Baresi departure will not effect Fulham progress, says Finnan

STEVE FINNAN believes that the departure of Franco Baresi from Fulham will have no disruptive effect on the Cottagers’ Premiership campaign.

Finnan, who missed the Republic of Ireland’s international friendly against Finland last night with an ankle injury stressed that the former AC Milan captain has had a minimal role to play with the club over the past few months.

“I cannot see his departure having any effect on us in the slightest. Obviously he is a legend in the game but I think a lot of people have misunderstood how much involvement he has had with the team since he arrived,” he said.

“I know there was a lot of initial confusion about his job title but the fact of the matter is he had no day-to-day involvement with the team, our training, or selection, so we will carry on regardless. I only ever actually met him once for a brief chat and although he seemed like a decent guy, I think that tells you everything you need to know about his role at the club.

“I think when he was first appointed as director of football a lot of the players expected him to have much more of a hands-on roll but that never materialised and we have been working under exactly the same coaching and management set-up this season as we had in the last. I can see no reason why we won’t carry on as normal and try and build on a great opening day win over Bolton.

“It’s wrong though, to suggest the Fulham dressing room has been disrupted in recent weeks because of some power struggle between Baresi and the manager because it just isn’t the case. Because Baresi had so little to do with the squad, he was never even a topic of conversation in the dressing room.”

The Limerick native remains confident of playing in the weekend trip

to the Riverside Stadium, as he recovers from his niggling ankle problem.

“On the fitness front, I’m still hoping to be available for Saturday’s trip to Middlesbrough. The ankle is still sore but I’ve been able to train reasonably well, although I’ll probably have to take a couple of painkillers before the match if the boss wants me to play.”

Meanwhile, his former international defensive colleague, Steve Staunton says he has no complaints about the length of the Premiership season and feels fine after his World Cup exploits.

The former Liverpool player, now 33, was the oldest member of Villa’s World Cup contingent, but he feels the way players look after themselves now has ensured that they can take an 11-month season in their stride.

The versatile veteran said: “I am fine. It is all about playing football. We have had a few weeks off and after a few games you will get that match sharpness and fitness back.

“I think it is a case of having to keep yourself fit, especially during your close season because you have to come back a lot fitter. You do not have to do that hard slog of running like you used to 10 or 15 years ago.

“Because players are fit you can go in and do tactical work and whatever else you want to do. Nowadays it is about playing 11 months of the year and you have to get on with that situation.”