elroy
11/10/2007, 3:07 PM
Well take the positives from this, it surely means that Finnan does not intend to retire after this campaign.
From breakingnews.ie
Steve Finnan believes national manager Steve Staunton deserves to lead the Republic of Ireland into next year's World Cup qualifiers.
Staunton has endured a bumpy ride during his 21 months in charge, and at various stages there have been no shortage of calls for the 38-year-old to be replaced.
But the Football Association of Ireland's top brass have firmly stood by their man, appreciating there was never going to be a quick fix in the wake of Brian Kerr's departure.
Staunton has suffered along the way, however, not least a year ago when the Republic were humiliated 5-2 by a Cyprus team 60 places below them in the world rankings.
Then there was the agony of conceding a goal in the dying moments in last month's 2-2 draw against Slovakia in Bratislava.
Those two results combined to ensure Staunton stands on the brink of failing to qualify for next year's European Championship finals, with a miracle now required.
Ireland must beat Germany on Saturday, the Cypriots on Wednesday - with both games at Dublin's Croke Park - and then Wales next month in Cardiff, whilst hoping the Czech Republic fail to muster the three points they need from their final three matches.
It is almost inconceivable such a scenario would play out, meaning tentative planning must start for the World Cup qualification programme.
And Liverpool right-back Finnan believes it is to the benefit of all for Staunton to remain at the helm.
"For continuity it's important he remains in charge. That's one of the key factors - to give someone time to get things right," said Finnan.
"It's been a difficult job for him considering where we were when he took over as we had not qualified for the previous two major tournaments.
"There was a period of change and I feel he has done well, even if there have been one or two games where we haven't performed as well as we could do.
"But he has to be given time and hopefully we can progress. I do feel we'll be much stronger going forward.
"The players that have come into the squad over the last two years have gained a lot of experience from this campaign.
"Everyone now knows what is expected of one another, and even if we don't qualify (for Euro 2008) then the experience gained from this campaign can only help us.
"But there is no doubt everyone in the squad feels he should be given time."
That is despite the fact Finnan has been asked by Staunton to play in an unaccustomed left-back role on his last couple of appearances for the Republic.
"It's not too foreign to me as I've played there before, but it is the manager's decision and you get on with it," insisted Finnan.
From breakingnews.ie
Steve Finnan believes national manager Steve Staunton deserves to lead the Republic of Ireland into next year's World Cup qualifiers.
Staunton has endured a bumpy ride during his 21 months in charge, and at various stages there have been no shortage of calls for the 38-year-old to be replaced.
But the Football Association of Ireland's top brass have firmly stood by their man, appreciating there was never going to be a quick fix in the wake of Brian Kerr's departure.
Staunton has suffered along the way, however, not least a year ago when the Republic were humiliated 5-2 by a Cyprus team 60 places below them in the world rankings.
Then there was the agony of conceding a goal in the dying moments in last month's 2-2 draw against Slovakia in Bratislava.
Those two results combined to ensure Staunton stands on the brink of failing to qualify for next year's European Championship finals, with a miracle now required.
Ireland must beat Germany on Saturday, the Cypriots on Wednesday - with both games at Dublin's Croke Park - and then Wales next month in Cardiff, whilst hoping the Czech Republic fail to muster the three points they need from their final three matches.
It is almost inconceivable such a scenario would play out, meaning tentative planning must start for the World Cup qualification programme.
And Liverpool right-back Finnan believes it is to the benefit of all for Staunton to remain at the helm.
"For continuity it's important he remains in charge. That's one of the key factors - to give someone time to get things right," said Finnan.
"It's been a difficult job for him considering where we were when he took over as we had not qualified for the previous two major tournaments.
"There was a period of change and I feel he has done well, even if there have been one or two games where we haven't performed as well as we could do.
"But he has to be given time and hopefully we can progress. I do feel we'll be much stronger going forward.
"The players that have come into the squad over the last two years have gained a lot of experience from this campaign.
"Everyone now knows what is expected of one another, and even if we don't qualify (for Euro 2008) then the experience gained from this campaign can only help us.
"But there is no doubt everyone in the squad feels he should be given time."
That is despite the fact Finnan has been asked by Staunton to play in an unaccustomed left-back role on his last couple of appearances for the Republic.
"It's not too foreign to me as I've played there before, but it is the manager's decision and you get on with it," insisted Finnan.