Duffer recovering faster than expected!!! [Archive]

eirebhoy

14/06/2004, 1:08 PM

From www.fai.ie

Damien Duff should be fully fit and raring to go for the start of the World Cup qualifiers, according to his advisor Pat Devlin.

Duff underwent an operation on his dislocated shoulder at the end of last season and there were fears that – like other players who have suffered the injury such as Clinton Morrison – he may take time to return to full fitness.

With the World Cup qualifiers just three months away when Ireland start with a home game against Cyprus before travelling to Switzerland, Duff’s absence would have been a major loss, though Devin has insisted that he should be okay to return next month for pre-season training at Chelsea.

“He’s had surgery, which went very well, and he’s having a break now,” said Devlin.

“He’s made tremendous progress and let’s hope that can continue. It’s obviously down to the medical staff to give him the green light for certain things but it’s not that bad.

“He will be ready to report back for pre-season training.”

Great news. People were saying he could miss the Swizz game but that looks unlikely now. :)

aidz1

14/06/2004, 1:17 PM

according to the papers yesterday (ok, i do it realise it was the sunday ones!) he was unlikely to be back by the french game too....
i think its just a matter of sitting tight and wait til august until more accountable info comes on board

eirebhoy

14/06/2004, 2:09 PM

gmani

15/06/2004, 9:09 AM

bloody hell lads, if he isn't fit by the France game i'll be very disapointed, we need him...we want to show the second best country in the world that the GREEN WHITE AND GOLD can beat anyone...

tiktok

15/06/2004, 9:29 AM

GREEN WHITE AND GOLD...

Hmmm....moving swiftly along.

If France win the European Championships, I think many of their current first teamers will pack it in, they're losing their manager as it is and I think they'll be in transition and not nearly the team they've been for the last six to eight years.
I think we'll give them a game with or without Duff, although we'll obviously be much stronger with him there.

petef

15/06/2004, 9:58 AM

We've more than an adequate replacement in Reidy!

Paulie

15/06/2004, 10:21 AM

GREEN WHITE AND GOLD

It never ceases to amaze me how many Irish people don't know the colours of the Irish flag.

eirebhoy

15/06/2004, 12:53 PM

Lads, Duffer had the operation a full month ago. We play France in 4 months. I can confirm 100% that it doesn't take 5 months for a dislocated shoulder to repair. If Devlin says he'll be fit for pre-season training (which starts next month) I think its safe to say that he'll be back to his perfect self for the Cyprus match, unless he injures himself again of course.

tiktok

15/06/2004, 12:57 PM

unless he injures himself again of course.

that's the thing isn't it, he's done that injury to himself twice last season

1MickCollins

15/06/2004, 10:23 PM

It never ceases to amaze me how many Irish people don't know the colours of the Irish flag.

I remember in primary school our teacher told us the "gold" represented the wealth of the country. He was a devout nationalist as well as a history buff so it clearly a deliberate misrepresentation. Come to think of it gmani might well be in a similar classroom right now.

eirebhoy

15/06/2004, 10:29 PM

that's the thing isn't it, he's done that injury to himself twice last season
That's why he got the op. :)

Paulie

17/06/2004, 8:36 AM

I remember in primary school our teacher told us the "gold" represented the wealth of the country. He was a devout nationalist as well as a history buff so it clearly a deliberate misrepresentation. Come to think of it gmani might well be in a similar classroom right now.

I was going on the assumption that these people see the green, white and gold flags on sale in shops and incorrectly assume that the manufacturers have the colours right. Why would a teacher do that?!

lopez

17/06/2004, 6:00 PM

It never ceases to amaze me how many Irish people don't know the colours of the Irish flag.It's OK. It's Siete braincells in disguise. Last month resident of Waterford, Andalucia...this month, Galway. :rolleyes:

Bowsy

13/07/2004, 9:05 AM

Not sounding good.

http://www.eleven-a-side.com/acrossthewater/irish_soccer_detail.asp?newsid=12399

carnstien

13/07/2004, 10:05 AM

It'll be a loss, but even without Duff we can still field this midfield:

Andy Ried - Keane - Miller - Finnan

Which is a damn strong quartet in my opinion.

eirebhoy

13/07/2004, 11:45 AM

Not sounding good.

http://www.eleven-a-side.com/acrossthewater/irish_soccer_detail.asp?newsid=12399
That was reported in the Mirror and a few website posted it up. This is what it says in most article's:

"Duff has still not participated in pre-season training and will in all likelihood miss the big Premiership opener with Manchester United at Stamford Bridge."

He has been training with the rest of the team since last Monday and I seen him with my own eye's on Chelsea TV. Mourinho also denied that he will miss the start of the season.

Bowsy

13/07/2004, 12:00 PM

He has been training with the rest of the team since last Monday and I seen him with my own eye's on Chelsea TV. Mourinho also denied that he will miss the start of the season.

Great news. Saw how troublesome shoulder injuries can be with Morrisson last year. As long as he's back an raring by the France and Switzerland games i'll be happy.

eirebhoy

13/07/2004, 1:22 PM

I just heard Mourinho's interview in full and he said Duff will definitely play a part in the US. How do the papers get it so wrong?

NeilMcD

14/07/2004, 9:25 AM

yeah duff was interviewed on chelsea tv which was on sky sports last night and he said that he was ahead of schedule, and that he hoped to go to the usa and that he is back training but the players have been told not to go in hard on him yet. He expected to be back for all the pre season games but he had to meet the specialist next week and he would either give him the all clear or tell him to slow it down a bit.

thejollyrodger

17/07/2004, 8:38 PM

Duff should recover in Time for the start of the PL in England. My only worry is that he gets regular football at Chelsea and he doesnt do another injury

GREEN WHITE AND GOLD

:mad: Green White and ORANGE !!!

Personally, I hate the yellowly so called gold on the flag. That was the flag used in the 1916 rebellion but is now defunt. It makes the country look quite cheap and tacky.

Orange in much preferred and nicer. :)

dynamo kerry

18/07/2004, 5:26 AM

It'll be a loss, but even without Duff we can still field this midfield:

Andy Ried - Keane - Miller - Finnan

Which is a damn strong quartet in my opinion.

if that midfield starts with kilbane, holland fit I'l eat my 3 yr old boots

miller may not get a game at utd ffs

more likely

reidd(rw) keane holland kilbane(lw)

or

miller (rw) keane kavanagh kilbane

or
reid keane kavanagh kilbane

I doubt kerr wil start both reid and miller together - how about posting actual possible line ups instead of fantasy stuff

lets check back to these posts again in september and see who was closer hmm??

:confused:

Slash/ED

18/07/2004, 1:39 PM

Why wont Kerr start Miller and Reid in the same mid field, is he afraid we may have a mid field that can pass the ball for a change?

1MickCollins

18/07/2004, 3:38 PM

A lot depends on who the oppostion is and whether the game is home or away. It is possible he could play both Reid and Miller at home against Bulgaria and Cyprus. But I will eat my hat if they both play along with Duff ( if fit )away to Switzerland and France.

Finnan in midfield? Why be so negative?

carnstien

18/07/2004, 6:18 PM

Finnan in midfield? Why be so negative?
I would consider playing Finnan on the right a far more positive move than playing Kilbane on the left. Finnan is a good passer and a very good crosser. I think he offers much more than Kilbane when it comes to attacking.

I can't believe that anyone would still see Kilbane as 2nd choice on the left ahead of Reid.

EamonD

18/07/2004, 8:13 PM

I can't believe that anyone would still see Kilbane as 2nd choice on the left ahead of Reid.

For a tough away game Kilbane would come into the mix, also depends who is at left-back If Harte then Kilbane would be a beter partner than Reid. It's not black and white. Lots of factors.

only1kilbane

19/07/2004, 8:01 AM

To me kilbane would deffo get the nod ahead of reid in the games away to switz and france. Use reid at home where he has more time to utilise his game against the lesser likes. Kilbane can also partner Keane if needed in the centre. If everyone fit think home game midfield will be

miller - keane - holland - reid

away game midfield

miller - keane - holland - kilbane

Duff and keane up front in both games. We really cant throw morrision in against the french

carnstien

19/07/2004, 9:21 AM

Slash/ED

19/07/2004, 1:56 PM

Duff and keane up front in both games. We really cant throw morrision in against the french

If I see Duff utterly wasted as a striker yet again I think I'll shoot Kerr. How many ineffective preformances do we need from him up front and how many world class preformances do we need from him on the left to think maybe, just maybe, it might be an idea to play our best player in his best position.

Bowsy

19/07/2004, 2:01 PM

If I see Duff utterly wasted as a striker yet again I think I'll shoot Kerr. How many ineffective preformances do we need from him up front and how many world class preformances do we need from him on the left to think maybe, just maybe, it might be an idea to play our best player in his best position.

Totally agree Duff should be played on the left whenever possible. However, when your second and/or third best wide player is left sided and therefore Duff is your best right sided player you have to think what serves the team best.

Slash/ED

19/07/2004, 2:06 PM

Totally agree Duff should be played on the left whenever possible. However, when your second and/or third best wide player is left sided and therefore Duff is your best right sided player you have to think what serves the team best.

Duff on the left serves the team best. He's that much better than what we have that we simply need him to be at his complete best because we're a far better team when he is. Try someone like Andy Reid on the right, he can do a job there, or even Miller if you don't play him centrally.

carnstien

19/07/2004, 2:20 PM

Totally agree Duff should be played on the left whenever possible. However, when your second and/or third best wide player is left sided and therefore Duff is your best right sided player you have to think what serves the team best.
No is still think that Duff should play on the left. I can't understand playing him of the left for the sake of Kilbane or even Andy Reid. Duff should be played on the left if he is fit, Roy Keane should obviously start in the centre and the team should be built around them.

Bowsy

19/07/2004, 2:41 PM

No is still think that Duff should play on the left. I can't understand playing him of the left for the sake of Kilbane or even Andy Reid. Duff should be played on the left if he is fit, Roy Keane should obviously start in the centre and the team should be built around them.

So Kilbane/Reid on left and Duff on the right isn't better than Duff on the left and say Carsley on the right for example? I can't agree with that. Miller and Reid might be able to take that role on but no one else will have much impact on the right whereas Duff, although better on the left, will still be a torment on the right as he has proved with Chelsea where he spent a lot of the season out of position. I'd prefer to have a well balanced attacking side than simply a threat down one wing.

Slash/ED

19/07/2004, 2:49 PM

So Kilbane/Reid on left and Duff on the right isn't better than Duff on the left and say Carsley on the right for example? I can't agree with that. Miller and Reid might be able to take that role on but no one else will have much impact on the right whereas Duff, although better on the left, will still be a torment on the right as he has proved with Chelsea where he spent a lot of the season out of position. I'd prefer to have a well balanced attacking side than simply a threat down one wing.

I wouldn't. Duffs best preformances for Chelsea all came down the left aswell. Sorry, but Duff is just simply too good and too important to the team to arse around with his position. It's absolutle stupidity to not play him on the left, it makes no sense at all. Why play Reid on the left and Duff on the right when you can do it the other way around? Reid out of position isn't a major loss to the team and he's more suited to being on the wrong side anyway since he isn't an out and out winger which Duff is.

carnstien

19/07/2004, 2:49 PM

So Kilbane/Reid on left and Duff on the right isn't better than Duff on the left and say Carsley on the right for example? I can't agree with that. Miller and Reid might be able to take that role on but no one else will have much impact on the right whereas Duff, although better on the left, will still be a torment on the right as he has proved with Chelsea where he spent a lot of the season out of position. I'd prefer to have a well balanced attacking side than simply a threat down one wing.
What you are saying just doesn't make sense. Why play Duff on the right and Kilbane on the left and have virtualy no attacking threat coming from the wings at all, when you can just as easily play Duff on the left and Kilbane on the right?

Duff is not a versitile player, if he was it would be fine, but he does not look comfortable when he is played out of position, I don't care what Ranieri did with him, he is an out and out left winger.

Just using Kilbane as an example btw, I think Miller, Andy Reid and Steve Finnan would all be better options on the right.

Bowsy

19/07/2004, 3:12 PM

Duff is not a versitile player, if he was it would be fine, but he does not look comfortable when he is played out of position, I don't care what Ranieri did with him, he is an out and out left winger.

I'm sorry but that comment is nonsense. His versatility is one of the things Duff prides himself on. That's why he isn't worried about Robben's arrival. Yeah he's much better on the left but he's still excellent on the right. I want Duff played on the left too but we have a wealth of talent on the left but very little on the right. I'm not saying Duff should always be on the right ,as I said I want him on the left, but if needs must with squad availablity he is the best option to do a job there. Finnan really isn't an attacking force on the right side of midfield. I realise I'm fighting a losing battle with this argument.

brine3

19/07/2004, 3:12 PM

Kevin Kilbane is the new Tony Cascarino. A useless **** who is set to pick up a record number of caps. Did you people not see Andy Reid's performace on the left against Holland? He was brilliant and Louis van Gaal was raving about him at half time.

And perhaps Finnan is not an attacking player, but in the few matches he's played on the wing he's come up with more assists than Kevin Kilbane has in his whole Ireland career. It was Finnan's cross that found McAteer in space to beat the Dutch.

tiktok

19/07/2004, 3:20 PM

in the few matches he's played on the wing he's come up with more assists than Kevin Kilbane has in his whole Ireland career.

I seriously doubt that, although I'm sure you have the stats to back it up and aren't going solely on the one Irish goal that sticks out in your mind :rolleyes:

for me, Duff should play on the left wing, once he gets a few games under his belt at Man Utd, Miller should play on the right. There's already a thread on who we want in the centre so I'm not going there again.

IMO, you play your best players available, in their best positions, might be oversimplifying it, but there you go.

carnstien

19/07/2004, 3:30 PM

I'm sorry but that comment is nonsense. His versatility is one of the things Duff prides himself on. That's why he isn't worried about Robben's arrival.

Well thats my opinion on Duff, and I can gaurnetee you that he is worried about the arrival of Robben, Duff wants to play on the left wing, nowhere else.

Finnan really isn't an attacking force on the right side of midfield. I realise I'm fighting a losing battle with this argument.
I believe Finnan to be far more of an attacking force than Kilbane. And if you want to argue with that then put Carr right midfield and Finnan Right back.

Bowsy

19/07/2004, 3:38 PM

Well thats my opinion on Duff, and I can gaurnetee you that he is worried about the arrival of Robben, Duff wants to play on the left wing, nowhere else.

I guess we will have to agree to disagree. The man himselfs opinions are laid out in the story below.

http://www.soccercentral.ie/viewstory.asp?mainheading=Republic+of+Ireland&id=13430&viewstory=yes

As regards Killer it seems yopu either love him or think he's the world's greatest donkey but that's a whole other debate.

Slash/ED

19/07/2004, 4:18 PM

I'm sorry but that comment is nonsense. His versatility is one of the things Duff prides himself on. That's why he isn't worried about Robben's arrival. Yeah he's much better on the left but he's still excellent on the right. I want Duff played on the left too but we have a wealth of talent on the left but very little on the right. I'm not saying Duff should always be on the right ,as I said I want him on the left, but if needs must with squad availablity he is the best option to do a job there. Finnan really isn't an attacking force on the right side of midfield. I realise I'm fighting a losing battle with this argument.

You haven't answered why play Duff out of position and Reid/Kilbane in position when you can do it the other way around, that makes no sense. You pick your best players in your best positions.

Bowsy

19/07/2004, 4:24 PM

You haven't answered why play Duff out of position and Reid/Kilbane in position when you can do it the other way around, that makes no sense. You pick your best players in your best positions.

Because in my opinion Duff is a more effective attacking force than Reid or Kilbane would be on the right. Reid might do in the future but neither of these players has Duff's quality or versatility. I'm talking about getting the best you can out of every player on the pitch, not just Duff.

Slash/ED

19/07/2004, 4:36 PM

Because in my opinion Duff is a more effective attacking force than Reid or Kilbane would be on the right. Reid might do in the future but neither of these players has Duff's quality or versatility. I'm talking about getting the best you can out of every player on the pitch, not just Duff.

Duff wouldn't be better on the right than Reid. Reid has played centrally alot so let him go on the right and let him drift in, he wouldn't mind being on his weaker foot as he's not a winger. Duff is, so it's a massive disadvantage having him on his right foot. He's all about quuality balls into the box, playing him on the right is absolute madness. Reid is more versatile than Duff, while Duff has played in many positions he's only ever looked top class on the left, Reid has played all over for Forest and his preformances have never dipped. Duff is far FAR too important to Ireland to arse around with his position, it's that simple, we fit everyone around him not the other way around.

John83

19/07/2004, 5:19 PM

Duff is far FAR too important to Ireland to arse around with his position, it's that simple, we fit everyone around him not the other way around.That's how I've always seen it too. I could never see the logic of people who wanted to play him up front, and I can't say I like the idea of him in the middle, even in a free role. He's a world class left winger. Play him on the left wing. It's not that hard, is it?