Finnan's 'Wrong' Foot

[Leo No.8]

Is it just me, or does Finnan actually deliver the ball into the box better with his 'wrong' foot?

 

His crossing with his left is absolutely devastating; he almost always delivers into a perfect area for our strikers to attack the ball and get a header on goal. But when he gets to the byeline and uses his right, although he still puts some good ones in he does tend to give the keeper a chance more often.

 

After a slightly shaky start to the season by his standards Finnan is definitely back to his consistent best; he really is very comfortable with both feet and was outstanding last night, but I do acutally think he crosses better with his wrong foot (there is quite a bit of evidence if you look at his assists) which is very unusual.

Edited November 23, 2006 by Leo No.8

[Bigal]

Great point, however, could you think about riise sprinting down the left and then turning on his right to deliver a cross?

 

His left is certainly not just for standing

[anny road]

did i read somewhere that he was left footed? or have i dreamt that

[Bigal]

did i read somewhere that he was left footed? or have i dreamt that

 

what f***ed up dreams to do you have?

[anny road]

what f***ed up dreams to do you have?

 

 

they get worse

[Guest Anders Honoré]

I dreamt the other day that Bellamy would rescue us in the next league game with a late brace.

 

Put your money on it now.

[Cunny]

thought it was his best game of the season last night

[Leo No.8]

did i read somewhere that he was left footed? or have i dreamt that

 

I'm pretty sure he is technically right footed as he naturally carries it that way when running with the ball, which is usually the giveaway; although if you watched the telling crosses he's put in during his time here, you'd probably say he was left-footed.

[Rory Fitzgerald]

He tends to really 'steady' himself when putting one in with his left and glids them in - thats what I have found anyway.

[Coyler]

He tends to really 'steady' himself when putting one in with his left and glids them in - thats what I have found anyway.

He looks gas when he's doing that. Really slow and deliberate.

 

Bang on the money, though, right on to Crouch's forehead.

 

Finnan had a good game last night.

[Maldini]

I was thinking the same last night, I think sometimes what happens is if you feign to cross and then cut back it can disturb the shape of the back 4 and open up a bit of space for the attackers to run into.

 

FWIW I think Finnan is one of the best RBs we've had, better than Babbel IMO.

[Guest BrianF]

No way is he better than Babbel. I think Marcus was one of the best right backs in Europe when he was with us, and one of the best signings that Houllier made. Absolutely brilliant, he had the lot. And wasn't bad a centre half either.

Edited November 23, 2006 by BrianF

[Ostrich Man]

did i read somewhere that he was left footed? or have i dreamt that

all irish are left footers....except for the bad ones.

[Andy @ Allerton]

I was thinking the same last night, I think sometimes what happens is if you feign to cross and then cut back it can disturb the shape of the back 4 and open up a bit of space for the attackers to run into.

 

FWIW I think Finnan is one of the best RBs we've had, better than Babbel IMO.

 

The best rightback at the club bar none in my opinion in recent years was Rob Jones

 

He was an incredible talent - very very sad that his injuries forced him out of the game - just glad I was privilliged to see such a great great player play in the short time he had with us

[yellow jumper]

his best game of the season last night, i thought. that last ditch tackle was out of the djimi text book. riise on the otherhand was woeful.

 

babbel shone briefly, but more brightly, for me. loved rob jones too.

[Leo No.8]

When you think about it we've been blessed with a number of good right backs in recent history, yet very few good left-backs. Jones, Babbel and now Finnan have all been outstanding performers in the right-back slot and a certain Steven Gerrard actually played his formative games there as well.

 

Yet you look at left-back during the same period and see such names as Bjornebye, Harkness, and in recent years Djimi Traore. For all his weaknesses (club right foot, defensive postitioning at times, lack of subtlety) Riise is by far the best left-back we've had for years.

 

I've always been one like Riise's commitment, attitude and powerful running (not to mention his shot), and his defensive positioning has improved massively under Rafa. However to say he's our best left-back since Steve Nicol you'd instantly think 'surely not', but facts are he probably is.

 

Having said that he had an off night last night - a return to the defensively suspect Riise of old who always seemed to be jumping under the ball, allowing the forward a run on goal. He's been a solid performer for a couple of years though now so no big deal.

[Maldini]

Speaking of left-backs, we should sign Salcido from PSV, he's brilliant.

[Leo No.8]

Speaking of left-backs, we should sign Salcido from PSV, he's brilliant.

 

Very impressed by Salcido every time I've seen him play - he's got a bit of attitude as well which I like.

[fred milne]

However to say he's our best left-back since Steve Nicol you'd instantly think 'surely not', but facts are he probably is.

Carragher for me.

[floyd the barber]

finnan is our best right back since steve nicol/phil neal...

 

rob jones and babbel the closest in quality, but both suffered with injuries and of course sickness....so yes they were quality but we didnt see enough of either..

...finnan has now been consistently excellent as a right back for 3-4 seasons....for that reason, he is our best right back for over 15 years