Steve Finnan

[TerryPhelan]

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

I really hope Finnan stays put. Not alone because a move to Wolves would be close to a worst-case scenario in terms of English clubs to go to (a player of Finnan's quality deserves a team with greater finesse), but also because he hasn't had a proper shot at making a name for himself in La Liga: returning to some Wolves/Birmingham/Sunderland type side would be a very deflating and defeatist turn of events. Finnan's cool temperament, confidence with the ball at his feet and attacking sensibilities are all classic hallmarks of La Liga stars: his consistency, however, is a lesser-seen trait over there. He'll be in a good side there, improving himself still by coping with the likes of Messi, Ronaldo etc.

Plus, just as a personal point of principle, the more Irish players based outside Britain the better. Exposure to different tactical approaches and how to operate in alternative formations, as are learned on d'Continent, can only develop a player's game. I feel a lot of our players would actually come on in leaps and bounds if they broke out of the monochrome tactical environment of the EPL, but the hoary old ways there stunt the footballing education the younger ones are supposed to receive. Stay at Espanyol, Steve, and show them just how good you are. There are scandalously few Irishmen playing beyond our neighbouring island. Here's hoping Finnan proves to everyone that breaking the British mould can result in success, progress and should not hold any fear for anyone. I'd imagine given his constant equations to Italian counterparts and 'scouting' of players like Given for Italian clubs, Trapattoni must be in favour of a few more Irish players breaking out and trying their hand/foot at life on the Continent.:ball:

[irishultra]

brilliantly put terry;) what i would have wrote if i was articulate enough:D

[geysir]

Tezzer sure can put a pen to paper.

It looks that if Finnan does end up staying out his contract in Spain, it will be in spite of Espanyol's best efforts to get shod of him.

[joema]

I really hope Finnan stays put.

Espanyol don't want him. They are looking to cancel his contract at the moment!

[eirebhoy]

It's Finnan that wants to leave and has wanted to leave ever since he got there.

[joema]

It's Finnan that wants to leave and has wanted to leave ever since he got there.

Its both! Espanyol def don't want him!

Their loss! Be good to have him back in the Premiership. Def our best right back at the moment!

[geysir]

I thought Finnan said he wanted to get match fit and regain his place while Espanyol went public with their attempts to find him another home. Maybe it was his agent, well versed in double talk.

Finnan wouldn't be any loss to Espanyol, he has been injured for most of the season.
He would be a big risk and a wage drain for their next season. They might even get a few Euro for whats left on his contract

[Noelys Guitar]

About to sign for Portsmouth on a free according to Radio 5.

[Crosby87]

If he goes to Portsmouth maybe he will stay healthy and play regularly.
People in here are always talking about having Irish players in Spain and Italy, I get the point but who cares if they never play and want to leave there? Thats not doing any good for him or the international outlook on Irish players.

[irishfan86]

If he goes to Portsmouth maybe he will stay healthy and play regularly.
People in here are always talking about having Irish players in Spain and Italy, I get the point but who cares if they never play and want to leave there? Thats not doing any good for him or the international outlook on Irish players.

Well, in fairness he didn't play due to injury, rather than poor form. I think a few of us were just hoping to watch one of our top players play in another league to see how he'd do, and now it doesn't look like we're going to get that chance with Finnan.

But I agree with the idea that it's better that our players play in the Premiership rather than sit on the bench somewhere on the continent.

[tetsujin1979]

last year of Finnan's contract cancelled by Espanyol: http://www.rcdespanyol.com/ingles/index.php?modulo=detalleNoticia&idnoticia=400&idseccion=28&Amenu=detalleNoticia

[geysir]

The 2nd year must have been an option?

Or else Finnan has found a club and needs to be a free agent in order for them to sign him up.

[Carrigaline]

I really don't buy into the whole notion that Finnan should stay at Espanyol. As far as I'm concerned, there's very little difference between Portsmouth and Espanyol, other than playing with a couple of useful players, both teams are poor enough. The most important thing is that he play as often as he can, and is involved in a decent set-up. I think he'll find that at Portsmouth.

[lionelhutz]

Isn't Marc Wilson a right back?? If Finnan signs for Portsmouth, would this stop the progress of an up and coming Irish full back?

[irishfan86]

Isn't Marc Wilson a right back?? If Finnan signs for Portsmouth, would this stop the progress of an up and coming Irish full back?

Wilson is naturally a centre-back who has played mainly at right-full for Portsmouth.

He has also played for them as a right midfielder and as a central midfielder.

Due to Portsmouth's ridiculously small squad, and his versatility, I anticipate a lot of playing time for Wilson this season.

If Finnan doesn't arrive, I wouldn't be surprised if he was first choice right-full to start the season.

[co. down green]

Finnan signs 1 year deal with Portsmouth

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5458213,00.html

Wilson played right midfield for Pompey at the weekend

[stiffler]

Pompey also have England U21 right back Martin Cranie, and plan to strengthen further before the season starts.

Hopefully Wilson is in with a shout at right midfield this season.


It would nice to have 2 irish players down the same channel.

[danonion]

I think Portsmouth will go down. I am very disappointed in this move.

[irishultra]

nah shouldnt matter, he's basically finished as an international player now anyway so getting first team football which ill assume he'll get before the world cup is as good as anything and especially in the premier league as he could have ended up in lower english divisions which wouldnt have been great, dissapointing though thought he would have been a good la liga right back and might have prolonged his career.

he was at a better team before he went to espanyol so it wasnt a step up for him or anything probably just a little late in his career for the change though.

[Colbert Report]

Easy there. Steve Finnan is not finished as an international player at all. Let's see how he does this year with Portsmouth before we write him off so easily. Fifteen months ago he was the starting right back for Liverpool.

[Wolfie]

nah shouldnt matter, he's basically finished as an international player now anyway so getting first team football which ill assume he'll get before the world cup is as good as anything and especially in the premier league as he could have ended up in lower english divisions which wouldnt have been great, dissapointing though thought he would have been a good la liga right back and might have prolonged his career.

he was at a better team before he went to espanyol so it wasnt a step up for him or anything probably just a little late in his career for the change though.

I'd still have Finnan in the starting 11 - certainly for the remainder of the qualifiers and most likely beyond.

I'd gamble on breaking up the Dunne / O'Shea partnership in order to play Finnan and O'Shea as full backs and St Ledger and Dunne at centre half.

[elroy]

Hes our best option at right back so dont see hows he finished from our point of view. Very solid player and once he gets a few games under his belt again, am sure he has another 2 seasons left in him at the top. Have fears for pompey alright, although there are quite a few relegation contenders this year, the promoted three, hull, portsmouth, wigan, stoke, sunderland are all definitely going to be in the mix and one or two surprises always get dragged in.

[tetsujin1979]

It's a good move for Finnan, Pompey need a solid right full to replace Johnson, and he will play regularly with the first time. I suspect they're not going to too too badly, but don't see them finishing higher than 12th.
I reckon it's Hull, Burnley and one from Stoke, Wolves and Birmingham to go down.

[Brendan 82]

Hes our best option at right back so dont see hows he finished from our point of view. .

I would completely disagree with that. John O'Shea is our best right back by a country mile, he is pure quality. If Finnan was fit though, I would have him at right back (because he is very good) and switch O'Shea to left back because our options at left back are dismal and O'Shea is very versatile. Dunne and StLedger is the CB partnership now and will continue to be as long as St.Ledger keeps up his quality performances

[tetsujin1979]

Signed a one year deal with Portsmouth - confirmed on official site: http://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/index.php?cms_id=78&qs_articleid=2654&qs_media=html

[geysir]

About to sign for Portsmouth on a free according to Radio 5.

Is this the first time Noely has ever been right, with a pre-official statement rumour?

[Scram]

Why isn't he in the Ireland squad?

[tetsujin1979]

Hasn't played any preseason games, and can't be match fit. Let him start the season with Portsmouth, get his fitness back, and he'll be in the squad for Cyprus

[Den Perry]

It's a good move for Finnan, Pompey need a solid right full to replace Johnson, and he will play regularly with the first time. I suspect they're not going to too too badly, but don't see them finishing higher than 12th.
I reckon it's Hull, Burnley and one from Stoke, Wolves and Birmingham to go down.

I still think Finnan has a lot to offer us.Don't think Pompey is a bad move at all. Paul Hart seemed to steady the ship last season, and though they have lost a few players I still think they'll be ok.

[Noelys Guitar]

Is this the first time Noely has ever been right, with a pre-official statement rumour?

I got Gerry Ryan's move to Brighton right. That was fairly recent.

[dr_peepee]

I think he stilll has something to prove to nail the right back place. At his age and after being out for so long he has to get there on merrit and not on reputation. Who's to say he's the same player???

The good thing is that there's no current RB "owner" to usurp.

I think Portsmouth will go down though... With Wigan and Hull!!!

[youngirish]

I would completely disagree with that. John O'Shea is our best right back by a country mile, he is pure quality. If Finnan was fit though, I would have him at right back (because he is very good) and switch O'Shea to left back because our options at left back are dismal and O'Shea is very versatile. Dunne and StLedger is the CB partnership now and will continue to be as long as St.Ledger keeps up his quality performances

A fit Finnan is a far, far superior player to O'Shea. To say O'Shea is a better right back by a country mile is way off the mark. How quickly some forget.

[Razors left peg]

A fit Finnan is a far, far superior player to O'Shea. To say O'Shea is a better right back by a country mile is way off the mark. How quickly some forget.

Finnan at 33 with all his injuries isnt

[swinfordfc]

Finnan at 33 with all his injuries isnt

he injured again and will start of season with portsmouth ...... :(

[Stuttgart88]

he injured again and will start of season with portsmouth ...... :(Competition: Fill in the missing words above to convey the full intended meaning.

[christo]

Competition: Fill in the missing words above to convey the full intended meaning.

he is injured again and will miss the start of the season with portsmouth ...... :(


do I win

[Crosby87]

Was he was already hurt? Dont tell me he got hurt already in the last week.

[irishfan86]

Was he was already hurt? Dont tell me he got hurt already in the last week.

It's a new injury he just got, probably won't be fit for the first Premier League match.

[Crosby87]

Good Lord. Seems like the man can't walk down a flight stairs without getting injured.
If his agent was smart he would see if the Mets were interested.

[Crosby87]

Whats up with Finnan? Same stuff as above?
Any chance he can come back and play like its 5 years ago? Soon?

[elroy]

If we had a fit Stevie Reid and Finnan back for the Italian game Id fancy our chances. Reid has some hope but unfortunately with the run of injuries finnan has had, we may never see him in the green again.

[Crosby87]

Yikes!

[tetsujin1979]

reports that Finnan is back in training, but won't play this weekend against Villa

from http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/sep/18/premier-league-team-news-football

The Fratton Park club have hamstring victim Steve Finnan back in training but the Irishman is not yet ready for selection.

[swinfordfc]

good news

[Leeside Swagger]

Great news for the Irish team, he's in for a tough season though methinks.

[gwhite]

http://breakingnews.iol.ie/sport/finnan-may-be-set-for-pompey-bow-427707.html

Apparently he's available for selection tomorrow. Terrific news because Kilbane needs to be kept away from the pitch for the rest of the campaign.

[centre mid]

I'd be suprised if Trap names Finnan TBH, hasnt played at all and still not clear if he will feature on the Weekend. I'd rather he gets fully fit and is availble for play offs should we get there.

[gwhite]

I think he'll name hime. Pompey have 2 league games before the Italy game and maybe a reserve game or 2 midweek to sharpen him up. If he's set to name Steven Reid, he'll name Finnan, at least on stand-by.

[shakermaker1982]

http://breakingnews.iol.ie/sport/finnan-may-be-set-for-pompey-bow-427707.html

Apparently he's available for selection tomorrow. Terrific news because Kilbane needs to be kept away from the pitch for the rest of the campaign.

Finnan is a RB and Kilbane has been slotting in at LB...... unless you mean Finnan's availability allows O'Shea to slot in at LB.

I think these 2 games have come too early for him. No harm in asking him to attend the squads but I'd be surprised if Finnan is in contention for a place in the match day squad.

[KK77]

[QUOTE=shakermaker1982;1238514]Finnan is a RB and Kilbane has been slotting in at LB...... unless you mean Finnan's availability allows O'Shea to slot in at LB.

Finnan has played left back a few times for Ireland.