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I couldn't give a monkey's about Chelsea vs Barca! Not in the bigger scheme of things. I just want a fully fit starting XI for Israel!
There was no mention about how long he'd be out but there was no suggestion it was serious. Still, many of these cruciate injuries look innocuous at the start.
This has put me on a real downer. I was really looking forward to watching Duffer in the Nou Camp. :(Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
Chelsea: Cech, Ferreira, Carvalho, Terry, Gallas, Tiago, Makelele, Lampard, Cole, Drogba, Gudjohnsen.
soccernet says he's out of the game in Barcelona, doesnt say about this w/end at Cardiff, I dont think it will affect the match in Israel tho.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlin...325771&cc=5739
Article on Sky Sports. how chelsea fare with and without Duff.
http://skysports.planetfootball.com/...channel=France
Whats your assessment of Duffers performances lately.In my opinion he appears to have gone off the boil a little.He looks a little predictable and my fear is that he may lose his place as Cole is playing very well and Robben is back. I was at the game today and Duff was brutal,it was like ground hog day,maybe its Mors tactics.
I saw a little of him on MOTD he looked OK, some nice touches, Cole has
to work hard for a place, but is obviously half decent.
All I am bothered about is that he is fit and ready for the Israel match, which
he is.
Duff is Chelsea's best crosser of the ball, and take the corners, no point in breaking your legs against Crystal Palace, as long as he is in good shape
for the Israel match am happy.
He is due a big game and I hope its next week!
Class is permanent :)
Nobody in their right minds would pick Cole over Duff.Quote:
Originally Posted by FarBeag
Duff had better pick it up or he'll be back on the bench. He should have gone to Liverpool instead.
Crazy talk lads.. Duffs a legend!
I dunno about that boss. If he's getting his game with the best team in Europe I don't see why he should be anywhere else.Quote:
Originally Posted by vega007
Duff has been quite since Robben got injured but I think that could be because he is a marked man. When Robben returns and there is two of them to watch, Duff will get more space I think we'll see a different player.
I was at the game on Saturday as well and while Duffer was quiet, its unfair to say he had a poor game. His status at the champions elect is unassailable and Mourinho always goes out of his way to praise him. For the Irish team, its great that we have somebody who is playing for the best coach in Europe and is a key member of one of the best teams.
As for Joe Cole - those who slag him off obviously haven't been watching the progress he's made this season. He's been great recently and JM is going to have a interesting choice in the coming games. I'll predict that Robben and Duff will be first choice and Cole will either be on the bench or (in some games) he'll play all three.
Are you a Liverpool fan? You'd want to be, nothing else can explain that nonsensical statement!Quote:
Originally Posted by vega007
Quote:
Originally Posted by fergalr
I was also at the game (enjoying the corporate facillities of the Bridge - and lovely they were too). Duff is playing superbly at Chelsea.
He doesnt have to have to be involved in every move of the game, because when he does get involved he does it well. We were pleased to see him come off early and will be nicely rested and injury free for saturday
As for Cole, he has stepped up a gear, and when he stays on his feet he is turning in to a cracking player :D
He won't drop Cole in this form. Gudjohnsen will most likely be the player dropped for Robben's return.
btw, I was in the Mont Clare hotel yesterday, right beside the Merrion Square carnival. Apparantly Duffer was at the carnival with his girlfriend.
I think Mourinho has given him too defensive a roll. The number of times you see Duffer tracking back is unbelievable. Chelsea work from not conceding onwards so Duffer doesn't get the opportunities going forward he should (i.e. 1 on 1). He's done well at both ends of the field when I've seen him but Mourinho should try and allow him great offensive opportunities but then who can argue with his record ?
In other words: don't worry about Damien. In what he does this Saturday that counts.
There is nothing wrong with Duff's ability. Its the team he's playing in thats the problem. Murhinho is a defensive minded coach and since he (and raineriri to a lesser extent) took over, he placed a bigger emphasis on Duff's defensive game.
The other problem is that he is playing in the EPL. Its all 4-4-2 (mainly) and the team is set up to knock down weaker teams quickly rather than trying to play good football. Its typical anglo saxon mentality and is like watching a rugby team line out in two rigid banks.
Hopefully when roben comes back they can revert to 4-3-3 and facilitate the players like duff and roben who have more individual skill.
Nothing to worry about, apparently he's Abramovich's favourite player.
Did you hear his interview on Sky this evening.Claims he is playing the best football of his career and it's down to Mourinho, who he quotes as been the best manager in the world.Mourinho is also reported to be going to Israel to watch him(close relationship ha) .Maybe he his saving himself for Saturday please god.
Mourinho will be going to Israel this week for the following reason:Quote:
Originally Posted by FarBeag
So he will most likely go to watch Duffer play. :)Quote:
LISBON, (AFP) - Chelsea's Portguese manager Jose Mourinho said Saturday (5th March) he would travel to Israel later this month to watch mixed teams of Palestinian and Israeli children play football as part of a peace initiative.
He said he has been invited to visit the country by Israeli Vice Premier Shimon Peres and would also give a talk to Palestinian and Israeli football coaches during his stay.
"It is a different challenge, but one which I could not turn down," Mourinho wrote in his regular column in "Dez", the weekly magazine supplement to top-selling Portuguese sports daily Record.
"It will be my modest contribution to the strengthening of ties of understanding and friendship between these two people who, like me, desire a peaceful future," he added.
Mourinho gave no exact dates for the trip, saying only that it would take place during the second half of the month during a break in the English Premiership race.
Thanks for that, I just saw a repeat of that interview.
Some othe Duff stuff:-
http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0600s...name_page.html
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/hi/sport/6017188.html
Looks like Mourinho is spoilt for choice, you might as well hand him the
Premiership and Champions League trophys now.
Lets hope Mourinho is not giving coaching tips to the the Israeli coach though!! Thats the last thing we need.