Steve Finnan a "role model".

[OwlsFan]

Turning his back

Steve Finnan pleaded old age when he hung up his international boots this week insisting the "time is right for a new manager to start bringing younger players through"

By James Lawton
Friday January 25 2008

WHEN Steve Finnan turned his back on Ireland this week he pleaded old age.

No matter that he was younger than Zinedine Zidane when he was talked back into the French team that brushed against an astonishing moment of football history. Finnan was plainly untouched by a hint of remorse.

What, after all, has even a hint of regret, still less shame got to do with the career calculations of a 21st century footballer?

Even though Finnan's achievements, which include a Champions League medal, mean that he would have no reason to shrink into a corner if Zidane walked into the room, he is not a player you would naturally bracket with the fabled Zizou.

However, Finnan's decision to quit international football in his 32nd year does make one point of comparison.

Finnan's explanation of his thinking this week was unequivocal enough to discourage any hope that a new manager of the Irish team will be able to talk him back into a green shirt, but then Zidane seemed equally determined to restrict himself to club football.

He was plainly moving past his zenith with Real Madrid. International football was placed in the margins of his professional life.

But of course he changed his mind and the result was that he came within a stride or two - and one shocking headbutt - of providing the game with what arguably would have been one of its greatest stories in the World Cup final in Berlin in 2006.

Playing in a young, unformed Irish team would not offer much possibility of such potential reward but there is maybe a scrap of reflection to be found in the experience of the Frenchman. Finnan declared: "The time is right for a new manager to start bringing young players through now. I mean, I'll be 34 by the time the World Cup finals come around."

Ambition

Zidane was 34 when he had the world of football in his hands. It was negligent discipline rather than any failure of imagination - or ultimate football ambition that stretched beyond a paycheque - that let it slip.

But Finnan is saying, as so many do these days, that in terms of the international game Zidane was operating in his professional dotage.

What induces most sadness is not that career strategy is plainly the reason for Finnan's rejection of the possibility of playing in his second World Cup finals, which used to represent the apex of a pro's ambition, and is one which was denied such talents as George Best and John Giles, but the dwindling of any sense that in today's football anything is more readily understood than a pro's desire to eke out his years of megaearning power.


Today's footballer does not walk bravely into the dark night. He gets out the calculator. Finnan confirms this in the most reasonable way, and no doubt his decision will be applauded within the game as eminent good sense. Alan Shearer set the pattern long before his days with Newcastle were in doubt. He was going to concentrate on his club career, which meant of course that he was not going to push himself beyond the interests of number one.


The pragmatists didn't see an issue. Why not? Why was a footballer any different to any man who wants to stretch out his earning power?


Possibly because at the level of an internationally recognised footballer, financial survival some time ago became less a challenge than a matter of opulent degree.


Finnan of course was happy enough to appear in the shop window of international football when his club career was in a formative stage, but now that he is a key man at Anfield, a favoured son of Rafa Benitez, why would he stretch his resources on behalf of an Irish team which has in recent memory never been in such need of experienced, accomplished players?


Not, surely, because he was briefly inconvenienced by the selection policies of former Irish coach Brian Kerr?


It appears that he was soured to some degree by the criticism faced by Kerr's successor, Steve Staunton. He announced: "I think it's only fair to let the younger guys have a go." Even if this is the equivalent of sending in the lambs - or some distinctly mediocre mutton - against the qualifying challenge presented by world champions Italy.


It may be a bloodless abdication but it is no less damaging for that.
Finnan is saying, however great is the Irish need, it is no longer a personal priority. It is his right, of course.


Responsibilities


Football has no legislation for the repayment of debts, of acknowledging that there may just be wider responsibilies that are not written down on some sweetheart contract which will be honoured only so long as it suits either of the parties.


For Steve Finnan the football world need not any longer stretch beyond Anfield. He has made his bed - and isn't it a luxurious four-poster? But then no one can say he hasn't been honest.


Unlike the Stephen Ireland case, no grandmothers have been fictitiously slayed, just the romantic old idea that in football there will always be a little more to play for than the next juicy contract.

[geysir]

So whats the journalist actually saying in the comparison with Zidane and the other 2 who retired from the French national team.
Those great players retired themselves, the next French qual campaign was on the rocks, the french people, media, prime minister and president battered Zidane and the others into submission to return from their exile.
Larsson had also retired from the Swedish team, again he had a similar campaign from supporters media and the prime minister phoning him up asking him to return.

Why should Finnan bother again considering all the slagging that Carr got when he made himself available again. Too many in Ireland are chronic begrudgers and can't even accept a player back from exile with good grace.

[Kingdom]

I just think its ridiculous that someone who played for us for 7 years, performed well, not giving hassle, keeping himself to himself, is getting abused like this.

[Morbo]

Because as the article pointed out, he played for Ireland when it was of benifit to him like when he was at Fulham, now that its no longer of benifit to him he chooses not to help his country out, he is entitled to do it but its obvious what motivates him, I'd hardly call it abuse either just pointing out the obvious

[Bottle of Tonic]

Spot on Morbo.

Finnan could try and help us qualify. If he's too old in 2010 or not good enough to be picked, retire then. It's about the country. Not his potential appearance at the world cup. You don't see the similar aged Carsley and Kilbane , both well used to receiving flak, hanging up their boots cos there is feck all chance they will be picked if we qualify. They want to help us get there, even if it just means being part of the squad. The fans appreciate this.

and geysir, there is no comparison between Finnan and Larsson/Zidane. These were the talismanic figures for their countries and the clamouring for their return was completely different scenario.

[Stuttgart88]

There should be no vitriol towards Finnan but I can't help feeling that at a time when the team is crying out for experience and leadership, not to mention quality, that he could have hung around for at least the start of the qualification campaign.

"Letting the younger lads have a go" is tantamount to saying "weakening the team and diminishing our chances".

I can understand Finnan's frustrations but the inconvenient fact (for him) was that as well as being our best right back he was also our best left back. We had cover at right back, we didn't really at left back so that's why he was played there so often.

Carr's case was different. He was strongly rumoured to have been disruptive during Kerr's time in charge and never gave the impression that he was really fully committed to playing international football. He was one of the first of the newly wealthy Irish footballers to have become too big for his boots. The Irish public never cared for his attitude, and rightly. Finnan seemed more level headed and down to earth and that's why this is all the more disappointing.

I'd have preferred if he'd waited to hear the new manager's plans.

Also, when he says he's "a right back, full stop" he's being a bit disingenuous. I'm pretty sure he made his debut for Ireland on the right side of midfield, scoring against Finland under McCarthy in a flattering 3-0 win. He has played regularly at right midfield and at left back for Fulham too.

If only everyone had Kevin Kilbane's attitude.

Who'd you have more confidence in? Joey O'Brien or Stephen Kelly? Foley is too young and inexperienced still in my opinion, he needs a season or two yet.

[NeilMcD]

At right back I think Kelly is a very very fine player. He had one or two indifferent games for Ireland but in Slovakia I could not believe the reviews he got when I came back. Because that night I could clearly see it was more to do with Kilbane giving him no protection whatsoever and getting caught upfield and not been able to get back.

[Stuttgart88]

I'm still not convinced though half a season at RB playing first team in the Premiership must be good news. I thought he did really well at LB against Germany. Hopefully he'll be up to it.

Joey O'Brien could become another John O'Shea for us. CM, RM, RB and CB potentially. I suspect his versatility will lead to Kelly being favoured as RB.

[Wolfie]

My gut instinct would be to prefer O'Brien instead of Kelly at this moment.

I think Kelly is prone to over committing himself in the tackle and some of his positional sense is a bit awry at times.

[Kingdom]

If only everyone had Kevin Kilbane's attitude.

Who'd you have more confidence in? Joey O'Brien or Stephen Kelly? Foley is too young and inexperienced still in my opinion, he needs a season or two yet.

Put our best players in their best positions, or find a system for our best players. Kelly for right back. Megon used Joey in midfield against Newcastle and I'd be interested to see if he stays there. He's a midfielder by trade, who filled in at right back

[eirebhoy]

And in fairness to Kelly, he's probably played more at left back for us than right back. I wasn't impressed with O'Brien at right back vs Sweden but that was a long time ago now.

[Wolfie]

Put our best players in their best positions, or find a system for our best players. Kelly for right back. Megon used Joey in midfield against Newcastle and I'd be interested to see if he stays there. He's a midfielder by trade, who filled in at right back

Thought O'Brien looked completely out of his depth in midfield against Cyprus - although the entire team had a nightmare that night.

I think O'Brien is a solid full back who can play at centre half. I don't think he's the answer for us in midfield.

[Kingdom]

Thought O'Brien looked completely out of his depth in midfield against Cyprus - although the entire team had a nightmare that night.

I think O'Brien is a solid full back who can play at centre half. I don't think he's the answer for us in midfield.

whatever about how he played that against Cyprus, everyone has their own opinion and thats cool, but he isn't a centre half, and anyone who has coached him see's him as a midfielder.

[geysir]

Carr's case was different. He was strongly rumoured to have been disruptive during Kerr's time in charge and never gave the impression that he was really fully committed to playing international football. He was one of the first of the newly wealthy Irish footballers to have become too big for his boots. The Irish public never cared for his attitude, and rightly. Finnan seemed more level headed and down to earth and that's why this is all the more disappointing.

I'd have preferred if he'd waited to hear the new manager's plans.

Rumours and strong rumours are just fodder for begrudgers and not supported by the evidence of the long succession of club/national managers who chose of their own free will to select Carr on a consistant basis, even when 1/2 fit.
Rather, some of the evidence points to fans making Carr a scapegoat for the non selection of Finnan (Managers choice!) and a scorned media who think they know his every thought.
Not every player has the effortless unfazed personality of a John O'Shea.
In 6 months or so, the new manager should make an approach to Finnan and make a strong persuasive case for a return.

[Wolfie]

whatever about how he played that against Cyprus, everyone has their own opinion and thats cool, but he isn't a centre half, and anyone who has coached him see's him as a midfielder.

Well then the future is bleak for him - he's not an international class midfielder.

[Stuttgart88]

He's also a kid. He's only played about half a dozen professional games in that position.

[Wolfie]

He's also a kid. He's only played about half a dozen professional games in that position.

Not trying to rubbish O'Brien completely - as you point out Stuttgart - he's not got major experience playing there and I do rate him as a defender.

What concerned me was that he has no "instinct" for the right ball to play from midfield.

The midfield instinct can't be taught and tends to be acquired from playing there since childhood. The correct ball is played from midfield without hesitation and with total assurance, particularly at the highest level.

John O'Shea is another who was converted to midfield but he never looks comfortable there as he doesn't have the acquired instinct of those around him.

[Armando]

Thought O'Brien looked completely out of his depth in midfield against Cyprus - although the entire team had a nightmare that night.

I think O'Brien is a solid full back who can play at centre half. I don't think he's the answer for us in midfield.

Ye, that was Staunton final moment of madness...O'Brien had just put in a sterling performance at centre-half against the Germans and what does Staunton do a few days later?...Move him into centre-mid, where he has to try prove himself all over again. I flagged this up before the Cyprus game even kicked off....felt so sorry for the lad on the night.

[tetsujin1979]

O'Brien had made his name as a defensive midfielder when he was coming through the ranks. When he was on loan with Sheffield Wednesday, he and Glen Whelan formed the central midfield partnership, and Wednesday only lost three games in the 2 months he was there.
He was moved to right back at Bolton after an injury to Nicky Hunt meant he was needed there.
He played on the right of a 3 man central midfield recently for Bolton

[jmurphyc]

Ye, that was Staunton final moment of madness...O'Brien had just put in a sterling performance at centre-half against the Germans and what does Staunton do a few days later?...Move him into centre-mid, where he has to try prove himself all over again. I flagged this up before the Cyprus game even kicked off....felt so sorry for the lad on the night.

In fairness to Staunton he was our only player that could play as a holding (or defensive if that term annoys people) midfielder in the squad. Although this does beg the question why didn't Staunton bring more into the squad knowing that Carsley was one yellow away from suspension.