Digging up the (recent) past.

February 20th, 2008 | by: Eugene | Comments(2)

Dia dhuit everyone, it’s been the better part of a week or so since we (for we, read Denis O’Brien) installed Traps as manager, but I’ve been thinking over the week about what Trapattoni needs to do in order to bring the good times back, and one thing sticks out like a sore thumb, which must be dealt with before anything else. It’s not the solution to all out problems by any stretch of the imagination, but Traps needs to pack his English dictionary and head over to Steve Finnan’s house, because we need him back before the start of the qualifying campaign.

Finnan announced his retirement from the international stage about a fortnight before Trapattoni was installed as the new gaffer, leaving our options short, very short at right back. Now, you might wonder how bringing back Finnan is suddenly going to resolve all the Republic’s issues and guarantee us a place at the World Cup? Simple fact, it’s not, but it’s going to help no end. Finnan made 50 appearances for the Republic since his debut in 2002, and you’ll be hard pushed to find one out of that half-century which was a genuine stinker, where he let the country down. Finnan is unnoticed for club and country, but 99 times out of 100 he always puts in solid, realiable if unspectacular performance. In all fairness, that’s all you’d want from your right-back, especially now given that what we need right now if a period of consistency, particularly in defence.

In order for Trapattoni to make his new system work, revolving around a solid defence and a midfield who will track back and help out in defensive duties, he needs his best, most dependable players. In that case, he needs Richard Dunne and Paul McShane in the centre-back roles, perhaps John O’Shea in the left back position (In all fairness, that’s our weakest position in the whole squad, so it’s a bit of a paradox, I agree), with at least one worker in the centre of midfield, so that will be Lee Carsley. Which leaves the right-back slot. Let’s be honest, Stephen Kelly isn’t up to this level, and up against a decent left-winger, such as Martin Petrov or whoever the Italians put over on that side, (I’m gonna be frank, I haven’t been clued up on the Italian side for a long time, these days I haven’t the foggiest who Donadoni employs on the wings) he’s going to get a good gubbing, and we’re going to start leaking goals from that side.

With a player of Finnan’s guile and ability to read the game, it improves our chances of shoring up at the back no end, which is exactly what we need right now. His experience will help the rest of the side no end as well, and McShane in particular could continue to learn his trade from the likes of Finnan and Dunne. Hopefully he does continue to learn from some of the best himself, as McShane could well be one of the top defenders for his country in a long time, but he needs guidance after a pretty horrible season in the Premiership thus far. So, in truth, for at least the next two years, we need Finnan in the side to ensure that we start on the right tracks under Trapattoni and continue along them, hopefully en route to a place at the World Cup.

If we don’t get Finnan back, it’s not the be all and end all of everything, but it makes the situation difficult, as when you get beyond Kelly, things get really tricky after that. I personally rate Joey O’Brien, but he’s not ready for the top level yet, and needs more games at Bolton in order to play against the best there is to offer. Maybe in time to come, but he’s not ready yet. Sean St Ledger? He could be a good player, but if he was as good as he has been biulled to be by some people, why haven’t a Premiership club come in and taken a risk on him, as seems to be de riguer with some of the bottom half clubs in the league in recent years. His temper also lets him down no end at times, and before anyone would consider buying him, they would have to factor in the attitude problem that comes with St. Ledger, and would you be willing to break up any form of stability in a side for a troublemaker such as that? Otherwise, it’s the likes of Alan Maybury, and that’s a definate no-no. So the case for Finnan is championed even further, when you look at the dearth of options beyond himself.

Like it’s been said before, Finnan is not the answer to all our problems, but bringing him back into the fold will be an instant fillip for the side, and one that’s required at the moment, just to boost morale and bring a familiar face back into the surroundings. We won’t be able to rely on him forever, and by the time he would retire after the World Cup campaign, you would hope that someone else would have broken through the ranks (O’Brien, or someone from the youth squad, noises have been made about Leeds youngster Simon Madden). However, for now what the side needs is stability and consistency, Finnan provides both those qualities, whilst nicely slipping under the radar. If Trapattoni could lure him back for one more crack at international football, then it would be a very positive start to what will hopefully be a productive tenure as manager. Here’s hoping anyways.

I’ll leave it at that for today, all, doubtless you got the message anyways, I’ll report back later in the week with something else that catches the eye hopefully. We’ll see what crops up in the week anyhow, talk later everyone.

Slainte Chugat
Eugene