Damien Duff MOTM - WTF?!

[TiocfaidhArmani]

I thought he was poor, nowhere near MOTM. Am I alone in think Aiden McGeady was MOTM by a small mile. He's developed so much as a player since going to Russia, he looks like a new player.

[liamoo11]

Def thought McGeady was man of match. I always think Duff looks much more dangerous an comfortable on the left. Considering how poor the keeper was I think it made sense to have duff an mcgeady cut in to shoot but against better sides I think they have to play duff left and mcGeady right and maybe switch at times during games.

[boovidge]

he did well but is very predictable because he's so one footed.

[Murfinator]

Thought Duff was MOM and was pleasantly surprised they gave it to them, Was expecting RTE to give it to one of the new boys like they usually do regardless of how they played, expected Foley.

[ped_ped]

Duff was excellent, but McGeady was better. The two of them were comfortably ahead of the rest.

[Murfinator]

McGeady was lobbing too many high balls into the box for my taste. Fine for a different team but when Keane/Long are the only people in the box and are already getting dominated aerially you need to switch your game. Duff had the intelligence to cut inside a lot more and bring the midfield/fullbacks into play rather than always looking to beat his man and whip in a cross. McGeady's cut ins worked better for himself but he still struggled to link up with the rest of the team

[geysir]

McGeady's distribution was just as good as Duffs, about 2 of McGeady's passes should have led to goals. Where Duff excelled was in the hard work to actually win back the ball. McGeady makes the effort to close down but with little effect. McGeady is primarily a very effective offensive player, Duff is an all round genius.

[tetsujin1979]

The man of the match wasn't announced in the stadium, or if out was I didn't hear it, so I was shocked when I heard later it went to Duff. Thought it was going to be Mcgeady by some distance

[Maroon 7]

Thought McGeady was easily motm to be honest.

Seems to be some reluctance amongst the pundits to recognise when he plays well. Sure after the game Dunphy was advocating dropping McGeady for Coleman and moving Duff to the other wing. This after arguably his best game for Ireland.

[liamoo11]

I think Coleman will only be effective in midfield for ireland away from home but hopefully should be our first choice right back.

I think we need to play 3 in centre mid away in June. I would be happy to see Duff left, Coleman right, Gibson, Mccarthy and McGeady in midfield with rob up top. Its the only way we will have possession of the ball and get away from going route one to Doyle/long.

[Noelys Guitar]

Very close call between the two. I wasn't surprised by it. Duff was up against Mr Cynical Lucky to remain on the pitch Popov and gave him the runaround. McGeadys first touch is as good as any current player playing anywhere. Both players helped us see out the las 12 to 15 mins with their skill and experience. Never underestimate that. Because of McGeadys goal I would have given it to him. And Westwood would not have been far behind these two. That save was worth two points.

[geysir]

I would take a save like the one Westwood made, for granted at this level. It's the other aspects which stood out imo, Westwood has that priceless (Alan Kelly snr like) ability to come out and elegantly gather the high ball safely, as well as his confidence dealing with the back pass and his accurate kick outs.

[Eirambler]

Duff had a good game last night but McGeady was the star man on the field. Some of his touches and control were exceptional, he took one clearance down over his shoulder from about 40 yards and killed it stone dead with one touch. Even his crossing has improved, he rarely if at all hit the first defender last night. His goal was well taken and his composure in the last five minutes was vital.

For some reason he always gets stick when he doesn't play well but never gets the credit when he deserves it. I can't help but feel that if he was a Dublin or Cork man he'd be well on the way to Damian Duff levels of reverence, but it seems like he will never get the same appreciation, especially from the media, which is a real pity.

[Drumcondra 69er]

Agree with the concensous that McGeady was MOTM, was very surprised to see Duff got it. Have been critical of McGeady in the past but that was his best game for us by a long way. Has undoubtedly improved since going to Russia....

[geysir]

There is no evidence that there is a consensus that McGeady was motm.
In fact some agree some don't.
For me, Duff was motm. Even better was that both were excellent.

[Murfinator]

Think thats harsh, to be fair Damien Duff very rarely gets the plaudits for MOM despite him being our most consistent outfield performer for the past 10 years. To claim bias for him when he's almost eternally among the "honorable mentions" but never the actual man of the match is unfair.

McGeady had a good game but he wasn't the man of the match. Having good touches and dribbles in itself isn't significant on the match, it's what he does after controlling the ball and after beating his man that I feel, while not lacking isn't of the same quality as Duff's ball usage and delivery.

[Drumcondra 69er]

There is no evidence that there is a consensus that McGeady was motm.
In fact some agree some don't.
For me, Duff was motm. Even better was that both were excellent.

I'd say there's a concensus on this thread. Which was what I was referring to.....

[BonnieShels]

There is no evidence that there is a consensus that McGeady was motm.
In fact some agree some don't.
For me, Duff was motm. Even better was that both were excellent.

You hit on the head there.

I thought Duff was immense. McGeady had a great game as well. Very impressed with both.

[Sullivinho]

McGeady's progression is pleasingly apparent but Duffer was also my pick and I wasn't at all surprised to hear he'd picked up the accolade. His appetite for the green shirt is ravenous. There's a reason he was cramping up after an hour last night.


I thought he was poor, nowhere near MOTM. Am I alone in think Aiden McGeady was MOTM by a small mile. He's developed so much as a player since going to Russia, he looks like a new player.

WTF?! indeed.

[tricky_colour]

I thought he was poor, nowhere near MOTM. Am I alone in think Aiden McGeady was MOTM by a small mile. He's developed so much as a player since going to Russia, he looks like a new player.


I would agree with you, I though Duff was fairly quiet in the match, I didn't see him do anything wrong but then again I don't recall him
being particularly impressive either. I would probably have gone for McGeady too but I also thought there was a case for Westwood
because I thought that ball was going in the back of the net in which case he really saved out bacon.
His all round game was good too, he inspired confidence, I had been worried he might turn out to be a nervous liability just
like the Macedonia keeper but he was quite the opposite, he seemed confident and in control. I didn't think the team was
weakened by the loss of Given.

[SkStu]

good call on Westwood tricky - he was so steady and reliable that i overlooked him somewhat.

Absolutely McGeady for me though. This is the game that established him on the international stage. Went quiet for about 15 minutes but overall a sublime performance. 2, if not 3, Macedonians on him everytime he got the ball and he still tore them apart. Class act.

[Duggie]

before beglin said duff i said defo damien MOTM. i thought he was outstanding, going forward and his defending. he ran himself into the ground. mcgeady had a good game yes but no question damien for me on sat night. (how crucial was westwoods save though at 2:1)!!

[SuperDave]

Duff had a good game last night but McGeady was the star man on the field. Some of his touches and control were exceptional, he took one clearance down over his shoulder from about 40 yards and killed it stone dead with one touch. Even his crossing has improved, he rarely if at all hit the first defender last night. His goal was well taken and his composure in the last five minutes was vital.

For some reason he always gets stick when he doesn't play well but never gets the credit when he deserves it. I can't help but feel that if he was a Dublin or Cork man he'd be well on the way to Damian Duff levels of reverence, but it seems like he will never get the same appreciation, especially from the media, which is a real pity.

Yes, absolutely. Great first touch. I remember the one you are on about. But, immediately after that, he hit an incredibly sloppy pass straight to a Macedonian player. Literally three seconds after that touch.

Still, I thought he had a great game and was a stonewall motm choice.

[DannyInvincible]

Would agree with the positive sentiment surrounding McGeady's performance on Saturday. He was my MOTM.

In recent times, I've felt he's been at the receiving end of some overly harsh criticism whilst playing for Ireland; claims of "no end-product" and whatnot when he's arguably our most technically-gifted player at the moment. I think people were expecting too much of him. Just because he could run with the ball whilst demonstrating obvious flashes of magic, people were expecting wonders at all times; inch-perfect crosses and goals à la Ryan Giggs versus Arsenal in the 1999 FA Cup semi-final replay. The move to Spartak Moscow has clearly done wonders for him so hopefully this was his "coming-of-age moment" in the green shirt. Plus, even when apparently failing to deliver "end-product", the benefits of having a player who can run at the opposition with the ball shouldn't be overlooked. Not only does it help maintain possession and relieve pressure for ourselves, it keeps play in the opposition half and the opposing team on the back-foot. McGeady also happens to win quite a few free kicks around the opposition box.

For what it's worth, Westwood was also composed when called upon and gave us no cause for major worry were Given to be injured again in future.

[The Legend]

I guess I am the only one that thought McGeady gave away the ball a lot as usual, and if he hadn't have scored, there would have been a general moan fest.

[CraftyToePoke]

I guess I am the only one that thought McGeady gave away the ball a lot as usual, and if he hadn't have scored, there would have been a general moan fest.

I thought that, the goal apart he was about his usual self, a little better than normal maybe, but not a MOTM contender, he can have you on the edge of your seat, but not quite on your feet, he comes up that little bit short in posession most times, but well done to him also, it clearly meant a lot to him and he is still young enough to develop his game.

I thought Foley was doing very well until he lost that runner, serious error there.

[Murfinator]

I guess I am the only one that thought McGeady gave away the ball a lot as usual, and if he hadn't have scored, there would have been a general moan fest.

Would agree.

Would love to see stats on how many times McGeady was on the ball that we lost possession afterwards in comparison to Duff. McGeady has wonderful technique but he needs to cop on and develop that match intelligence Duff has because he comes across as brainless with some of his decisions