamonds. If SWP was as big as his passion and heart, He'd be playing for the Lakers.
Roger, the immortal ... You were probably one of a lot that booed Ireland last season and slagged him whenever possible. Seems you didn't get that out of your system yet. Regarding your comment my dad has more brains about football than you have.
Btw, I did see Sundays' game and Ireland wasn't at his best. Says what?
Indeed he got himself nearly sent off. He seemed a bit frustrated to me as the game went past him due to too many long balls and the inabillity from Ball, Dunne and try and build up decently. Winners mentality?
What I dont get is all this talk of the need for a striker. We are the second strongest when it comes to goals scored,midfield and defence should be top of the list Comments please
Indestructible? - He's the most lightweight player in the Premiership.
As for his finishing - just as bad as it was in his first three seasons here (couldn't hit a barn door). Hopefully he will come good next year and get the goals his play deserves....
SWP needs to play to his strengths and realise that if he carries the ball for too long he WILL be knocked off it. Give and go Shaun' give and go son....
"I am enjoying things immensely, but I am starting to think I am indestructible," said Shaun
Wish you hadn't said that Shaun. Cue 6 months out injured!!
M9 - do I detect a bit of jealousy there? Come on face the facts or stats if you like IAM SPOT ON anyhow it doesn't take a rocket scientist to realise our defence (Zab apart) are very vunerable and boy are you childish castigating me so much because you dont agree with my views --GROW UP FOR GODS SAKE and take your blinkers off....thanks to the growing list of correspondents that support my comments it is much appriciated.....
SWP is the reason we're playing so well ! Yes, Stevie Ireland is playing out his skin right now but the difference between them both is that SWP gets twice as much attention as SI. You look next time SI is on the ball and it'll be a one on one whereas Shaunie will have two on him with one more nearby. You morons who say give and go....give me a break.....as he holds onto the ball, you watch all the opposition being pulled out of position as they expect him do something with the ball at his feet, creating space for everyone else.
Eric,Geo and Gerry. Eric, I would doubt your dad knows more about football than me mate. In fact I know he doesnt. Geo and Gerry. Ireland has not been class all season .He has played extremely well at times but stop being biased towards UK or Irish pplayers. He's been bobbins on several occasions and was bobbins all last season and you are talking to someone who rates his skil and ability. He's my kind of player because he is a pure footballer. But to say he's been great in every game i can think of many games that I've been to where he has been less than great guys. As for my own City credentials Ive been to every home game ( virtually ) since 1970. He was crap against Blackburn, West Brom, Fulham, Bolton and these are all recent games so stop talking through your backside !
Works hard all game for you, but he as been quite imo recently in what we need him to do best. Not doubting his quality but we could really do with him getting some form back!
CTID.
Great to see the praises SI is receiving from his teamates. He may finally live up to the tag of being the best player to come out of Ireland since Liam Brady. Got a fair way to go yet though. Watched the Blackbrn game once more and whilst the contribution of Sturridge cannot be overstated for me Kompany was our best player. On another issue for any City fans based in or around Perth WA. The MCFC Perth Supporters will be meeting at Bobby Dazzlers, Murray Street at 7.30pm 3/1/09. Look forward to seeing yer there.
Indestructible? - He's the most lightweight player in the Premiership.
As for his finishing - just as bad as it was in his first three seasons here (couldn't hit a barn door). Hopefully he will come good next year and get the goals his play deserves....
Edski Vega, Nottingham
30/12/2008 at 15:28
Clearly not a City fan who submitted the above comments, surely levelling that much criticism at one of our finest , you cant be a blue, can you??
I for one am glad SWP came back, yes he isnt the biggest player we've got but I would rather have him on our side than playing against us. His game is progressing, he is getting better, but you cant expect everything from one single player.
Most of your posts on here are critical of MCFC, leave them alone, they will come good, but it will take the full support of all the fans that go, not moaning armchair blog posters like you.