Steve Finnan

[Slash/ED]

He clearly has the talent it's just a matter of getting him to perform, weather it's an attitude thing or not he'd want to start performing soon.

[thejollyrodger]

He did well in his first season and just looks like he as lost a bit of confidence. He seems like he has a good attitude and has skill. I think O Shea will come right this season. He would want to because he may not be at Utd for much longer :P

[Peadar]

He did well in his first season and just looks like he as lost a bit of confidence.

He did well in a defence with Rio and co. in a United team that was full of arrogance. That confidence has been eroded by the realisation that they're all average Joes and O'Shea is being shown up for the average player he really is.

[1MickCollins]

If I were John O'Shea's advisor I would say go out on loan to another premership team and pick a position and stick with it. You just can't keep switching from LB to CB to MD to RB. He is falling between 3 stools and getting nowhere.

[thejollyrodger]

jack of all trades master of none : P

O Shea is a good player alright, its just that he needs to address his loss in confidence. I hope Man Utd get it sorted for the irish players sake.

[Donal81]

Man U, although they've suffered a rotten start to the season, are a class side, and were even better when O'Shea broke into the squad. He's been quiet recently, sure, and has never really played out of his skin for Ireland but, generally, I think the bloke is class. When he's on his game, he's a good tackler, good positioning, good passer, not afraid to run it himself at times. Fergie said that O'Shea had saved him millions of pounds by being a quality defender who had come through the ranks and Fergie is normally on the ball. Give him time and he'll be alright although I still don't think he fits into the Irish team properly just yet. Needs to get a bit tougher as well.

[Littlest Hobo]

Man U, although they've suffered a rotten start to the season, are a class side, and were even better when O'Shea broke into the squad. He's been quiet recently, sure, and has never really played out of his skin for Ireland but, generally, I think the bloke is class. When he's on his game, he's a good tackler, good positioning, good passer, not afraid to run it himself at times. Fergie said that O'Shea had saved him millions of pounds by being a quality defender who had come through the ranks and Fergie is normally on the ball. Give him time and he'll be alright although I still don't think he fits into the Irish team properly just yet. Needs to get a bit tougher as well.

Disagree on all counts....O'shea is out of his depth at Man u and in the green jersey for ireland.
He'll be dropped when neville and rio return, and kerr will do the sensible thing and drop him aswell.

[ken foree]

just begs the question, 'who else' though. maybe carr and finnan can do the job but we're suffering for options after them. not too confident in carr's form lately either to be honest. maybury? harte? i mean these two players seem farily well derided whenever they get a game for ireland. kelly from spurs?

[Peadar]

kelly from spurs?

Isn't he a Right Full-Back?
He's not getting enough 1st team action anyway.
Roberto Carlos? :D

[fergalr]

I think we have a a serious problem in both full back positions. If anything the form of Stephen "petulant" Carr is the most worrisome. Its with a heavy heart that I suggest that Finnan and O'Shea might be our best bet for St Denis.

[1MickCollins]

Man U have the resources especially in coaching terms to get the best out of their players, I was reading an article recently about the difference between the top 5 clubs in England and the rest in terms of coaching, conditioning, diet etc. I think O'Shea could make a very good full-back I think that will be his position, he is a good athlete who needs some extra coaching right now - I vote he will come good.

[Superhoops]

Man U have the resources especially in coaching terms to get the best out of their players, I was reading an article recently about the difference between the top 5 clubs in England and the rest in terms of coaching, conditioning, diet etc. I think O'Shea could make a very good full-back I think that will be his position, he is a good athlete who needs some extra coaching right now - I vote he will come good.

He may very well do but at the moment he is not playing with confidence. For the Paris game, I would go with Finnan (RB) and Kilbane (LB).

[thejollyrodger]

I would like to see how O Shea plays when Ferdinand is back. Maybe his confidence will increase then. Its still early days to select a team

[eirebhoy]

and Robbie Keane £250k...
Seriously? Never heard that.

[Burner]

Has Kerr announced his team yet? Just read that he's going with Kilbane in the centre and Finnan on the right- O'Shea at left back. No real surprises- but it might not be the team...

Given - Carr, O'Brien, Cunningham (cap.), O'Shea - Finnan, Roy Keane, Kilbane, Duff - Robbie Keane, Morrison.

[eirebhoy]

He won't annouce his team until the deadline of about an hour before kick off. Let the papers do their usual predictions.

[Slash/ED]

If he thinks Kilbane is the answer in central mid field given the options he'd be leaving on the bench then he obviously didn't learn anything from the Swiss match.

[thejollyrodger]

I dont think Kilbane is the answer in midfield no matter what the injuries, fitness problems problems are. He is all heart and does his runs forward but rarely produces anything of quality or useful.

[1MickCollins]

I dont think Kilbane is the answer in midfield no matter what the injuries, fitness problems problems are. He is all heart and does his runs forward but rarely produces anything of quality or useful.

I am beginning to think playing Kilbane in the middle is like giving an extra man to France if he gives away possession like he did against the Swiss. I hope he proves me very very wrong and scores a screamer from 30 yrds.

[Adrianovic]

If we play Kilbane in the middle, consider the midfield battle over, unless he pulls out ALL the stops. I'm not questioning his effort, it's just, hmmmmm

Ade

[Gary]

Shows what ye lot know eh??? :p ;)

[Burner]

I suppose it came to fruition

[Slash/ED]

I never doubted him for a minute...

[Reality Bites]

Just thought i'd start a thread dedicated to Steve Finnan, What a great season he is having under Benitez at Liverpool, a real no-nonsense pro, who is looking every bit the classy Fullback he was two years ago. Just goes to show what effects a new manager can have on a player, looked very uncertain under Houllier now he is showing his real class, I think its fair to say he should be Irelands First choice right back, after Carrs string of dodgy preformances!

[drummerboy]

Amazing to think that he almost signed for Spurs. Nunez got injured in training at the start of season and Finnan was required to stay. He has also seen off Josemi. Well done.

[Dotsy]

I couldn't agre more. Liverpools most consistent player in both the PM and CL this year. Has played well in all matches for Ireland lately even if he has been played mainly out of his favoured position. Steven Carr is a good player but his form lately for Ireland has been poor and Finnan should be first choice.

[Baker]

He has been fantastic.
Benitez didnt rate him at all when he took over but he got his chance after Josemi got injured/played crap and grabbed it with both hands.

He deserves to be right full for Ireland ahead of Carr who seems to be getting his game based on the player he once was a few years ago. It'll be interesting to see who Kerr plays there against the Faroes in June as Finnan will no doubt take over from the suspended Carr against Israel a few days beforehand.

[Stuttgart88]

There was a thread recently on another section of the site on Finnan. Everyone says the same.

I was only feet away from Finnan during the Croatia friendly & the guy looked totally class, as he usually does at full back for Ireland. Russia away he had a mare but everyone did.

I'd go as far as saying that Finnan is one of the most important members of our team. He's quality, nothing flash but you don't want flashy full-backs. I can't believe Wenger didn't want him when he was available. Not exotic enough probably.

[tonycuna]

I'm agree too,
He's having a wonderful season and he surely deserves a first-choice place in Kerr's eleven.
One more time yesterday against Juventus, a wonderful performance, concentrated on every ball around him, played without any mistake.
On that position, he's our man definitely!

[dr_peepee]

I'd still like to see him have a shot on the left for us!!

[Cowboy]

I'd still like to see him have a shot on the left for us!!

did he not play for us on the left before? my ideal would be finnan on the left and carr on the right (if carr can re capture his form of pre op days )

[stickyjoe]

played on the left against the swiss in basle. done alright but i cant see kerr dropping oshea. he seems to be one of the players he`ll alwasy pick

[Stuttgart88]

Put it this way: Who's been worse recently? O'Shea on the left or Carr on the right? I'd actually say Carr.

[davey]

Put it this way: Who's been worse recently? O'Shea on the left or Carr on the right? I'd actually say Carr.

Totally agree. Carr doesnt seem to put in those riproaring runs like he used to. Whilst still obviously a quality player, he doesn't seem to be quite the same player he was before his injury that kept out of the world cup

[FarBeag]

Did ye watch Carr this evening he was horendous.What a Fcuk up for Sportings last goal..School boy stuff.

[brine3]

He was crap all night and his error summed it up.

Graeme Souness... how long does he have left in the toon hotseat do you think?

[tricky_colour]

Did ye watch Carr this evening he was horendous.What a Fcuk up for Sportings last goal..School boy stuff.

If you didn't see it it's on again now, at 12:30am (C5) bit late but you could record if you want, Andy O'Brien comes on as sub too, don't think he had a great game either. I only had half an eye on the live match and heard some of it on the radio too but I might watch some of it again, whilst I lose a bit of money at poker :D

[Closed Account 2]

Carr was pretty below par alright. Defensivly average at best, but going forward he was shocking tbh. After 75 mins Newcastle needed to score to win the tie, and Stevie had the ball fairly often, but seemed to just keep hoofing aimless balls into their box, or in most cases hitting long balls straight out of play for a goal kick to them.

Thought O'B. had an ok game, nothing special but no major howlers. Shay had a good game despite the score.

[Stuttgart88]

Thought O'B. had an ok game, nothing special but no major howlers. Shay had a good game despite the score.

I only saw the goal highlights on the news but was O'B not at fault for the second goal? He had a chance to clear it but only sliced it across the 18 yard line to a Sporting player.

The fact that Souness picked Bramble & Taylor ahead of him said a lot I think.

If there's any mitigation to Carr's error it was that he was under pressure to get the ball forward as quickly as possible. I'd doubt he'd have made the same error 10 mins eralier. Bad error all the same though.

[Condex]

The best right back in the premiership!!

[Colie]

Finnan full back with Carr on the wing?

I'd say Finnan at full back anyway on current form.

And now I have to be up for Liverpool in the final after being up for Duff so far! :(

[Saint Tom]

fantastic performance alright

he and carragher were collosal

[De Town]

Finnan was fantastic tonight. Great performance.

[Donal81]

While I don't think that Carr has played miserably over the past few months - just not up to his previous high standards - I think Finnan has been playing the better football. Does he deserve his place at right-full? Does Carr deserve to be dropped?

Finnan's performances over the past six months and especially that tonight have sparked this.

[sligoman]

Carr!

[Slash/ED]

Great game from Finnan alright, he must be pushing for Liverpool player of the season at this stage.

And to think some morons on here wrote him off last year.

[pete]

Carr has gone backwards since moved to Newcastle whereas Finnan has really improved. I wouldn't have considered dropping Carr a couple of years ago but Finnan is best irish fullback.

[FarBeag]

Finnan without a question,did you see his performance to-night? He is much more consistant in his overall play than Carr.Saying this Carr is a good footballer but based on recent form he does not touch Steve Finnan.

[eirebhoy]

You know what you'll get with Finnan. Not much attacking wise but as solid as a rock defensively. I'd say Finnan is first choice for us now.

Excellent performance tonight. Only Carragher was better than him. He did everything he could though Carragher just saw more of the ball.

[tricky_colour]

http://actim.pa.press.net/top100_prem.shtml

Well this index backs up Finnan as first choice, #35, Carr is not in the top 100. Richard Dunne climbs to 83 from 87.