I was listening to the Sports News on Today FM this evening and it stated that Finnan and Potter are both out of Saturday's game, but may be fit for the trip to Prague. Anybody have any more information?
"Love many, trust few, always paddle your own canoe." Dillo
In Trap we trust
Cant believe Finnan is out. My mate jinxed him. He just got a jesery sent from home with Finnan on the back and his reasoning "he always plays".
Mick needs the sponge to be in good form over the next few days>>
Potter out for Saturday.
Staunton not concerned. "The important thing is that he is fit for the finals in the summer". Oh, sorry, that was the German manager talking about Ballack.
I'd say it's almost odds on Gibson will figure at some stage on Saturday.
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
That's some good stuff Stutts!
"Well I think they'll be a little disappointed with that" - Matt Holland on TV3 after 5-2 drubbing by Cyprus
I heard on Today FM Sport this morning that Finnan is definitely ruled out of the Slovakia game but still has a good chance of playing against the Czechs. Subsequent searches on the internet have not turned up any basis for this story.
Elevenaside.com says that Stan is 'confident' of Finnan's fitness for at least one of the games.
Breakingnews.ie (posted this morning at 8.18am) says that Staunton is merely 'hoping' for Finnan's return.
FAI.ie also reports that Stan is 'hopeful' of Finnan recovering in time for the Slovakia game.
All pieces ran this quote:
"With Steve Finnan we’re taking him day by day. He opened up the joint but he’s had it before. We are hopeful for the weekend."
That, to my mind, does not sound like he's been officially ruled out. However, the Staunton quote from Emmet Malone's article in this morning's Irish Times indicates that he's resigned to losing him against Slovakia:
"Finnan may also end up having to settle for a run-out in Prague, with Staunton conceding yesterday that if the full back, who is receiving treatment at Liverpool on a knee injury sustained in Saturday's drubbing of Derby, doesn't make the weekend, "there's always Wednesday."
Still decidedly a case of 'if' rather than 'not' though. Fingers crossed lads. I presume that, worst case scenario, if we lose Finnan then Staunton will start with a back four of:
McShane - RB
O'Shea - CB
Dunne - CB
Kelly - LB (Staunton has played him there a few times before)
Not our best but not our worst either.
Another real concern is the players going into the Slovak game on yellow cards: Carsley, Andy Reid and, well OK, Kilbane. The first two would be sorely missed!!
I think he would go with O Shea at right back and Mc Shane at centre back. We played O Shea at right back at home to Wales and Slovakia. I think even if Finnan is fit he will do that too and put Finnan at left back.
In Trap we trust
I think McShane's a lot more important than Finnan atm so I'm just happy he looks to be ok. Obviously it'd be great to have Finnan fit too.
I listened to the morning sports news on RTE on Monday. In the Headlines there were no mention of injuries, then the 10 minute torture slog through the sports items, item by item, still no mention of injuries, the sports presenter starts to wind up the report, you start to breathe again. Then with the last words he utters 'oh and Steve Finnan is out of Saturdays game'.
It's good that RTE even mentioned the game.
What are the chances he will be fit for Wednesday. Id prefer to have Finnan fully fit for the Czech match than risk him against Slovakia. Maybe with him missing people will actually appreciate his worth for the team rather than questioning why he plays better in a Liverpool shirt than an irish one
almost definitely out: http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/0905/ireland1.html
Finnan all but ruled-out of Slovakia clash
05/09/2007 - 15:50:09
The Republic of Ireland squad have been training again at Malahide again today ahead of the upcoming Euro qualifiers against Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
Manager Steve Staunton was still waiting for news of the extent of Steve Finnan's knee injury, but it looks like the full-back won't be available for Saturday's game in Bratislava.
Finnan remained in Liverpool for treatment, with a final decision on his fitness expected to be made later on Wednesday afternoon.
Fellow defender John O'Shea failed to finish training today due to a bruised knee, although Staunton stressed his withdrawal was purely a precautionary measure.
I can't believe he hasn't called anymore defenders up. Is Stan deliberately trying to stress all of us out? I think he'll go with Kilbane and O'Shea as the fullbacks.
Yes I was thinking along similar lines, playing Kilbane at left back makes a lot
of sense it balances the numbers in midfield and defense. I'd say he always had this in mind.
Jeez there is always someone ready to knock the selection. I am thinking he will go for :
Given - Colgan
Kelly - Dunne - McShane - O'Shea
Ireland - Carsley - Reid - McGeady
Keane
Well, I'll give you 50 to 1 he won't start Kilbane. That;'s how sure I am your wrong; just glancing at the team.
Though, woluld take your team anyday, I just hope he picks 11 players!
But two goalkeepers mightn'b be a bad idea.
San Marino are going to be a handful as the group goes on." - Steve Staunton reacts to performance against San Marino.
Finnan out for Slovakia
http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=c...k=view&id=2378
I still can't believe we've flown to Slovakia with only 5 defenders, 2 of whom are carrying knocks. 2 make or break games coming up and a dummy in charge!
heh fair point. odea should have been called in
I
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