Steve Finnan

[beautifulrock]

Good solid player. Hardly likely to be remembered in 20/30 years time though, is he?

yeah maybe but I still remember Chris Morris and Terry Phelan

[Billsthoughts]

hes like Denis Irwin without the medals....or the looks....or the talent to play for a top team....

[youngirish]

hes like Denis Irwin without the medals....or the looks

Dennis Irwin was bunched. Face like a bag of hammers.

[KopKiller]

Finann is so under-rated its untrue. The reason being he is not english and therefore the english media (which some people here are obviously influenced by) are'nt interested in over hyping him

But I remember what he did for ireland in the 2nd half against Cameroon, I remember the left footed cross he put in for Jason McAteers goal against the dutch, the game that qualified us for Japan and i remember most of his performances for liverpool this season, when he hasnt just been 'solid' or 'consistent' but nothing short of sensational...

Best right back in the world.

And while we are on the subject of looks... my Missus reckons he is the best looking liverpool and Ireland player too (I'm not that way inclined to give comments on other mens looks...) and that Dennis Irwin looks like Mr Bean.

[eirebhoy]

The thing with Finnan is he's just regarded as a "solid" defender yet he set up more goals than any other defender in the champions league this season.

[republicofwhite]

There's that well worn joke... Alex Ferguson and Brian Kidd are just discussing a few things in training one day, and Kidd says to the gaffer, "Gaffer, think we need to get a few new faces in before the start of the season" To which Denis Irwin enthusiastically runs up and asks: "Aw, Gaffer, Can I have one?!"

[Emmet]

hes like Denis Irwin without the medals....or the looks....or the talent to play for a top team....

Finnan's got more medals than most other players who have ever played for Ireland - however the comparison to Irwin is a good one. The only real difference between the two was Irwin's set-piece ability. Finnan's a class act: as far as Benitez is concerned he is up there with Gerrard and Carragher at Liverpool in terms of his importance to the team. Gerrard and Carragher are English, Finnan is Irish hence you'll hardly ever read about him in the English press.

[cavan_fan]

Finnan's got more medals than most other players who have ever played for Ireland - however the comparison to Irwin is a good one. The only real difference between the two was Irwin's set-piece ability. Finnan's a class act: as far as Benitez is concerned he is up there with Gerrard and Carragher at Liverpool in terms of his importance to the team. Gerrard and Carragher are English, Finnan is Irish hence you'll hardly ever read about him in the English press.

Worryingly I keep hearing Liverpool linked to Daniel Alves, my dread is to see Finnan edged out then move to Bolton!

[Emmet]

I think he'll be at Liverpool for another season at least but you're right he is getting closer to the end of his playing career so they are looking around for someone to replace him. But that's easier said than done - Kromkamp came and went and so far Arboloa has looked nervous and out of his depth. Finnan will be a hard act to follow when he does leave Anfield

[KopKiller]

Daniel Alves can play right side midfield, which is where i suspect he will play for liverpool.

Finns is untouchable

[eirebhoy]

Worryingly I keep hearing Liverpool linked to Daniel Alves, my dread is to see Finnan edged out then move to Bolton!

He turned 31 this week so they'll need to think about replacing him. That said he'll be a first teamer for a couple of years yet.

[stojkovic]

Dear Stan,

Can you please play the best right full in the Premier League in his correct position for Ireland. Page One of the Successful Managers Manual - Play your best players in their best positions. You dont play Robbie on the wing to accomodate Doyle and Long.

Failure to do so may cost qualification and result in a Paul Scholes situation, Finnan is gonna have a busy year with Liverpool (hopefully) and Rafa never seems to rest/rotate him.

Stephen Carr is fourth choice, at best, behind Mr. Finnan, Stephen Kelly and Joey O'Brien (when fit)

Your starting XI in Bratislava should read ;

Given

Finnan
Dunne
McShane
Kilbane

McGeady or Ireland
Carsley
Fatty Reid
Hunt

Doyle
Keane

When we are 2-0 up after an hour replace Reid, McGeady and Doyle with O'Shea, Potter and Gibson, pack midfield and kick fcuk out of the Slovaks.

Job done.

Regards,

Stojkovic.

[livehead1]

I have heard and seen much much worse than that

[stojkovic]

I have heard and seen much much worse than that

Big Steve Carr fan are ya ?

Must be the drink in Reillys.

[tetsujin1979]

This all goes back to the question - do we want a fantastic right full and a square peg in a round hole at left full, or a decent right full, and an effective (if not outstanding) left full.
Stephen Carr is hardly fourth choice. O'Brien has yet to prove himself at right full - he himself admits central midfield is his best position - and has a year out of the game. We still don't know how this will affect him and he is hardly ready for the biggest 2 games in Staunton's career. Stephen Kelly hasn't the experience at senior level yet to challenge for Carr's place in the team, and hasn't impressed me from what I've seen of him in the Premier League this season to date.
Carr has being playing well so far under Allardyce, who has a reputation for getting the best out of players, so let's not take him out of the equation just yet.
If we do manage to unearth a solid left full back, or Harte recovers his form, then Finnan will become the 1st choice right full, until then I believe it's going to be a mix and match with the full back slots.

Must be the drink in Reillys.

What is with you and associating a different view to your own with the poster being under the influence of alcohol?

[paul_oshea]

This all goes back to the question - do we want a fantastic right full and a square peg in a round hole at left full, or a decent right full, and an effective (if not outstanding) left full.

this is the 3rd time someone has basically paraphrased (*something i wrote )what i said on the denmark v ireland thread......

Stoijkovic, i wonder does reid no ye all call him fatty?!

or Harte recovers his form

huh, what form?

[Emmet]

We need to be careful we don't end up in the same situation that plank Steve McLaren ended up with Jamie Carragher ... Finnan is probably our best player (along with Given) and we'd be in trouble without him. He needs to be played in his best position: Right-back.

[Louth4sam]

Page One of the Successful Managers Manual - Play your best players in their best positions.


Your starting XI in Bratislava should read ;

Given

Finnan
Dunne
McShane
Kilbane

McGeady or Ireland
Carsley
Fatty Reid
Hunt

Doyle
Keane
c.

Maybe you should listen to your own advice you have two players playing out of position in that line up. Kevin Kilbane is not international standard. One of the worst players i have ever seen. Harte a far better option there.

[endabob1]

Given

Finnan
Dunne
McShane
O'Shea I know I hate him too but it's either him or Harte

McGeady
Ireland (although both Potter & Reid did very well agains the danes)
Carsley
Andy Reid

Doyle
Keane

Looks like a very solid side to me

[Dr. Ogba]

Given

Finnan
Dunne
McShane
O'Shea I know I hate him too but it's either him or Harte

McGeady
Ireland (although both Potter & Reid did very well agains the danes)
Carsley
Andy Reid

Doyle
Keane

Looks like a very solid side to me

That midfield is far too lightweight...would be overrun against the Slovaks and Czechs. Would like to see Ireland in there but don't think we can accommodat himself and McGeady in the same midfield...