Steve Finnan

[TheOwl]

Sure I can't ever remember Owen Heary having a bad game at right-back, but before people jump at me I accept his selection is NEVER going to happen

[Kingdom]

I'm never one to start calling for eL players to represent the National team but Owen Heary wouldn't be far off. One of the few players in the eL who genuinely could have played at the highest level in England.

A call up wouldn't be out of place in my opinion.

[brine3]

o'shea - o'brien - cunningham - kelly

if finnan and carr are injured then kelly deserves a look in. if maybury plays then we're going down the same road that mick went down... sticking to his favourites when there's better, younger options out there

[drummerboy]

According to the News at One, Finnan is out of both games. Ireland are going to havea lot of possession in this game and the ability to get down the wing and provide crosses is going to be vital. Kelly should at least be called up.

[Donal81]

is that the same overated overhyped side that drew with france home and away and against us at home ?

I don't particularly want to get into this again as it's been argued loads already but Israel have been lucky so far. They're not a bad side in that they kept themselves close to ourselves and France in each game but they got a last minute goal against us, a late goal against the French (both home games for them), were drawing against the Cypriots (again at home) 15 minutes until the end and were drawing with Cyprus away until four minutes from the end. Like I said before, that's 8 points that they're riding their luck on. Who knows, they might ride that luck the whole way to the end but I doubt it.

These aren't the dark horses they're being presented as. A few results have gone their way and that's it. If we win at home - and there is no reason in the world why we shouldn't - we'll go two points ahead of them with a game in hand against the Faroes. Assuming we win that, we're five points ahead of them and they're out of it. They've still got to go to Switzerland and play, which might actually be trickier than Paris these days.

[brine3]

Does anyone know if Steven Reid has been called up?

[Slash/ED]

Sure I can't ever remember Owen Heary having a bad game at right-back, but before people jump at me I accept his selection is NEVER going to happen

Sorry the the old He's in the EL therefor shyte rule comes into play here, so we'll stick with world beaters like Maybury.

[Donal81]

I know f*ck all about eL football but I would have thought that Brian Kerr does? Certainly more than McCarthy? If there was a quality right-full in the eL, would Kerr not know about him?

[Slash/ED]

I know f*ck all about eL football but I would have thought that Brian Kerr does? Certainly more than McCarthy? If there was a quality right-full in the eL, would Kerr not know about him?

Obviously he wouldn't, obviously he didn't watch the Deportivo game where Heary marked a 15m rated Spanish international winger and got MOTM, or this wouldn't even be a debate.

[NeilMcD]

I don't particularly want to get into this again as it's been argued loads already but Israel have been lucky so far. They're not a bad side in that they kept themselves close to ourselves and France in each game but they got a last minute goal against us, a late goal against the French (both home games for them), were drawing against the Cypriots (again at home) 15 minutes until the end and were drawing with Cyprus away until four minutes from the end. Like I said before, that's 8 points that they're riding their luck on. Who knows, they might ride that luck the whole way to the end but I doubt it.

These aren't the dark horses they're being presented as. A few results have gone their way and that's it. If we win at home - and there is no reason in the world why we shouldn't - we'll go two points ahead of them with a game in hand against the Faroes. Assuming we win that, we're five points ahead of them and they're out of it. They've still got to go to Switzerland and play, which might actually be trickier than Paris these days.


I dont think Israel are great, but I dont think that late goals are lucky. IN fact I think they are the opposite, ify ou score late its not cause you are lucky its cause you have not given up. THere is nothing lucky about winning in the last minutre or drawing in the last minute. I agree with your post other than that.

[Donal81]

I dont think Israel are great, but I dont think that late goals are lucky. IN fact I think they are the opposite, ify ou score late its not cause you are lucky its cause you have not given up. THere is nothing lucky about winning in the last minutre or drawing in the last minute. I agree with your post other than that.

Fair point but I think that luck comes into it when a team is sitting on a 1-0 lead. They got a great goal against us 60 seconds from time. They didn't give up but plenty of teams don't give up either but don't get the lucky bounce, shot, etc.

It just bugs me when average teams are built up just because a few results go slightly against the script. The same thing happened with Iran. Someone on here said a while ago that they're nervous about Cyprus away. Nothing wrong with being cautious but there is such a thing as giving a team too much respect.

[Poor Student]

If there is one thing the Israeli's have it is an abundance of pace. If it is one thing O'Shea and Harte cannot handle it is pace. I'd have Kilbane at left back before Harte or O'Shea.

[drummerboy]

Obviously he wouldn't, obviously he didn't watch the Deportivo game where Heary marked a 15m rated Spanish international winger and got MOTM, or this wouldn't even be a debate.

Heary had a lot of trouble with that winger in the early stages of the game. He got booked and was lucky to stay on the pitch after another foul. Admittedly he did get on top of the guy as the game wore on. However the stepup is two big for EL players imho. Think Maybury will struggle in competitive game also.

[Slash/ED]

He got MOTM, I'd hardly say he found the step up too much at all. Heary has played against Deportivo, Lille (Finished second in the French league and are automatically in next years champions league) Rosenborg, Bromby and many others and not once in all of that time, not to mention in the league, have I ever seen a winger get the best of him and run him ragged. I think he can handle the massive step up in class that Celtic in a friendly and the Faroe Islands would present. Don't forget, Heary will have match sharpness against Israel and the Faroe Islands that only Ian Harte in our squad will have.

On the other hand, I have seen wingers get the better of Maybury in a way that they simply don't against Heary. Worse ones than Hearys come up against too.

[Stuttgart88]

Someone on here said a while ago that they're nervous about Cyprus away.

Yep, that was me!

We should go out there & do a professional job and win.

I thought Cyprus were muck at Lansdowne, much worse than they're capable of I reckon. They have a new coach too. Recently they've threatened Israel twice, Switzerland only scored at home in the 90th minute and they came close (hitting a post too I think) a few times at home to France.

Given our tendency to underperform away, I reiterate my concerns about Cyprus away.

[TheOwl]

He got MOTM, I'd hardly say he found the step up too much at all. Heary has played against Deportivo, Lille (Finished second in the French league and are automatically in next years champions league) Rosenborg, Bromby and many others and not once in all of that time, not to mention in the league, have I ever seen a winger get the best of him and run him ragged. I think he can handle the massive step up in class that Celtic in a friendly and the Faroe Islands would present. Don't forget, Heary will have match sharpness against Israel and the Faroe Islands that only Ian Harte in our squad will have.

On the other hand, I have seen wingers get the better of Maybury in a way that they simply don't against Heary. Worse ones than Hearys come up against too.

Heary should have been capped by now, putting him in against Israel is not the game for him to make his debut of course, but he should be given his chance in a friendly I think.

It is intresting that the two EL players to be capped in recent years have both been strikers. The step up there is more significant because it is up to a striker to get the better of a defender, while a defender just has to make sure a forward doesn't get the better of him (if you know what I mean).

Heary is unquestionabley the most important player on the best team in the EL - that was proved againist Linfield when he was missing.

[Donal81]

Yep, that was me!

We should go out there & do a professional job and win.

I thought Cyprus were muck at Lansdowne, much worse than they're capable of I reckon. They have a new coach too. Recently they've threatened Israel twice, Switzerland only scored at home in the 90th minute and they came close (hitting a post too I think) a few times at home to France.

Given our tendency to underperform away, I reiterate my concerns about Cyprus away.

I thought it was you but I wasn't sure!

Again, there's nothing wrong with being cautious and I didn't know they have a new manager. Still, I've seen nothing in them that should trouble us. They've one point from six games and that was a draw with the Faroes! I wouldn't be concerned.

[zinedineontour]

Just been on the news that stevie is ok for the israel game ... happy days

[NeilMcD]

A Brian Kerr Republic of Ireland XI take on Celtic in the Jackie McNamara Testimonial on Sunday afternoon at Celtic Park as Ireland’s preparations for the World Cup qualifiers begin in earnest.

With the crucial qualification clashes against Israel at Lansdowne Road and the Faroe Islands in Torshavn coming up in the next two weeks, Ireland manager Kerr believes that the testimonial is ideal preparation.

Kerr said: “The result isn’t all that important but we took the game to make sure the players have a chance to get their sharpness back particularly as the Premiership and Championship have been over for so long.

“Some of the players’ seasons were extended a bit so we’ve been mindful of that as well. Andy Reid and Robbie Keane were away with Spurs, Damien was away with Chelsea and the three Manchester United lads (Roy Keane, John O’Shea and Liam Miller) were involved in the FA Cup final.

“Others have had breaks and in training, I certainly don’t see any tiredness. Everyone knew what was coming up since February and look fresh and prepared.”

Kerr insists he will use the game to ensure that freshness and sharpness are balanced with next week’s competitive fixtures in mind. “Some of our players haven’t had much action in the last few months of the season and we’ll give them a run while others have had a lot of games.

“Players like Andy Reid hasn’t played too often towards the end of the season, Damien Duff missed the last few games as has Robbie Keane which is good for us.

“But others have played a lot like Stephen Carr and we’ve to be mindful of that.”

On the injury front, Champions League winner Steve Finnan will join the squad as planned last week after Liverpool gave him the all clear on Friday despite a slight thigh problem while Leicester City’s Alan Maybury is also unavailable on Sunday because of knee problem

[eirebhoy]

Fair point but I think that luck comes into it when a team is sitting on a 1-0 lead. They got a great goal against us 60 seconds from time. They didn't give up but plenty of teams don't give up either but don't get the lucky bounce, shot, etc.

It just bugs me when average teams are built up just because a few results go slightly against the script. The same thing happened with Iran. Someone on here said a while ago that they're nervous about Cyprus away. Nothing wrong with being cautious but there is such a thing as giving a team too much respect.
Well personally I'm not judging them on their results. They were the better team against France and Switzerland and were unlucky not to win both in the end.

[Colm55]

Started work this morning to the news that he maybe out, i'm leaving to the news that he's joining the squad, Happy days, the first pint on a friday after a hard week will taste all the sweeter.

[TerryPhelan]

Just saw this on elevenaside.com. Looks like Finnan isn't 100% definite for Israel as we thought and hoped he might be.

Finnan fitness fight
May 29, 2005

Steve Finnan remains a major injury doubt for Ireland as the count down begins to Saturday’s vital clash with Israel.

The Liverpool fullback limped off during the Champions League final and Brian Kerr will not know for certain of the Limerick mans availability until tomorrow. Finnan was carrying a thigh injury going into the final but it is thought he should recover in time for the game.

With a win vital Roy Keane and Stephen Carr (suspension) alongside Gary Breen and Richard Dunne (injury) are already ruled out. However in brighter news for the Irish winger Damien Duff is back to full fitness. Kerr said “Duffer feels his hamstring trouble has cleared up and that in some respects his enforced lay off will have a beneficial spin off after what for him has been a hectic season.”
-----------
Here comes the anxiety again!!! :( SO worried about our next two games...

[NeilMcD]

Maybury forced to withdraw

The Republic of Ireland Squad reassembled in Dublin today ahead of the World Cup Qualifiers versus Israel and Faroe Islands.

Manager Brian Kerr has announced that defender Alan Maybury has had to withdraw from the Squad because of a pelvic injury.

“Alan’s injury disimproved yesterday and following discussions between the player, his club and our medical team it was accepted that Alan would not be fit for the two upcoming games”, the Manager said this evening.

Meanwhile Steve Finnan reported for duty with the rest of the Squad today.

“Steve will receive further treatment from our medical staff in relation to the injury he picked up in the Champions League Final last week and a decision on his fitness for the game against Israel will be made later in the week”, Brian Kerr said.

Alan Lee (Cardiff City) has been added to the Squad for the Israel game.

[barglee]

Disimprove
v. t. 1. To make worse; - the opposite of improve.
v. i. 1. To grow worse; to deteriorate.


I assume Mayburys injury has deteriorated or grown worse..... and thats why he cant play

Whats the problem???
am i missing something??

[wallis]

gone back to England for treatment , might make the Faroes but wont make Israel :mad:

[NeilMcD]

Republic of Ireland full back Steve Finnan is a major doubt for Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Israel at Lansdowne Road.

The 29-year-old has returned to Liverpool with a thigh strain though manager Brian Kerr is not ruled the European Cup winner out of contention just yet.

“I doubt if he will be back for Saturday but he has some chance. I felt it was better that he went back — he hasn’t been at Liverpool since the day after the Champions League final.

“I’ll just wait for the reports. He’s still a fair bit to do, running, kicking and jumping but it’s now Wednesday and the game is on Saturday so there is time.”

With Alan Maybury, Richard Dunne and Gary Breen all out, and Stephen Carr suspended, it means that Ireland could go into the game without five defenders but Kerr is confident that there is enough back up in the squad.

“It’s disrupting in general to lose so many from the same area of the pitch. We still have eight in the squad who can play in defensive positions,” said Kerr.

“All our defenders have played at right back, mostly in the Premiership. John O’Shea, Andy O’Brien, Kenny Cunningham, Gary Doherty, Steven Reid, Ian Harte and Matt Holland has played right back.”

Robbie Keane has also played at right back in the past while Steven Reid started at right back in Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Celtic and Kerr admitted the Blackburn Rovers’ man impressed him.

“Steven played for Millwall in the full back position for a while. He did a very good job on Sunday and looked very comfortable there.”

[eirebhoy]

Robbie Keane has also played at right back in the past
:eek:

Finnan will be a huge loss.

[NeilMcD]

Just read that now, when did Robbie Keane play at right back and who was that for.

[Baker]

Today FM sport has just reported that Finnan has returned to Liverpool for treatment. He hasnt been officially ruled out yet but it doesnt look good.

[NeilMcD]

Today FM sport has just reported that Finnan has returned to Liverpool for treatment. He hasnt been officially ruled out yet but it doesnt look good.

i think that has been said already in the thread

[KR's Post]

Just read that now, when did Robbie Keane play at right back and who was that for.
Was gonna say the exact same thing????? :confused:

[McCanada]

He couldn't have played right back at a professional level. However, I do recall reading that he started out as a defender as a youngster playing with his older brother. He was by far the youngest and they stuck him in defence. When he was finally moved up front and scored, he was so happy to be unshackled that he did his big celebration, and, as they say, the rest is history.

I'm sure Kerr knows more about the beautiful game than anyone on this board, but I'm sure he was just having a laugh with that statement. I doubt that playing in defence as an 8 year old is ample preparation for Isreal. Although, couldn't you just see him constantly pointing to the space in front of him, and demanding the ball be passed there by Cunningham? ;)

[eirebhoy]

I'm sure Kerr knows more about the beautiful game than anyone on this board, but I'm sure he was just having a laugh with that statement. I doubt that playing in defence as an 8 year old is ample preparation for Isreal. Although, couldn't you just see him constantly pointing to the space in front of him, and demanding the ball be passed there by Cunningham? ;)
Kerr didn't make the comment. :)

[tricky_colour]

What about Stephen Kelly at right back?

After all if he is good enought for Spurs and good enough to take
Carrs place then surely he deserves a chance.

I know he is ineperienced but he did get two goals for Spurs, not
too bad for a right-back and we will be going to win the game.

Can he play though? Has the squad been named yet?

Some younger legs in defence might be a good idea.

[tricky_colour]

Hmm seems like Kelly is not in the squad, is it too late to make a change now?

Kerr:-
“All our defenders have played at right back, mostly in the Premiership. John O’Shea, Andy O’Brien, Kenny Cunningham, Gary Doherty, Steven Reid, Ian Harte and Matt Holland has played right back.”

I would prefer Kelly to most(all?) of the above at right back.
With half those players he filling one gap and creating another!!!!

[JimmyP]

He's injured...he pulled out of the u-21 squad last week.

Some of these threads just go round in circles half the time, it's like groundhog day.

[tricky_colour]

He's injured...he pulled out of the u-21 squad last week.

Some of these threads just go round in circles half the time, it's like groundhog day.

OK thamks for that, my computer recording the status of every Irish player has
broke down :)

[NeilMcD]

Time is running out for Finnan



Rep of Ireland v Israel, Lansdowne Road, Saturday, kick-off 7.30: Steve Finnan's chances of featuring in Saturday's game against Israel hovered only fractionally above the zero mark last night after the 29-year-old returned to Liverpool for further treatment on the thigh strain that has been troubling him since before the Champions League final. Emmet Malone, Soccer correspondent reports.

Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr stopped short of ruling the right back out of the crucial Group Four game but did admit he doesn't think the defender will be fit it time. "I suppose he still has a chance," was as close to upbeat as the manager was about the situation before going on to say "it was important that they get the chance back at Liverpool to have a look at him and see what they think.

"He has a lot to do between now and Saturday, though," he added ominously, "he's got to start running, jumping and kicking. We'll have a better idea about how he is tomorrow."

In anticipation of losing the Limerickman, Kerr switched John O'Shea out of the left-back position for yesterday's practice games and also continued to use Steven Reid at right back. He could still play either of them there and each option has its advantages.

O'Shea did well in the position earlier this season for Manchester United when Gary Neville was sidelined, but if he does switch sides then it would mean Ian Harte's return at left back. The former Leeds United player is no stranger to the position, and is better suited to the sort of attacking game that would be expected this weekend, but his fitness could be a concern given that he has not been playing for Levante in recent weeks.

Reid, on the other hand, has been playing, and playing well, for Blackburn through the latter part of the season, but in central midfield. While selecting him would mean one less change to what has been a fairly settled defence, the 24-year-old has not played on the right of a back four since his time at Millwall.

Kerr, in any case, played down the issue, insisting that players with any defensive experience still in the squad have played right back at some stage. "They've all played there at some stage for their clubs," he said, "John O'Shea, Kenny Cunningham, Steven Reid, Gary Doherty, Andy O'Brien, Ian Harte, even Matt Holland had a bit of time there."

At this point Robbie Keane, who was sitting next to the Ireland manager turned and informed the manager that he, too, had had an outing or two at right back during his Crumlin United days. It wasn't the sort of fact that usually escapes Kerr about a player of Keane's generation, but he looked fairly thrilled by the information anyway.

Ireland's training was generally uneventful otherwise with a knee injury suffered by Gary Doherty the only incident of real significance during the session.

Doherty was forced to limp out of the proceedings, but subsequently expressed confidence he would be fit enough to feature in the game if required, with the Norwich player observing that the initial treatment he had received for a knee injury picked up in training yesterday had had an immediately beneficial effect.

"I just sort of jarred the knee," he said, "but I think I'm going to be fine. I've had a bit of treatment for it already and it's gone well, it's feeling much better again."

With Kerr a little short of defenders and potentially facing the need to change things up front over the course of the game, Doherty could well come into things over the course of the second half despite having played little competitive football since losing his place at Norwich.

"That was a blow, but there's a responsibility on you when it happens to keep yourself right for games like this and I feel good now," he said. "I suppose now it's a question of seeing what way the game pans out, but if I'm called upon I'll be ready.

"It (coming on late in a striking role) was something that worked out well for me before and if that's what's required of me in this game, then I'll certainly be happy to give it my best."

The Israelis, meanwhile, continued their preparations at the Five Lakes resort near Colchester yesterday where a few of the players could have been forgiven for growing distracted by the mounting rumours of impending moves to Premiership clubs.

For Yossi Benayoun such talk is nothing new, the 24-year-old midfielder has repeatedly been linked with a string of English sides over the past couple of seasons, but it appears that Newcastle are now seriously keen on the Racing Santander player and Graeme Souness is expected to be at Lansdowne Road on Saturday to watch him in action.

Also due to attend the game is Portsmouth boss Alain Perrin who will be looking out for the visiting side's striker, Yaniv Katan, himself a target for Newcastle a couple of months back.

Dudu Awat, the goalkeeper who played against Ireland in Tel Aviv, picked up an elbow injury in training yesterday, but insisted afterwards he would be recover in time to play if selected ahead of fit-again rival Nir Davidovitch. "It hurts but I'm sure the treatment will make me all right," he said. "There's no way I'm going to miss a match like this."

[Éanna]

Great headline on aertel last night "Finnan returns home for treatment" Only in Ireland would an international leave the country he is representing to go home :rolleyes:

[stickyjoe]

Does it not happen for England when Beckham goes back to Madrid?
Does it not happen for France when Henry goes back to London?
Does it not happen for Portugal when Figo goes back to Madrid?

[tetsujin1979]

Finnan lives in Liverpool, that makes it his home.

[mjpcc]

I know of no other country in the UEFA top 50 where all the players in the SQUAD play in foreign leagues. In our case it is even worse as they almost all play in one foreign league.

I am not knocking the EPL - it is a very good league and we would be lost without it. However, I do think it is not good that we are not able to produce some home based players. We have no excuse any more as there is plenty of money in Ireland to develop the game. :(

[tricky_colour]

Great headline on aertel last night "Finnan returns home for treatment" Only in Ireland would an international leave the country he is representing to go home :rolleyes:

Thats not quite true though is it, what about say David Beckham or
Micheal Owen or............(lists 75% of the premiership players).

[Donal81]

Finnan was largely raised in England anyway so I don't see what the point of all this is!

[noby]

Thats not quite true though is it, what about say David Beckham or
Micheal Owen or............(lists 75% of the premiership players).


In the case of Michael Owen, he'd go home to Wales.

[TerryPhelan]

http://www.breakingnews.ie/2005/06/03/story205536.html

Finnan's fate confirmed but he hopes to face Faroes
03/06/2005 - 16:02:56

Liverpool defender Steve Finnan has been ruled out of the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup qualifier with Israel tomorrow.

The player has failed to recover from a thigh injury sustained in last week’s Champions League final in Istanbul.

Ireland manager Brian Kerr is confident the Limerick born defender will be fit in time to face the Faroe Islands next Wednesday.

Kerr would not be drawn today at a press conference this afternoon at Lansdowne Road as to a defensive reshuffle.

The absence of Steve Carr and now Finnan means the right-back berth could be filled by Manchester United player John O’Shea or Steven Reid of Blackburn Rovers, with Ian Harte making a return to international duty.

:(

[gaf1983]

steven reid's the man for the job. anyway israel don't have a right back. ireland to win 2 nil. :eek:

[brine3]

I hope this isn't true (http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/articles/19288623?source=PA).

I always thought he was one of the most responsible guys in the squad, but wha t do I know...

[gustavo]

its here too

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/merseyside/4090868.stm


we should reserve judgement at this time.

[brine3]

I wonder is he the first player to win the Champions League on bail.