Finnan Retires from International Football

Villain

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

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

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

pd101

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

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

purple'n'gold

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

Nunu

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!

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

_blank_

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

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

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

finnans obviously a bottler
been speaking to carragher too much id say

_blank_

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

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

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

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_

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*

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_

BaZmO* wrote: »

he's 6,1.

:eek:

Is he really?

He looks much smaller tbh.

Nunu

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

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*

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

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

Balls.

Nunu

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*

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_

Nunu wrote: »

and should not be retiring.

orly?

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

Nunu

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

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_

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

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.

Nunu

alanmurphy83 wrote: »

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.

Wow, what a defeatist attitude! If that's how he's thinking then he is right to retire.

shane86

DesF wrote: »

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

You yourself stated he was the only world class player on our national team only a few days ago Id rate Shay as better than Cech tbh, its just that the awful defence he has worked with over the years doesnt always cause the goaline to reflect it.

Awful news about Finnan

_blank_

Nunu wrote: »

Wow, what a defeatist attitude! If that's how he's thinking then he is right to retire.

Defeatist, or realist?

_blank_

shane86 wrote: »

You yourself stated he was the only world class player on our national team only a few days ago

I also own a pair of green spectacles.

shane86 wrote: »

Id rate Shay as better than Cech tbh,

Ha.

Nunu

DesF wrote: »

Defeatist, or realist?

Ye, i'd stick with defeatist...unless you can look into the future...can you:eek::D

_blank_

Nunu wrote: »

Ye, i'd stick with defeatist...unless you can look into the future...can you:eek::D

I can't see into the future, but I can tell you that it will take a damn miracle for Ireland to qualify for the WC.

And miracles haven't happened in two thousand years.

ninebeanrows

IMO a player who retires from Internation Football age 31 with no serious reason illustrates the players lack of pride for his "country".

A true Irish player would not do this, but Finnan has lived in England for nearly all of his live.

Spud83

Nunu wrote: »

Ye, i'd stick with defeatist...unless you can look into the future...can you:eek::D

Maybe it is defeatist. But if you look at the chances of success with Liverpool or with Ireland, you would say Liverpool have a better chance of success, and Finnan has a better chance of keeping his team and squad place at Liverpool if he is able to rest during international breaks.

_blank_

alanmurphy83 wrote: »

Maybe it is defeatist. But if you look at the chances of success with Liverpool or with Ireland, you would say Liverpool have a better chance of success,

About the same imo. :D

Mr Magnolia

Couldn't agree less weathercheck. The man wnet to game after game only to watch Stephen Carr take the starting spot. As I said, I'm surprised he didn't jack it in ages ago.

Pighead

DesF wrote: »

I can't see into the future, but I can tell you that it will take a damn miracle for Ireland to qualify for the WC.

And miracles haven't happened in two thousand years.

Wrong Desmond. Traore won his Champions League medal less than 3 years ago.

AckwelFoley

..another example of players loseing their national pride...


money over the green.


Shame.

I'll play if i get the call.

invincibleirish

what a shame alright, he'd only just be 34 at the time of the next WC (if we qualify;)) and we need all the experienced players we can get for the qualifiers. its ridiculous in this day and age that players are retiring from international football so young, look at fernando couto, he retired from international football at 35 and he's still playing now at 39!.

p.s. its obvious from some sentiments on this thread that people put the club they follow before their country and are happy for finnan to retire, what a disgrace.

maybe when a new high calibre manager is appointed (stop laughing down the back there!) they might have a word with him to un-retire, i can imagine the long drawn out process in getting a new manager hasnt exactly inspired him to stay on.

leninbenjamin

eh? why are people giving him a hard time over this decision? he's 31, it's a completely understandble move.

Raskolnikov

Very disappointing that he should retire at only 31. Having said that though, I hope he can be persuaded to postpone his decision. His experience would be tremendous to have during the forthcoming qualification campaign.

invincibleirish

i guess im just old fashioned, when your called upon to play for your country you should play, not be concerned about what may happen with your domestic career.

p.s. Stephen Carr came out of retirement did he not? maybe Finnan will do the same.

prendy

IMO a player who retires from Internation Football age 31 with no serious reason illustrates the players lack of pride for his "country".

A true Irish player would not do this, but Finnan has lived in England for nearly all of his live.

ah hear. he stated that he'll be 34 by the time the WC comes round. he feels he wont be in the team then so why not step aside and let a younger player through.

question the pride of someone who represented their country 50 times???
grow up!

BaZmO*

invincibleirish wrote: »

i guess im just old fashioned, when your called upon to play for your country you should play, not be concerned about what may happen with your domestic career.

That's just nonsense. So you'd risk your bill paying job?

invincibleirish wrote: »

p.s. Stephen Carr came out of retirement did he not? maybe Finnan will do the same.

LOL. Using Stephen Carr as an example!! Best one yet!!

ninebeanrows

prendy wrote: »

ah hear. he stated that he'll be 34 by the time the WC comes round. he feels he wont be in the team then so why not step aside and let a younger player through.

question the pride of someone who represented their country 50 times???
grow up!

Yea i do actually.

If he had some pride he would keep playing until he reached 35 or if he picked up an injury.

TBH retiring at 31 is shameful.

invincibleirish

BaZmO* wrote: »

That's just nonsense. So you'd risk your bill paying job?


LOL. Using Stephen Carr as an example!! Best one yet!!

LOL indeed, thats nonsense, if your logic for not playing international football is potential injury then why play international football at all at any age?

Stephen Carr, moody michael as he is, still came out of retirement, and as i said the more experienced players who have played in a successful WC qualifying campaigns the better!


as i said already players can play at the highest levels and play international football well into their 30s, using random examples Cannavaro is 34, Campbell is 33, Beckham is 32, all want to play for their country in the next WC campaigns, why not Finnan?