Damien Duff

[tetsujin1979]

Duff played left full after Jose Enrique pulled up and had to go off. He was still one of Newcastle's more attacking players though, looked absolutely exhausted in the last 15-20 minutes

[Colbert Report]

I just finished watching the Newcastle/Portsmouth match from earlier today. Newcastle looked terrible. Duff was fine in the first half but really did tire. There was one moment in the 79th minute when Jermaine Pennant took a run down the right wing, Duff had no choice but to foul him because he simply doesn't have the speed anymore.

Duff is probably good enough for one more season in the Premiership with a team like Wolves but as much as I hate to admit it, it looks like he's finished as a serious offensive threat down the wing.

[drummerboy]

Thought he looked dangerous in the first half. However in the second when playing at left full he looked very out of place. He was all over the lace if any attacker ran at him. Can't see Duff playing for much longer to be honest.

[jbyrne]

how many times has he been written off before only to come back and play very well for us which is all we should care about. he was among the best 3 / 4 newcastle players last night despite being out of position for most of game

[Stuttgart88]

how many times has he been written off before only to come back and play very well for us which is all we should care about. Agree totally. It's a shame we're unlikely to see him play at a high level of club football anymore - I recall one really good performance for Chelsea in Barcelona in particular - but as long as he is fit and playing well for ireland that's all I care about. He is still a real threat to anyone and especially the type of team we'll need to beat in the next few months to get at least second.

I think he's better than Wolves but if Wolves buy well in other areas then it mightn't be the worst move. Mick would be good for him, just as he was when he was Irish manager.

[Dodge]

Hes still alot better than Wolves... Christ Stuart Downing is still being linked with Liverpool and he isnt a quarter of the player that Duff is

Downing's better than Duff. He isn't a quarter of the player Duffwas though. sad to see someone so talented ravaged by injuries

[back of the net]

Hes still alot better than Wolves... Christ Stuart Downing is still being linked with Liverpool and he isnt a quarter of the player that Duff is

duff needs to get the f*ck out of newcastle......and wolves will do him alot better than playing for the geordies


duff will also have a manager that knows what he is doing if duff goes to wolves

[Brendan 82]

I loves the Duffer as much as anyone but I would have McGeady & Hunt (especially after his excellent performance against Italy) on the wings ahead of him. I wish it was not so but reality bites...

[Den Perry]

I loves the Duffer as much as anyone but I would have McGeady & Hunt (especially after his excellent performance against Italy) on the wings ahead of him. I wish it was not so but reality bites...

are you off your head?Hunt cannot control a ball(granted he was effective in Italy). He probably has as little ability as any Irish footballer I've seen but may serve a purpose. However, as Duff 's recent Irish performances have been a big improvement, no way would I be dropping him for somebody like Stephen Hunt

Can anybody explain to me why Hunt is so highly regarded?

[Brendan 82]

are you off your head?Hunt cannot control a ball(granted he was effective in Italy). He probably has as little ability as any Irish footballer I've seen but may serve a purpose. However, as Duff 's recent Irish performances have been a big improvement, no way would I be dropping him for somebody like Stephen Hunt

Can anybody explain to me why Hunt is so highly regarded?

Far from off my head; Hunt is a good player whether you like it or not. He has put in way more good professional performances in the last three years than Duff has (even in the Prem). When you say he has as little ability as any Irish footballer you have seen you are merely highlighting your lack of objectivity.

Hunt is a lot more skillful than you think and he is a better player than Duff NOW. Of course he will never be the player Duff was, but that is not the point.

[Den Perry]

Far from off my head; Hunt is a good player whether you like it or not. He has put in way more good professional performances in the last three years than Duff has (even in the Prem). When you say he has as little ability as any Irish footballer you have seen you are merely highlighting your lack of objectivity.

Hunt is a lot more skillful than you think and he is a better player than Duff NOW. Of course he will never be the player Duff was, but that is not the point.


Hold on a minute. Duff has played very well in the last few internationals he has played. The only time I can remember Hunt playing well for us was in Italy...where he looked effective at times.How can you say he put in more professional performances than Duff? in what way do you measure"professional" in a performance? Think you are the one suffering from the lack of objectivity there mate...

you also say he is a lot more skillfull than I think? I have seen him in play a number of times and I think his touch is terrible for a professional footballer

His performance against Montanegro was nothing short of embarressing....he is a headless chicken

[richieos]

credit where credit is due. hunt has put in a number of excellent performances at a high level over the past few years, including his excellent performance against italy.
However, it is obvious that he will never posses the quality that damien duff has and the ability to make the one key pass or one key run that could win a game (cyprus?) duff has played badly a lot for newcastle but never lets himself of the country down when he plays for us, so he has to be first choice.

[Brendan 82]

Duff aint that good anymore lads

[shaneker]

Sorry, I find myself agreeing with the 'Duff is spent' viewpoint. It's all good talking about his international record (nothing of any real note in a crucial game for a good while), but his club performances have been nothing better than average for years (when he's been fit) and that doesn't bode well for international level. Just because he was great 7 (Christ! Has it been that long?) years ago means nothing now. Wolves would be a great move for him to try to get some confidence back, and I think Mick would treat him well. He's also very, very unlikely to do any better than them.

I haven't met a single non-Irish person who has rated Duff in years. But don't get me wrong - Duff was a f*cking world-beater in his prime, and if we can squeeze another year or two of anything approaching that out of him (probably by going to Wolves) I would be absolutely delighted.

[Diarmo]

Sadly, I find myself agreeing with the view that Duff's days as a quality player are over. I'm not saying that he can't still be a key player for us, but he no longer has the pace or stamina to play game after game at a high level.
The Wolves move may work out, and it may be good for him, but, at 30 I think its time we realize his career isn't likely to improve in any way.
However, I still think he could do a good job for us, especially considering Trapattoni's tactics. Even if we start with McGeady and Hunt, we could possibly have Lawrence and Duff to spring from the bench.
For me, this is very appealing as each of them offers something different as a winger.

[eirebhoy]

Duff has been relatively poor at club level for about 4 years now but he's still performing for us. I think he thrives on responsibility tbh.

[carloz]

There is no two ways about it, Duff is still essential for us. He ran the game against Cyprus at home, and without him we may not have won the game. Personally he would be the first name i would have on the team sheet. Says a lot that most international teams still double up on him

[irishfan86]

Generally I'm somebody who takes club form very seriously when it comes to the national side, but there's no questioning that Duff is still a very important player for us.

The slower pace of international football seems to suit him, and whenever he's wearing green he looks a different player.

That said, I admire Stephen Hunt, and he doesn't really deserve to be dropped after the Italy match.

He's nowhere near as talented as Duff was, but he is a more effective player than him currently in the English league.

However, I think the needs of international football are different, and in that arena I would prefer Damien Duff every time.

[geysir]

I think you have it 'arse about face Irishfan. Sorry I can't be diplomatic about it.

It's what Duff does for Ireland is what we take seriously when it comes to valuing his importance to the national side.

[Stuttgart88]

Like waltzing through the Cyprus defence to set up a sitter for Robbie.

That's not all, he draws fouls consistently and is constantly a threat and an outlet when we're struggling. He was badly missed against Bulgaria.

I don't care if he's yesterday's man as far as the top few teams in the EPL goes, he's essential for us. Hunt was very good against Italy admittedly but he was utter shyte at home to Bulgaria apart from the first minute (ok, to counter - Duff's best impact against Cyprus was also in first minute! but is Hunt the outlet that Duff offers? I say no).

International football qualification rounds are not the top 4 of the EPL or the KO stages of the Champions League, group stages even.

It's often a fcuking rag bag bunch of 3rd rate but organised opportunists and against these I'd have Duff in my team every day of the week. If he ain't working bring in Hunt with 30 minutes left.

[Crosby87]

It's often a fcuking rag bag bunch of 3rd rate but organised opportunists and against these I'd have Duff in my team every day of the week. If he ain't working bring in Hunt with 30 minutes left.

I agree 100%. They obviously missed him against Bulgaria. I had been hard on him but a blind person could see we could have used him that day.

[co. down green]

Like waltzing through the Cyprus defence to set up a sitter for Robbie.

That's not all, he draws fouls consistently and is constantly a threat and an outlet when we're struggling. He was badly missed against Bulgaria.

I don't care if he's yesterday's man as far as the top few teams in the EPL goes, he's essential for us. Hunt was very good against Italy admittedly but he was utter shyte at home to Bulgaria apart from the first minute (ok, to counter - Duff's best impact against Cyprus was also in first minute! but is Hunt the outlet that Duff offers? I say no).

International football qualification rounds are not the top 4 of the EPL or the KO stages of the Champions League, group stages even.

It's often a fcuking rag bag bunch of 3rd rate but organised opportunists and against these I'd have Duff in my team every day of the week. If he ain't working bring in Hunt with 30 minutes left.

Great post.

[eirebhoy]

I was thinking that I'd love to hear where Mourinho's thoughts on Duff. One time at Chelsea he was fed up with Duff being overshadowed by Robben in the media and said Duff was his best player. He completely changed Duff as a player but had a lot of respect for him.

[Colbert Report]

If you guys don't think Duff is done at the top level, you really should have watched that Portsmouth/Newcastle match. He is a Championship player at best now. He's always done the business for Ireland but it is worrying that he seemingly has no pace now at all.

[EastTerracer]

If you guys don't think Duff is done at the top level, you really should have watched that Portsmouth/Newcastle match. He is a Championship player at best now. He's always done the business for Ireland but it is worrying that he seemingly has no pace now at all.

I did watch the game and he was one of Newcastle's better players (despite playing out of position after the injury to Luis Enrique). He is not as quick as he was but can still compete with most premiership defenders in that regard. I have no doubt he will be speaking to a premiership team during the summer as Newcastle look doomed and will need to cut their wage bill. I don't think he's past it at 30 and his game was always more about trickery than pure speed.

[Stuttgart88]

I was thinking that I'd love to hear where Mourinho's thoughts on Duff. One time at Chelsea he was fed up with Duff being overshadowed by Robben in the media and said Duff was his best player. He completely changed Duff as a player but had a lot of respect for him.
Didn't Mourinho tinker about with Duff? He used him really well one season and then took all his impish menace out of his game, giving him a more disciplined role with avoiding losing possession becoming the priority. I think around this time Joe Cole started becoming more influential for Chelsea.

I remember Radio 5 Live being scathing of Mourinho's treatment of both Cole and Duff, saying here were two of the league's most attacking players and yet neither is allowed to take his man on anymore.

[ifk101]

Without doubt injuries and age are taking their toil of Damien Duff's current form. But I think you also have to factor in the club he is playing at - which seems to be a club in a state of shambles and has been for some time.

But regardless he remains our most potent, attacking creative threat in midfield. A fit Damien Duff is essential to our qualifying hopes.

[irishultra]

I don't see Duff staying in England if his team get relegated. I'm think Celtic would be the most likely option but yeah I don't think if Newcastle go down he'll stay with them. But what next? I mean celtic:rolleyes: The Duff I know and loved was amazing, he shouldn't be ready to put on his slippers and smoke a pipe at 30, he should be a 10 million euro signing for real madrid :(

[elroy]

I don't see Duff staying in England if his team get relegated. I'm think Celtic would be the most likely option but yeah I don't think if Newcastle go down he'll stay with them. But what next? I mean celtic:rolleyes: The Duff I know and loved was amazing, he shouldn't be ready to put on his slippers and smoke a pipe at 30, he should be a 10 million euro signing for real madrid :(

Generally with the exception of Giggs and he has had to adapt his position, out and out wingers are generally on a downward spiral from age 30 onwards. Injuries and bad luck denied Duff the success and recognition that he deserved really. Having said that I think Duff has been our most creative influence in the games he has played for us in this campaign and imo is one of the firsts on the teamsheet. I cant really see him adapting his style to play say left back or centre mid but i do think there is a few more years left in him at a mid range premiership club. The likes of Blackburn, Wigan etc could do an awful lot worse than signing Duff. If Newcastle go down and he does move he will have to take a decent drop in cash but judging by the top 100 rich list published at the wkd i dont think he has anything to worry about.

[Hibernian]

I don't see Duff staying in England if his team get relegated. I'm think Celtic would be the most likely option but yeah I don't think if Newcastle go down he'll stay with them. But what next? I mean celtic:rolleyes: The Duff I know and loved was amazing, he shouldn't be ready to put on his slippers and smoke a pipe at 30, he should be a 10 million euro signing for real madrid :(


God hope your wrong Celtic would be disaster move for him and would show his lack of ambition

[Dodge]

God hope your wrong Celtic would be disaster move for him and would show his lack of ambition

Swap the word Newcastle for Celtic and I said the same thing a fair few years ago...

[back of the net]

Swap the word Newcastle for Celtic and I said the same thing a fair few years ago...


i think the majority of ppl on foot said a few years ago that moving to n'castle would turn out to be a bad idea for duff ---- and you didnt need to know much about football to realise that

and Hibernian is right - duff going to celtic would be a very bad idea


no matter how much duff is injury prone and no matter how much is club career has dwindled , he is still one of irelands most important players - so we need him playing regular club football in a good competitive league....i.e not the SPL

[Junior]

It would be a terrible move for Celtic. An aging (30), in medicore form, injury prone winger who has earned significant sums in the last 10 years or so? He would struggle to take the drop Celtic would offer financially, let alone if he could make an improvement to the Celtic side. As a Celtic fan Id been inclined to gamble on a cheaper/younger player.

As has been said, Duff has been great for Ireland and I hope he can remain injury free and pull out a few great performances to get us to this world cup in 2010 but as a week in week out footballer he hasnt really delivered in recent years IMO. That could be down to numerous factors, mainly injury but also his clubs Newcastle & Chelsea. One shambolic the other with a world of riches in its squad and a manager that used them sparingly/in different roles etc...

For Ireland though, unquestionably hes been a great player

[KK77]

Damien Duff is finished as a player end of.

[ken foree]

Damien Duff is finished as a player end of.

hopefully a wind-up but i'll take the bait - insane, if you were talking about a country blessed with wide talent i might agree but we're not, so a fit and in-form duffer is vital for us!

[NeilMcD]

Duff is not as good as he was no doubt about it but to say he is finished as a player is rubbish, he did not look finished when he set up the goal against Cyprus. Before people laugh and say well that was only Cyprus, well most teams we play are of that calibre and he produced a moment of excellence to create a goal for Keane.

[KK77]

Remind me of the last time he took a full back on and went by him please???? He always parts with the ball when he confronts a full back now. He's finished as the song goes his days they are a numbered. Anyone who thinks different is fooling themselves. He's a crock as well. Better to face the truth than cod yourselves.

[KK77]

so a fit and in-form duffer is vital for us!

Lets know when he's fit to stay on the pitch for a few games in a row please;)

[NeilMcD]

Remind me of the last time he took a full back on and went by him please???? He always parts with the ball when he confronts a full back now. He's finished as the song goes his days they are a numbered. Anyone who thinks different is fooling themselves. He's a crock as well. Better to face the truth than cod yourselves.

Cyprus at home.

[Stuttgart88]

Georgia at home too, no?

We need eirebhoy to go all prozone on us to try and put more light on this one I think.

[KK77]

Cyprus at home.

Dear me. Anyway just my opinion.

[NeilMcD]

Whats wrong, you asked and I answered. He went by a player and he set up a goal at home against Cyprus, it was not his last game for Ireland but his 2nd last game for Ireland before his injury so hardly a long time back.

[KK77]

[QUOTE=NeilMcD;1153336]Whats wrong, you asked and I answered. He went by a player and he set up a goal at home against Cyprus, it was not his last game for Ireland but his 2nd last game for Ireland before his injury so hardly a long time back.[/QUOTE

Did i say something was wrong!

[NeilMcD]

Well whats the dear me bit about. Are you writing a letter to yourself.

[KK77]

[QUOTE=NeilMcD;1153345]Well whats the dear me bit about. Are you writing a letter to yourself.[/QUOTE

What do you think?:rolleyes:

[NeilMcD]

I honestly do not know, you asked a question and I answered it and you replied with Dear me, which I do not really understand in the context.

[KK77]

I honestly do not know, you asked a question and I answered it and you replied with Dear me, which I do not really understand in the context.

Ok think this is exhausted. I don't rate Duff anymore but as i said just my opinion.

[NeilMcD]

You posted up that he was finished as a player end of, fair enough, that insinuates end of discussion which is a rather dismissive thing to do on a football forum for debate. Then you posted up for people to remind you of the last time he went by a player which I did and it proved to be a vital goal in the game before last that he played for Ireland.

[DeLorean]

Dear me.

I'm intrigued as to what this meant? Sorry I almost feel like I'm intruding on a private, and somewhat baffling conversation here:confused::confused:

[tetsujin1979]

Think Rafa was just expressing a gallic shrug of indifference, an answer that proves his point if you like, Duff beating a Cypriot full back hardly proves he's still a good player, even if it answers Rafa's question