The Reason Ireland Was Subbed? (Update)

The reason Ireland was subbed:

McLeish furious with Ireland for not cutting out cross. Told him so then Ireland 2x shouted back F-off to his manager. #avfc

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(from match thread in forum)

Updated.

shouldn't really do something like that from an ipad whilst watching the game.

For balance, he could of course have been taken off for an injury or tactical reasons. I believe some are saying an ankle injury now.

Nevertheless, the constant micro managing by Peter Grant and Alex McLeish have produced a few angry responses from players this season, including a few choice words.

I'd be more happy IF Ireland did say eff off that Eck was able to ignore and deal with it at a later stage to be honest, so maybe it was an injury.

Or is that too convenient following this!?

I remember years back Stevie Stone telling John Gregory to 'shut the eff up' during a game. JG folded his arms, thought for a while then said "you're alright you are Stoney" !

That's the way to deal with these things! LOL

Eck has also responded:

"I never saw the eff-off thing," McLeish said in his post-match press conference. "I know he spoke back but at the same time players don`t normally hear the manager screaming at them from the touchline.

"But I kick every ball with them. I am passionate; I care. And I wouldn`t be so petty to take a player off for something like that if he is doing a fantastic job.

"But Stevie had an ankle problem. He wasn`t able to close down. When Guthrie sidesteps him to put the cross in I thought it was just too easy and that Stevie should have been making that tackle and at least putting a block on the cross.

"But it was clear at half-time that he did not have the capacity to get close to people. His touch was still great at certain times but at this level you need players with the legs and energy.

"If you want to look at everyone`s lip-reading I am sure if you want to look at everyone`s lip-reading I am sure you will get a few more and you could get another story from it if you want but it is a trivial question. I am not even discussing it. It is a ridiculous question."

So there you go, the reporter was right, it did happen, but that isn`t why Eck subbed him.

Collymore reporting that it wasn't only Ireland giving McLeish stick - a big chunk of our team were doing it.

He also tweeted: Couldn't believe how many Villa players were back chatting to McLeish through the game. Can't be very healthy.. "

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