New Manager?

[Cowboy]

I'm kinda worried that the FAI want to have someone in the job for the draw on the 27th and will appoint somone the likes of troussier with that deadline approaching...

Draw does not need a manager to be present but i would say the fixture conference is a must

[Stuttgart88]

I honestly think that too much is usually made of the fixture timing. I think we're too anal in insisting on our "tough away matches first" doctrine. But if I was the FAI, regardless of whether a manager is in place, I'd insist on having our easier fixtures early. This is because we'll be in at least some degree of transition and if everything's done right we could have a pretty decent side this time next year and beyond.

Sadly I reckon even the FAI probably don't even know how big a chance we have to build a good side in the next year. There's certainly no Irish pundit or media commentator telling them. They're more obsessed with Middlesboro against Fulham or something of equally minimal significance to the Irish side.

[eirebhoy]

I think it has always been recognised that the two biggest influences in Damian's breakthtough into top flite football have been Brian Kerr and Pat Devlin.

When Duffer was at Blackburn and was developing he was always considered to be an emerging talent. However when he went to Chelsea for £18m (or whatever) expectations at both club and international levels rose.

IMHO, since his transfer, two things have happended:
(1) he is not an automatic first choice at Chelsea and injuries have played a part in this.
(2) his Ireland form has dipped. I honestly believe that he is now more concerned with keeping himself in top nick for Chelsea than playing for ROI.

This is understandable when you consider the competition for places at Chelsea. I have been scathing of RMK, Fergie and MU over the years about their approach about RMK's Ireland appreances, but Duffer is now in this catagory and if his £80k per week (or whatever it is) contract may be jeopardised by getting injured while playing for ROI, then it is understandable why he may be less keen for 'risking it' with ROI than when he was an 'emerging talent' at Blackburn.

It is even more understandable for Duffer to adopt this attitude when he knows that ROI is not a 'world power' and that he will not be in the world showcase of the WC finals in Germany.

At the end of his playing career Duffer will end up having a lot less ROI caps than he should have had. Some of the shortfall will be as a result of genuine injury/suspension but many more will be as a result of 'club (self-interest) before country'

I don't think that is true at all. Duff loves playing for his country. As I said before, the last 3 friendlies he played in (Italy, Portugal, Croatia) he was by far and away our best player. Playing badly in competitives surely must be down to being marked out of the game.

[Karlos]

I don't think that is true at all. Duff loves playing for his country. As I said before, the last 3 friendlies he played in (Italy, Portugal, Croatia) he was by far and away our best player. Playing badly in competitives surely must be down to being marked out of the game.

Perhaps I've taken this up wrong Eirebhoy so forgive me if it's inaccurate but if as you are seem to be suggesting that Damien's form in competitive games is a result of him being marked out of the game by our competitve rivals then Damien for me is not the player we all hoped he would be. The best players in the world (of which we have high hopes Damien is included in) constantly face this sort of attention on the field and consistantly rise above it and deliver - something Damian hasn't done competitively for a long time now.

I've no doubt Duff loves playing for Ireland and that's not in question for me. I've taken his poor performances as a dip in form but if it's in fact down to him being on top form but just marked out of it then I'm extremely worried about my opinion on Duff's talent.

Performances in friendlies are useful for maintaining form of players but in Duff's case this hasn't happened for Ireland. It's worrying to think that he's delivering against teams not that interested in the result but unable to carry that into our competitive games when marked a little tighter by let's face it, in the last campign anyway, anything but world class defenders with the possible exception of Gallas.

In the same way as Kerr's results in friendlies aren't that important, the same applies to single performances in Friendlies that don't push a player on or help to maintain his form for the competitive games in my opinion. There's a real argument to be made against Kerr if in fact it's correct that Duff has been literally marked out of it in competitive games, for even selecting Duff to play in these friendlies merely to show our competitive opposition how he plays in our formation. I would suggest we didn't learn anything new about Duff in any of those friendlies.

I'm a fan of Duffer but he hasn't delivered a 'world class' performance for Ireland when it matters since 2002 in my opinion. In a slightly perverse way of thinking, I hope I'm right on my inital thoughts of loss of form as I feel your sugeestion is a far more worrying prospect to deal with.

[colster]

Perhaps I've taken this up wrong Eirebhoy so forgive me if it's inaccurate but if as you are seem to be suggesting that Damien's form in competitive games is a result of him being marked out of the game by our competitve rivals then Damien for me is not the player we all hoped he would be. The best players in the world (of which we have high hopes Damien is included in) constantly face this sort of attention on the field and consistantly rise above it and deliver - something Damian hasn't done competitively for a long time now.

I've no doubt Duff loves playing for Ireland and that's not in question for me. I've taken his poor performances as a dip in form but if it's in fact down to him being on top form but just marked out of it then I'm extremely worried about my opinion on Duff's talent.

Performances in friendlies are useful for maintaining form of players but in Duff's case this hasn't happened for Ireland. It's worrying to think that he's delivering against teams not that interested in the result but unable to carry that into our competitive games when marked a little tighter by let's face it, in the last campign anyway, anything but world class defenders with the possible exception of Gallas.

In the same way as Kerr's results in friendlies aren't that important, the same applies to single performances in Friendlies that don't push a player on or help to maintain his form for the competitive games in my opinion. There's a real argument to be made against Kerr if in fact it's correct that Duff has been literally marked out of it in competitive games, for even selecting Duff to play in these friendlies merely to show our competitive opposition how he plays in our formation. I would suggest we didn't learn anything new about Duff in any of those friendlies.

I'm a fan of Duffer but he hasn't delivered a 'world class' performance for Ireland when it matters since 2002 in my opinion. In a slightly perverse way of thinking, I hope I'm right on my inital thoughts of loss of form as I feel your sugeestion is a far more worrying prospect to deal with.

I think another reason Duff hasn't played well for Ireland in a while is because Kilbane has played on the left side of Central Midfield. He didn't link well enough with Duff to put him into space or to isolate the fullback. This makes it look like Duff is being marked out of the game.

[eirebhoy]

I'm a fan of Duffer but he hasn't delivered a 'world class' performance for Ireland when it matters since 2002 in my opinion.

That's a bit harsh. My memory isn't the greatest but hew was getting MOTM constantly in Kerr's first campaign. Was world class against Russia.

Maybe I'm wrong about being marked out of the game but the fact that he does it in friendlies its the only thing I can think of.

I can't remember Duff's last decent performance against Arsenal but Lauren said Duff and Giggs were the toughest opponents he's ever faced.

[Stuttgart88]

I think eirebhoy's point is that he's frequently double and even triple-marked out of games. That's fine as long as you have the guile as a team to exploit the gaps this leaves. Kilbane just isn't the central midfielder to do this.

That said we started the Israel home game well despite the heavy marking of Duff. That was until Kerr decided to move him upfront though and the Israelis recognised he's not as much of a threat up there.

Geysir drew attention to a quote from Duff recently hinting that the team spirit isn't all it's made out to be in the Ireland team. Not under Kerr anyway. I remember soccerc drawing attention to an interview with Duff some while back where there was a similar message if you read between the lines.

Duff also said recently that Lansdowne Road is a kip & it's hard to get motivated when a train runs over your head while you're taking a dump!

Whatever the real story, it's certainly been a while since Duff would routinely remark that "playing for ireland was the best".

[Karlos]

I think another reason Duff hasn't played well for Ireland in a while is because Kilbane has played on the left side of Central Midfield. He didn't link well enough with Duff to put him into space or to isolate the fullback. This makes it look like Duff is being marked out of the game.

A valid point perhaps but I would feel that our left back rather than our central midfielder would have a better influence on allowing Duff to isolate their full back. Generally Central midfielders occupy their direct opponent and it's the full backs pushing on that engage their right midfielder who would double up on Duff. Perhaps our sometimes conservative approach has stopped our left back from pushing on and has been a cause of this.

I don't however believe that Duff has been at his best and that either the formation or his team-mates have been the sole contributor to his poor performances in competitive games. As i said earlier - a loss of form can be fixed, lack of talent can't so hopefully it's the first one and i beleive it is.

[Stuttgart88]

I'd have no worries about Duff if our new manager had significant gravitas and tactical awareness to earn the respect of the senior players. Some personality would also help to restore some feelgood to the set up rather than the paralysis by analysis that was Kerr's trademark.

[Karlos]

That's a bit harsh. My memory isn't the greatest but hew was getting MOTM constantly in Kerr's first campaign. Was world class against Russia..

Just my opinion but the game against Russia I didn't feel was a good team performance nor a 'world class' performance from Duff. I don't think he inspired the team that day with the exception of the goal (which can sometimes easily mean the awarding of a man of the match prize.)

I can't remember Duff's last decent performance against Arsenal but Lauren said Duff and Giggs were the toughest opponents he's ever faced.

I've no doubt he is one of the toughest to play against and that's my point. I attribute his performances to a loss of form, anything else is slightly worrying for me. Better players than what he faced for Ireland recently have attempted to mark Duff and failed. I think he is a smashing player who has lost his form and his performances have not represented his ability.

[colster]

A valid point perhaps but I would feel that our left back rather than our central midfielder would have a better influence on allowing Duff to isolate their full back. Generally Central midfielders occupy their direct opponent and it's the full backs pushing on that engage their right midfielder who would double up on Duff. Perhaps our sometimes conservative approach has stopped our left back from pushing on and has been a cause of this.

I don't however believe that Duff has been at his best and that either the formation or his team-mates have been the sole contributor to his poor performances in competitive games. As i said earlier - a loss of form can be fixed, lack of talent can't so hopefully it's the first one and i beleive it is.

Have to disagree there the Fullback - Centre Midfield - Winger triangle is vital to create space out wide for either the Fullback or Winger. Kilbane doesn't have the passing ability in big games for this to work effectively.

[wws]

I'd say Duff doesnt give as much as he can because of the Chelski thing.
I'd certainly question the wholeheartedness of his effort in Green as oppossed to his committment to club, but I don't necessesarily blame the player - I think this is just the trend of international/club football and chelsea are the club where this trend would be hardest felt.

[Stuttgart88]

He didn't link well enough with Duff to put him into space or to isolate the fullback. This makes it look like Duff is being marked out of the game.

I agree. With the exception of Andy Reid's pass for Robbie's goal against Israel and Roy Keane's pass to Morrisson early in the Paris game I can't think of one example of a central midfielder playing a through ball to an attacking player to run onto. In the last campaign central midfield, in an attacking sense, was merely a vehicle to get the ball wide to Duff or Reid. This made us easier to defend against.

I can barely remember a shot from central midfield either.

[Karlos]

Have to disagree there the Fullback - Centre Midfield - Winger triangle is vital to create space out wide for either the Fullback or Winger. Kilbane doesn't have the passing ability in big games for this to work effectively.

Well i wasn't actually totally disagreeing with you really!

Your spot on that the full back- midfield-winger triange is vital. Where we differ is I believe that Kilbane however can't be the sole responsibilty of the problem as without the fullback pushing on then it doesn't matter how good your passing is as Duffer is going to be marked by two people - a difficult situation at best. It has been a noted trait in the team that for whatever reason we didn't always push on thus allowing midfielders to drop off and double up at will.

Just as a side to this and back to Eirebhoy's point, can anyone remember the Irish line-ups in the firendlies that Duff excelled in? What was the central midfield line-up in any of the these games?

[colster]

Well i wasn't actually totally disagreeing with you really!

Your spot on that the full back- midfield-winger triange is vital. Where we differ is I believe that Kilbane however can't be the sole responsibilty of the problem as without the fullback pushing on then it doesn't matter how good your passing is as Duffer is going to be marked by two people - a difficult situation at best. It has been a noted trait in the team that for whatever reason we didn't always push on thus allowing midfielders to drop off and double up at will.

You're right O'Shea has some responsiblity as well but I think Kilbane has more. If Duff is double marked then that means there is room available for either O'Shea to overlap or for Kilbane to run into space.
Also, how many times have you seen Kilbane give the ball away after O'Shea or Duff have passed to him.

Also, Duff is quite fast and should be able to get onto through balls between the Centre half and fullback. How many times have you seen Kilbane try it and knock it too far or not spot it at all. When Kilbane actually played it right once against the Swiss/French at home he put Duff away and caused all sorts of problems.

[colster]

I agree. With the exception of Andy Reid's pass for Robbie's goal against Israel and Roy Keane's pass to Morrisson early in the Paris game I can't think of one example of a central midfielder playing a through ball to an attacking player to run onto. In the last campaign central midfield, in an attacking sense, was merely a vehicle to get the ball wide to Duff or Reid. This made us easier to defend against.

I can barely remember a shot from central midfield either.

Kilbane did it once for Duff to run onto late on against the Swiss or French at home but that's the exception that proves the rule eh.

[Karlos]

Just as a side to this and back to Eirebhoy's point, can anyone remember the Irish line-ups in the firendlies that Duff excelled in? What was the central midfield line-up in any of the these games?

On a quick check I see Kilbane played in the same role Vs Italy & Croatia (as skipper) where Duff played well. Notably Roy Keane didn't partner Kilbane in either game......4 words 'opening', 'can', 'of' and 'worms'

Take the bait...........!!!!!

[colster]

On a quick check I see Kilbane played in the same role Vs Italy & Croatia (as skipper) where Duff played well. Notably Roy Keane didn't partner Kilbane in either game......4 words 'opening', 'can', 'of' and 'worms'

Take the bait...........!!!!!

Kilbane was under less pressure in those games. He's exposed in tight games.

I think it was the French game that Kerr had the pitch narrowed? I though that was a fairly strange decision when you consider that we attack out wide. I know it was a ploy to reduce the space that Zidane, Henry had but still it probably blunted our attack as much.

[eirebhoy]

Duff also said recently that Lansdowne Road is a kip & it's hard to get motivated when a train runs over your head while you're taking a dump!

He actually said he'll miss Lansdowne.

"The likes of Thierry Henry don't like going to Lansdowne Road but he's gonna like going to Croke Park," he suggests. "Lansdowne Road was our stomping ground. It was a kip and the changing rooms were cold and you're on the toilet and there's a train going by your head so Croke Park is going to be an awful lot more comfortable and welcoming to the opposition. Croke Park is a beautiful stadium and I'm sure all Irish fans would love to go and watch big games there in front of 80,000 people but maybe I'm speaking out of turn I'm just saying that for opposing teams it's going to be a nice place for them to play too."

[Karlos]

Kilbane was under less pressure in those games. He's exposed in tight games.

I think it was the French game that Kerr had the pitch narrowed? I though that was a fairly strange decision when you consider that we attack out wide. I know it was a ploy to reduce the space that Zidane, Henry had but still it probably blunted our attack as much.

Was only pulling yer leg on the Kilbane/Keane thing!

As for the pitch, ridiculous to do that if we did and it certainly would have effected us more than them. I assume if we did it it was to limit Henry's space in behind us but considering he's the first player to score 100 premiership goals at the same ground and indeed that ground having the smallest pitch in the league he did it, makes little or no sence to me at all. It's wrong on so many levels as If we did make pitch adjustments then I assume Kerr then also changed the training area sizes leading up to the game (if he didn't then he's not the professional organiser we think he is). In my opinion that's too many changes just for the sake of hopefully upsetting an opponent. Changing routines or training structure, no matter how inconsequential it seems, that close to a competitive game is very dangerous and is not something you'll see recommended in any sports psychology literature.