Comments on: Finland v Azerbaijan preview

By: John

John — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 18:56:48 +0000

Good argument. The best scenario, obviously, is to have a healthy Tainio justifiably make the squad and Heikkinen gunning any spot he can grab. Then you’ve got a sub who can at least stand with Euro quality players and a starter with some modicum of star power.

By: Egan

Egan — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 18:21:56 +0000

That wasn’t part of my copy, it was a descriptor added in to make the piece seem more relevant to their audience. I don’t think he’s too bothered either way, he was born in Birmingham and has a Scottish Dad. I would prefer it to read ‘British’, though….

John: glad you like the blog! Väyrynen is due a big season, lets hope he can achieve that now he has a club where he’s appreciated.

I think Tainio is the better player, but Heikkinen played very well against Germany and won’t let anybody down. dropping him for a half-fit Tainio is not good management, but at present you know he is going to play out of his skin to try and keep his place. The worst thing to do would be drop Heikkinen for Tainio, Tainio breaks down against Azerbaijan, then you have to put in Heikkinen against Russia when he knows that he cannot do anything that will keep his place in the team if Tainio is able to walk with crutches.

It’s great that Finland have these dilemmas now, though.

By: Gerry

Gerry — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:56:14 +0000

Good read of the Baxter interview.

But I thought he was Scottish, not English?

Better keep out of his line sight after Saturday’s match!

By: John

John — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:27:02 +0000

Bah. Nevermind. I see he’s on SC H, now. ESPN and FSC sites had him still registered with PSV.

By: John

John — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:13:35 +0000

Egan,

I’m really glad to have found this blog. As a Finland fan adrift in the US, coverage is hard to come by.

I disagree that there’s no pressing need for Teemu. In my esteem, he has a much more mature style than Heik.

By the way, if you read and respond to these comments, maybe you can enlighten me as to the situation with Väyrynen. Cracker of a goal against Germany, but still no club? What gives?