Most pundits have felt Ireland's form has dipped dramatically this season, even though Manchester City are pushing for a top-four spot. Ireland has a pretty simple explanation. Under Hughes this season he was never picked in his preferred advanced midfield position.
The arrival of Carlos Tevez has filled the space Ireland used to run into, so the Cork-born player was ushered onto both wings, and even deployed as a holding midfielder in competition with Nigel de Jong. Ireland did his best.
But given his lack of enjoyment, it is little wonder his performances were not what he wanted. "The last six months under Mark Hughes was very frustrating for me," he told www.thefa.com. "I was being played out of position. Maybe as a holding midfielder, left wing, right wing. It is not me. "You have to adjust and think `I have to do it' but if you want the best out of me you have to play me in my best position. Then I can be myself because the chains are off."
Source: PA
Source: PA