All-English team?

[Maestro]

How's about this - an all-English Liverpool starting line-up with subs...I've obviously been a bit liberal with positioning, and it would have to be a Carling Cup match, but I think it's interesting that it's a "possibility"

Carson

O'Donnell Hobbs Carragher Warnock

Pennant Gerrard Mannix Anderson

Fowler Crouch

Subs:
Danny Guthrie
James Smith
Neil Mellor
Adam Hammill
David Martin

[Shaggy]

Excellent! I'm sure we could sneak Finnan in at right back too - given his rather tenuous 'Irishness'.

[Maestro]

Excellent! I'm sure we could sneak Finnan in at right back too - given his rather tenuous 'Irishness'.

...ooohhh...controversial...

[Peter Delvechio]

Excellent! I'm sure we could sneak Finnan in at right back too - given his rather tenuous 'Irishness'.

What? You mean the fact that he was born and raised in Dublin to Irish parents?

[Ryan]

It's very hard to think of Daniel O'Donnell being English.

[Rich]

Wasn't Finnan actually born in Ireland?

That is enough for me!!!!

[Peter Delvechio]

It's very hard to think of Daniel O'Donnell being English.

I'll take you home again Kathleen....

[Maestro]

What? You mean the fact that he was born and raised in Dublin to Irish parents?

Finnan was born in Limerick, but was raised in London as far as I know. I don't think he has Dublin connections. Knowing many English kids born to Irish parents, like them, he probably grew up going to Irish dancing classes and learning the bodhran or tin whistle. He decided to play for Ireland, so that must mean he feels Irish.
I wouldn't call him English, in the same way that I wouldn't call Didi Hamann's kids English.

[PTP]

It's funny you have started this thread - i was just talking to a collegue about how rafa has added a few British players to the team, plus Finnan who I wouldn't class as a foreigner(was he born in england?) - I'm quite pleased by it as we have strengthed the squad with players with prem experience(bellamy/Pennant) or potential (Hobbs/Anderson)

British/Irish X1

Carson

Finnan - JC - Hobbs - Warnock

Pennant - Gerrard - Potter - Bellamy

Fowler - Crouch

Thoughts?

[Ryan]

I'll take you home again Kathleen....

Do you think the English know what it means to queue for 5 hours in the Donegal rain to eventually have a cup of tea made by the man himself?

[Shaggy]

What? You mean the fact that he was born and raised in Dublin to Irish parents?

He was neither born in Dublin or raised there. He was born in Limerick but moved to London at about two years old and was brought up in London. I take it you've never heard him talk then?

[stevenage_kop]

im glad rafa is signing british players and not just spanish players.

i also like the way hes given the youngsters a run out in the friendlies to see wot they got

[Peter Delvechio]

I was wrong but I'd hardly call his Irishness "tenuous".

I was sure he had a Dublin accent but I accept my mistake gracefully prickface.

[Shaggy]

I was wrong but I'd hardly call his Irishness "tenuous".

I was sure he had a Dublin accent but I accept my mistake gracefully prickface.

Gracefully? You think that's graceful?

Calm down laddo, I was only winding up our Irish readers (I'm 5/8 'Irish' myself, blood-wise).

[Rich]

Hardly graceful Peter - please calm down and refrain from insulting other members!!!!

Cheers.