Steve Finnan

[livehead1]

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.



It isn't a shock at all. Thinking about it logically, Hull could still be relegated this season. Even spending 4-5 Mil on a player who will help ensure they retain top-flight status is money well spent.

[DeLorean]

And 1.5m is peanuts by the way, even for Hull.

[musicinmouth]

I wish he would stay at Espanyol... it would be nice to have an Irish player play there. It's a fantastic league and I think he would do very well if he could just stay fit!

[Crosby87]

What was the point of going and doing nothing? Wouldnt you want to stay and prove you could play in Spain?

[Fergie's Son]

Maybe he just wants to wind down his career in England? He may have a young family who don't want to have to deal with life in Spain. Perhaps he has been told that he is surplus to requirements in Spain. Who knows.

[Sheridan]

Just another Brit who couldn't hack it on the continental mainland. "I'm A Cultural Misfit, Get Me Out Of Here."

[co. down green]

Looks like Finnan to Hull ain't going to happen.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1118359/Finnans-Hull-falls-medical-reveals-thigh-injury.html

[EastTerracer]

Just another Brit who couldn't hack it on the continental mainland.


How can someone born in Limerick be a Brit?

[John83]

How can someone born in Limerick be a Brit?
Didn't you hear? Bush's last act as US President has been to drive us all back into the 19th century.

[Den Perry]

does that mean we can now vote on next year's X Factor?

[shakermaker1982]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/7832914.stm

Brown still pursuing Finnan despite medical hiccup. If Finnan stays fit for them then it's an excellent piece of business.

[elroy]

http://www.eleven-a-side.com/acrossthewater/news.asp?n=35538

Doesnt sound good, maybe this is why liverpool let him go.

[back of the net]

http://www.eleven-a-side.com/acrossthewater/news.asp?n=35538

Doesnt sound good, maybe this is why liverpool let him go.

from skysports:

"(13.40) Hull City's swoop for experienced right-back Steve Finnan is reportedly off after he failed a medical."


pity : with them signing kilbane - our 2 full backs would have been at the same club

[carloz]

Problem with his Thigh. Not sure if thats the injury he had the last few months. Disapointing but he can still make it in Espanyol

[Noelys Guitar]

Newcastle are in for Finnan and are willing to strike a deal similiar to Everton's Saha arrangement. Down payment then pay per game. A fully fit Finnan playing first team football is essential for our chances of qualifying.

[Kingdom]

Newcastle are in for Finnan and are willing to strike a deal similiar to Everton's Saha arrangement. Down payment then pay per game. A fully fit Finnan playing first team football is essential for our chances of qualifying.

I'd have said so back in August. Not so much now I don't think. Its vital that the Management team organise a few more B internationals so young Foley can get fast tracked. Kelly needs to get fit, if he was playing right back I wouldn't mind.

[Closed Account]

I'd have said so back in August. Not so much now I don't think. Its vital that the Management team organise a few more B internationals so young Foley can get fast tracked. Kelly needs to get fit, if he was playing right back I wouldn't mind.
Kelly starting today.

[elroy]

No sign of Finnan in the squad for Espanyol today.

[WexCar]

starts for espanyol against barcalona in copa del rey.
live on skysports 1 now

[Noelys Guitar]

Ray Hudson commentating has said Espanyol's first half defensive performance has been the best he has seen this season in Spain. Finnan looks fit and great to see him back.

[WexCar]

substituted after 50 minutes, replaced by Jarque

[Noelys Guitar]

Kiss of death. Finnan looked badly off the pace for Barcas's second goal (possibly injured). Now he has been subbed. He seemed to be limping going off. Christ.

[Noelys Guitar]

Hudson said Finnan not injured. Needs a few games for match fitness and is first choice full back.

[WexCar]

yeah and the copa del rey wouldnt exactly be a priority for dem either.

[tetsujin1979]

starts on the bench against Recreativo Huelva this afternoon

[rambler14]

Any deadline day rumour regarding him?

[Razors left peg]

Even though he is only 32 injuries seem to be getting the better of him and I get the feeling that we are not going to see much more of him in an Ireland shirt.So just as a matter of interest I just started comparing his early career to that of the lad I think at the moment is best suited to replacing him, Kevin Foley.
Finnan started in lower division than Foley but Finnan moved to Fulham from Notts County at roughly the same age as Foley moved from Luton to Wolves. And Finnan was roughly the same age as Foley when Fulham won the old 1st division, something maybe Foley can emulate with Wolves this season.
None of this makes any difference of course, but hopefully the slight similarities continue during Foleys career and he can establish himself as first choice in the Irish team.The one big advantage Foley would have over Finnan in this regard would be that there is no one of the quality of Steven Carr blocking his way into the team

[Stuttgart88]

Dr. Peepee here always cites Finnan's example as a reason to keep an eye on the lower divisions, players in their mid-20s and the B internationals because often enough players come to prominence later in their careers. Keith Andrews is a current example I'd say, and Jimmy Bullard is probably a good non-Irish example.

A difference betwen Foley and Finnan I'd say is that Foley has been on the FAI's radar for a long time, being an established U21, and now seemingly a regular senior squad member. His talent has been recognised for some time. His time will come before long. My recollection was that Finnan was a genuine (relatively) late-bloomer. Was Finnan ever capped at underage level?

[Razors left peg]

Dr. Peepee here always cites Finnan's example as a reason to keep an eye on the lower divisions, players in their mid-20s and the B internationals because often enough players come to prominence later in their careers. Keith Andrews is a current example I'd say, and Jimmy Bullard is probably a good non-Irish example.

A difference betwen Foley and Finnan I'd say is that Foley has been on the FAI's radar for a long time, being an established U21, and now seemingly a regular senior squad member. His talent has been recognised for some time. His time will come before long. My recollection was that Finnan was a genuine (relatively) late-bloomer. Was Finnan ever capped at underage level?

Yeah as far as I can remember he was capped at under 21 level, but thats just going on my own memory rather than any evidence.

[geysir]

With some of our full backs, it was a hard job to dig up the roots and get rid of them.

Strange problematic position for us, going right through the last 4 managers.

[danonion]

Stevie Carr's on the comeback trail with Brum, couldn't be worse than Kelly :o)

[backstothewall]

In a similar vain Mark Knnedy is back playing at Cardiff as a left full back. He might provide an alternative in that position.

Speaking of left backs, does anyone know if Stephen O'Halloran is due back from injury any time soon?

[tetsujin1979]

Finnan interviewed on goal.com: http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/03/08/1144487/exclusive-steve-finnan-on-espanyol-relegation-and-playing-again

[swinfordfc]

Steve Finnan is out of the up coming games due to hamstring problem - he's a big miss for us! :(

[shakermaker1982]

does this mean Kelly starts again? Felt a little sorry for him last time out. The media didn't go easy on him.

[Wolfie]

does this mean Kelly starts again? Felt a little sorry for him last time out. The media didn't go easy on him.

McShane could get the nod over Kelly.

[Stuttgart88]

The media didn't go easy on him.Nor should they have! His first 20 mins nearly cost us the game.

I'd fear for either of Kelly or McShane as both are rusty and short confidence but I thought during the Bulgaria game that McShane would have been the better option in hindsight (though I'd have picked Kelly beforehand). I'd go for McShane against Bulgaria.

[Wolfie]

There was a time we could have fielded a first 11 comprised of full backs!!!

We were spoilt for quality and its a bit disconcerting not to have it there.

For such a long time our full back positions were safe and secure. Not any more.

[drummerboy]

Is Foley in the panel. Perhaps its time to take a chance and give him a go.

[eirebhoy]

I read somewhere this week that Finnan doesn't have to return to pre-season training for 2 more weeks to give him more time to find a new club. Is he severely home sick?

[Colbert Report]

I heard on the Off The Ball podcast this morning that he can't wait to make his pre-season start this Saturday for his Spanish club. He's declared himself fully fit and can't wait to put in a good season in Spain.

[Scram]

I heard on the Off The Ball podcast this morning that he can't wait to make his pre-season start this Saturday for his Spanish club. He's declared himself fully fit and can't wait to put in a good season in Spain.

Excellent, if true.

[irishultra]

I heard on the Off The Ball podcast this morning that he can't wait to make his pre-season start this Saturday for his Spanish club. He's declared himself fully fit and can't wait to put in a good season in Spain.

Nice. I though Espanyol got relegated last season? Have no idea why. Just realised now they survived. I remember they were quite a bit adrift at the bottom of the table for a while.

[tetsujin1979]

Nice. I though Espanyol got relegated last season? Have no idea why. Just realised now they survived. I remember they were quite a bit adrift at the bottom of the table for a while.
Finished 10th after a run of form at the end of the season propelled them up the table
Tenerife, Real Zaragoza and Xerez were relegated

According to this - http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11842_5422757,00.html - Finnan is "fit and raring to go for the new Spanish season"

[eirebhoy]

That's great news about Finnan. Nakamura joined Espanyol in the summer and will make a name for himself in that league, I'm sure of it. They've some excellent players and could well be a top 6 team this season.

[Noelys Guitar]

Finnan back to the Premiership? Taken from the sun so probably made up.

STEVE FINNAN is being chased by Sunderland, Stoke and Wolves.
Full-back Finnan, 33, left Liverpool for Spanish side Espanyol last September but is keen for a return to the Premier League.

Espanyol sporting director Ramon Planas said: "We are negotiating to cancel his contract.

"Hopefully we can reach an agreement which works for everybody."

[Closed Account 2]

Finished 10th after a run of form at the end of the season propelled them up the table
Tenerife, Real Zaragoza and Xerez were relegated

According to this - http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11842_5422757,00.html - Finnan is "fit and raring to go for the new Spanish season"

errrrm, I thought it was Betis, Recre and Numancia that went down this year... thought Zaragoza are now back in the top flight??

[Noelys Guitar]

Finnan's contract to be cancelled by mutual agreement at Espanyol.
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5451033,00.html

[Wolfie]

Finnan's contract to be cancelled by mutual agreement at Espanyol.
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5451033,00.html

A Wolves move would have Foley and Finnan vying for Right Full.

[tetsujin1979]

errrrm, I thought it was Betis, Recre and Numancia that went down this year... thought Zaragoza are now back in the top flight??
sorry, they were the promoted sides from the Segunda Divisíon