Duff injured?

[paul_oshea]

All those going on about how duff has lost it and saying how poor he has been for ireland, and how he doesn't play for ireland anymore, will realise in a weeks time what a difference he actually makes to Ireland. This is a huge loss. Really ****ed off about this, why couldn't mcshane or someone get a hamstring injury instead. AH no seriously though its a balls. IF newcastle get relegated duff will find it hard to get a transfer due to his wage demands first and foremost but also because of his injury record....

[Manc Irish Wolf]

Wounder - although both teams have got their fair share of injuries

Games like this are won and lost on brave decisions - so will Trap swallow his pride and recall Andy Reid? Reidy is playing relatively well at Sunderland and has certainly got something to prove. Could be the perfect opportunity to welcome him back into the fold - we can't afford to have no Plan B if Hunty has a shocker. Personally, can't see it - Traps too proud and Givens and Brady are hardly renowned to be the open arms type. Pity, because if the game needs something special with 20 minutes to go, there might be a few regrets that we haven't got him at our disposal.

[EastTerracer]

I'd suggest Killer down the left is still an option but we don't exactly have great cover at left-back either.

I think paul_oshea is right - we are going to realise how important Duffer is to us.

[paul_oshea]

say thanks then ET, no one thanks me

Only messin, killer is an option, but he is only slightly less limited than Hunt, though he is more likely to use his head and not give away a foul at exactly the wrong time. He(hunt) is the paddy wallace of Irish soccer!

[ainsie]

This is not me saying Keogh should play but I seem to Remember Trap having a liking for him.

[EastTerracer]

say thanks then ET, no one thanks me

Funny, I only realised what that thumbs up was for this morning - you have been duly thanked!

[irishfan86]

This is not me saying Keogh should play but I seem to Remember Trap having a liking for him.

Yeah I'm seriously worried that he's going to opt for Keogh on the right and move McGeady to the left. The only positive is that this might make McGeady more of a goal threat as he can cut in and shoot on his stronger side.

[tricky_colour]

It's offical from the good ole BB of C

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...ls/7966762.stm

Damien Duff has been ruled out of the Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifiers against Bulgaria and Italy by a hamstring injury.

[Brendan 82]

Nah, Hunt is clearly Trapp's 3rd choice winger. He started in Podgorica with McGeady over his competitors. Don't think much has changed

[thejollyrodger]

oh dear

[tricky_colour]

I just thought I would stick the squad in here to refresh my memory.

Goalkeepers
Shay Given
Dean Kiely
Keiren Westwood
Defenders
Alex Bruce
Damien Delaney
John O'Shea
Kevin Foley
Paul McShane
Richard Dunne
Stephen Kelly
Steve Finnan
Kevin Kilbane
Midfielders
Aiden McGeady
Damien Duff
Darron Gibson
Glenn Whelan
Keith Andrews
Liam Miller
Stephen Hunt
Andy Keogh
Forwards
Caleb Folan
Kevin Doyle
Robbie Keane
Shane Long
Noel Hunt

Surely Trap will have to call up a replacement, the obvious choice being Andy Reid, but there may be a 'political' problem with that. Maybe he will leave the squad as it is but with two games that would not be sensible.

[Delbertt]

He'l have to call up a replacement you would think, hopefuly he gets on the phone to Andy Reid cant see it though

[DmanDmythDledge]

Surely Trap will have to call up a replacement, the obvious choice being Andy Reid, but there may be a 'political' problem with that. Maybe he will leave the squad as it is but with two games that would not be sensible.

I think he will leave the squad as it is because, as Manc Irish Wolf has mentioned, he is too proud and if he calls up a different replacement he would have to deal with endless questions about not picking Reid. It's unfortunate as Reid should be next in line for a place on the wings.

[irishfan86]

Wonder if he'll give Ireland a call...

[The Fly]

This is very bad news. Duff and MacGeady have become crucial, albeit too obviously, to our qualification hopes. Alot of responsibility falls on MacGeady's shoulders now, lets hope he's up to it.

You do have to wonder about some people's overall appreciation and critique of football if they think Hunt is a better player than Duff, whether it be now or otherwise. He isn't. I hope he performs well in Duff's absence, but I do worry. Hunt is an impact sub at this level, no more - no less!

[DmanDmythDledge]

This is very bad news. Duff and MacGeady have become crucial, albeit too obviously, to our qualification hopes...

This is a good point and highlights the flaws in the Trap's system.

With two central midfielders who tend to sit back more often than not it places huge importance on the wingers as they are our two players who will create chances for us. Our options after Duff and McGeady, bar Andy Reid, are not strong enough to win games for us. Also add the fact that Bulgaria will double up on McGeady now that Duff is out will make it difficult for us to create clear cut chances on Saturday. I've always had reservations with the system that we use as it has little flexibility and no plan B from the bench when missing our starters and I think that is going to show at the weekend.

[Colmcc]

I'm not sure this would work but Kilbane on the left and O'Dea at left back ? He's did ok at Celtic in the position, it'd be a big gamble though.

[DmanDmythDledge]

I'm not sure this would work but Kilbane on the left and O'Dea at left back ? He's did ok at Celtic in the position, it'd be a big gamble though.

I always believe that a team should never make any more changes than it has to. Obviously has more significance in club football as it is every week but making a second change by unnecessarily changing the defence is completely out of the picture.

[Irish_Praha]

This is very bad news. Duff and MacGeady have become crucial, albeit too obviously, to our qualification hopes. Alot of responsibility falls on MacGeady's shoulders now, lets hope he's up to it.

You do have to wonder about some people's overall appreciation and critique of football if they think Hunt is a better player than Duff, whether it be now or otherwise. He isn't. I hope he performs well in Duff's absence, but I do worry. Hunt is an impact sub at this level, no more - no less!

I agree. Another major advantage Duff has over Hunt is a vast amount of experience of playing at the highest level. He's not the player of old but has more skill and intelligence than Hunt. He has played in a WC and lots of away champions league games for Chelsea. This is the kind of experience that we need for the game against Italy. Not Hunt getting all excited and kicking the legs from underneat an Italian. That said, with the players currently in the squad Hunt deserves to take Duff's place.

In fact according to Sportinglife he is going to start. I don't know how they know that though.

http://www.sportinglife.com/football...blic_Snap.html

[elroy]

Brady confirmed that Hunt will play on the left in place of Duff. Which makes sense, as mentioned above the fewest changes the better.
Had forgot that Duff missed the first two games against Georgia and Montenegro through injury as well. Hunt did quite well in those games so hopefully will do the same again.