Manchester City News 24/7Writer: Bluey Armstrong VMC Newsdesk 
Date:Tuesday May 25 2010
Time: 5:42AM
UK time is: 07:12:59
Choose your club
Other Sites
Network Navigation
Vital Partners
'If It's Football, It's Vital'
Ireland Fires In Transfer Request
The Irish press confirms this morning that City midfielder Stephen Ireland has called time on his career at MCFC by handing in a transfer request...
In stark contrast to the 2008-2009 season that saw the MCFC Academy graduate burst into national recognition as a player who can make things happen, the last campaign saw Ireland's form dip dramatically amid a series of niggling injuries.
Having won acclaim for fighting back from the wilderness to the forefront of City's plans, he's drifted right out of Blues boss Roberto Mancini's first team line up. When given the chance, he has totally failed to look the part.
It's a great shame that Stevie feels he's no longer prepared to battle for his place at the club that gave him his big chance and a support that have stood by him through his trials and tribulations at international level.
What do you make of the erstwhile Superman's decision? Give us a shout here and in the VMC Forums..
Vital Manchester City is now available on both Facebook and Twitter, so if you are that way inclined and more importantly understand all this new fangled dangled stuff, feel free to watch us, poke us or whatever else you are meant to do there!
Vital Man City on:
Vital Man City on:
Join Vital Man City
It's easy to REGISTER HERE, simply click the link and enjoy getting involved!
Seconds Out! Vital Boxing is here!
Vital F1 Prediction League - Join now for Monaco
Your Comments
disappointed in him, but he never had a sustained run last season unlike the year before.
we better get a good price and ideally sell him to a turkish team where he won't come back to haunt us. He will be a great player for whoever gets him.
Ireland isn't superman. It went to his head.
darryl28
He certainly spent too much time showing star struck celebrity obsessed hacks around his house and the like last season.
Johnny Baguette
silly silly boy, but i just hope he stays
scragg
If he's not willing to fight for his place there's no sense in him staying. Good bargaining chip in the transfer market though, have to look on the bright side.
Bluedub
Typical of the modern day primmadonna player. Has a terrrible season due to injuries and loss of form, then blames the manager, the club etc ( in short, everyone but HIMSLEF) for his failings instead of knuckling down and working hard to establish himself again. The problem lies solely in your head Stevie, sad to see you go, but you've no one but yourself to blame.
fifthcolumnblue
He should change his name to Lionel Messi and then maybe he would be in the starting 11, but if not we will take him?
I am a Villan
I am a villian - how about if he changed his name to Adam Johnson? Do you think that would work?
Bluedub
I'd do exactly what he has done. He has already done the whole 'work my arse off to prove myself' thing, why would it be worth doing again for a new manager who doesnt rate him - Manicini is clearly going to buy a direct replacement for him anyway. At best, he will be cover for a Mancini purchase, and we all know it. I would be looking to move to any top eight club that would have me and start over. The fundamental problem he has had is that Tevez has been more of a player than any of us anticipated. He turns up in all the positions Ireland would, and has turned us into a different team. When Ireland was often the furthest forward, and we were a pure fast break team, he was superb. However Tev drops deep and slows down the play now, so Ireland has to find another way to contribute. Not easy in fairness. I hope this isnt true, but I understand his motivation. If Mancini sells Onuoha SWP and Ireland this summer it really will sum up New City under these owners, and we will be worse for it.
DarthGonzo
In all fairness, ireland has only had one good season in seven. I remember fans boo'ing him under pearce and svens helm. Now hes signed his big contract and bought every colourful fast car you could imagine, it appears like he has lost his hunger last season. Ireland atleast owes the club one more year, considering they rewarded him so greatly last summer and the loyality they showed him when he was underperforming for 6 of the seasons out of 7. Considering his questionable and querky behaviour in the past. He was in the same situation when hughes arrived and city tried to sell him to sunderland, he dug his heels in and got into the team. If ireland is honest with himself hes been poor all season, hughes didnt play him and neither did mancini. He has the ability to prove them wrong. Ireland problem is - he isnt adaptable. He proforms wel only in a midfield three, city had elano last season and it was like having two play makers in the middle, ireland had a great understanding with elano and robinho. Ireland scored so many due to his late runs in the box, with three forwards (robi, caciedo, swp) creating space. Ireland simply doesnt function in a 4-4-2. Maybe its best that he moves on.
Super City Slicker
DG- I agree with you about Irelands chances being limited due to Tevez occupying the space where he thrives. But should he not fight for his place? Instead of sulking, what happens if he moves elsewhere and doesn't automatically get a starting place? Does he start blaming everyone else again and look for another move? With that kind of attitude he will never realise his potential. As for "new City", Mancini has said Ireland has a future here and SWP has been offered new deal.
Bluedub
I'm getting the impression that the only players who will leave City are the one's that ask to go. We certainly are no longer the selling club we were for decades.
Johnny Baguette
what made him to do this?
neverstops
Perhasp the constant rumours of midfielders being linked with City, gives you a big clue to the fact the the boss does not think youe are the number one on the team sheet next season. I don't think Mancini has played Ireland in the spot he perfers and that is a shame. I just hope he does not regret it, if Ireland does leave for a new club.
Buzz Lightyear
Players come, and players go, and with this bloke for all the wrong reasons. Learn to tackle and stay and fight for a spot.
johnkelv
Mancini says he doesn't want to let anybody leave
Thaibluefan
Have Your Say
Recent Articles
VIDEO: Man City Confirm MLS Franchise Expansion (Wednesday May 22 2013)
Blast Off For New York City FC (Tuesday May 21 2013)
The Ped Report City 2-3 Norwich City (Monday May 20 2013)
Stats: Manchester City v Norwich City (Sunday May 19 2013)
The Citizens versus The Canaries (Saturday May 18 2013)
Balotelli: I'm Glad I Left England (Saturday May 18 2013)
VIDEO: Confusion Clouds Pellegrini Future (Thursday May 16 2013)
The Ped Report Reading 0-2 City (Tuesday May 14 2013)
Stats: Reading v Manchester City (Tuesday May 14 2013)
And On That Bombshell (Tuesday May 14 2013)
Archived Articles
Vital Members League (view all)
| 1. | Buzz Lightyear | 508 |
| 2. | Bluedub | 447 |
| 3. | Johnny Baguette | 412 |
| 4. | fifthcolumnblue | 326 |
| 5. | Skoorb | 224 |
| 6. | Colin Is The King | 218 |
| 7. | Spooks | 188 |
| 8. | citizhun | 177 |
| 9. | PhillyBlueMoon | 171 |
| 10. | kennyclementstache | 167 |
League Results (view all)
| Latest Results | ||||
| Man City | 2 | - | 3 | Norwich |
| Reading | 0 | - | 2 | Man City |
| Man City | 1 | - | 0 | WBA |
| Swansea | 0 | - | 0 | Man City |
| Man City | 2 | - | 1 | West Ham |
| Spurs | 3 | - | 1 | Man City |
League Table (view table)
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| 1. Man Utd | 38 | 28 | 5 | 5 | +43 | 89 |
| 2. Man City | 38 | 23 | 9 | 6 | +32 | 78 |
| 3. Chelsea | 38 | 22 | 9 | 7 | +36 | 75 |
| 4. Arsenal | 38 | 21 | 10 | 7 | +35 | 73 |
| 5. Spurs | 38 | 21 | 9 | 8 | +20 | 72 |
| 6. Everton | 38 | 16 | 15 | 7 | +15 | 63 |
| 7. Liverpool | 38 | 16 | 13 | 9 | +28 | 61 |
Breaking League News
| Wigan Athletic Season Review
» Wigan : 25/05/2013 07:00:00
|
| Stoke Man Of The Match
» Southampton : 24/05/2013 20:37:00
|
| Shaw This Can't Keep Happening To Luke
» Southampton : 24/05/2013 20:32:00
|
| Arsenal Close To £10m Williams Move?
» Swansea : 24/05/2013 20:04:00
|
| Liverpool: Werner hails 'Great Strategist' Rodgers
» Liverpool : 24/05/2013 19:37:00
|
| Liverpool: Robinson Gets England U21 Call
» Liverpool : 24/05/2013 18:03:00
|
| Something For The Weekend (425)
» Aston Villa : 24/05/2013 17:50:00
|
Current Site Poll (view all polls)
|
|
4 © - All content copyright Vital Network Ltd, not to be reproduced without explicit permission Copyright Issues
Cookie Policy
At Vital Football, we along with most other modern websites use small files called 'cookies' to create the most secure, effective and functional website possible for our users. Without these files our business model, based on advertising, breaks down and we would be unable to continue to provide the services that you are here to utilise. By continuing to use this website after seeing this message, you consent to our use of cookies on this device unless you have disabled them. For full details please read our Cookie Policy which can be found here. However, if you would like to disable cookies on this device, please view our Cookie Policy which contains an opt-out tool for disabling advertising cookies. Please also visit our information pages on 'How to manage cookies' if you would also like to block all other types of cookies. Please be aware that parts of this site will not function correctly if you disable cookies.