Fulham manager Jean Tigana's tenure at Craven Cottage has been revolutionary
over the past two years but one factor has remained constant: Steve Finnan.
In this age of squad rotation it is remarkable that the 25-year-old right-back
has not missed a League or Cup game during this campaign. Industrious
is rarely regarded as a complimentary adjective to bestow upon a footballer
- it often implies a lack of subtlety - but it is one that Finnan readily
embraces to describe himself. And he is certainly keeping busy.
He appears at Fulham's Motspur Park training ground short of breath and
hugely apologetic for his tardiness. He has been booking flights and taxis
for his trip to Dublin tomorrow morning to meet up with the Republic of
Ireland squad ahead of their game against USA on Wednesday. The club could
make arrangements for him, he concedes, but he prefers it this way. "It
has been a hectic week," he says. "But then this season has
been like that - so many games, international trips and now we are involved
in a relegation battle and a Cup semi-final - it really is hard work."
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Fulham defender Steve Finnan
has a busy few months, winning an F.A. Cup semi final, avoiding relegation
and winning the World Cup
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Spend half an hour with Finnan and he quickly dispels any notion of footballers
as pampered stars struggling to occupy endless spare hours. Whether or not
he is deliberately keeping "on-message" following revelations
about his team-mate Sean Davis's recent indiscretions is unclear but he
talks of regularly going four weeks without a day off and of training being
an all-day affair broken up into three sessions.
However, preparing for his 51st match of the season, Finnan suggested
that his own performances could be seen as a microcosm of the club's recent
flagging fortunes.
"I am the only one at the club who has played every game this season,
which is a bit special. But it has been draining - both mentally and physically
this year - and perhaps that has shown. I think we have all suffered from
fatigue and that may be why we are in the strange position in the table."
The "strange position" that Finnan speaks of is at the nether
region of the Premiership. Fulham have only won two of their past 11 games
- both in the FA Cup against lower league opposition.
"It has taken us all by surprise here. Nine games ago we were talking
about a European place and now we are scrapping at the bottom. But I think
it has taught us all a lesson."
Signed by Kevin Keegan in 1998 from Notts County for £600,000,
Finnan has been deployed as an attacking full-back this season, encouraged
to get to the byline and deliver crosses, with either foot.
"I am an attack-minded player and I've played as a right and left
winger," he said. "When Jean first arrived he insisted that
Rufus Brevett and I push up whenever we got the chance. He doesn't have
to do that now - we're already there."
Finnan's performances and attitude have impressed Mick McCarthy too.
Since Fulham's rise to the Premiership he has been a regular squad member
for the Republic of Ireland and won 13 caps at right back, ahead of Gary
Kelly, Stephen Carr and Rory Delap.
"This season has finally given me a chance to take on the best.
Next I am up against the most prolific strike partnership in the Premiership
in Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Eidur Gudjohnsen. I have also had to deal
with the likes of Ryan Giggs, Robert Pires and Damien Duff this season
which has helped my international career enormously."
Duff's inclusion in this pantheon of great left wingers may raise an
eyebrow but Finnan is fiercely loyal to his country and countrymen. His
accent is English but his emerald eyes light up at the mention of the
Republic. "Damien is genuinely a great player and I believe he is
in for a great World Cup," he insists. "I don't think the Irish
are given enough credit for the quality of players we have. Everyone talks
about the spirit but you don't get to the World Cup finals on spirit alone.
We deserve to be there."
Finnan deserves to be there too. He may even feel he deserves a break
when he returns from the Far East. But he knows better than to presume
he will.
"Knowing this club we'll probably be in on July 1 for pre-season training,"
he says - only half-jokingly.
Source S. Telegraph by Jim Bruce-Ball