Midfielder keen to put on a show for the fans

Ahead of this weekend's Barclays Premier League clash with Stoke City, Stephen Ireland has stated his desire, along with that of his team mates to put in a performance for the fans on Sunday.

Described recently by his Manager as 'arguably City's player of the season thus far,' it was Ireland's fourth goal of the season which spared a few blushes on Monday night with an 86th minute equaliser at St James' Park.

Reflecting on the feeling within the Blues camp in light of the 2-2 draw with Newcastle, Ireland said: “After the game we sat and chatted amongst ourselves and we knew we had not been good enough all over the pitch.

“There were times when we were all guilty of expecting and relying on other people to produce something and that isn’t right."

And the 22-year-old midfielder admits the responsibility for letting the 1-0 lead slip against Newcastle lies firmly at the feet of the Blues players.

“That was down to the players not the staff, they had done everything right to prepare us. It felt like we had lost that game and not got a point and now we have to make sure we put on a show for the fans and win Sunday’s game.”