Ditto ^
Said the same before and got 'attacked' on here for saying it. He is shite and he really does not give a shit. Puts 80% effort in at most and for one excellent pass he does about 5 shit ones per game. Get rid off him. Prefer Bannan to be honest
:bonk:
Bannan better than Ireland. Yeah that little guy that knocks 60 yard passes to the opposition. Good call
I'm no Ireland lover - imo shit is a bit extreme but so are the calls for our team to be built around him. As for Bannan Championship player at best
He's our best player/most technically gifted, why would you not want to build a team around him??
Because he hasn't proven anything in Villa colours for 2 years. To build a team around such a player, it's a huge call. You said earlier about giving him no position etc..and let him roam. He has scored 1 goal and has 3 assists or something in his 2 seasons at the club! Clearly he has improved but do you put the whole teams attacking and defensive structure around a player who has yet to prove he can do it. We'd need 10 goals, 10 assists and consistently our best player over the season, is he that man? I don't know.
He didnt play in his natural position once last season that i can remember. We have not come anywhere near to seeing the best from Stephen Ireland. If we get someone in like Martinez who wants to play attacking free flowing football, i would expect Ireland would be the first person he would sit down with and tell him his plans.
If Villa fans want to return to playing nice, attractive, attacking football...which we all do, then Stephen Ireland is essential to that.
Lets not kid ourselves, to replace Stephen Ireland with someone else who has his vision and technical ability, you are talking in excess of £10-12m.
Bar Bent, I don't think theres a single player in the squad that is worth anywhere near 10-12m based on performances last season.
Im not saying SI is worth that amount, just that to find someone who can do what he is capable of doing, that is what you would need to spend.