Steve Finnan

[Donal81]

Now he's a 2 time CL finalist playing at the top of the PL for a very highly regarded manager and at a well managed ambitious club with a lot of foreign money coming into it, compared to playing for a divided Ireland team under an inarticulate rookie manager who in turns works for a self serving propogandist in a near bankrupt association.

Agree with everything here except a bit of the above. The FAI are loaded and have been for some time. They flogged their HQ for nearly E10m just a few months ago! Bit pedantic, I know.
:)

[drummerboy]

Do the FAI or LFA own the premises on Parnell Square, which is also about to be sold as they are also moving to Abbotstown. It currently houses the LFA, LSL and LJL. It say it will go for a tidy sum.

[geysir]

Agree with everything here except a bit of the above. The FAI are loaded and have been for some time. They flogged their HQ for nearly E10m just a few months ago! Bit pedantic, I know.
:)
The finances of the FAI is not a pedantic point.
The FAI have a huge asset in the fans going to International games, TV deals and sponsorship. I would be curious to see how it compares to the Czech FA coffers.
Unless Stutts was referring to idealogical bankruptcy :)
In fact it would strengthen his post to refer to the coffers of cash generated.

[Morbo]

I don't condone it but its hardly surprising when he looks so uncomfortable playing left full for Ireland. Blame Staunton.

He has a right to feel annoyed when he has a rookie manager playing him out of position but that still doesn't excuse what he did, I don't believe he could make a full recovery in less than 3 days so either he couldn'd be arsed or he let Rafa talk him out of it, either way it shows poor character and I definitely don't think he should be our next captain

[Armando]

Finnans injury was very slight - a gash on his knee is that right? Benitez obviously told him that if he turned out for Ireland he would lose his place. I've come to this conclusion because Gerrard was dropped after lining out for England.

I'm very disappointed he wasn't there for the Czech game because he was definitely fit for it.

[danonion]

Finnan is overrated. He has played next to Carragher and Hyppia for years, the finest central defensive partnership in England. They can clean up for him when he gets roasted. He doesn't offer a great attacking threat in a lot of games that he play in. Considering Stan would have played him out of position anyway it really wouldn't have made any odds to me if he had featured

[Erstwhile Bóz]

Finnan is overrated. He has played next to Carragher and Hyppia for years, the finest central defensive partnership in England. They can clean up for him when he gets roasted. He doesn't offer a great attacking threat in a lot of games that he play in. Considering Stan would have played him out of position anyway it really wouldn't have made any odds to me if he had featured
Who in the name of feck has "roasted" Steven Finnan in Europe or the English Premiership over the last three years? I can think of one player (from a mediocre English team).

[reder]

Who in the name of feck has "roasted" Steven Finnan in Europe or the English Premiership over the last three years? I can think of one player (from a mediocre English team).

Who is it? I actually cant think of one and thats putting on my critics hat. You can count the number of mistakes he has made on one hand.

[Metrostars]

His miracle recovery reminds me of the great recoveries by the lad from Cork. But merseyside fans would never see it that way.

[carloz]

Finnan is overrated. He has played next to Carragher and Hyppia for years, the finest central defensive partnership in England.
Comments like this are ridicioulous. This is the same Finnan who had Messi and Ronaldinio in his pocket last year for two legs, without Hypia.....1/2 the finest(thats quite laughable by the way) central defence in England. Carragher is prone to continously be caught out of position and then makes great lunges at the end to save himself.....these arent the hallmarks of 1/2/ of the finest defensive partnership. He is the best right back in England, well possibly on a par with Neville. To prove how good Finnan is for Ireland watch the perfromances by out left back and right back aginst the czechs and Slovaks. Finnan is not spectacular but by god he does the easy things the way they are meant to be done. Very much in the mould of Denis Irwin. I honestly cant blame the guy for missing the last 2 games. im sure he become totally annoyed at being played put of position under staunton Kerr and McCarthy. You pick your best players in their best position and then worry about weak positions. finnan shouldnt have to accomidate for us being weak at left back. He is a Champions league Right back, FFS play him there. I really dont think irish people apreciate him when he plays well for Ireland. his only bad game was in Cyprus

[carloz]

His miracle recovery reminds me of the great recoveries by the lad from Cork. But merseyside fans would never see it that way.
Yes going 100% against your club managers wishes to play a do or die first leg playoff against Iran when he hadnt kicked a ball in over a month before. Damn that Roy was a *****:rolleyes:


Who is it? I actually cant think of one and thats putting on my critics hat. You can count the number of mistakes he has made on one hand.
Exactly. he is a model of dependancy and how some irish fans dont realise this, particularly after witnessing our full back choices last week beggers belief

[gustavo]

That's a very quick recovery!!Two days later and he is able to play 90 mins when he could play no part in the Czech game.

Is Mr. Finnan now too big to play for "his" country that he is at Liverpool and a European Cup winner or was he leaned on by a certain bearded Premiership manager.
:rolleyes: The use of commas for "his" country totally unneccesary not to mention irrelevant.
If he was fit to play for us I am sure he would have


Either way he should have had the guts to say I am fit and I will be there to help my country in their biggest game in 4 years!!!Lost all respect for Finnan.He's just another self serving over paid premiership primma-donna![/
every footballer at every level of football is by definition self serving, to say he is overpaid is rubbish , he gets paid what the club can afford to pay him , if they couldnt afford to pay him it then he wouldnt get it and if he wasnt worth it they wouldnt pay him it ,

[OwlsFan]

Do the FAI or LFA own the premises on Parnell Square, which is also about to be sold as they are also moving to Abbotstown. It currently houses the LFA, LSL and LJL. It say it will go for a tidy sum.

Merrion Square I assume you mean or do they also have a pad in Parnell Square?

Irish professional footballers have dodged representing their countries on numerous times over the decades I've been following the national side, including God Almighty (whose name I won't mention). It is usually as a result of pressure from the club which pays their wages and I predicted elsewhere that Finnan would play on Saturday. Barely raised an eyebrow for me. I wouldn't single out Finnan for missing the game. He was no doubt injured for the Slovak game and the club probably decided that they weren't going to risk him against the Czechs. Pity though as the 15K personal jet used to fly Ireland home could have been used to collect Finnan ;)

So has it been, so shall it continue to be.

[Schumi]

Merrion Square I assume you mean or do they also have a pad in Parnell Square?
Leinster FA have their headquarters in Parnell Square West.

[stojkovic]

Can't believe all this negative sh1t about Finnan.

He is the only player to come out of that trip with any credit.....because he wasnt there.

I wish half the other fcukers would pull out with injuries or lose a granny.

[John83]

He is the only player to come out of that trip with any credit.....because he wasnt there.
That's not very fair on Colin Doyle. He did nothing wrong.

[MunsterMunch]

That's a very quick recovery!!Two days later and he is able to play 90 mins when he could play no part in the Czech game.

Is Mr. Finnan now too big to play for "his" country that he is at Liverpool and a European Cup winner or was he leaned on by a certain bearded Premiership manager.Either way he should have had the guts to say I am fit and I will be there to help my country in their biggest game in 4 years!!

Lost all respect for Finnan.He's just another self serving over paid premiership primma-donna!

If Finnan had played wednesday night, then he would have certainly been unfit for the game on Sat for Liverpool. They pay his wages so obviouly they come first.

[NeilMcD]

Brian Kerr drew reference to this in his articles in the Irish Times over the last few weeks. He felt that the attitude of LIverpool FC to International football was not very good. I am sure if it was Ferguson and Man Utd that there would be lots of people on here going mad about it. I was very ****ed off that Finnan did not make the trip to Prague and then turned out for Liverpool against Pompey. If it was Keane a few years ago Cathal Devan would encouraged the fans to boo Keane.

[drummerboy]

Leinster FA have their headquarters in Parnell Square West.

Not sure who owns Parnell Square (FAI or LFA) but its up for sale as well.

[geysir]

The FAI had the right to demand that Finnan not play on Saturday. If Liverpool had played Finnan under those circumstances then FIFA would have been obliged to impose sanctions against Liverpool.
If we are being compared to France then Domeneche wouldn't take this lying down.

Force his commitment or else.

[reder]

Brian Kerr drew reference to this in his articles in the Irish Times over the last few weeks. He felt that the attitude of LIverpool FC to International football was not very good.

Brian Kerr has serious issues with LFC for some reason. Its pretty obvious whenever he "analyses" our performances and moreover whenever the words Liverpool Football Club are mentioned in his presence.

Finnan is up there with Kilbane in terms of attendance at international games and all selected LFC players turn up for their country when fit (and even unfit in the case of Stevie Me). Mash etc travel to the other side of the world for their internationals and are ever present for their countries also.

Note: I just realised the original post was by a bitter. No surprise with the Liverpool dig. I should have guessed.

[NeilMcD]

Brian Kerr has serious issues with LFC for some reason. Its pretty obvious whenever he "analyses" our performances and moreover whenever the words Liverpool Football Club are mentioned in his presence.
.

I have never noticed this before. I think Kerrs analysis of the Irish performances was very fair and balanced to be honest and I did get the feeling reading it that we woudl have done so much better if he was in charge. Just goes to show you should not change for change sake. It is pretty obvious though that Benitez has a terrible attitude towards international football.

[Stuttgart88]

"change for change's sake?"

Rightly or wrongly Kerr had lost the dressing room. Then again, previous spats with people like Stephen Ireland are put in context when you see just what a thick plank that lad is.

Kerr writes well and makes sense but his articles are frequently peppered with hints of bitterness, or self-congratulation, "I discovered Darron Gibson" being an example.

[NeilMcD]

Well Delaney changed him but did not have a top manager lined up so whats what I mean by change for change's sake.

I think the bit about Darron Gibson was to get across that he wanted to play for the Republic of Ireland and not Northern Ireland.

[btid1]

:rolleyes: The use of commas for "his" country totally unneccesary not to mention irrelevant.
If he was fit to play for us I am sure he would have


every footballer at every level of football is by definition self serving, to say he is overpaid is rubbish , he gets paid what the club can afford to pay him , if they couldnt afford to pay him it then he wouldnt get it and if he wasnt worth it they wouldnt pay him it ,

Dont see how it is unnecessary.I know I would give my left testicle to pull on a green jersey and I know that is how most people who have ever played the game feel also.This guy clears takes it for granted and it is clearly not a big deal for him.This was no friendly.It was the biggest game the country has played in 4 years and he didnt show up.

If he was unfit Wednesday, then how was he fit to play 90 mins 48 hours later??He was fit to play but chose not to simple as that!

Perhaps he should take the lead of his club captain Steven Gerrard and have a bit of loyalty to his country.It clearly means something to him to play for England as he played with a broken bone in his foot while Finnan was going through the excrutiating pain of a cut on his knee and refused to play yet played 90 minutes either side of the internationals for his club!!!Its clear where his loyalties are.

[btid1]

If Finnan had played wednesday night, then he would have certainly been unfit for the game on Sat for Liverpool. They pay his wages so obviouly they come first.

Tell that to Steven Gerrard!

[tetsujin1979]

Linked with a quick move back to the Premiership to Blackburn
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/dec/04/transfer-rumours-manchestercity-westham

Steve Finnan thinks if the world's going down the toilet you might as well be somewhere cold and damp and will quit Espanyol for Blackburn in the New Year.

[irishfan86]

Linked with a loan move to Spurs in January. I think that'd be a great move for him, even better than Blackburn.

Maybe more competition at Spurs, but a higher level of play.

[endabob1]

Linked with a loan move to Spurs in January. I think that'd be a great move for him, even better than Blackburn.

Maybe more competition at Spurs, but a higher level of play.

I seen that but I’d be surprised, Corluka & Hutton both can play RB with young Chris Gunter as 3rd choice, admittedly Corluka is Uefa Cup tied & Hutton is having some injury problems but I think Spurs have other areas that are higher priority.

[irishfan86]

Yeah, as I say, if he's not first choice it wouldn't be ideal, but Harry is a manger who trusts veteran players.

I wonder if he's being brought in as a left-back?

To be honest I don't care whether he stays in Spain or comes back to England, I just want him match fit for our games in the new year.

[jbyrne]

is he getting his game in spain? if so does anyone know how he's getting on?

[endabob1]

he's played 4 times since his move twice as a sub and twice the full 90, both of those came towards the end of November, not sure beyond that, they may have been Copa del rey games but that is speculation on my part

[irishfan86]

I also heard that he was playing as a left back at first, and then as a centre-half...sounds like he's being totally misused.

[Carrigaline]

Finnan isn't playing because of injury rather than being dropped.

[Fergie's Son]

Allegedly going to Spurs in January.

[DmanDmythDledge]

Arsenal now reportedly after him.
http://www.eleven-a-side.com/acrossthewater/news.asp?n=35360

[OwlsFan]

According to Setanta Sports the Espanyol manager said he's an integral part of the squad and is going no place.

[endabob1]

According to Setanta Sports the Espanyol manager said he's an integral part of the squad and is going no place.

Good, I like to see Irish players go someplace different rather than the soft option of playing in England, Finnan is still an excellent full back and should be well suited to la liga

[lionelhutz]

Arsenal now reportedly after him.
http://www.eleven-a-side.com/acrossthewater/news.asp?n=35360

Can't see any chance of that. Arsenal have one of the best right backs around in Sagna so why would they need Finnan?

[tetsujin1979]

from http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_4686610,00.html

"I am convinced that Finnan will be decisive in our defence," Mane said in the Spanish press.

Sport director Paco Herrera added: "Finnan stays in Espanyol because he is a main man for the second part of the season."

[Irish_Praha]

Good, I like to see Irish players go someplace different rather than the soft option of playing in England, Finnan is still an excellent full back and should be well suited to la liga

I couldn't agree more with your first point. We need some senior internationals to go on and be successfull outside of the UK. This might help break the trend of all our players going to England/Scotland when they might well do better on the continent. The last thing we need is another one to return disappointed. The two most recent being Harte and Keane. You could count on one hand the players that successfully played at a decent level on the continent in the last 25 years, which is not really encouraging for any young prospect looking for a club at the start of his careere or the likes of McGeady when it becomes time to move on from his British club.

[tetsujin1979]

Finnan back in training for Espanyol: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11842_4776892,00.html

[Crosby87]

He should stay there.

[WexCar]

having medical at hull today according to sky.

[livehead1]

That will be an amazing signing for them if they can pull it off.

[endabob1]

That will be an amazing signing for them if they can pull it off.

Good signing for Hull & with McShane leaving it makes even more sense;
Lazy/easy option imo for Finnan though

[DeLorean]

Good signing for Hull & with McShane leaving it makes even more sense;
Lazy/easy option imo for Finnan though

Well he only went abroad in the first place because he was shafted by Rafa. There's too little left in his career to stay somewhere he isn't happy.

[Torn-Ado]

Whats the matter with these people?

Stay in Barcelona, one of the best cities in Europe where the weather and women are brilliant. playing football with a decent Spanish league side.

No thanks. Hull please.

[Carrigaline]

Whats the matter with these people?

Stay in Barcelona, one of the best cities in Europe where the weather and women are brilliant. playing football with a decent Spanish league side.

No thanks. Hull please.
Like I said earlier, I could never see why people were so keen to see Finnan at Espanyol. Espanyol are in the relegation zone and Finnan has only played four games for them. To be honest, it sounds like the move has been a bit of a nightmare, so you can hardly blame him for wanting to move back to England.

[zenokelly]

It's a bit of a shock that Hull would spend €1.5million on a 32 year-old, but it does show the club's ambitions in buying a quality player.

Great move for Finnan as it guarantees him first team football for the forseeable future and a great move for us at this particular time with the Georgia match less than 4 weeks away, he should be able to build up to total match fitness in that time.