Stephen Ireland’s loan spell at Newcastle was, it’s fair to say, less than successful. The majority of his time here was spent injured before he managed to recover sufficiently enough to make his debut. Just two sub appearances later he was sidelined again and sent back to Aston Villa with an ankle injury.
Ireland was originally signed with a view to a permanent deal in the summer. That had looked highly unlikely to materialise until recently when Alan Pardew stated that he was monitoring the situation with Ireland at Aston Villa and admitted that he could be tempted to have another look at him later on in the transfer window.
It would be a good move in my opinion.
Ireland would give us some much needed Premier League experience in the middle of the park. He can create openings and is willing to run for the cause based on his two substitute appearances for us. In short, whilst unlucky with injuries, he is a good player that just needs to be given a chance.
Ironically that chance could come at Villa Park now that they have replaced their manager, but I’d like to hope that Ireland would be open to a return to St James’ Park, albeit in what is already a packed central midfield area.
So what has changed? For me it’s been the sale of Kevin Nolan. Ireland won’t replace his leadership, but he can replace his Premier League knowledge and help out whilst others adapt to life in a new country and a new league.
He is younger than Kevin Nolan and is infinitely more mobile (I know, not hard) so I’d say that it would be an improvement overall and would increase the quality in our squad. People will point towards Yohan Cabaye as being Kevin Nolan’s replacement, but Ireland is the one for me who can make those runs into the box and get on the end of things.
What do you reckon? Would you be tempted to take a punt on the lad? Or would you prefer it if we looked elsewhere? I’d give him another go, ideally on loan so he can prove to us what he really is like, but I’m not sure that will be possible and it may take a permanent transfer for anything to happen with Stephen Ireland in the forseeable future.
[poll id=”18″]
I think marvaeuxlous is going to be realizing the perils of believing random people on twitter tonight. Poor kid
AndrewT(Quote)
Just seen it there Jobey, lucky man!
AndrewNUFC(Quote)
i wud b feckn gutted if joey barton goes like , him and collo were our best players last season , oh and mr tiote 😀
Army69(Quote)
Morning bummers!
Cwarro reckons Barton to be offered 3 year deal as pards wants him as skipper. Great news if true.
And on subject yes I would take Ireland back in a shot no danger
raffo(Quote)
andrewt he was going on and on all day wasnt he 😆 he woulda belived it if messi was cumn that poor little sod 😆
Army69(Quote)
raffo – is that on twitter???
Army69(Quote)
Cwarro reckons Barton to be offered 3 year deal as pards wants him as skipper. Great news if true
—————————
Fantastic news if true. unfortunately it is from cwarr so there is a better chance of Pardew naming me skipper
MDS(Quote)
Raffo he’s the biggest bull ******* going
jay jay(Quote)
Joey7Barton Joseph Barton
Contract negations not re-opened am off now to watch Mr.Nice DVD…… #someonestellingporkies
AndrewNUFC(Quote)
I’d like another fooking striker please & maybe a couple of defenders…
witters(Quote)
Think that proves Cwarr is the biggest piece of **** going on twitter…
Also I;ve just seen this 😆
http://knowyouritk.blogspot.com/2011/06/cwarr07.html
AndrewNUFC(Quote)
Big Daves got a reply too ;D
Jobey07(Quote)
what was it jobey?
MDS(Quote)
I wish people would just ignore that cwarr….
Moreno(Quote)
Asked him what the chances were of reopening contract talks….
Barton said slim to none
Jobey07(Quote)
@Andrew that article about Colin is great
Goose(Quote)
Barton said slim to none
😥 😥 😥
MDS(Quote)
tbh if barton signed a new deal it would be like a new signing imo cos i really think hes a gonna 😥
Army69(Quote)
Reet Lads whats the craic have we signed anyone yet 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
I duno, I reckon it could still happen but taking anything said with a vat of salt!!
Army – yes it was Twitter
raffo(Quote)
dave have we signed messi yet?? 😆
Army69(Quote)
ya never gana drop that are you 😆
Army69(Quote)
Andrew @ 86 brilliant mate 😆
Newkie(Quote)
dave the bairn is stil canny bad , he luks ill 😕 its not fair on him hes only 2 weeks old , poor bugga
Army69(Quote)
F*cking brilliant 😀 Joey’s just told Cwarr he chats ****
Jobey07(Quote)
Army I was going to ask you about the wee man 🙁 its **** when their not well at such a young age mate, hope he gets well soon 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
is joyey barton on twitter jobey?
Army69(Quote)
@100
lol FAIL
Santii(Quote)
Aye – @joey7barton.
He’s just class.
Joey7Barton
If anything changes on the contract front, I’ll be 1st to let use all know don’t worry. Forget all this nuggets talking rubbish #toonarmy
Jobey07(Quote)
hes not well at all matey , and thers nowt u can give him for being so young 😕
Army69(Quote)
hahaha is tht what he said 😆 get in
Army69(Quote)
Jobey I always said that Joey is an honest down to earth guy that wears his heart on his sleeve, i’m just glad that a lot more people have now realised that he is not the devil that loads thought he was.
As my Dad used to say to me respect the man that has danced with the devil and returned to live a better life 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
Army does he have bother breathing at night times ❓
Big Dave(Quote)
Joey7Barton Joseph Barton
by MsiDouglas
@ @Patty_518 @cwarr07 stop talking rubbish mate……..ur mugging ur self off big time on here
21 minutes ago
richietoon(Quote)
Richie are you on twitter ❓
Big Dave(Quote)
i know that cwarr is full of it, but he claims the club has decided to make a 3-year offer to Joey, not that they have done so already.
I know I’m clutching at straws here, but I’m just really hopeful Joey is re-signed.
MDS(Quote)
@MDS
Did you not see Jobey @104 😀
Santii(Quote)
Joey7Barton Joseph Barton
@
@KevinAshford7 why would a drop down a league when I can more than hold my own in the premiership???
Well, that sure told Nolan 😆 😆 😆
Newkie(Quote)
@112. i don’t undertand. i said maybe the club hasn’t yet offered Joey but they have decided that they WILL do so…
MDS(Quote)
@MDS
i dont understand what you mean with your last post?
We havnt offered Joey any contract and i dont think we are going to offer him a new one.
Santii(Quote)
i know they they haven’t offered him. i said may they have decided that they WILL do so….
MDS(Quote)
MDS it is possible that they have now seen the errors of their way and know that Joey commands a lot of respect from the other players and is a natural born leader. and maybe just maybe Pards has told MA that he wants and needs Joey 😕
Big Dave(Quote)
That is my hope as well Big Dave. You can tell Pardew wants him. Don’t forget to add that us supporters, for the most part, have fully voiced our desire that he stay- especially since the Nolan departure.
MDS(Quote)
Dave…nope, nae idea about it really but occasionally have a look at msidouglas’s et al.
richietoon(Quote)
MDS I dont think what the Fans want means owt tbh but maybe Pards 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
Yes. In an ideal world, I’d get him to sign a pay-per-game contract but doubt that would happen.
I think he’s a good quality player who would show loyalty to us, who knows…
Jamie Vincente(Quote)