Duffer

[tricky_colour]

http://www.fansfc.com/chelseafootballclub/news.asp?newsid=130025

It has been reported throughout the summer that the Irishman is not amongst the players new coach Jose Mourinho considers vital to the club, with an exit a real possibility.

Yet despite alleged interest from Liverpool and Manchester United, the Republic of Ireland international insists he will fight to force his way into the Blues boss’ plans for the season.

''I love Chelsea to bits and although I have only been here for just over a year, I have fallen in love with the place,'' said Duff. ''As far as I am concerned, I'm going nowhere. I feel fine and am available for selection''

=====================

So Duff thinks he is OK to play but the boss doesn't?

He didn't even make the bench, mind you, Chelsea's performance
was hardly awe inspiring, they were luck to win IMO.

It don't look too good for Duff especially when you consider Robben
is injured and unavailable, makes Duff about 5th choice!!

I am sure we will hear more on this, the new Chelsea boss seems
to think he is Brian Clough (God :p ).

I don't think Duff figures in Mourinho's plans but I doubt he will
tell him that yet, just in case he needs him.

Anyway we will see, its difficult to predict Mourinho as he is obviously
a bit of a nutter, on MOTD he said he is the only person in the world
who knows anything about football (or words to that effect :eek: )

"People doesn't [sic] know about football, people think they know about
football but they dont know much" :)

I also note that 5 minutes after Gary Doherty was brough on for
Norwich they scored, the mere sight of the Doc appears to turn
the opposition to jelly, as the same thing happened last week if
I recall correctly ( IIRC ). I believe I mentioned in a earlier thread
that the performance of Spurs was vastly improved whenever he
started the game.

Incidently would anyone be able to provide stats for the Doc's
performance when playing for Ireland, or point me to where I might
be able to gather such information? Ie how he affected the
result, there is a site which does this but for premireship teams only.

Maybe he is not called 'the Doc' for nothing? Or is it just a statistical
quirk?

[carnstien]

This guy Mourinho is a crap manager. I don't care what he has done.

Liverpool fans like myself will know how bad a manager Houllier was and he managed to win the UEFA cup and get us to the quarter finals of the CL, 5 minutes away from the semi's. Mourinho slightly exceeded that by winning the CL, but only when there was one group stage instead of two.

Mourinho also plays the same stlye of football (men behind the ball, no winger, 4 central midfielder accross the middle). This guy might have gotten lucky and won the Champions League with an average side but until he changes his style of play and embraces players like Duff, he will never win the premiership.

[Slash/ED]

Mourinho is the man, if only for the unbeliveble arrogance he has in interviews, it's class to watch. Worrying situation for Duffer though, Mourinho picking Geremi and Smertin ahead of him is madness but it seems he prefrers stronger players to have a physical four in mid field rather than putting any flair in there, I hope Duff gets out of there if that's the case, Liverpool or Man U could do with him.

[Adrianovic]

Duff on his day is up there with the most destructive offensive forces in the Premiership, and if Mourinho can't see that then the man is a fool - I don't care if he says I have no idea about football.

I used to quite like Chelsea but I'm hoping they get beaten into third place this year.

If Duff had to move, where would we like to see him go? Would he get many games ahead of Giggs at Man U? Liverpool will never win anything again, surely Duff's better than that?

Ade

[Slash/ED]

Would he get many games ahead of Giggs at Man U?

Yes, Giggs isn't half the player he used to be and he's been pretty poor for the past few years to the point of being booed out of Old Trafford once. Duff is easily better than him now.

[Plastic Paddy]

I'd take anything that comes from the Fans FC website with a bucketload of salt. It's chock full of crap and dead-end stories that never come to anything. Read at your peril.

:) PP

[carnstien]

Duff on his day is up there with the most destructive offensive forces in the Premiership, and if Mourinho can't see that then the man is a fool - I don't care if he says I have no idea about football.

I used to quite like Chelsea but I'm hoping they get beaten into third place this year.

If Duff had to move, where would we like to see him go? Would he get many games ahead of Giggs at Man U? Liverpool will never win anything again, surely Duff's better than that?

Ade
I disagree with 2 of you points. Duff is 10 times the player Giggs ever was. Giggs is a "head down and run as fast as you can" kind of winger. Duff is a far more skillful player and a far better crosser of the ball.

And I believe that Liverpool will finish ahead of Chelsea this season. Benitez has brought in real quality in Alonso, Garcia and Cisse and Baros should do much better than he did under Houllier, but the main reason that Liverpool will finish ahead of Chelsea is their style of play. Chelsea will lose games to crap teams this season playing the way they are playing, I gaurentee that.

[brine3]

This guy might have gotten lucky and won the Champions League with an average side but until he changes his style of play and embraces players like Duff

What about players like Deco, Derlei, Alenichev and Carlos Alberto? Where these not attacking players?

[1MickCollins]

I disagree with 2 of you points. Duff is 10 times the player Giggs ever was. Giggs is a "head down and run as fast as you can" kind of winger. Duff is a far more skillful player and a far better crosser of the ball.

And I believe that Liverpool will finish ahead of Chelsea this season. Benitez has brought in real quality in Alonso, Garcia and Cisse and Baros should do much better than he did under Houllier, but the main reason that Liverpool will finish ahead of Chelsea is their style of play. Chelsea will lose games to crap teams this season playing the way they are playing, I gaurentee that.

This is complete nonsense, Duff at his best versus Giggs at his best results in Giggs being the winner by a clear head. Giggs is much more complete player than Duff.

[Slash/ED]

Not a chance, Giggs was getting booed in OT for his performances ffs. His crossing is awful and his dribbling isn't what it once was, he seems to have lost a bit of pace which explains it, probably due to his injuries. I would have Duff any day of the week over Giggs, easily.

[dynamo kerry]

Not a chance, Giggs was getting booed in OT for his performances ffs. His crossing is awful and his dribbling isn't what it once was, he seems to have lost a bit of pace which explains it, probably due to his injuries. I would have Duff any day of the week over Giggs, easily.

i think mick's point was giggs at his best would be better than damien now

personally I'd still be happy to have giggs in my team. damn good player

[Slash/ED]

Well, that's debatable alright, but Giggs hasn't been at his best in a while.

[brine3]

Giggs has successfully played up front and at left-back for Man Utd.

To be honest, I don't think you can compare the two untill about 8 years ago when both have finished their careers.

[1MickCollins]

Yes I was comparing Giggs then with Duff now, there is no comparing the influence Giggs has had and what he has achieved with what Duff has done so far, that will have to wait as brine 3 said until both have hung up their boots.

Duff really was outstanding in his last season with Blackburn but Giggs had really outsanding seasons as well in which he played a huge role in winning the league for ManU.

[1MickCollins]

Giggs is a "head down and run as fast as you can" kind of winger.

You could argue "Duff is a heads down shimmy lefy shimy right and run as fast as you can kind of winger" - is the end result any different?

[fergalr]

This guy Mourinho is a crap manager. I don't care what he has done.
Care to share your criteria for rating managers of its not on how successful they are!?


Liverpool fans like myself will know how bad a manager Houllier was and he managed to win the UEFA cup and get us to the quarter finals of the CL, 5 minutes away from the semi's. Mourinho slightly exceeded that by winning the CL, but only when there was one group stage instead of two.
How on earth does winning the CL "slightly exceed" getting to the QFs - didn't know L'pool fans now set their sights so low.


Mourinho also plays the same stlye of football (men behind the ball, no winger, 4 central midfielder accross the middle). This guy might have gotten lucky and won the Champions League with an average side but until he changes his style of play and embraces players like Duff, he will never win the premiership.
You're the first person I've heard say that Porto were "luckly" to win the CL (or the UEFA cup for that matter). You've got a better crystal ball than the rest of us if you're so sure that Chelski won't win the league this year.

And you can all relax, Duffer will be getting his game soon. Just hope JM plays him up front.

[Slash/ED]

Just hope JM plays him up front.

Why? :confused:

[fergalr]

And I believe that Liverpool will finish ahead of Chelsea this season.

Bet you got great odds on that. How much did you wager?

[carnstien]

Care to share your criteria for rating managers of its not on how successful they are!?

Maybe how successful they are over a sustained period. Mourinho has not been around long enough to judge him on his level of success, I am judging him on his style of play and his buys, both of which I think are woeful.


How on earth does winning the CL "slightly exceed" getting to the QFs - didn't know L'pool fans now set their sights so low.

Liverpool played more games, in getting to the quarter finals than Porto did in winning the tournement. Liverpool were 5 minutes away from making the semis where they would have played Man U who they had beaten in their 5 previous meetings. I think you see what I mean. There is not actually that much between what Houllier achieved and what Mourinho achieved.


You've got a better crystal ball than the rest of us if you're so sure that Chelski won't win the league this year.

Arsenal will walk the championship this year, there squad and style of play is lightyears ahead of Chelsea


And you can all relax, Duffer will be getting his game soon. Just hope JM plays him up front.
I hope you are right on the first point but if he plays him up front everything I said about him being a crap manager is confirmed twice over.

[Littlest Hobo]

That greedy b*****d abramovich must have money to burn if he can afford to shell out 17 million for someone who then plys his trade by warming the bench!! Waste of money and a waste of Duffs time :mad:
Duff should have stayed at Blackburn. At least there he was guaranteed a first team place.
It's mind bogling how Mourinho can play the likes of smertin instead of him :confused:
With the arrival of Robben imminent, reckon a move to one of the other big three would be the best for him.

[tiktok]

Mourinho has not been around long enough to judge him on his level of success, I am judging him on his style of play and his buys, both of which I think are woeful.

First off, I don't think Chelsea will win anything this season, they've scraped past their first two opponents and the luck they're riding will not last.

Mourinho was manager of Porto for three seasons, they consolidated the first year...
Then he won the league and the UEFA cup
Then he won the league and the Champions league

Houllier won the UEFA Cup, FA Cup and League Cup in one year and won nothing for his other five/six at Anfield

What more can you ask for? There's no comparison. Mourinho's got a far better track record

[fergalr]

That greedy b*****d abramovich must have money to burn if he can afford to shell out 17 million for someone who then plys his trade by warming the bench!! Waste of money and a waste of Duffs time :mad:
Duff should have stayed at Blackburn. At least there he was guaranteed a first team place.
It's mind bogling how Mourinho can play the likes of smertin instead of him :confused:
With the arrival of Robben imminent, reckon a move to one of the other big three would be the best for him.
O dear! How can RA be greedy when he is spending so much? Duff moved to Chelski cos he wanted to play at the highest level and with the best players - that can only be good for him and for Ireland. Remember Duff is not yet fully match fit - he'll get his games soon. And just so you're up to date - Robben arrived weeks ago - he's not playing cos he too is injured. Finally - I'm curious as to who the other "big three" are!

[fergalr]

Why? :confused:
I said I wanted JM to play Duff up front - half in jest but half because I personally believe that he's best in the free role in the hole in a 4-2-2-1-1 or a 4-3-1-2. Same approach would work well for Ireland especially as we only have one decent striker.

Alf was right - wingers are a thing of the past.

[eirebhoy]

I am one of those that believes Mourinho is not interested in playing Duff and he says what he does to please the fans. Although, when you think that Wedensday was the first time Duff played 90 minutes since he got injured for the second time, maybe Mourinho didn't want to push him straight into the team 3 days later. They have a match tomorrow so maybe that was also on his mind. If he doesn't play a part tomorrow there's something up.

BTW Carnstein, since when did Porto have an average side under Mourinho?

V.Baia, J.Costa, Carvalho, Valente, Ferreira, Mario Silva, Pedro Mendes, Costinha, Deco, Alenitchev, Tiago, Maniche, Jankauskas, Derlei, Carlos Alberto, McCarthy.

And his buys were shít? Kezman (a better record than RVN in Holland), Ferreira (Portuguese international and CL winner), Carvalho (first choice for Portugal, Cl winner), Drogba (France's top scorer last season).

[Slash/ED]

I said I wanted JM to play Duff up front - half in jest but half because I personally believe that he's best in the free role in the hole in a 4-2-2-1-1 or a 4-3-1-2. Same approach would work well for Ireland especially as we only have one decent striker.

Alf was right - wingers are a thing of the past.

No it wouldn't it's been tried and failed. Whatever about what Alf says Duffs done pretty alright on the wing for us, when managers have worked up the brainpower to play him there.

[4tothefloor]

Liverpool will never win anything again, surely Duff's better than that?


I bet you any money that Liverpool and Rafael Benitez will finish above both Man Utd and Chelsea this season. And mark my words, Benitez will follow a similer path to Arsene Wenger in the premiership. Mourinho won't last long at chelsea if he continues the way he has started, cos the fans and Abramovich won't stand for the rubbish tactics that he's attempting to play at the moment.

eirebhoy - Paulo Ferreira is very average and IMO will prove to be a complete flop and the biggest waste of money in the history of the english game (apart from Veron of course :D ). Djibril Cisse was the top scorer in the French league last year, not Didier Drogba.

fergalr - are you a Chelsea supporter? Didn't know that they had many fans over here, seeing that they are practically the Glasgow Rangers equivelant of the Premiership.

[eirebhoy]

Djibril Cisse was the top scorer in the French league last year, not Didier Drogba.
I said France, not the French league. :)

BTW, Mourinho could choose almost any RB in the world and he chose a player who he worked with and knows more about than any of us. Therefore, I would say he is certainly above average.

[Slash/ED]

Average would have been an overly kind description of his efforts at Euro2004 though, but I'll wait before judging him, he has to be better than Johnson.

[eirebhoy]

Average would have been an overly kind description of his efforts at Euro2004 though, but I'll wait before judging him, he has to be better than Johnson.
He has played hundreds of matches in his career, you can't just judge him on a half match against Greece.

[carnstien]

Average would have been an overly kind description of his efforts at Euro2004 though, but I'll wait before judging him, he has to be better than Johnson.
Scan Glen Johnson is only 19, remember Asley Cole when he was that age? He has turned out very well and I'm pretty sure Johnson will too.

As for Feirrera, 20 million was a ridiculous ammount to spend on a right back, especially one who looks as average as him.

[Rathfarnham Utd]

I bet you any money that Liverpool and Rafael Benitez will finish above both Man Utd and Chelsea this season. And mark my words, Benitez will follow a similer path to Arsene Wenger in the premiership

I'll take some of that action!

[NeilMcD]

I dont like Mourinhio and his style of play but to say he is a crap manager is nonsense. Of the last 6 compeititions he has entered he has won five of them. That is including a Uefa Cup and a Champions league. The only other side to win them back to back is Liverpool. That is over two seasons with Porto. Arsene Wenger has never won a European trophy or retained the championship but is called a great manager. Mourinhio has won 2 European trophies with a side coming from a League which is not in the top five leagues in Europe.

[Littlest Hobo]

O dear! How can RA be greedy when he is spending so much? Duff moved to Chelski cos he wanted to play at the highest level and with the best players - that can only be good for him and for Ireland. Remember Duff is not yet fully match fit - he'll get his games soon. And just so you're up to date - Robben arrived weeks ago - he's not playing cos he too is injured. Finally - I'm curious as to who the other "big three" are!

Robben hasn't yet arrived on the scene, you smart arse :rolleyes:
When he does, Duff will be looking at a handfull of games

[gspain]

Apparently Joe M told 2 or 3 Chelsea players to prepare for tonight's game rather than last saturday. Any money one of them is Duffer?

If he is not invovled tonight and/or saturday then I would be concerned and it would be vital from our perspective that he get a move asap - however any move he makes will be a step down - Arsenal don't need him nor do Man Utd so that leaves a Newcastle or Liverpool who were closer to Wolves than Arsenal last season and are unlikely to be much better this time round although at least Liverpool are in the champions league.

Having said that Duff was Chelsea's best signing last season is very well regarded by the fans and has something whuch has been clearly lacking in JM's first 2 games - flair.

[Bowsy]

I just keep telling myself Mourinho can't be fool enough to overlook a talent like Duffer. I personally dislike him as a manager but he is talented and must know losing Duff would be madness. I don't see how Duff fits into his current system but his current system has yet to bowl me over. He could just as easy have no points instead of 6. I'm sure Duff will get his chance and seize it. Just hope it's sooner rather than later.

[carnstien]

Arsenal don't need him nor do Man Utd

Boss Man U need him a hell of a lot more than Liverpool do. Giggs is Man U's only recognised left winger, he is the wrong side of 30 and in my opinion is crap anyway. Liverpool have Kewell and have just signed Luis Garcia, there is no way they will be going after Duff.

[Bowsy]

All the top teams in England have a quality left winger - Robert, Pires, Giggs, Kewell. I'm not saying these players are better than Duff but i can't see them splashing out extravagant amounts of cash when they have other areas that need more attention.

[eirebhoy]

Robben hasn't yet arrived on the scene, you smart arse :rolleyes:
When he does, Duff will be looking at a handfull of games
Robben has a broken ankle and will be out for at least 6 weeks. Its certainly enough time for Duffer to cement him place in the team.

[eirebhoy]

Duff didn't even make the bench yet again tonight. Chelsea made 5 changes to the team but none of them included Duffer. I really hope Chelsea lose tonight. G'wan the Palace!

[tricky_colour]

I suppose you could argue that Duff is being 'spared' for bigger matches,
although that seems unlikely.
I would love Palace to win but I think that is pretty unlikely too,
more likely that they get hammered although its 0-0 after 23 minutes.

[carnstien]

I suppose you could argue that Duff is being 'spared' for bigger matches,
although that seems unlikely.
I would love Palace to win but I think that is pretty unlikely too,
more likely that they get hammered although its 0-0 after 23 minutes.
Mourinho doesn't play wingers, ever. Duff is a goner, end of story.

[tiktok]

Mourinho doesn't play wingers, ever. Duff is a goner, end of story.

Duff didn't even make the squad last night :(

[Stuttgart88]

I'm not so sure Duff's exclusion last night is a bad thing. At least he can't get injured. He looked fit enough against Bulgaria, he was just ineffecrtive because of where he was played.

Personally I'd like to see him go to another club. This whole Abramovic / Chelski thing stinks in my view. You can't turn on the telly to watch football without seeing Abramovic's ignorant smug grin filling the screens. What does he know or care about football? Has he ever cried his eyes out as a kid like when some **** of a linesman cost us the game in Brussels? Did he ever feel sick for a week like I did after Wim Kieft's goal?

I agree with Mourinho when he says the public knows nothing about football. His boss Kenyon is a case in point. I'd bet any money that Kenyon had never even heard of Mourinho or Drogba, say, last December. He escaped hiring that bluffer Eriksson by sheer luck. He follows fashionable views spread by an English media that can't see beyond thir noses sometimes.

Rant over. Duff on the wing, Lee upfront!

[Littlest Hobo]

I'm not so sure Duff's exclusion last night is a bad thing. At least he can't get injured. He looked fit enough against Bulgaria, he was just ineffecrtive because of where he was played.

Personally I'd like to see him go to another club. This whole Abramovic / Chelski thing stinks in my view. You can't turn on the telly to watch football without seeing Abramovic's ignorant smug grin filling the screens. What does he know or care about football? Has he ever cried his eyes out as a kid like when some **** of a linesman cost us the game in Brussels? Did he ever feel sick for a week like I did after Wim Kieft's goal?

I agree with Mourinho when he says the public knows nothing about football. His boss Kenyon is a case in point. I'd bet any money that Kenyon had never even heard of Mourinho or Drogba, say, last December. He escaped hiring that bluffer Eriksson by sheer luck. He follows fashionable views spread by an English media that can't see beyond thir noses sometimes.

Rant over. Duff on the wing, Lee upfront!
Agreed. Abramovich is a dodgy geezer.... Avoiding countless millions of rubbles in tax, shifty dealings back in the USSR.....chucking his money round like theres no 2morrow!!
smug as f**k at games with his piece of Irina alongside (Shes fine alright :p )
It will all end in tears for chelsea, mark my words!!

Agree with Duff free on the left with Lee partnering Robbie up Front :ball:

[tricky_colour]

Mourinho doesn't play wingers, ever. Duff is a goner, end of story.

But didn't he sign Robben? He is a winger isn't he?

[eirebhoy]

But didn't he sign Robben? He is a winger isn't he?
No, Robben was signed a few months before Mourinho arrived.

[tiktok]

No, Robben was signed a few months before Mourinho arrived.

That's true, but are you telling me that ranieri signed him ;)

[eirebhoy]

That's true, but are you telling me that ranieri signed him ;)
I honestly forgot Ranieri's name when posting the original post. :eek: :D

I agree, I think it was AbramYon hijacking United's bid. :)

[carnstien]

That's true, but are you telling me that ranieri signed him ;)
I suspect that he will not use Robben as a winger, he will play him behind the front 2.

[fergalr]

fergalr - are you a Chelsea supporter? Didn't know that they had many fans over here, seeing that they are practically the Glasgow Rangers equivelant of the Premiership.
Saying they are equivalent to Rangers is total b-oll-x. There have always been loads of Chelsea fans in Ireland and I can go in to the Chelsea shop and buy my Chelsea t-shirts and caps emblazoned with the tricolour. OK they are an English team but they are no more English than Man Yoo or Liverpool or Leeds.