Liverpool gaffer Rafa B is a big Gareth Barry fan, that much is evident. The Spaniard has been stalking his quarry for the whole summer now, and such was his desire to nab Gareth that he offered Steve Finnan as a potential makeweight. Unfortunately, Martin O’Neill didn’t take the bait.

All this, though, has left Steve Finnan feeling like an unwanted puppy. Like Xabi, Rafa had made it clear that he was more than happy to see Finnan leave, and now the deal is off (and the Irishman has recovered from his hernia op), poor Steve is left to wander around like a Shakespearian ghost…. [Read the rest of this entry »]