Finnan Retires from International Football

Villain · 22-01-2008 03:41PM #1

Huge huge loss he was our best player in our last two home games. link: http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N158532080122-1406.htm

Melion · 22-01-2008 03:42PM

Good for Liverpool, he's been picking up injures fairly easily over the last few years. Hopefully this adds 2-3 years onto his career at Anfield.

Xavi6 · 22-01-2008 03:44PM

Thanks Steve for being one of our few decent players in a difficult few years. Great full back, shame to lose him.

pd101 · 22-01-2008 03:46PM

That is a big loss but his best days are behind him. Its not going to make a big difference regarding whether or not we qualify or not. That link isn't working btw.

Mad_Max · 22-01-2008 03:48PM

How old is he now? Who you reckon will take the slot now? O'Shea, O'Brien?

purple'n'gold · 22-01-2008 03:48PM

I wonder has he heard who the new international manager is, and decided to jump ship.

Nunu · 22-01-2008 03:49PM

This is ****ing terrible.

Whoever the next manager is has to approach Finnan and tell him he needs him and that he doesn't have to play in any friendlies...because you can guarantee that having to turn out for friendlies is a key factor in Finnans decision.

Dave! · 22-01-2008 03:50PM

Shame, he's a great player, for Ireland and Poo'

_blank_ · 22-01-2008 04:01PM

This could be the first of many.

Shay Given, I'm sure he's browned off representing two circuses.

Robbie could go.

Some of the midfield.

Xavi6 · 22-01-2008 04:03PM

DesF wrote: »

Shay Given, I'm sure he's browned off representing two circuses.

Hard to sympathise with Shay though. He could've left Newcastle years ago. Fair enough he was loyal but where has it gotten him?

prendy · 22-01-2008 04:04PM

ah des in fairness keane has a few years left in the tank!...a few goals wouldnt go amiss tho!:D
but seriously the top 6-7 players shouldnt be called up for meaningless friendly's.finnan included.
he was a great servant of the national team and will be missed badly.

smackbunnybaby · 22-01-2008 04:04PM

finnans obviously a bottler

been speaking to carragher too much id say

_blank_ · 22-01-2008 04:06PM

Xavi6 wrote: »

Hard to sympathise with Shay though. He could've left Newcastle years ago. Fair enough he was loyal but where has it gotten him?

:eek:

We slate mercernaries, we slate loyalty.

What do players have to do?

Or maybe, just maybe, no-one in the so called "big four" ever came in for him, because the top, top managers don't rate him?

Maybe aul Shay isn't as "world class" as the green spectacle wearers think.

Xavi6 · 22-01-2008 04:08PM

DesF wrote: »

:eek:

We slate mercernaries, we slate loyalty.

What do players have to do?

Or maybe, just maybe, no-one in the so called "big four" ever came in for him, because the top, top managers don't rate him?

Maybe aul Shay isn't as "world class" as the green spectacle wearers think.

Well he was heavily linked with United and Arsenal when both Schmeichel and Seaman left. He kept signing contracts to prove his loyalty. I have no problem with that but if he was to come out, as you say, and be 'browned off' then the sympathy would end there. Don't think that's unreasonable.

Oh and yeah he definitely was that good.

Mad_Max · 22-01-2008 04:10PM

DesF wrote: »

:eek:

We slate mercernaries, we slate loyalty.

What do players have to do?

Or maybe, just maybe, no-one in the so called "big four" ever came in for him, because the top, top managers don't rate him?

Maybe aul Shay isn't as "world class" as the green spectacle wearers think.

Not world class but surely could have moved out of toon.

Pighead · 22-01-2008 04:12PM

DesF wrote: »

Or maybe, just maybe, no-one in the so called "big four" ever came in for him, because the top, top managers don't rate him?

Maybe aul Shay isn't as "world class" as the green spectacle wearers think.

My word DesF surely you're not doubting Givens quality? The lad has been picked twice in the Premier League team of the year ie the best goalkeeper in the Premier League for those particular seasons. No need for green spectacles here, the facts speak for themselves, the lads world class.

_blank_ · 22-01-2008 04:14PM

Xavi6 wrote: »

Well he was heavily linked with United and Arsenal when both Schmeichel and Seaman left.

Er, yeah, by the red tops and gossip merchants.

Pighead wrote: »

My word DesF surely you're not doubting Givens quality? The lad has been picked twice in the Premier League team of the year ie the best goalkeeper in the Premier League for those particular seasons. No need for green spectacles here, the facts speak for themselves, the lads world class.

Hmm.

BaZmO* · 22-01-2008 04:21PM

Villain wrote: »

Huge huge loss..

But not a huge huge surprise.

DesF wrote:

because the top, top managers don't rate him?

Apparently his size has always gone against him, which is odd considering he's 6,1. But then again the top clubs do like the lanky feckers.

_blank_ · 22-01-2008 04:23PM

BaZmO* wrote: »

he's 6,1.

:eek:

Is he really?

He looks much smaller tbh.

Nunu · 22-01-2008 04:24PM

Who remebers Paul McGrath(dodgy knees), John Aldridge, Ray Houghton,
Andy Townsend, Ronnie Whelan etc?

God, I miss those guys:(..retiring at 31 with no extenuating circumstances is just not right

Pighead · 22-01-2008 04:25PM

DesF wrote: »

Hmm.

Well when you put it like that perhaps I was being a bit over zealous in declaring him world class. Hadn't considered looking at it from that point of view.

BaZmO* · 22-01-2008 04:27PM

DesF wrote: »

:eek:

Is he really?

He looks much smaller tbh.

Yeah, I was surprised when I heard that years ago too. I think the fact that he looks smaller than he is has gone against him too.

Mr Alan · 22-01-2008 04:27PM

Well Finnan hasnt been able to put a string of games together for the last while without picking up an injury. That combined with the fact that the last few years he has been inexplicably played out of position would constitute extenuating circumstances in my book.

Great player. One of our few.

jameshayes · 22-01-2008 04:28PM

Balls.

Nunu · 22-01-2008 04:34PM

Mr Alan wrote: »

Well Finnan hasnt been able to put a string of games together for the last while without picking up an injury. That combined with the fact that the last few years he has been inexplicably played out of position would constitute extenuating circumstances in my book.

Great player. One of our few.

You are joking right? I seriously doubt that was in Finnans mind either.

It's not inexplicable for a manager to play him in position he's well capable of to try and get the best team out on the field. He's just as adept at left or right back. Our best defensive performance of the last campaign was with Finnan at left back and O'Shea right back against Wales at home.

He's an integral starting XI team player - whether that be at left/right back or right mid and should not be retiring.

BaZmO* · 22-01-2008 04:38PM

Nunu wrote: »

He's an integral starting XI team player - whether that be at left/right back or right mid and should not be retiring.

But not in Rafa's team this year.

I don't see anything wrong with a player giving up International duty to concentrate on his actual job, ya know, the one that pays his wages and stuff.

_blank_ · 22-01-2008 04:39PM

Nunu wrote: »

and should not be retiring.

orly?

and you know all of his personal circumstances, do you?

Nunu · 22-01-2008 04:46PM

DesF wrote: »

orly?

and you know all of his personal circumstances, do you?

Of course not? But, you can only go by what he has said.

What I'm getting at is it is too easy for a player to retire from international football. I find it hard to comprehend. Despite what people may say surely the possibility of playing for your country at a major finals would spur you on for as long as possible?

I suppose I just have the romantic notion that a player should be more or less have to be told to **** off by the manager before they can call an end to their international career...ala McGrath, Houghton etc.
A lot of people would say they and others hung on too long but I actually admire them for it. If you're playing club football, why not international aswell?

Spud83 · 22-01-2008 04:53PM

Nunu wrote: »

What I'm getting at is it is too easy for a player to retire from international football. I find it hard to comprehend. Despite what people may say surely the possibility of playing for your country at a major finals would spur you on for as long as possible?

Maybe he is smart enough to know that we have f**k all chance of reaching the next major finals. So he doesn't want to spend another two years trawling around europe for no reason.

_blank_ · 22-01-2008 04:53PM

Or maybe he just thinks it would be a big waste of time, and isn't arsed any more, coming over and being treated like a mug by the clown association.

Mr Magnolia · 22-01-2008 04:58PM

Very sad to see him go. It was sticking out and I don't think he'll be the last. It always done my head in when Carr was started in front of him, I'm nearly surprised he lasted as long as he did.

Finnan Retires from International Football

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