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With Keegan, and his defending-be-damned approach to football, back in situ at Newcastle, will this see a return to the pre-Mourinho version of Damien Duff, or have the succession of injuries taken too toll on his pace, and overall game?
Let's not forget, Finnan and Dunne both improved massively while working under Keegan.
the only way is up for Duffer - unless he gets injured tomorrow by walking into a door!!! I reckon Given is gonna be even busier than normal with Kevin 'I don't do defence' Keegan!!! :)
I don't think any one man will make a difference. What he needs is a long run without injury to get back to full sharpness. I doubt he'll ever be quite the same player that we saw in 2002 though.
Has Keegan resigned yet?
I'm happy with this move.
Duff has played under defensive coaches for too long, and hopefully this will see him become an offensive force again.
The man needs some serious sprint training though. There's no doubting his ability, but if he can build the speed up again to take on people 1 on 1 he's got a great chance of touching that world-class status once again.
Ironically it's his Ireland performances that give me most belief, despite people saying he hasn't performed for us in a long time. He set up our 2 goals in Cyprus. He would have set up another 2 goals in a crucial win against the Czechs if Keane finished at the depth. :( He played well in that game. Then his last 2 games, against Wales and Slovakia he was excellent. And the Sweden game was probably his best performance under Stan.
If it wasn't for those performances I'd have given up all hope of him regaining form.
I'd generally agree with that.Quote:
Originally Posted by eirebhoy
I think his performances for Ireland may be aided by the fact that pace isn't as vital at international level as it is in the Premiership.
Looks like the FAI have missed out big time here.
Is that supposed to be funny?:confused:Quote:
Originally Posted by tricky_colour
:D:D:DQuote:
Originally Posted by Noelys Guitar
Duff just scored Newcastle's 4th.
The Duffer just scored in the Cup.
If we are to make it to South Africa we need him back to he's best and injury free for the hole campaign. He is the best we have on form
any good?Quote:
Originally Posted by eirebhoy
Only time will tell ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Irish_Praha
Not a bad start though.
Short description on sportinglife.com clockwatch:Quote:
Originally Posted by boovidge
Charles N'Zogbia plays Damien Duff through one-on-one with Simonsen in the Stoke goal. The Republic of Ireland international slots the ball home and Newcastle have a 4-0 lead.
So he did what would be expected from a good attacking player at the highest level.
Good to see him score anyway, maybe this thread was bang on the money?
Liam Lawrence got the late consolation goal for Stoke
On current form he deserves to be in the squad at least. If Duff is earmarked for LMF One could argue that we have Miller, the two Reids, Ireland and McGeady capable of playing wide right but IMO apart from McGeady (when he's on form) none of those 5 look like that is their preferred position. All tend to drift into the middle. I think in a rigid 4-4-2, where an out and out right winger is needed Lawrence would be at least in the top 2 available to us.Quote:
Originally Posted by tetsujin1979
A couple of comments from a Newcastle forum.
- Apparently Duff was top notch today. Might finally see the real Damien Duff.
- N'Zogbia in a Keegan team is a real mouth-watering prospect, can't wait.
-- Duff as well. We'll see what he's really worth.
He seems to have come back a new player. Good goal tonight too.
Duff needs games. If he can string another 5 or 6 I think you will see a him performing a to a higher standard.