QuoteI am still waiting for an Irish player to come out in public and say "this manager must go" while still playing under that manager. Not going to happen is it.
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.
I am still waiting for an Irish player to come out in public and say "this manager must go" while still playing under that manager. Not going to happen is it.
Staunton apparently gave Super Steve his full support following the big nasty cut on his knee, being a brave little soldier it was all better for the Liverpool games, those Superman plasters are magic.
Originally Posted by Noelys Guitar
No club player would say that either unless he was looking fro a transfer.
Which is what Finnan could have done if he really couldn't be arsed turning up for Ireland as some people seem to believe.
"I'd rather play in front of a full house than an empty crowd" Johnny Giles
You obviously dont know the facts about Stevie's injury. The guy missed 2 games, he has been ever-present for many years including friendlies.
But the fact is that he played a full 90 minutes for Liverpool 2 and a half days later, which does suggest that his injury couldn't have been that bad
We don't know what the medical advise was. Maybe they told him he wasn't quite ready and if he played on the Wednesday it could jepordise his recovery. Not easy to go against your employers (unless you are an England player).
Maybe this wasn't the case but none of us know. I prefer to look at the guys previous track record and he has been an ever present for Ireland for years at both competitive and friendly matches so I give him the benefit of the doubt.
"I'd rather play in front of a full house than an empty crowd" Johnny Giles
in fairness, the players cant really come out and say anything...
'How can I hate women, my Mums one!!!' Chris Finch
fully agree reder... the guy loves playing for his country - if he says he was injured then HE WAS INJURED
ppl should lay off him - he is a quality player and we are lucky to have him
as for a player who wants to play for his country coming out and saying something against the manager - never gonna happen
It suggests that the Liverpool game was two and a half days later.
Lol ye guys are hilariously naive, of course I'm glad Finnan is playing for Ireland as he is one of the best RB's in the premiership but its pretty obvious that playing for Liverpool is a much bigger priority for him
Jesus, they pay his wages. If he was told by the phsyio and management team that he would be seriously jeapordising his recovery from injury by playing for Ireland the what do you expect the guy to do. We really do have some fickle fans if they think Finnan pulled out of the squad if he wasnt injured. He is almost an ever present for us, including friendlies. Give the guy a break
So to be a true fan I got to be blind to the obvious? Of course the phsyio and management team are going to tell him he would be seriously jeapordising his recovery from injury because they are looking for any excuse to withdraw players from international duty. The truth is his injury wasn't serious and playing for Ireland would not have jeapordising his recovery, it was a gashed knee FFS, whats the worst that could happen? Just because the club pay your wages doesn't mean you have to do what they want at the expense of your national team, look at Michael Owen, he was told not to play for England but he did anyways, piissing off his club in the process because playing for his country means more to him than keeping his club happy. I respect Finnan and he nearly always does a professional job for Ireland but the truth is that he like probably the majority of players these days are more committed to their club than country, call that being fickle if you want, I just call it the way I see it
Stevie is a great player and a great servant who loves playing for his country.
End of story.
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