Do you mean this bit?Quote:
Originally Posted by Crosby87
Quote:
Originally Posted by eirebhoy
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Do you mean this bit?Quote:
Originally Posted by Crosby87
Quote:
Originally Posted by eirebhoy
I know most players would be mortified to win it is what i mean. Its a useless award. Scott Stevens said he would rather have a sister who was a prostitute than that thing on his mantle!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Colbert Report
That's because Scott Stevens was nothing but a thug. He's the kind of player that lunatic Don Cherry would like. Guys like Ovechkin, Kovalchuk, Datsyuk etc are much more skilled player who don't have to resort to thuggery to get by in the game.Quote:
Originally Posted by Crosby87
Duff linked with Wolves according to some papers over the weekend, presumably if Newcastle get relegated, and he's willing to accept a massive drop in wages.
Wolves?! Maybe Mick can get Duffer sparkling again. Brilliant player on his day but the injuries are taking its toll. From an Irish perspective we need the old Duffer back because our midfield lacks creativity with both Reid's out of the picture.
heard he played very well at left back v spurs recently
I'd be happy enough to see that move come off. Michael Kightly plays on the right wing, I'm presuming? Could be a pretty good team to watch with a fully-fit Duff and Kightly on the wings.
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
Despite having a front line of Owen, Martins and Viduka, Duff had Newcastle's best chance of the first half, a low shot from outside the area with his right (!!) foot into the corner
Only saw the last 20 mins tonight but Newcastle looked very very poor, really cant see them staying up. As far as I could see Duff was playing left back. Unless he secures a move, its championship football for him next season imo.
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
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.
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.
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
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by jbyrne
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.
Downing's better than Duff. He isn't a quarter of the player Duffwas though. sad to see someone so talented ravaged by injuriesQuote:
Originally Posted by Razors left peg
duff needs to get the f*ck out of newcastle......and wolves will do him alot better than playing for the geordiesQuote:
Originally Posted by Razors left peg
duff will also have a manager that knows what he is doing if duff goes to wolves
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 HuntQuote:
Originally Posted by Brendan 82
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Den Perry
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.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brendan 82
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
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.
Duff aint that good anymore lads
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
Great post.Quote:
Originally Posted by 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.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Colbert Report
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by eirebhoy
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.
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.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by irishultra
Quote:
Originally Posted by irishultra
God hope your wrong Celtic would be disaster move for him and would show his lack of ambition