Pardew: “Ireland can be a big factor for us in the second part of this season”
Posted on February 1st, 2011 | 102 Comments |
Having spent yesterday largely concentrating on the Andy Carroll debacle, I thought I’d bring you up to date this morning with all the exciting players Newcastle have bought with their newly-banked £35m.
However, try as I might, I couldn’t find any.
The club have however completed a deal for Stephen Ireland, who joins on loan until the end of the season. The move has only been described as ‘temporary’ and nothing has been said about any arrangements to take the player on a permanent basis if the loan period is a success, although I would be surprised if no such possibility exists.
Alan Pardew had this to say about the loan:
“Stephen has shown over the past few seasons that he’s a real top player so we’re really pleased to have got him until the end of the season.
“As a creative midfielder he can create chances for others and score goals himself, and we think he can be a big factor for us in the second part of this season.
“I think Stephen feels he can deliver more than he’s shown at Villa so far, so he’s got a point to prove and I believe we can reap the benefits of that.”
After spending 5 years at Manchester City – knocking in 16 goals from 138 appearances – Ireland was transferred to Aston Villa last year.
The player has however seemed out of favour with Villa boss Gerard Houllier, having made only 10 appearances and been on the end of some public criticism from the manager.
Anyway, he’s ours until at least June now.
WOW!!