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Newcastle United: Top five all-time transfer deadline day misses

By Roy Emanuel

LONDON - DECEMBER 29: Michael Owen of Newcastle United prepares to come on as a substitute as manager Sam Allardyce looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on December 29, 2007 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
LONDON - DECEMBER 29: Michael Owen of Newcastle United prepares to come on as a substitute as manager Sam Allardyce looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on December 29, 2007 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /
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BLACKPOOL, ENGLAND – APRIL 23: Matt Phillips of Blackpool races away from Stephen Ireland of Newcastle United during the Barclays Premier League match between Blackpool and Newcastle United at Bloomfield Road on April 23, 2011 in Blackpool, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Getty Images)
BLACKPOOL, ENGLAND – APRIL 23: Matt Phillips of Blackpool races away from Stephen Ireland of Newcastle United during the Barclays Premier League match between Blackpool and Newcastle United at Bloomfield Road on April 23, 2011 in Blackpool, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Getty Images) /

Stephen Ireland (2011)

Injuries and controversy are two aspects of football that can completely tarnish any success, and for a player on loan they can have an extreme effect. That is precisely what happened when Newcastle United brought in Stephen Ireland on the final day of January in 2011.

Currently a part of Stoke City, the midfielder was a 24-year-old looking to re-capture his form. A move from Manchester City to Aston Villa had not seen much production, but Alan Pardew believed there could be success for Ireland on Tyneside.

That success never materialised, and his short time with the Magpies was nothing short of embarrassing.

Ireland made only two disappointing Premier League appearances before returning to Villa.

He was not fully fit when he arrived, and antics off the pitch only made matters worse for the Irish international. A nightclub incident with team-mate Leon Best the evening before a Premier League match did not increase his popularity or trust with the club.

While Ireland has not quite shown the same amazing play he displayed at Manchester City years ago, he has contributed for Stoke during the past few seasons.

A transfer is always risky for any club, but can become dangerous when players are not physically and mentally prepared. In that regard, Newcastle United and Stephen Ireland were doomed from the start.

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