Steve Finnan

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Steve Finnan has revealed that Mick McCarthy's half-time pep-talk did the trick for the Republic of Ireland against Cameroon. While the Limerick born defender was disappointed not to start he believes that you have to be selfless and await your chance in the squad, just like Matt Holland had to take over from Roy Keane when needed.

"The boss' half-time team talk certainly did the trick. He basically wanted more sharpness to our play, both in the tackle and on the ball, and you see from the way we came out after the break that it paid dividends. I don't think anyone was overawed by the occasion before the break but we certainly didn't quite have the bite we need in our play. I think everyone was nervous about doing too much too early in the energy-sapping conditions."

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Should Jeff Kenna be recalled to the Irish Squad given Finnan's poor performance and Carr's injury?

He might be able to provide cover at left back. I don't remember him playing a bad game for Ireland.

Seem the obvious answer to one bad performance by Finnan - Supposed to have been one of the best fullbacks in england last year + he had a great World Cup.

:rolleyes:

Finnan had one bad game. no need to crucify the guy over it. We should be more worried about the likes of Kilbane and harte who turn out poor performances repeatedly and never get dropped. If Carr is fit, he's first choice, if not Gary Kelly or Finnan will get the nod.

BTW, has anyone thought of possibly putting Cunningham at right full and John O'Shea in the centre- Cunningham is a natural full back AFAIK.

If Carr returns then Finnan can replace McAteer at right midfield. That's his best position I think.

Yeah, Cunningham usually played right back for Wimbledon.

no doubt they'll ruin him in time!

They'll take the attacking out of attacking full back!

when i saw the title of the thread i just thought "oh no" Houllier is responsible for the dourest most appalling football I've ever seen- even worse the gunther! He'll wreck finnan- just hope he doesn't get his hands on the duffer or we're in big trouble.

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Originally posted by brine2
They'll take the attacking out of attacking full back!

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He'll probably deploy him on the right side of midfield - like he does Riise on the left. It's hard to see Caragher making way, especially with Diouf being the other alternative to drop.

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Originally posted by John83
He'll probably deploy him on the right side of midfield

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He'll probably deploy him out of position, or on the bench, for a soul destroying 3 years of the prime of his career, as Liverpool seem to do.
just ask the likes of patrik berger.

hopefully he'll slot in instead of carragher, and develop into the player he has the potential to be.hopefully.

and now they want duff as well,
probably need to develop someone into a hard tackling left back

Poor Duff is stung at blackburn. Pretty disappointed with Souness' attitude and i really hope Duff isn't affected next season if he stays at a club he wants to leave.

i'm actually not that sure about the level of duff's ambition, there's really very little a club can do to hold you if you ask to be transfer listed, i get the impression that (despite the interest in him) duff is quite happy to be the big fish in the small pond.

even david dunn took a move to (smaller) birmingham to get out from under souness.

But if they slap a price tag on you that is too high, what can the player do only hope someone forks out?

why? how much does souness want?

STG15 million i think.

yeah, given the current state of transfers and the fact that arsenal will pick up harry kewell for less than that 15million is a bit steep. there's only three or four clubs that could afford it, utd are after ronaldhino, arsenal after kewell, (unless these moves fall through i can't see them splashing any more out) chelsea and liverpool have been quiet. i guess he's staying where he is.

Did anyones see the futball today? How did Finnan play ? I think he has only 2 appreances for Republic of Ireland.. he should get a 'run around' by kerr soon!

He has had 25 appearances and 1 goal :rolleyes:

hes a defender

...And that is why he has only scored 1 goal!

ElSieteSecretos, did you actually ever see Ireland play? You said in another thread that you didn't know if O'Brien featured in the Ireland squad much and now you think Finnan has just 2 caps.

so the bbc have told me

As I'm sure you are all aware, Steve Finnan played on the right wing for Liverpool against Man United, and played very well.

Seeing as Ireland have no established right winger and Finnan has never been anything but exceptional when he has pulled on an Ireland jersey, surley he should play on the right wing in the upcoming qualifiers?

Absolutely agree. Don't understand why he hasn't been considered in this position more often as he's often played there for his clubs, though I think Kerr did try him there with Carr at right-back in some game about a year back? Anyway, I think a fit Finnan is too good to be left out of the ideal first team. He's played at left back a bit too, hasn't he?

"Anonymous" was the description of his perfomance against Utd. Finnan still has not settled in at Liverpool, not easy to settle in when the team is playing utter crap. Houillier go now and take you lousy signings with you (except Finnan of course ).

Finnan nearly always played right mid when he was at Notts County. Its definitely worth a look at in one of the forthcoming friendlies. I wonder could he be a late inclusion for the Poland game with all the withdrawals (similar to Miller against the Czechs).

There seems to be a lot of competition for the right side slot all of a sudden. Steven Reid's back from injury, McAteer as well, Andy Reid can play there, Miller of course and it might be Hollands best bet now that Keane is back.

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Originally Posted by ElSieteSecretos

Did anyones see the futball today? How did Finnan play ? I think he has only 2 appreances for Republic of Ireland.. he should get a 'run around' by kerr soon!

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I think you should go and find out about a bit about Ireland before you make a post again.

I think the main reason he played right wing was to double mark Ronaldo. That's why he came off when Ronaldo switched wings (though he also was very tired I'd imagine)

I don't know if he's a long term option there for club or for country, I'd much rather see him tried left back.

Fulham - Jun 03 / Present
Gls Apps Sub on Sub off

League * 0 0 0 0 0 0
FA Cup 0 0 0 0 0 0
League Cup 0 0 0 0 0 0
European/Others 0 0 0 0 0 0
Rep of Ireland 0 2 0 1 0 0
* Includes Play-Offs

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I think you should go and find out about a bit about Ireland before you make a post again.

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yeah I thinks so to!

I agree, he was "Anonymous" on the match against Man Utd, got taken off as well. that team needs a new manager; )

That;d be twice this season so... Bit of a difference to twice ever!

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Originally Posted by carnstien

Steve Finnan played on the right wing for Liverpool against Man United, and played very well.

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I only saw the highlights but the Sunday Independant remarked that he was "anonymous." And Liverpool only started creating anything down the right when Smicer came on.

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Originally Posted by ElSieteSecretos

Did anyones see the futball today? How did Finnan play ? I think he has only 2 appreances for Republic of Ireland.. he should get a 'run around' by kerr soon!

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What's your story? Do you know anything about Irish soccer? Can you do a little research before you make any more stupid posts.

Looks like Steve Finnan is set to start the season as Liverpools 1st choice right winger now that they have finally gotten rid of that donkey Houllier. He played there last night in the CL qualifier and had a great game, passed the ball well and put in some fine deliveries.

The way I see it, if Finnan plays right midfield for Liverpool this season, he plays there for Ireland too, which means with Duff and Keane also gaurenteed places, there is one midfield place up for grabs. If Miller makes his mark at United I think that spot will be his. When is the last time all 4 of out midfielders were playing 1st team football at Champions league clubs?

On another note, Darren Potter came on as a sub last night, which means he is in Benitez's plans, which is fantastic news for us.

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Originally Posted by Conor74

Why? What if he's ****?

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Scan if you'd watched the game last night you'd know that Finnan is anything but ****. If we are going to have a chance of winning the World Cup we have to play guys who are doing it at the highest level, that means Finnan, we won't get anywhere with people Breen, Maybury or Holland who are barley division 1 standard.

Didn't watch all of the game last night but Finnan did play well there, should be an option to look at.

Finnan is no right winger!

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Originally Posted by pete

Finnan is no right winger!

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Have to agree with that. Cannot see Finnan playing right midfield being anything more than a temporary measure. Doesn't have enough creativity.

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Originally Posted by tiktok

should be an option to look at.

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My memory might be going but didn't he play there for Ireland before?
I'm sure I saw him in Lansdowne Rd. playing in that position at least once for Ireland.
I certainly don't think it's a revelation of any sorts because Carr is a better full-back than Finnan so to accommodate him in the team it was always going to be either left-full or right side of midfield.
Incidently, Graham Barrett scored for Coventry last night in their 2-1 defeat by Cardiff at Ninian Park.
Still reckon he's as good an option on the right as Finnan.
Last nights game for Liverpool was poor against a poor team.
Let's not get carried away about Finnan just yet.
Playing well against AK Graz in a UEFA Champions League qualifier doesn't signal that he's got what it takes to be a World Cup winner.

Finnan did not run past a player once last night. He tried twice and failed although he was doubled up on for most of the match. He had an average game but one thing I have to complement him on was his set pieces. His corners and free kicks were top class and most of the time a Liverpool player was on the end of them.

Good to see Benitez giving the likes of Potter a chance. All the years of foreign coaches at the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool I haven't seen one Irish player come through the ranks and establish himself in the first team.