0 users online

Fulham work Steve Finnan hard

last updated Sunday 14th April 2002, 8:38 AM
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."

     
  Fulham defender Steve Finnan  
  Fulham defender Steve Finnan has a busy few months, winning an F.A. Cup semi final, avoiding relegation and winning the World Cup
 
 
Steve Finnan Profile
Steve Finnan Stories
 
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
Since 1998
"It's been updated!"