New Manager?

[Cowboy]

I see Troussier got sacked by Morocco

[geysir]

I see Troussier got sacked by Morocco
Real danger is always lurking.
There was an article on Duff or included stuff about Duff in a recent Sunday Indo. The only bit that I could read on-line was a reference to team spirit, something like 'you hear a lot about the Irish team spirit but the team spirit at Chelsea is much better'. It might have been an innocent enough remark, then again it mightn't.

[Stuttgart88]

Not the first time Duff has insinuated something like that either. You used to always hear him saying things like "playingt for Chelsea is great but nothing beats playing for Ireland". I think this supports my suspicion that playing under Kerr was a joyless experience for many players.

[klein4]

very dubious use of the facts there given that duff came out strongly in favour of kerr in the same article..

[geysir]

This link seems to work okay for that Duff article http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ca=94&si=1529543&issue_id=13437
Yes there is some positive stuff about Brian and some chilling reflections of the emptiness.
"The team spirit at Chelsea is unbelievable. People have said over the years that the Irish team spirit is the best team spirit around but it's not a patch on the Chelsea team spirit, that's how good it is."
"You hope with the crowd and everything that we'll win but I didn't think we played anything special all through the group which all came together in Cyprus.

"I don't know have a notion why, we have a good young squad, lot of quality, but there was nothing there - nothing about us."

"Listen, we're all to blame but at the end of the day it's always the manager who seems to pay. They don't sack players at international level and Brian obviously paid for it. I'll always stand by him, he was always brilliant for me and if there was one person I wanted to get to the World Cup finals managing a team, it was him. I was devastated for him when it happened."

[Superhoops]

This link seems to work okay for that Duff article http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ca=94&si=1529543&issue_id=13437
Yes there is some positive stuff about Brian and some chilling reflections of the emptiness.
"The team spirit at Chelsea is unbelievable. People have said over the years that the Irish team spirit is the best team spirit around but it's not a patch on the Chelsea team spirit, that's how good it is."
"You hope with the crowd and everything that we'll win but I didn't think we played anything special all through the group which all came together in Cyprus.

"I don't know have a notion why, we have a good young squad, lot of quality, but there was nothing there - nothing about us."

"Listen, we're all to blame but at the end of the day it's always the manager who seems to pay. They don't sack players at international level and Brian obviously paid for it. I'll always stand by him, he was always brilliant for me and if there was one person I wanted to get to the World Cup finals managing a team, it was him. I was devastated for him when it happened."
I think it has always been recognised that the two biggest influences in Damian's breakthtough into top flite football have been Brian Kerr and Pat Devlin.

When Duffer was at Blackburn and was developing he was always considered to be an emerging talent. However when he went to Chelsea for £18m (or whatever) expectations at both club and international levels rose.

IMHO, since his transfer, two things have happended:
(1) he is not an automatic first choice at Chelsea and injuries have played a part in this.
(2) his Ireland form has dipped. I honestly believe that he is now more concerned with keeping himself in top nick for Chelsea than playing for ROI.

This is understandable when you consider the competition for places at Chelsea. I have been scathing of RMK, Fergie and MU over the years about their approach about RMK's Ireland appreances, but Duffer is now in this catagory and if his £80k per week (or whatever it is) contract may be jeopardised by getting injured while playing for ROI, then it is understandable why he may be less keen for 'risking it' with ROI than when he was an 'emerging talent' at Blackburn.

It is even more understandable for Duffer to adopt this attitude when he knows that ROI is not a 'world power' and that he will not be in the world showcase of the WC finals in Germany.

At the end of his playing career Duffer will end up having a lot less ROI caps than he should have had. Some of the shortfall will be as a result of genuine injury/suspension but many more will be as a result of 'club (self-interest) before country'

[Lionel Ritchie]

I've heard and read before that Duffer technically "failed" his medical when he was moving from Blackburn to Chelsea.

Seemingly one of the reasons ManU, Arsenal and Liverpool backed off was that Blackburn were obliged to reveal that their medical advice was that Duffer would be unlikely to play more than 30-35 games a season due to the weak shoulder.

As for Troussier being let go by Morocco. I'd be happy (very happy in fact) if Troussier got the job. I think our lads need something of a culture shock.

[klein4]

why was he sacked by morocco? is the african nations not just about to start?

[Cowboy]

why was he sacked by morocco? is the african nations not just about to start?

apparently a difference of opinion with the moroccan FA

[onenilgameover]

apparently a difference of opinion with the moroccan FA


I'm kinda worried that the FAI want to have someone in the job for the draw on the 27th and will appoint somone the likes of troussier with that deadline approaching...

[Cowboy]

I'm kinda worried that the FAI want to have someone in the job for the draw on the 27th and will appoint somone the likes of troussier with that deadline approaching...

Draw does not need a manager to be present but i would say the fixture conference is a must

[Stuttgart88]

I honestly think that too much is usually made of the fixture timing. I think we're too anal in insisting on our "tough away matches first" doctrine. But if I was the FAI, regardless of whether a manager is in place, I'd insist on having our easier fixtures early. This is because we'll be in at least some degree of transition and if everything's done right we could have a pretty decent side this time next year and beyond.

Sadly I reckon even the FAI probably don't even know how big a chance we have to build a good side in the next year. There's certainly no Irish pundit or media commentator telling them. They're more obsessed with Middlesboro against Fulham or something of equally minimal significance to the Irish side.

[eirebhoy]

I think it has always been recognised that the two biggest influences in Damian's breakthtough into top flite football have been Brian Kerr and Pat Devlin.

When Duffer was at Blackburn and was developing he was always considered to be an emerging talent. However when he went to Chelsea for £18m (or whatever) expectations at both club and international levels rose.

IMHO, since his transfer, two things have happended:
(1) he is not an automatic first choice at Chelsea and injuries have played a part in this.
(2) his Ireland form has dipped. I honestly believe that he is now more concerned with keeping himself in top nick for Chelsea than playing for ROI.

This is understandable when you consider the competition for places at Chelsea. I have been scathing of RMK, Fergie and MU over the years about their approach about RMK's Ireland appreances, but Duffer is now in this catagory and if his £80k per week (or whatever it is) contract may be jeopardised by getting injured while playing for ROI, then it is understandable why he may be less keen for 'risking it' with ROI than when he was an 'emerging talent' at Blackburn.

It is even more understandable for Duffer to adopt this attitude when he knows that ROI is not a 'world power' and that he will not be in the world showcase of the WC finals in Germany.

At the end of his playing career Duffer will end up having a lot less ROI caps than he should have had. Some of the shortfall will be as a result of genuine injury/suspension but many more will be as a result of 'club (self-interest) before country'
I don't think that is true at all. Duff loves playing for his country. As I said before, the last 3 friendlies he played in (Italy, Portugal, Croatia) he was by far and away our best player. Playing badly in competitives surely must be down to being marked out of the game.

[Karlos]

I don't think that is true at all. Duff loves playing for his country. As I said before, the last 3 friendlies he played in (Italy, Portugal, Croatia) he was by far and away our best player. Playing badly in competitives surely must be down to being marked out of the game.

Perhaps I've taken this up wrong Eirebhoy so forgive me if it's inaccurate but if as you are seem to be suggesting that Damien's form in competitive games is a result of him being marked out of the game by our competitve rivals then Damien for me is not the player we all hoped he would be. The best players in the world (of which we have high hopes Damien is included in) constantly face this sort of attention on the field and consistantly rise above it and deliver - something Damian hasn't done competitively for a long time now.

I've no doubt Duff loves playing for Ireland and that's not in question for me. I've taken his poor performances as a dip in form but if it's in fact down to him being on top form but just marked out of it then I'm extremely worried about my opinion on Duff's talent.

Performances in friendlies are useful for maintaining form of players but in Duff's case this hasn't happened for Ireland. It's worrying to think that he's delivering against teams not that interested in the result but unable to carry that into our competitive games when marked a little tighter by let's face it, in the last campign anyway, anything but world class defenders with the possible exception of Gallas.

In the same way as Kerr's results in friendlies aren't that important, the same applies to single performances in Friendlies that don't push a player on or help to maintain his form for the competitive games in my opinion. There's a real argument to be made against Kerr if in fact it's correct that Duff has been literally marked out of it in competitive games, for even selecting Duff to play in these friendlies merely to show our competitive opposition how he plays in our formation. I would suggest we didn't learn anything new about Duff in any of those friendlies.

I'm a fan of Duffer but he hasn't delivered a 'world class' performance for Ireland when it matters since 2002 in my opinion. In a slightly perverse way of thinking, I hope I'm right on my inital thoughts of loss of form as I feel your sugeestion is a far more worrying prospect to deal with. :)

[colster]

Perhaps I've taken this up wrong Eirebhoy so forgive me if it's inaccurate but if as you are seem to be suggesting that Damien's form in competitive games is a result of him being marked out of the game by our competitve rivals then Damien for me is not the player we all hoped he would be. The best players in the world (of which we have high hopes Damien is included in) constantly face this sort of attention on the field and consistantly rise above it and deliver - something Damian hasn't done competitively for a long time now.

I've no doubt Duff loves playing for Ireland and that's not in question for me. I've taken his poor performances as a dip in form but if it's in fact down to him being on top form but just marked out of it then I'm extremely worried about my opinion on Duff's talent.

Performances in friendlies are useful for maintaining form of players but in Duff's case this hasn't happened for Ireland. It's worrying to think that he's delivering against teams not that interested in the result but unable to carry that into our competitive games when marked a little tighter by let's face it, in the last campign anyway, anything but world class defenders with the possible exception of Gallas.

In the same way as Kerr's results in friendlies aren't that important, the same applies to single performances in Friendlies that don't push a player on or help to maintain his form for the competitive games in my opinion. There's a real argument to be made against Kerr if in fact it's correct that Duff has been literally marked out of it in competitive games, for even selecting Duff to play in these friendlies merely to show our competitive opposition how he plays in our formation. I would suggest we didn't learn anything new about Duff in any of those friendlies.

I'm a fan of Duffer but he hasn't delivered a 'world class' performance for Ireland when it matters since 2002 in my opinion. In a slightly perverse way of thinking, I hope I'm right on my inital thoughts of loss of form as I feel your sugeestion is a far more worrying prospect to deal with. :)


I think another reason Duff hasn't played well for Ireland in a while is because Kilbane has played on the left side of Central Midfield. He didn't link well enough with Duff to put him into space or to isolate the fullback. This makes it look like Duff is being marked out of the game.

[eirebhoy]

I'm a fan of Duffer but he hasn't delivered a 'world class' performance for Ireland when it matters since 2002 in my opinion.
That's a bit harsh. My memory isn't the greatest but hew was getting MOTM constantly in Kerr's first campaign. Was world class against Russia.

Maybe I'm wrong about being marked out of the game but the fact that he does it in friendlies its the only thing I can think of.

I can't remember Duff's last decent performance against Arsenal but Lauren said Duff and Giggs were the toughest opponents he's ever faced.

[Stuttgart88]

I think eirebhoy's point is that he's frequently double and even triple-marked out of games. That's fine as long as you have the guile as a team to exploit the gaps this leaves. Kilbane just isn't the central midfielder to do this.

That said we started the Israel home game well despite the heavy marking of Duff. That was until Kerr decided to move him upfront though and the Israelis recognised he's not as much of a threat up there.

Geysir drew attention to a quote from Duff recently hinting that the team spirit isn't all it's made out to be in the Ireland team. Not under Kerr anyway. I remember soccerc drawing attention to an interview with Duff some while back where there was a similar message if you read between the lines.

Duff also said recently that Lansdowne Road is a kip & it's hard to get motivated when a train runs over your head while you're taking a dump!

Whatever the real story, it's certainly been a while since Duff would routinely remark that "playing for ireland was the best".

[Karlos]

I think another reason Duff hasn't played well for Ireland in a while is because Kilbane has played on the left side of Central Midfield. He didn't link well enough with Duff to put him into space or to isolate the fullback. This makes it look like Duff is being marked out of the game.

A valid point perhaps but I would feel that our left back rather than our central midfielder would have a better influence on allowing Duff to isolate their full back. Generally Central midfielders occupy their direct opponent and it's the full backs pushing on that engage their right midfielder who would double up on Duff. Perhaps our sometimes conservative approach has stopped our left back from pushing on and has been a cause of this.:confused:

I don't however believe that Duff has been at his best and that either the formation or his team-mates have been the sole contributor to his poor performances in competitive games. As i said earlier - a loss of form can be fixed, lack of talent can't so hopefully it's the first one and i beleive it is.:)

[Stuttgart88]

I'd have no worries about Duff if our new manager had significant gravitas and tactical awareness to earn the respect of the senior players. Some personality would also help to restore some feelgood to the set up rather than the paralysis by analysis that was Kerr's trademark.

[Karlos]

That's a bit harsh. My memory isn't the greatest but hew was getting MOTM constantly in Kerr's first campaign. Was world class against Russia.. Just my opinion but the game against Russia I didn't feel was a good team performance nor a 'world class' performance from Duff. I don't think he inspired the team that day with the exception of the goal (which can sometimes easily mean the awarding of a man of the match prize.)




I can't remember Duff's last decent performance against Arsenal but Lauren said Duff and Giggs were the toughest opponents he's ever faced.

I've no doubt he is one of the toughest to play against and that's my point. I attribute his performances to a loss of form, anything else is slightly worrying for me. Better players than what he faced for Ireland recently have attempted to mark Duff and failed. I think he is a smashing player who has lost his form and his performances have not represented his ability.

[colster]

A valid point perhaps but I would feel that our left back rather than our central midfielder would have a better influence on allowing Duff to isolate their full back. Generally Central midfielders occupy their direct opponent and it's the full backs pushing on that engage their right midfielder who would double up on Duff. Perhaps our sometimes conservative approach has stopped our left back from pushing on and has been a cause of this.:confused:

I don't however believe that Duff has been at his best and that either the formation or his team-mates have been the sole contributor to his poor performances in competitive games. As i said earlier - a loss of form can be fixed, lack of talent can't so hopefully it's the first one and i beleive it is.:)

Have to disagree there the Fullback - Centre Midfield - Winger triangle is vital to create space out wide for either the Fullback or Winger. Kilbane doesn't have the passing ability in big games for this to work effectively.

[wws]

I'd say Duff doesnt give as much as he can because of the Chelski thing.
I'd certainly question the wholeheartedness of his effort in Green as oppossed to his committment to club, but I don't necessesarily blame the player - I think this is just the trend of international/club football and chelsea are the club where this trend would be hardest felt.

[Stuttgart88]

He didn't link well enough with Duff to put him into space or to isolate the fullback. This makes it look like Duff is being marked out of the game.
I agree. With the exception of Andy Reid's pass for Robbie's goal against Israel and Roy Keane's pass to Morrisson early in the Paris game I can't think of one example of a central midfielder playing a through ball to an attacking player to run onto. In the last campaign central midfield, in an attacking sense, was merely a vehicle to get the ball wide to Duff or Reid. This made us easier to defend against.

I can barely remember a shot from central midfield either.

[Karlos]

Have to disagree there the Fullback - Centre Midfield - Winger triangle is vital to create space out wide for either the Fullback or Winger. Kilbane doesn't have the passing ability in big games for this to work effectively.

Well i wasn't actually totally disagreeing with you really! :)

Your spot on that the full back- midfield-winger triange is vital. Where we differ is I believe that Kilbane however can't be the sole responsibilty of the problem as without the fullback pushing on then it doesn't matter how good your passing is as Duffer is going to be marked by two people - a difficult situation at best. It has been a noted trait in the team that for whatever reason we didn't always push on thus allowing midfielders to drop off and double up at will.

Just as a side to this and back to Eirebhoy's point, can anyone remember the Irish line-ups in the firendlies that Duff excelled in? What was the central midfield line-up in any of the these games?

[colster]

Well i wasn't actually totally disagreeing with you really! :)

Your spot on that the full back- midfield-winger triange is vital. Where we differ is I believe that Kilbane however can't be the sole responsibilty of the problem as without the fullback pushing on then it doesn't matter how good your passing is as Duffer is going to be marked by two people - a difficult situation at best. It has been a noted trait in the team that for whatever reason we didn't always push on thus allowing midfielders to drop off and double up at will.

You're right O'Shea has some responsiblity as well but I think Kilbane has more. If Duff is double marked then that means there is room available for either O'Shea to overlap or for Kilbane to run into space.
Also, how many times have you seen Kilbane give the ball away after O'Shea or Duff have passed to him.

Also, Duff is quite fast and should be able to get onto through balls between the Centre half and fullback. How many times have you seen Kilbane try it and knock it too far or not spot it at all. When Kilbane actually played it right once against the Swiss/French at home he put Duff away and caused all sorts of problems.

[colster]

I agree. With the exception of Andy Reid's pass for Robbie's goal against Israel and Roy Keane's pass to Morrisson early in the Paris game I can't think of one example of a central midfielder playing a through ball to an attacking player to run onto. In the last campaign central midfield, in an attacking sense, was merely a vehicle to get the ball wide to Duff or Reid. This made us easier to defend against.

I can barely remember a shot from central midfield either.

Kilbane did it once for Duff to run onto late on against the Swiss or French at home but that's the exception that proves the rule eh. :)

[Karlos]

Just as a side to this and back to Eirebhoy's point, can anyone remember the Irish line-ups in the firendlies that Duff excelled in? What was the central midfield line-up in any of the these games?

On a quick check I see Kilbane played in the same role Vs Italy & Croatia (as skipper) where Duff played well. Notably Roy Keane didn't partner Kilbane in either game......4 words 'opening', 'can', 'of' and 'worms' :D :D

Take the bait...........!!!!! :)

[colster]

On a quick check I see Kilbane played in the same role Vs Italy & Croatia (as skipper) where Duff played well. Notably Roy Keane didn't partner Kilbane in either game......4 words 'opening', 'can', 'of' and 'worms' :D :D

Take the bait...........!!!!! :)

Kilbane was under less pressure in those games. He's exposed in tight games.

I think it was the French game that Kerr had the pitch narrowed? I though that was a fairly strange decision when you consider that we attack out wide. I know it was a ploy to reduce the space that Zidane, Henry had but still it probably blunted our attack as much.

[eirebhoy]

Duff also said recently that Lansdowne Road is a kip & it's hard to get motivated when a train runs over your head while you're taking a dump!
He actually said he'll miss Lansdowne. :)

"The likes of Thierry Henry don't like going to Lansdowne Road but he's gonna like going to Croke Park," he suggests. "Lansdowne Road was our stomping ground. It was a kip and the changing rooms were cold and you're on the toilet and there's a train going by your head so Croke Park is going to be an awful lot more comfortable and welcoming to the opposition. Croke Park is a beautiful stadium and I'm sure all Irish fans would love to go and watch big games there in front of 80,000 people but maybe I'm speaking out of turn I'm just saying that for opposing teams it's going to be a nice place for them to play too."

[Karlos]

Kilbane was under less pressure in those games. He's exposed in tight games.

I think it was the French game that Kerr had the pitch narrowed? I though that was a fairly strange decision when you consider that we attack out wide. I know it was a ploy to reduce the space that Zidane, Henry had but still it probably blunted our attack as much.

Was only pulling yer leg on the Kilbane/Keane thing! :)

As for the pitch, ridiculous to do that if we did and it certainly would have effected us more than them. I assume if we did it it was to limit Henry's space in behind us but considering he's the first player to score 100 premiership goals at the same ground and indeed that ground having the smallest pitch in the league he did it, makes little or no sence to me at all. It's wrong on so many levels as If we did make pitch adjustments then I assume Kerr then also changed the training area sizes leading up to the game (if he didn't then he's not the professional organiser we think he is). In my opinion that's too many changes just for the sake of hopefully upsetting an opponent. Changing routines or training structure, no matter how inconsequential it seems, that close to a competitive game is very dangerous and is not something you'll see recommended in any sports psychology literature.

[JimmyP]

Kerr vehemently denied ever narrowing the pitch.

[Stuttgart88]

He actually said he'll miss Lansdowne. :)

"The likes of Thierry Henry don't like going to Lansdowne Road but he's gonna like going to Croke Park," he suggests. "Lansdowne Road was our stomping ground. It was a kip and the changing rooms were cold and you're on the toilet and there's a train going by your head so Croke Park is going to be an awful lot more comfortable and welcoming to the opposition. Croke Park is a beautiful stadium and I'm sure all Irish fans would love to go and watch big games there in front of 80,000 people but maybe I'm speaking out of turn I'm just saying that for opposing teams it's going to be a nice place for them to play too."

fair enough :) I must have misinterpreted his quote!

[brine3]

we did better against france in the luxury of stade de france

[fergalr]

I think it has always been recognised that the two biggest influences in Damian's breakthtough into top flite football have been Brian Kerr and Pat Devlin.

When Duffer was at Blackburn and was developing he was always considered to be an emerging talent. However when he went to Chelsea for £18m (or whatever) expectations at both club and international levels rose.

IMHO, since his transfer, two things have happended:
(1) he is not an automatic first choice at Chelsea and injuries have played a part in this.
(2) his Ireland form has dipped. I honestly believe that he is now more concerned with keeping himself in top nick for Chelsea than playing for ROI.

This is understandable when you consider the competition for places at Chelsea. I have been scathing of RMK, Fergie and MU over the years about their approach about RMK's Ireland appreances, but Duffer is now in this catagory and if his £80k per week (or whatever it is) contract may be jeopardised by getting injured while playing for ROI, then it is understandable why he may be less keen for 'risking it' with ROI than when he was an 'emerging talent' at Blackburn.

It is even more understandable for Duffer to adopt this attitude when he knows that ROI is not a 'world power' and that he will not be in the world showcase of the WC finals in Germany.

At the end of his playing career Duffer will end up having a lot less ROI caps than he should have had. Some of the shortfall will be as a result of genuine injury/suspension but many more will be as a result of 'club (self-interest) before country'

Sorry but I respectfully totally disagree with the theme and detail of this post.

First of all its clear that Mourinho sees Damien as a key first-team player - for example last season I think Damien was 4th or 5th in number of premiership appearences.

Secondly, Chelsea have worked very hard with Damien's to reduce the possibility of injuries.

Thirdly Damien is the first player since RMK to go to a big club and prosper at the highest level. Under Mourinho he has improved hugely as a player (and bear in mind that when you're playing for a championship winning team you need to sacrifice some showboating in favour of playing your role in the team).

Fourthly, ok so his recent performances for Ireland haven't been up to scratch, but when the whole squad is full of underachievers you have to conclude that its because we had a manager who wasn't up to the job.

And finally there is no evidence that Damien is any less comitted to playing for Ireland - he always gives 100% and always turns up for even the most meaningless friendlies. This is fully supported by Chelsea - don't forget that Mourinho has been at least twice to Landsdown to see him play for us.

In the past there have been negative posts about Duff because it seems some people never got over the fact that he went to Chelsea and not to the Brit team of their liking. In this case however it seems be be along the Brian Kerr lines of "don't blame the manager - blame the players".

[Stuttgart88]

I saw the second half of Arsenal vs United last night and chuckled at the sight of Ronaldo's crossing. Although Duff seems to skip past people with less frequently than he used to, probably because Mourinho emphasises keeping possession, the quality of his final ball remains exceptional. Duff's ability to accurately play the ball across the six yard box between 'keeper and defender is amazing.

Even during Chelsea's 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford every time Duff delivered a cross or pull back it created danger. Joe Cole is another whose final ball is now extremely reliable.

Just a theory, but I suspect that our lack of height (& quality) upfront makes it harder for Duff to play the type of cross he specialises in.

Despite this though, some of his set pieces were shocking, especially in Tel Aviv. High, loopy crosses with no pace at all.

One reason I'd love to see O'Neill get the Irish job is that, like Mourinho, he places huge emphasis on set pieces, a major factor in any result Celtic got in Europe against better teams. In fact in his first CL campaign I think nearly every goal scored was from one type of set piece or another.

[colster]

I saw the second half of Arsenal vs United last night and chuckled at the sight of Ronaldo's crossing. Although Duff seems to skip past people with less frequently than he used to, probably because Mourinho emphasises keeping possession, the quality of his final ball remains exceptional. Duff's ability to accurately play the ball across the six yard box between 'keeper and defender is amazing.

Even during Chelsea's 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford every time Duff delivered a cross or pull back it created danger. Joe Cole is another whose final ball is now extremely reliable.

Just a theory, but I suspect that our lack of height (& quality) upfront makes it harder for Duff to play the type of cross he specialises in.

Despite this though, some of his set pieces were shocking, especially in Tel Aviv. High, loopy crosses with no pace at all.

One reason I'd love to see O'Neill get the Irish job is that, like Mourinho, he places huge emphasis on set pieces, a major factor in any result Celtic got in Europe against better teams. In fact in his first CL campaign I think nearly every goal scored was from one type of set piece or another.


I agree. Our set pieces are appalling. Duff has always won a fair amount of free kicks for us. The fact that we rarely capitilised on them in the last campaign gave opposition defenders more licence to trip and hack at Duff without worrying too much about our set piece.
If the quality of the set piece improves the number of fouls on Duff may decrease and so give him a bit more time and space to get turned and go at the full back.

[Superhoops]

Sorry but I respectfully totally disagree with the theme and detail of this post.

First of all its clear that Mourinho sees Damien as a key first-team player - for example last season I think Damien was 4th or 5th in number of premiership appearences.

Secondly, Chelsea have worked very hard with Damien's to reduce the possibility of injuries.

Thirdly Damien is the first player since RMK to go to a big club and prosper at the highest level. Under Mourinho he has improved hugely as a player (and bear in mind that when you're playing for a championship winning team you need to sacrifice some showboating in favour of playing your role in the team).

Fourthly, ok so his recent performances for Ireland haven't been up to scratch, but when the whole squad is full of underachievers you have to conclude that its because we had a manager who wasn't up to the job.

And finally there is no evidence that Damien is any less comitted to playing for Ireland - he always gives 100% and always turns up for even the most meaningless friendlies. This is fully supported by Chelsea - don't forget that Mourinho has been at least twice to Landsdown to see him play for us.

In the past there have been negative posts about Duff because it seems some people never got over the fact that he went to Chelsea and not to the Brit team of their liking. In this case however it seems be be along the Brian Kerr lines of "don't blame the manager - blame the players".

Football is all about opinions and although we disagree I respect yours.

However, my opinion has nothing to do with Duff not going to a team of my liking. I have no interest in what British, Scottish or European team Duff or any Irish player plays for so long as when they pull on an Ireland shirt they perform to the best of their ability.

In Duff''s case, and I think most people would agree (you even concede it yourself), he has not performed for us when it has mattered and I have simply expressed my opinion as to why this is.

I would agree that under Mourinho he has become a better player but this only appears to manifest itself when he is playing for Chelsea. There have been a number of underachievers at Chelsea but this has not stopped Duff improving.

Regarding his performances for Ireland, I cannot agree the manager is largely to blame. Once they go across the white line, players must take responsibility for their own individual performances and because others 'underachieved', and citing poor management as justification for Duff poor performances for Ireland doesn't wash for me.

Look at Clinton Morrison for example, not a regular in his club side, not the most skilful of players but his desire to play for Ireland made him the consistent performer he has been for us in the last 18 months, despite the poor management you claim

Look at Shay Given as another example, a regular in his club team, playing well week in week out in the Premiership, with a great pride and desire when playing for Ireland, despite the poor management you claim, still continues to turn in top class performances for us.

On the other hand, Duffer, probably the most gifted technical player we have had for years, has not done it for us since he joined Chelsea.

[eirebhoy]

I would agree that under Mourinho he has become a better player but this only appears to manifest itself when he is playing for Chelsea. There have been a number of underachievers at Chelsea but this has not stopped Duff improving.
I think Duff was a much, much better player attacking wise under Ranieri and Souness. OK, he's doing his work defensively but he does that work for Ireland too. The Duff for Ireland doesn't seem to be any different to the Duff of Chelsea to me.

[Stuttgart88]

I think Duff was a much, much better player attacking wise under Ranieri
But would you endorse Ranieri as Irish manager? Rumours went around in Nov/Dec that the FAI interviewed him in England. Personally, I would.

[tetsujin1979]

On Off The Ball last night on Newstalk they were talking about several newspaper reports that the management team will be Venables with Staunton as his assistant. Whatever about Staunton (personally I think a link between the team and a manager unfamiliar with the playing mentality of the squad is a good thing) bringing in Venables would be a disaster of Wilkinson at Sunderland proportions

[Stuttgart88]

Which newspaper reports? I saw nothing. What was the consensus opinion?

[eirebhoy]

But would you endorse Ranieri as Irish manager? Rumours went around in Nov/Dec that the FAI interviewed him in England. Personally, I would.
I didn't really rate him too highly at Chelsea but I didn't know about his excellent time in Italy and making Valencia into the force they are today. I'd be excited about his appointment, put it that way. :)

[fergalr]

Regarding his performances for Ireland, I cannot agree the manager is largely to blame. Once they go across the white line, players must take responsibility for their own individual performances and because others 'underachieved', and citing poor management as justification for Duff poor performances for Ireland doesn't wash for me.
So why has Duffer underperformed for Ireland. Is it because he has disimproved as a player - no. Is it because he couldn't be arsed playing for his country - no. Is it because he was frustrated and demotivated - perhaps. Is it because our tactics were at best not geared towards getting the most of out him and at worst actually detrimental to getting the best out of him - very possibily.

If individuals don't perform then its the manager's job to sort it out. In Kerr's case he didn't and thats why his contract was not renewed.

[fergalr]

I didn't really rate him too highly at Chelsea but I didn't know about his excellent time in Italy and making Valencia into the force they are today. I'd be excited about his appointment, put it that way. :)
Ranieri did a fantastic job at pre-Chelski Chelsea. He broke up ageing squad and achieved Champion's League qualification on a modest budget. Once the big bucks came in the expectations changed and they needed a manager with something extra.

For us, I think he's a far better option than any of the other candidates mentioned to date (MON excepted).

[eirebhoy]

So why has Duffer underperformed for Ireland. Is it because he has disimproved as a player - no. Is it because he couldn't be arsed playing for his country - no. Is it because he was frustrated and demotivated - perhaps. Is it because our tactics were at best not geared towards getting the most of out him and at worst actually detrimental to getting the best out of him - very possibily.

If individuals don't perform then its the manager's job to sort it out. In Kerr's case he didn't and thats why his contract was not renewed.
Duff performed very well in friendlies so that argument is thrown out of the window as Kerr is not going to give him different roles in every friendly and change them for the important games. Being marked by 2/3/4 players in all competitives is the only thing I can think of. He wasn't given an inch against France.

[NeilMcD]

There is a difference to the marking in the friendlies then there is to the competitive games. Competitive games are alla bout the result and as a result players are really tight on each other. Duff could not do the business when the chips were down despite the fact that he was playing at a top club and playing well for Chelsea. He has serious questions to ask himself and all through the anti Robbie Keane rants on other post I regularly said that Duff gets away with murder from the majority of Irish supporters compared to Robbie Keane.

[geysir]

Sagnol, the French RB, mostly on his own dealt with Duff, whenever Duff had the ball on the wing. Wasn't it in the Italian game that often the defenders were queuing up to block Duff?
There are some rumours that the FAI want to have the new manager in place before the friendly against Sweden. Then followed a gamble on Staunton. Has he hit the front too soon? Has he got enough left in the tank?

[eirebhoy]

Sagnol, the French RB, mostly on his own dealt with Duff, whenever Duff had the ball on the wing.
My memory usually isn't great when it comes to matches but Duff was hounded whenever he got the ball by Sagnol, Makelele and anyone else close to him.