Irish player most likely to be true World Class

**youngirish** · 01/07/2007, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

Yeah I should read posts a bit slower next time.

In that case I don't think "world class" is over used. Given and Finnan are arguably world class. Maybe not Finnan but defensively he's up there with the very best full backs.

I struggle to name a single right back in the world that is unarguably better than Finnan so I'd say he is definitely world class. Same for Given.

**SkStu** · 01/07/2007, 9:22 PM

easy, Daniel Alves for starters.

**billybunter** · 02/07/2007, 1:12 AM

would take finnan over daniel alves any day. Alves is a hyped up product. Finnan for consistency. Alves was pure sh*t in the Uefa cup final. Never seen Finn have a stinker to be honest. Alves is rated for going forward. A full back is rated for defending, so its finnan by a country mile.

**gustavo** · 02/07/2007, 9:52 AM

Originally Posted by youngirish

Alves hyped up Spanish mediocrity. Another country that manage to pull the wool over everyone's eyes and hype their players up to ridiculous levels. Funnily enough whenever they come up against anyone half decent in a tournament they always get beaten confortably. Strange that.

I remember someone tried to tell me Puyol was one of the best defenders in Europe. Pure tripe. Torres 20 million plus Luis Garcia? Someone's having a laugh. Another of Benitez's genius striker signings.

Alves is Brazilian and Puyol is a great player .

**youngirish** · 02/07/2007, 9:54 AM

Originally Posted by gustavo

Alves is Brazilian and Puyol is a great player .

Puyol is muck if he played for Ireland nobody would rate him.

**gustavo** · 02/07/2007, 9:57 AM

quite the opposite , if Puyol was Irish we would all be raving about him and how fantastic he like , like we do for Dunne

**youngirish** · 02/07/2007, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by gustavo

quite the opposite , if Puyol was Irish we would all be raving about him and how fantastic he like , like we do for Dunne

Nobody other than us then. I personally don't think Dunne is brilliant tbh as he is always liable to do something stupid that may cost you the game but he's by far the best central defender we have at present.

**RogerMilla** · 02/07/2007, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by youngirish

Nobody other than us then. I personally don't think Dunne is brilliant tbh as he is always liable to do something stupid that may cost you the game but he's by far the best central defender we have at present.

so name for us one time when he cost ireland the game ?

**KopKiller** · 02/07/2007, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by youngirish

I struggle to name a single right back in the world that is unarguably better than Finnan so I'd say he is definitely world class. Same for Given.

Absolutely!

Judging on his performances of last season, Finann is the best right full back in the world.

**youngirish** · 02/07/2007, 1:04 PM

Originally Posted by RogerMilla

so name for us one time when he cost ireland the game ?

France in Dublin when he passed the ball to Thierry Henry. How do you like those apples? He also has made mistakes that could have cost us the game but we got away with it. Wasn't it his fault that Bellamy got clean through against Wales or was that McShane?

**billybunter** · 02/07/2007, 1:13 PM

i think mcshane will prove to be world class. He reminds me of Kevin moran.

**youngirish** · 02/07/2007, 1:37 PM

Originally Posted by billybunter

i think mcshane will prove to be world class. He reminds me of Kevin moran.

I think McShane will prove to be a good Premiership defender in time but I can't see him ever being World Class.

**RogerMilla** · 02/07/2007, 3:25 PM

Originally Posted by youngirish

France in Dublin when he passed the ball to Thierry Henry. How do you like those apples?

you are kidding me arent you ? he didnt even touch the ball for that goal ? or are you talking about a chance that henry missed ? your post above is absolute rubbish.

he has been nothing but excellent for Ireland , far from world calls though so apologies for going off topic , i agree with tuff paddys assesment of world class above.

**youngirish** · 02/07/2007, 4:02 PM

Originally Posted by RogerMilla

you are kidding me arent you ? he didnt even touch the ball for that goal ? or are you talking about a chance that henry missed ? your post above is absolute rubbish.

I thought you were looking for examples of things he did that could cost us the game and was referring to a chance Henry missed where Dunne passed the ball to him just outside the box as an example of him making mistakes that can cost you the game. Dunne makes mistakes quite often for a central defender irrespective of him being adored by Man City fans (their team is sh*t anyway).

**RogerMilla** · 02/07/2007, 4:35 PM

Originally Posted by youngirish

I thought you were looking for examples of things he did that could cost us the game and was referring to a chance Henry missed where Dunne passed the ball to him just outside the box as an example of him making mistakes that can cost you the game.

fair enough but no I was looking for things that actually cost us the game, agreed that city are sh1t. any odds on sven for first sacking of the season?

**RogerMilla** · 02/07/2007, 4:45 PM

However, Michael Carrick would not (imo), even though he is performs that role for the English club champions and is good enough to be in contention for many international teams.

LOL if he had stayed at spurs would he have made the frame EG?

**WexDec** · 02/07/2007, 5:55 PM

Originally Posted by SkStu

easy, Daniel Alves for starters.

Maybe you'd prefer Alves than Finnan but would that make Finnan a complete non-contender for World XI which is the suggested test for being considered world class.

Personally I'm not sure a World XI consideration is a good approach especially when you have to take team balance into account (attacking full backs versus defensive ones etc). In my own personal view of world class I'm not sure I could actually name a right back to to be considered truly world class (Alves not defensive enough) though you'd have to name one to complete a World XI and I would at least shortlist Finnan for that. Would have no problem with Given in goal though by any measure you choose to use.

**livehead1** · 02/07/2007, 6:52 PM

Gary Neville has been the best right back in the world for a number of years, a true world class footballer

**youngirish** · 02/07/2007, 7:16 PM

Originally Posted by livehead1

Gary Neville has been the best right back in the world for a number of years, a true world class footballer

He's muck. Almost as bad as Puyol.

**Cymro** · 02/07/2007, 7:41 PM

Originally Posted by youngirish

He's muck. Almost as bad as Puyol.

If he was Irish you'd never shut up about him. Same as Fletcher, as in the other thread. And yet again we see how utterly biased you are in favour of Irish players when it comes to discussing merits.

I challenge you to argue with Neville's career stats-he is at least on a par with Finnan, even in the autumn of his career. Without a doubt one of the most consistent full backs in the world, much like Finnan.

And also about Puyol-he may not achieve a lot at international level and shine on the world stage but then Spain have never shone on the world stage. Watch him in a Spanish league game and tell me he's 'muck'. Nonsense. You don't play week in week out for one of the best club teams in Europe if you're 'muck'.

Besides which, he's a centre back and can't really be compared to Finnan.