Steve Finnan a "role model".

**eirebhoy** · 09/01/2008, 2:40 PM

Quotes from Arbeloa.

"Finnan is unbelievable.

"He never plays badly. He is a good player who always plays really well. He is a great example for someone like me. I am learning a lot about the game from him.

"Not only is he a fantastic player but I also count him as a good mate.

"It is a challenge for me to play on the right side of the defence because Finn is such a good player. Just watching and working with him in training every day can only improve my game in the long run.

"Finn still has some good years left in him.

"At 24-years-old it is a good opportunity for me to be able to learn from someone like him and who knows what will happen in the future?"

**Block G Raptor** · 09/01/2008, 2:45 PM

Yeah Finnan is a class act. one of the most under-rated player's in the present Ireland set up IMO. how many Irish international's have CL winners and Runners-up medals?

**elroy** · 09/01/2008, 3:04 PM

Looks like he's gonna stay around for the next campaign as well, there was talk late last year that he may retire.

**Stuttgart88** · 09/01/2008, 3:36 PM

I don't think there was really, it was just that he fitted the profile of a retiring international: wrong side of 30, been there, seen that, done that and has a busy club career. Playing for a big club probably highlighted just hopw shambolic the Ireland set up was too.

I doubt he ever said anything himself but am open to correction, it was more just speculation on internet forums like this.

**NeilMcD** · 09/01/2008, 3:41 PM

Question is, should we play him at left back as he seems to be the best solution to that problem position and play Stephen Kelly at right back or Joey O Brien there.

**Block G Raptor** · 09/01/2008, 3:59 PM

Originally Posted by NeilMcD

Question is, should we play him at left back as he seems to be the best solution to that problem position and play Stephen Kelly at right back or Joey O Brien there.

Hell No. Finnan is the best right back in the premier and looks ordinary at left back

**NeilMcD** · 09/01/2008, 4:02 PM

Its not about that its about what is best for the team. He is not as good at left as he is ast right but is the back four better as a whole if Finnan is at left back and someone who can play right is there.

**Block G Raptor** · 09/01/2008, 4:09 PM

IMO. that weakens the team more, we have an average player at right back and an average at left back or a class right back and an average leftback it's a no brainer

**tetsujin1979** · 09/01/2008, 4:11 PM

Originally Posted by Block G Raptor

IMO. that weakens the team more, we have an average player at right back and an average at left back or a class right back and an average leftback it's a no brainer

We don't even have an average left back at the moment

**L37Ultra** · 09/01/2008, 4:17 PM

A true Limerick man

**woodie** · 09/01/2008, 4:26 PM

He was brilliant in 'P.S. I love you' and he deserved his two oscars for 'Million Dollor Baby' and 'Boys don't cry', top class pro

**kingdom hoop** · 09/01/2008, 11:03 PM

I knew it! Walking down the street the other day, I saw this fella approach me. I said to myself, 'jeez, right Steve Finnan gatch on that lad.' Sure enough, my suspicions have been confirmed.

**DRDoc** · 09/01/2008, 11:15 PM

the guy is a class act - has been for Liverpool, Fulham and Notts County for years - consistently good

Also he has scored in all four top divisions in england apparently - Not sure many others have done that

To think the narrow minded Kerr would not play him regularly when he was in charge

**ShamrockIreland** · 09/01/2008, 11:46 PM

Finnan is one of a handful of good players in our squad. He has to be played in his position at right back as we need him there. O'Shea can play(badly) at left back. I just hope Kilbane isn't in our team for the qualifiers as he's dreadful everywhere

. Any decent left backs coming through I cant think of many.

**Greenforever** · 09/01/2008, 11:50 PM

Originally Posted by ShamrockIreland

Finnan is one of a handful of good players in our squad. He has to be played in his position at right back as we need him there. O'Shea can play(badly) at left back. I just hope Kilbane isn't in our team for the qualifiers as he's dreadful everywhere

. Any decent left backs coming through I cant think of many.

If all the team played with Kilbane's passion we would be in a lot better state, he's one of our most underrated players, and always gives 100% unlike a few of our prima donnas

**kingdom hoop** · 09/01/2008, 11:57 PM

Originally Posted by ShamrockIreland

Any decent left backs coming through I cant think of many.

Rosaries are daily said for Stephen O'Halloran's future.

**elroy** · 10/01/2008, 8:16 AM

Originally Posted by Greenforever

If all the team played with Kilbane's passion we would be in a lot better state, he's one of our most underrated players, and always gives 100% unlike a few of our prima donnas

Well said.

**Kingdom** · 10/01/2008, 9:49 AM

I've been a fan of Steve Finnan's for a good while now, however I think the injuries have a taken a toll on him this season, as he hasn't been as solid for Liverpool, and while he was never that quick, he has been skinned quite a few times this season, which wasn't the case before.
I'll be surprised if he's playing for Liverpool next season.
But seeing as this is the Ireland forum

he still is our #1 right back and probably should be the case up to the qualifiers.
Another people forget about him is the personal hassle he went through a while back whilst still delivering good performances for club and country. He was poor in Cyprus and unfortunately this clouded many supporters opinion of him I think, when was consistently better than most in a green jersey.
When you think how he was moved around at the expense of Stephen Carr earlier in his Ireland career its funny.

**jmurphyc** · 10/01/2008, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by Kingdom

I've been a fan of Steve Finnan's for a good while now, however I think the injuries have a taken a toll on him this season, as he hasn't been as solid for Liverpool, and while he was never that quick, he has been skinned quite a few times this season, which wasn't the case before.
I'll be surprised if he's playing for Liverpool next season.
But seeing as this is the Ireland forum

he still is our #1 right back and probably should be the case up to the qualifiers.
Another people forget about him is the personal hassle he went through a while back whilst still delivering good performances for club and country. He was poor in Cyprus and unfortunately this clouded many supporters opinion of him I think, when was consistently better than most in a green jersey.
When you think how he was moved around at the expense of Stephen Carr earlier in his Ireland career its funny.

Whilst he hasn't been at his best this season, I'd say he may be carrying an injury. I'd say he'll be back to his best soon enough and fully expect him to stay there next season.