Ireland eyes NUFC transfer.

Can Ireland hit the net for us this time?
Stephen Ireland is finally fit – hurrah – and claims that he is ready and willing to prove his worth to Newcastle in the final few games of the season and earn a summer move to St James’ Park.

The loan of Stephen Ireland from Aston Villa has turned into a bit of a farce if I’m being honest as a string of injuries have meant that the 24-year-old has been unable to pull on the back and white shirt and show his worth to the Newcastle faithful.

Some ‘church-going’ NUFC fans have even singled Ireland out for criticism after he was photographed in a nightclub with fellow Irishmen Leon Best and Stephen Folan shortly after St Patrick’s Day, despite the trio not being involved in any club engagements that weekend. Heaven forbid.

It’s all in the past now of course, and now Ireland is looking to repay the faith, time and effort that has been shown in him by the Newcastle backroom staff. Speaking to The Chronicle, Ireland had this to say about his injury ‘nightmare’:

“It has been an absolute nightmare – it feels like I have not kicked a ball for so long. I have not played competitively for so long and it has been difficult.”

It’s been just as frustrating for Newcastle fans aswell in all honesty. Here we have a player who can be excellent, but seems to have lost his way a little bit. At only 24 though, Ireland still has plenty of time to regain the kind of form that he displayed for Manchester City which made him one of the most highly-rated midfielders at one point.

It hasn’t worked out for him at Aston Villa, but to be fair he wasn’t given much of a chance. Gerard Houllier seemed to take a dislike to Ireland, for whatever reason, and then treat him like rubbish by leaving him out of matchday squads and criticising him in public. Players have different personalities and character traits, and some of them need handling differently. I think that Ireland could be one of those who needs an arm around him. Ireland said:

“When the new manager came in at Villa, I was left out of eight squads in a row – and that hurts. The lads were going away to hotels and playing games, and I felt really isolated at home.”

What matters going forward is whether or not Ireland can perform for us. After four months it will take him time to get back into the swing of things, but he’ll have to do that if he wants to earn a move. Talking about earning a summer transfer, Ireland said:

“This is a good place for me to settle in the next few months, and who knows what could happen in the summertime. It could turn out to be permanent. We don’t know, or it could turn into a loan again. We will see what happens in the next two months.”

We’ll see indeed!

In other news…

I’ve read a few comments about how much Stephen Ireland gossip there is about compared to news about other players like Hatem Ben Arfa and Dan Gosling, so to address that I thought that I would give a quick update on the pair.

Dan Gosling is a week or so away from resuming training apparently, although whether that is full training, light training or whatever is unknown. I’d hazard a guess that we will only see a fleeting glimpse of him this season, if at all.

Hatem Ben Arfa is still stepping up his training as he recovers from that horrific leg break. This week he is training with the reserves before making the step up to training with the first team next week. There have been no setbacks so far although it is still early days.

So there you go!

About toonsy

A lifelong Newcastle fan and current webmaster of this very 'blog who has the sole aim of creating a place by Newcastle United fans, for Newcastle United fans.

54 thoughts on “Ireland eyes NUFC transfer.

  1. Ireland doesn’t have long to impress, we all know he has the ability someone it just seems it takes something fro him to produce it.

    I never really considered a second loan in the summer – that could well be a good option for us then in January sign him if all goes well.

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  2. The second loan bit is interesting. Never crossed my mind to be honest. It would be sensible as we could take a proper look at him before rushing in and then finding out that he turns out to be **** for us.

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  3. I read that article and it didnt really have the content the title suggests for me. I am a big Ireland fan and would like to see him stay, I think he would prove a great foil for HBA in behind a target man. Many may know I like the 4-3-3 formation!

    Toonsy – getting a bit uzi style arent we?!?! 😉

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  4. Agreed. If there isn’t enough evidence to sign him up perminate then loan to buy in the summer. Problem is if anyone comes in for him he’ll be off as villa will want to be rid. At his age and potential, I can’t see someone not coming in for him at 6 to 8 mil, especially some teams finishing near the bottom who will be desperate to change things round. I can see the likes of west ham brum or fulham being in for him in the summer.

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  5. Which is why we are in a great position in that he knows the club and what its all about to make the decision should Pards want him.

    Toonsy – you end up handing it in then bud? I just had a call to tell me ive got an interview so I hope to be in the very same position in 2 weeks time!

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  6. Joey Barton and Stephen Ireland…two “fiery” and “outspoken” players in the same squad…time will show if they get along and want to fight for the cause…i.e. NUFC.. 🙄

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  7. Munich – They should be alright. They used to be best buds at Man City so can’t see a problem 🙂

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  8. Maybe the club are using the Ireland situation to try and force JB´s hand ? We all know what JB can do, whereas Ireland is an unknown quantity… 😕

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  9. toonsy…congrats with the new job bud, it´s understandable that you had second thoughts, but well done. At least you´ll see the back of the dreaded night shift by all accounts 😀

    Am sure JB and Ireland will get along. Maybe thats what we need at the club, a bunch of fiery characters with never-say-die attitudes ?

    If Jose Enrique doesn´t wanna stay, then flock him, let him go. If we really expect loyalty in football then we are all a bit naive. A footy players career is short, he has his eye on Champs League and the Spanish left back berth. Nowt wrong with that for the lad, we would all think the same way. If we could also get a pay rise thrown in who wouldn¨t settle for that ? Sorry like, doesn´t make good reading, but thats the way the cooky crumbles… 😥 😥 😥 😥

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  10. I remember agreeing a job then when I got the contract they had put me on a 6 months notice period, and offered me 1 weeks holiday less ! …it all worked out nicely in the end, but was a bit dodge city as I had already put me notice in… 😳 😳

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  11. Raffo…when you are upper management like toonsy, they want to get rid of you as soon as possible, so you cannot cause any more stress… 😆 😆 😆

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  12. Villa’s new manager might not want to sell or loan him out when Houllier gets the old heave ho 😉 😆

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  13. Munich…still unpacking mate, then packing a load into more boxes to go into storage 🙁 just had a quick brew before starting again 😥

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  14. Sandwich? Short of a picnic 😉

    Raffo – They’ve known about it for a month now so technically I’ve been on notice for a while, just not officially.

    Munich – There’ll still be some night shifts, but not EVERY night. More like two or three every few weeks 😉

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  15. I am a big Ireland fan but the second loan seems perfect for us but am guessing that loan will have a buying clause in it, which would suit me :mrgreen:

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  16. Richie-Saw your reply for the Freeman hospital enquiry mate..Thanks a lot..Would also appreciate it if somebody can help me a bit more…Can you lot tell me wheater there is any kind of racism in Newcastle?Kinda worried about that sort of stuff..

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  17. Deepak – Not really mate. Certainly no more than there is anywhere else in the UK. It used to be bad (National Front at SJP 😯 ), as it was everywhere over here, but thankfully times have moved on and attitudes have changed so I wouldn’t worry.

    You’ve been listening to Worky too much 😉 He reckons everyone is racist you know 😉

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  18. Toonsy-He he…perhaps.But,have been hearing in media reports and from some people around me that there is some racism prevalent in the UK..just wanted to know how bad it is in Newcastle…

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  19. Deepak – I assume you mean the EDL? They are nowt but a bunch of pissed failed football hooligans mate who shout a lot. They’ve had meetings in Newcastle, but they’ve also had meetings all over the country and the vast majority of people actually don’t agree with them.

    Overall I wouldn’t worry about it. Newcastle is a very multi-cultural place. I’m not saying you’ll never experience anything like that as there is always a minority of arseholes, anywhere you go, but the chances are rare in my opinion.

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  20. Thanks Toonsy,that march conducted by the EDL last year in Newcastle kinda shook me,not that I am a Muslim or anything but I thought it conveyed a message that foreign nationals are not welcome.Anyway,hopefully as you say,these people are in the minority and I wouldnt need to be in contact with them if i do end up coming there,which by the way is a long process and will take more than a year easily..Anyway thanks for the info mate and sorry for dragging you off topic..

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  21. Deepak mate, Newcastle is one of the friendliest cities in the UK. I moved over from Northern Ireland to go to university and don’t have a bad word to say about the place. You’ll be in the same boat as me – if you love the club, the city will be glad to have you!

    Besides, there is a massive South Asian community in Newcastle, and with so many students about there’s a pretty international flavour to the place anyway. And to be honest, with the Mackems within spitting distance and the Board up to their usual tricks, no-one here has any time to hate on anyone else!! :mrgreen:

    On the Stevie Ireland issue… we need all the help we can get these days, looking forward to getting him out on the pitch. Got to be better than letting the defenders take their turns midfield.

    On the Jose issue… which I brought up again and then missed the discussion for (again)… if there’s one way to make sure he leaves, it’d be to drop him and not show him the love that’s kept him with us this long! What will be will be in the transfer window, if he keeps doing the business on the pitch, we show him the support we should show every player in black and white!!

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  22. Deepak – I wouldn’t worry about them mate 🙂

    They are a minority group so you’ll never have to deal with them I bet 🙂

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  23. Batty – I do have two bulldog tattoo’s, but not for that reason. I got one because I was pissed and the other because I was pissed 😆

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  24. deepak…I grew up in the west end of the toon, and there is a huge Indian community there mate, who seem well integrated into the Geordie way. Especially in the area close to the old General Hospital on the West Road. I wouldn´t say there is any more racism in Newcastle than elsewhere, don´t want to scare you though mate, Newcastle has lots to offer anyway, footy, nice people, close to the north sea, old castles and stuff, lots going on…party party if you like that sort of thing, but you´ll probably be getting your head down I would imagine 😀 Maybe someone still living in the toon can fill you in on the current situation, my opinions are a bit dated , since I left the toon a while back.

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  25. Crazy how we are seen to be racially intolrant internationally. We have to be up there as one of least racist? If I am honest, the only racism I ever saw when growing up in the North East was a gang of Asian lads who went to my school. Try were fine at school but turned anti-White when they got older for no particular reason.

    You try sailing a boat onto Australian shores and they’ll bloody shoot you!

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  26. Batty-:mrgreen:
    Pete-Thats very reassuring mate,thanks a lot.And as you say we have got enough outlet for our hate with just the mackems alone,forget the board.. 😆

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  27. Munich mag-Thanks mate,although I can tell you that am not one of those put your head down and work persons..Given a choice between party and putting my head down and party-party wins every day of the week,no matter what… 😆

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  28. Deepak…as Munich says there’s a large Asian community around the West Road area of Newcastle as for rascism, it only takes one arsehole to ca use bother anywhere you go,it’s certainly no worse in Newcastle than anywhere else and probably much better than most. If you go to the Freeman get yourself some digs around Jesmond or South Gosforth and ya’ll be sorted. 😉

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  29. Richie-Sure thing mate,will keep those tips in mind.. 😆

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  30. If Ireland does any good when he plays i’d probably plum for 4-5-1 Shola leading the line and Nolan pushed up high. Playing with Loven is a bit like playing with 10 men half the time..

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  31. If you look at the form table Im pretty sure it would suggest that next season L’pool will be challenging Man U for the title. And it will be with our former 2 best players. Im really turning negative over all this. Every year aslong as I can remember the manager has said, ‘next season will won’t be in this situation with injuries and suspensions’ and every year we are. God only knows what our squad will be like next season. I wish the fat man would sell tbh, he’s just taking the p### now.

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  32. Good evening all 😀
    Newkie I would agree about pushing Nolan up with any of our strikers be it Shola or Ranger. come to think of it I think Nolan would be a better partner for Ranger I think he would keep him right and give him encouragment, but that will have to wait untill Nolans back 😉

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