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I know this has been discussed for a while before in bits and pieces but I wanted to know what people think of him.

Personally I think he could be a decent addition to our midfield. At only 23, he has time on his side to make it big.

We can do so much better. No thanks.

With the right grooming and someone to sort out his delinquency, he could absolutely be one of the world's best. Yes, please.

He reminds me of Frank at that age in that he has faced criticism and fallen out of favor at his current club. All the other weird behavior will be stamped out of him when he grows up.

I cant imagine who City would sell him to, though. Selling him anywhere in the top half would surely be folly from where they sit.

Believe me, we wouldn't want a Corkman about the place. The chip on his shoulder is bigger than Makalele's cock.

With the right grooming and someone to sort out his delinquency, he could absolutely be one of the world's best. Yes, please.

He reminds me of Frank at that age in that he has faced criticism and fallen out of favor at his current club. All the other weird behavior will be stamped out of him when he grows up.

I cant imagine who City would sell him to, though. Selling him anywhere in the top half would surely be folly from where they sit.

Believe me, we wouldn't want a Corkman about the place. The chip on his shoulder is bigger than Makalele's cock.

You got it wrong. I think it is Vieira who has the big jimmy johnson.

I actually think he's a good player with a lot to offer, but didn't someone on here mention a few months back that he's got some sort of knee problem that has essentially scuppered his career, or at least means that he won't be able to fulfil his potential?

Or have I just made that up?

Silly season is upon us and no doubt we'll be linked with every Tom, Dick and Harry for enormous sums of money e.g. Torres for 70 million quid, is a prime example. It's not going to happen! At the other end of the scale is Stephen Ireland and the idea of him coming to the Bridge is a bloody Joke!

He's no replacement for Frank Lampard thats for sure.

Only plus is, we wouldnt have to worry about him picking up injuries on international duty,

He's no replacement for Frank Lampard thats for sure.

Only plus is, we wouldnt have to worry about him picking up injuries on international duty,

He might not be a replacement right now but he`s shown the same elements to his game as Frank did when we signed him and could become a very similar player to Frank. I think he could be a superb signing as long as he was ok being a squad player and not automatic first choice. I cant understand for the life of me why City havent played him much this season.

He might not be a replacement right now but he`s shown the same elements to his game as Frank did when we signed him and could become a very similar player to Frank. I think he could be a superb signing as long as he was ok being a squad player and not automatic first choice. I cant understand for the life of me why City havent played him much this season.

He might not be a replacement right now but he`s shown the same elements to his game as Frank did when we signed him and could become a very similar player to Frank. I think he could be a superb signing as long as he was ok being a squad player and not automatic first choice. I cant understand for the life of me why City havent played him much this season.

Totally agree. A very good player there, somewhere.

He might not be a replacement right now but he`s shown the same elements to his game as Frank did when we signed him and could become a very similar player to Frank. I think he could be a superb signing as long as he was ok being a squad player and not automatic first choice. I cant understand for the life of me why City havent played him much this season.

The biggest differences between Ireland and Frank, and the reasons he will never be fit to lace Frank's boots, are attitude and professionalism. Frank would probably be the first to admit he is not the most technically gifted footballer the world has ever produced however he has worked harder than just about any player in history to become a better player season after season after season with the result of that being that he can look back over his career and say 'I was the finest midfielder ever to grace the Premiership'

Ireland...well I'll let Liam provide the comparison.

The biggest differences between Ireland and Frank, and the reasons he will never be fit to lace Frank's boots, are attitude and professionalism. Frank would probably be the first to admit he is not the most technically gifted footballer the world has ever produced however he has worked harder than just about any player in history to become a better player season after season after season with the result of that being that he can look back over his career and say 'I was the finest midfielder ever to grace the Premiership'

Ireland...well I'll let Liam provide the comparison.

I agree about his attitude, but that can be changed if he`s open to it.

The biggest differences between Ireland and Frank, and the reasons he will never be fit to lace Frank's boots, are attitude and professionalism. Frank would probably be the first to admit he is not the most technically gifted footballer the world has ever produced however he has worked harder than just about any player in history to become a better player season after season after season with the result of that being that he can look back over his career and say 'I was the finest midfielder ever to grace the Premiership'

Ireland...well I'll let Liam provide the comparison.

Huh?

Frank Lampard has excellent technqiue; long and short passing, making space for himself on the ball, first touch and passing not only into feet but into space. Don't tell me you think he's all about running and long shots? Technically he is one of the worlds best players.

The biggest difference between Ireland and Lampard is talent.

Well then being an irish football fan i say no thanks to this selfish stuck-up prick, his farther is a prick and stephen was a prick when he was six years old, imagine what his grandmothers felt when they read in the paper one of them was dead??? What manager wouldn't have understood your girlfriend having a miscarraige and you wanting to be with her. A good talent indeed but not the kind of so called professional we need/want at the bridge.

Huh?

Frank Lampard has excellent technqiue; long and short passing, making space for himself on the ball, first touch and passing not only into feet but into space. Don't tell me you think he's all about running and long shots? Technically he is one of the worlds best players.

The biggest difference between Ireland and Lampard is talent.

All of which he has worked extremely hard on his entire career, because he isnt the most naturally talented of footballers. Thats what both me and Loz were getting at.

All of which he has worked extremely hard on his entire career, because he isnt the most naturally talented of footballers. Thats what both me and Loz were getting at.

How much of Lampard did you actually see before he came to Chelsea? I don't think people are aware of just how good Lampard was early on in his career. £11m was a lot of money in 2001. A European manager like Ranieri wouldn't have spent that amount on a hardworking but technically lacking players. I put it to you that he's showed the potential early on to reach the level of ability he has now.

I haven't seen anything from Ireland that suggests he will become anywhere near as good as Lampard.

How much of Lampard did you actually see before he came to Chelsea? I don't think people are aware of just how good Lampard was early on in his career. £11m was a lot of money in 2001. A European manager like Ranieri wouldn't have spent that amount on a hardworking but technically lacking players. I put it to you that he's showed the potential early on to reach the level of ability he has now.

Like i asked in the other thread how excatly do you define 'technically gifted' ??!

I was very underwhelmed when we signed Frank. I dont recall him doing anything at West Ham that stood out. Then he had that piss poor first season with us - there were times when his ball control made me look like Jarzinho.

Obviously he has come on superbly and wonderfully to be the legend he now is. But for me that is more down to rank hard work than natural talent.

What the midfield needs is Essien back or someone like him who is a very hard working box to box runner with the ball with great attitude, defensive capabilities and a few goals.

Ireland has a lot of those qualities but whether they are enoguh is a more moot point. I think he's been underused this season.

We really don't need expensive talent with injury problems though. Torres just doesn't play enough for my taste.

How much of Lampard did you actually see before he came to Chelsea? I don't think people are aware of just how good Lampard was early on in his career. £11m was a lot of money in 2001. A European manager like Ranieri wouldn't have spent that amount on a hardworking but technically lacking players. I put it to you that he's showed the potential early on to reach the level of ability he has now.

I haven't seen anything from Ireland that suggests he will become anywhere near as good as Lampard.

I remember when we signed him i couldnt understand why we spent so much as he hadnt really done anything to stand out at west ham. Seems someone saw the raw talent he had and how hard he worked at his game, and thats why he has done so well for us. He has even admitted himself he isnt the most naturally gifted player and most of his success is down to sheer graft. No-one is saying he was technically lacking, just he isnt as naturally talented as a lot of other players.

I forgot to mention that one of the reasons he left the irish squad was that apparanty he turned up with hair plugs and richard dunne and a few other players tried to rip them out :D funny because he is a twat who turns up to training in this...........

Edited May 7, 201016 yr by bluewilky

I agree he's a bit of a weirdo and an amazing chav, but i thought i read a piece last summer that said how increadibly disciplined his work ethic is, and how he'd spent all summer hill running and doing martial arts to be in top shape for the season ahead? If true, that for me shows a person who is prepared to work hard to be the best player possible, and that's all I really care about to be honest.

Not saying we should sign him up, but just that those claims that he is workshy/not dedicated enough may be wide of the mark.

I agree he's a bit of a weirdo and an amazing chav, but i thought i read a piece last summer that said how increadibly disciplined his work ethic is, and how he'd spent all summer hill running and doing martial arts to be in top shape for the season ahead? If true, that for me shows a person who is prepared to work hard to be the best player possible, and that's all I really care about to be honest.

Not saying we should sign him up, but just that those claims that he is workshy/not dedicated enough may be wide of the mark.

Thats what we said when people were talking about our qualifying games of world cup, he is dedicated alright to his chavness, no thanks at the bridge.

Last year he was City's player of the season by an absolute mile, yet this season it seems like they've barely played him. I have no idea why.

Personally I think he could add a lot to the squad, and whilst he isn't young enough that this statement will make much sense - I think he has absolutely bags of potential for the future too. For the right price, and if he was interested, we should definitely go in for him I think.