Damien Duff

[endabob1]

Duff played well when Ireland were playing well because all our creativity came down the left hand side. After that the Germans aren't stupid and just took him out when he looked to go past players. Frings got him with a particularly nice 2 footer in the first half which didn't merit a booking, there were at least 2 other bookable tackles on him in the first half.
The real issue is that our central midfield is so weak that both Keane and Reid spent most of their night dropping back or coming inside to help out. So our only other outlet was balls over the top to Doyle (who I thought played well in the circumstances) with options that limited it's not difficult to ensure there was always 2 players covering Duff.

[Stuttgart88]

Just as in the last campaign Duff was double marked a lot. The opposition could afford to do this because our central miodfield is weak. If we can add an attacking threat from the middle Duff's contribution would be more telling. Also, when he does get in a position to send the ball in, Robbie & Doyle were always going to struggle to beat the Germans in the air.

Duff's substitution was baffling though. Why not use 3 at the back for last 15 mins, and increase the number of attacking players we have on the pitch?

[razor]

In my opinion he was rightly substituted. He was poor and hasn't delivered in an Ireland shirt for a long long time.
All the crap on telly about it being baffling ? Was it just cos it was Duffer ?
No player should be above a substitution and as for him throwing a sulk sitting on his own at the end of the bench, grow up lad.
Maybe that was the kick in the h*le he needs, that or tell him that every game is a friendly.

[wallis]

I would think he is fecked off with being marked out of the game all the time. Its as plain as day that everytime Duff starts the opposition double up on him. On Saturday Stephen Reid had acres of space on the right hand side where the germans had pulled their markers across but we didnt do enough with it. We had a lot of possession down that right side in the first half and a number of corners to go with it but that came from the opposition teaming up on Duff and allowing Reid and Carr some space to work.

As already stated in other threads , someone else must step up to the plate now and start taking players on so that our opponents take one of those men off Duff and give him more one on one opportunities. He must be p'ssed off with it, but that comes because he is a great player.

The suggestion that he hasnt done it for us in recent games and should be dropped/subbed etc is utter nonsense. The real problem is that we dont have anyone else to take off some of the burden. If I was playing Ireland I would just double up on Duff and leave OShea/Kilbane/Reid whoever , free, because I would be confident that they dont have enough to hurt me.

We have got to find someone else to do a bit of magic and fast. Maybe McGeady is the answer. Perhaps O'Brien on one side and Duff the other who knows. This is why we should have been hammering out friendlies as much as possible going into this campaign- we need to find a new formation.

I hate to say it , but with 20 minutes to go I was wishing that we had a Niall Quinn on the bench to lump some balls up to because we are far too predictable at the moment.

[Stuttgart88]

The suggestion that he hasnt done it for us in recent games and should be dropped/subbed etc is utter nonsense. The real problem is that we dont have anyone else to take off some of the burden. If I was playing Ireland I would just double up on Duff and leave OShea/Kilbane/Reid whoever , free, because I would be confident that they dont have enough to hurt me. Exactly. Sad thing is it was this problem that was our downfall in the last campaign too. Why can't anyone notice?

[mjpcc]

Good news on the injury front.

Duff comes on for Newcastle after 69 minutes tonight against Levadia Tallinn.
Newcaslte leading 2-1 (3-1 on Aggregate)

[mjpcc]

Robbie Keane just scored against Slavia Prague

[eirebhoy]

Yeah I was pleased to see that Duff came on and Keane looked a different player after he scored according to the lads on TV3.

[DeNiro]

When did RK last score? Has he scored in P'ship yet?

[eirebhoy]

When did RK last score? Has he scored in P'ship yet?
They mentioned it was his first goal since April.

[NeilMcD]

Arsenal at Highbury, That goal.

[Stuttgart88]

Last goal was at Arsenal in April. He didn't score any preseason as far as I can remember. This is good news. Your strikers need to be used to scoring. If Robbie has a chance in Cyprus he's much more likely to take it it if he has scored the previous week. Psychology I suppose.

[drinkfeckarse]

or clutching at straws Stutts! Anything to try and be positive eh ;) :D

[Stuttgart88]

Maybe! But I'd prefer if he's scoring than not scoring.

[Noelys Guitar]

Strange one.

[tetsujin1979]

loads of injuries at st james', not too surprising really

[beautifulrock]

how is he playing?

[Paddy Garcia]

loads of injuries at st james', not too surprising really

Maybe , but I don't suppose O'Brien has made the bench?

[as_i_say]

Maybe , but I don't suppose O'Brien has made the bench?

:D .....

[tricky_colour]

how is he playing?

He was named man of the match, he seemed to do OK, was never really troubled by anyone (although I can't recall him making a tackle either but I only saw bits of the match) he got forward well too, but then so did Carr from what I saw.
At Chelsea playing at left-back seemed to be a stepping stone to not playing very often at all, the situation at Newcastle is due to injuries though and Duff has experience at playing at left back so he would be a good choice to cover in that position.

Maybe he will end up laying there for Ireland? It would literally be a backward step (not often you see that word (literally) used correctly!!) but actually it would make a lot of sense for Ireland because then Finnan could play in his club position, albeit probably at the expense of Carr, although you could play him on the right wing.
Then you could have a team looking something like this perhaps?

_________Given
Finnan Dunn McShane/O'Brien Duff
Carr, O' Shea, A Reid, Kilbane
______Doyle, Keane

Another thing which has just occured to me, is Kevin Doyle the son of Mrs Doyle from Father Ted? ( I was thinking of a team line-up posted here which had Father Ted in goal ;) )

[tetsujin1979]

Keane with an assist and hit the crossbar tonight for Spurs

[monutdfc]

Don't go there. I saw him play the last 15 minutes at Left-Back for Chelsea v Portsmouth last season and Wayne Routledge destroyed him.

[galwayhoop]

_________Given
Finnan Dunn McShane/O'Brien Duff
Carr, O' Shea, A Reid, Kilbane
______Doyle, Keane



if your going down the line of playing left wingers at left back surely kilbane left back with duff in front of him!

BTW hope we never see that as our central midfield partnership - total lack of steel and both look lazy/switched off to me

[brine3]

duff has been our main attacking threat. two assists against cyprus and another against the czech republic.

playing him at left back is a total waste

[tricky_colour]

if your going down the line of playing left wingers at left back surely kilbane left back with duff in front of him!

BTW hope we never see that as our central midfield partnership - total lack of steel and both look lazy/switched off to me

Andy Reid had a great game for Charlton from what I saw of it on MOTD playing in central midfield, looked a bit like the Andy Reid show, winning balls, great passing and link up play, almost scored 3 times (maybe the almost is the problem), the commentator described him as a 'revelation' since he moved from Spurs.
Maybe I am biased but here is the opinion of a Watford fan on a Charlton message board "Reid ran the game for you lot". Which is more in line with my opinion than his rating of 7 (6.8) on Sky, I would have said 8 - 8.5. From what I saw (highlights) I would have said man of the match, indeed someone else agrees with me here, and I didn't think he looked fat either!!
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/sport/story/0,,1928462,00.html

I would definately play him in midfield, I have always thought he could play there, he has also got a shot like a cannon ball, especially when he gets his weight behind it!!! :D

Incidently in that report it says he was operating behind the lone striker although MOTD said central midfield. I would see him as an attacking midfielder with a holding midfielder behind him, probably O'Shea or Carsley.

[an_ceannaire]

Apparently he used to be a good player this Duff lad they speak of?
There is a little blondey fella playing at 11 for Ireland these days, but i think this may be duff girl, as opposed to duff lad......?



" But what about Duffmans children? Duff girl and.....Duff lad "

[irishultra]

your man chris kamara said he was injured...anybody know how bad?

[tetsujin1979]

From Newcastle's minute-by-minute match tracker: http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10278~1373449,00.html

Half-Time - It looks like Damien Duff has been unable to shake off that earlier knock and he has been replaced by Geremi during the interval.

45min - Damien Duff needs treatment as he slides in with Andy O'Brien and takes what looks like a fairly heavy knock to the knee. Thankfully the Irish winger is soon on his feet and hobbles to the Milburn Stand touchline.

33min - Duff's early strike on goal from a clever Martins' throughball is blocked by Cahill and cannons away for a throw-in.No word yet on how serious it is

[irishultra]

Cheers.

Apparently he was poor today...I really want him to succeed.

[The Bit O'Red]

Any update on the injury?

[back of the net]

.

Apparently he was poor today....

unfortunately - id get used to hearing that ---- i hate to say it but i just cant see him been any more than an average player this season - hope im wrong of course -- but cant see him every getting anywhere near his old form back

at a bad club with a bad manager -- at this stage in his career --- that aint good

[OwlsFan]

According to the Official website he "took a smack on the knee". Could be anything.

[seanfhear]

He certainly looked like he was carrying an injury yesterday.Hope he regains full fitness and returns to the player he was.

[irishultra]

7-10 days according to KK.

[Legendary Bear]

KK quoted in todays papers saying he heals quickly and maybe OK for Georgia game. He may heal quickly but gets injured quicker. Feel sorry for Duff but you would have to say A Reid now against Georgia.

[tetsujin1979]

The way N'Zogbia is playing tonight, he mightn't get back into the side.

[DmanDmythDledge]

KK quoted in todays papers saying he heals quickly and maybe OK for Georgia game. He may heal quickly but gets injured quicker. Feel sorry for Duff but you would have to say A Reid now against Georgia.
I'd go with Hunt- I think he would be more effective on the wing than A him.

I'd only go with A Reid if the system was tinkered with, which I think would be a bad move because then you would be making more than one change to the team.

[backstothewall]

I would go

McGeady Carsley S Reid Hunt

but i would have that midfield if Duff is fit or not given his form and injuries in recent years

[eirebhoy]

I thought Duff was really good against Norway and was a big reason why we were playing such good passing football before the floods. Hunt just isn't capable of that type of football imo. S.Reid and Keane aren't capable of playing this possession game on their own. Duff is on their wavelength.

I wasn't overly impressed with Duff against Serbia but he played his role well against Norway.

If Duff isn't fit it, I doubt we'd miss him if he's replaced by A.Reid. Playing Hunt would just make it a dull straight forward predictable 4-4-2.

[NeilMcD]

Yeah Hunt is an impact player who can ruffle a few feathers and get a few crosses into the box when other players are tired etc but I do not think he has the cleverness or cuteness to play a full 90 mins against an international fullback.

[Sligo Hornet]

Yeah Hunt is an impact player who can ruffle a few feathers and get a few crosses into the box when other players are tired etc but I do not think he has the cleverness or cuteness to play a full 90 mins against an international fullback.

Just like in Prague!:p

[Razors left peg]

I thought Duff was really good against Norway and was a big reason why we were playing such good passing football before the floods. Hunt just isn't capable of that type of football imo. S.Reid and Keane aren't capable of playing this possession game on their own. Duff is on their wavelength.

I wasn't overly impressed with Duff against Serbia but he played his role well against Norway.

If Duff isn't fit it, I doubt we'd miss him if he's replaced by A.Reid. Playing Hunt would just make it a dull straight forward predictable 4-4-2.

Totally agree, I think unless Duff is going past players all the time people think he's having a bad game, the pitch didnt allow for that against Norway but his passing and possesion retention were very good

[youngirish]

I'd say Duff is out. The physio room reckons he will be out until at least the 27th of September and they are usually accurate:

http://www.physioroom.com/news/english_premier_league/epl_injury_table.php

[geysir]

Newcastle do well in that league.

[eirebhoy]

Trapattoni said: "It is a shame that we have lost Damien Duff for the two opening qualifiers. He started very well and he is a very important player in the Irish squad."

/sorry, just back from work. Old news at this stage. :)

[richieos]

has anybody been watching newcastle lately?
ive thought that duff is playing quite well, and sometimes looks like newcastles only bright spark
but whenever i talk to newcastle fans they talk like hes paul mcshane
am i missing something?

[Crosby87]

Wow, over two years since the last Duff Comment on his thingy here anyway?? Am I right about that? Thats unbelievable. But, fitting I think.
My opinion on him is he had the quickest prime in the history of sports. He was running around like crazy in that world cup, looking the perfect winger. He went to Chelsea, was always hurt or hurting, and is obscure now on a terrible side. I said a few weeks ago that he should come off the bench to be a second half energy guy, and most disagreed. Whatever the case may be, the results and stats are jus tnot what I and many others thought in Korea/Japan........He just never became a big scorer. People here seem to believe in him b/c he ALMOST scores, but frankly I think that act is beyond tired. A likeable lad, surely, but never lived up to the hype in my opinion.

[EastTerracer]

Wow, over two years since the last Duff Comment on his thingy here anyway?? Am I right about that? Thats unbelievable. But, fitting I think.
My opinion on him is he had the quickest prime in the history of sports. He was running around like crazy in that world cup, looking the perfect winger. He went to Chelsea, was always hurt or hurting, and is obscure now on a terrible side. I said a few weeks ago that he should come off the bench to be a second half energy guy, and most disagreed. Whatever the case may be, the results and stats are jus tnot what I and many others thought in Korea/Japan........He just never became a big scorer. People here seem to believe in him b/c he ALMOST scores, but frankly I think that act is beyond tired. A likeable lad, surely, but never lived up to the hype in my opinion.

You obviously didn't watch much of Duff at Blackburn or Chelsea! Ranieri raved about him at Chelsea and under Mourinho he was a first-choice player ahead of Joe Cole. He won two league medals and in the first of those seasons he was instrumental in the way Chelsea played. Unfortunately he got a bad shoulder injury around the same time that Chelsea changed their formation. He never won back a regular first-team place and his time at Newcastle has been largely ruined by injury (and playing in poor team).

His fitness and form have improved markedly this season but it is a long way back to the heights he reached from 2001-2005. If you're going to dismiss those years at Blackburn and Chelsea though then you really don't get Damien Duff. He was never a "big scorer", that's not his role - he's a provider. Watch how he created Robbie Keane's goal against Cyprus last October.

Despite all his recent problems he is still one of Ireland's top 4 players (Given, Dunne and Robbie Keane being the others).

[irishfan86]

Duff has the quality to win a game for us with a moment of brilliance. He's not beyond being substituted, but he is beyond being dropped from the starting lineup.

I'm willing to debate McGeady's inclusion, but Duff must stay.

Just because he's not the Duff of the 2002 World Cup doesn't mean he's not our best winger. He is.

[Stuttgart88]

Well said that man.