Damien Duff

**Wolfie** · 20/01/2009, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by irishfan86

Duff has the quality to win a game for us with a moment of brilliance. He's not beyond being substituted, but he is beyond being dropped from the starting lineup.

I'm willing to debate McGeady's inclusion, but Duff must stay.

Just because he's not the Duff of the 2002 World Cup doesn't mean he's not our best winger. He is.

Yep - you just have to recall his run and cross for Keane's goal against the Cypriots. Put it on a plate for Keane.

We just don't release him to exploit space behind the opposition enough.

The amount of times our wingers receive the ball from a static position aggravates me no end.

The key to effective wing play is to release the winger while he's on the run beyond a player. This can negate double marking or quadrouple marking for that matter.

That said, we'd need our old friend Stephen Ireland in the team to help make this happen.

**John83** · 20/01/2009, 6:21 PM

I don't think Duff really has the pace for that any more Wolfie.

**Razors left peg** · 20/01/2009, 6:51 PM

Originally Posted by John83

I don't think Duff really has the pace for that any more Wolfie.

The goal he set up for Robbie against Cyprus was only a couple of months ago.... dont think hes lost much pace since then

**John83** · 20/01/2009, 6:57 PM

Originally Posted by Razors left peg

...Cyprus...

Ah, yes.

**richieos** · 20/01/2009, 7:50 PM

so, because duff was playing against cyprus, that means he wont have pace against other teams? hmm.

**geysir** · 20/01/2009, 8:16 PM

Looks like a lazy 2 worded attempt at a putdown that manages to rise no higher than a retarded condescending remark about Cyprus.

There is a chance that it is an 'ah yes' as in Bisto so I'd keep an open mind.

**paul_oshea** · 21/01/2009, 8:53 AM

hmmm, these people who go on about duff losing his pace dont obviouslly get to see him that often

Just because he doesn't always go on a blistering run doesn't mean he still doesn't have pace, it might just possibly mean he doesnt have the same level of stamina and has to be more selective about the runs.

**Wolfie** · 21/01/2009, 12:01 PM

Duffer can still cover the ground alright - particularly when he subconscisouly knows he won't be chasing lost causes all day and night like the preverbial mangy pet mutt.

McGeady is light years more effective when he receives the ball in mid flight as opposed to a standing start. He's less inclined to try and beat his marker 3 or 4 times in a row when he knows he's got the pace to beat him when the ball is played in front of him.

A simple argument but we'll struggle against Georgia if its not put right.

**John83** · 22/01/2009, 3:02 AM

Originally Posted by richieos

so, because duff was playing against cyprus, that means he wont have pace against other teams? hmm.

No.

Originally Posted by geysir

Looks like a lazy 2 worded attempt at a putdown that manages to rise no higher than a retarded condescending remark about Cyprus.

There is a chance that it is an 'ah yes' as in Bisto so I'd keep an open mind.

The latter. Thank you. It's not often you find someone on the internet who can even acknowledge that his first impression of a post might be wrong.

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

hmmm, these people who go on about duff losing his pace dont obviouslly get to see him that often

Just because he doesn't always go on a blistering run doesn't mean he still doesn't have pace, it might just possibly mean he doesnt have the same level of stamina and has to be more selective about the runs.

Jesus, you'd think I'd claimed he'd lost a leg. He's slower than he was. If you want to argue that he's not yet turned to stone, go right ahead, but quote the straw man, not me.

**paul_oshea** · 22/01/2009, 9:19 AM

Or you might be covering yourself....

**Noelys Guitar** · 22/01/2009, 12:53 PM

I have watched every Newcastle game since Duff came back from injury. He jumps out of tackles a lot. Against West Ham he was woeful (never once beat a defender) until Newcastle went 2-1 down. Then he singlehandedly brought Newcastle back into the game. He was brilliant for the last 35 mins of that game. Beat his defender every time. Created the equaliser. Has been Newcastle's most effective outfield player since he came back from injury. Is creating numerous chances for Owen (who almost always misses them). I am very happy with Duff's form at the moment and hope he stays injury free.

**drummerboy** · 23/01/2009, 10:28 AM

I see Newcastle have signed Lovenkrands. Wonder if he will replace Duff.

**Razors left peg** · 23/01/2009, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by drummerboy

I see Newcastle have signed Lovenkrands. Wonder if he will replace Duff.

Ya joking?

**ShamrockIreland** · 29/01/2009, 7:36 PM

Did Duffer ever get dropped under mick? I know he was played up front around the 02 qualifiers and finals with kilbane on the left.I still rate him

**craig7042** · 29/01/2009, 11:26 PM

Originally Posted by Ciaran

He's been good this season, kept one of their other better players N'Zogbia out of team and looks like forced him out of the club. With all the problems Newcastle have now Duff they'll be in greater danger of losing him than replacing him.

He seemed to be back to his best in recent games for ireland. He brings something very different to the table for us.

**drummerboy** · 30/01/2009, 8:21 AM

Newcastle are reportedly trying to offload Duff so they can sign Chris Commons from Derby according to some of the British rags.

**elroy** · 30/01/2009, 9:05 AM

Originally Posted by Ciaran

He's been good this season, kept one of their other better players N'Zogbia out of team and looks like forced him out of the club. With all the problems Newcastle have now Duff they'll be in greater danger of losing him than replacing him.

Cant see how anyone decent would be interested in him. Good player but pushing on now and no guarantee that he will be available for more than 50% of your games.

**livehead1** · 30/01/2009, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by drummerboy

Newcastle are reportedly trying to offload Duff so they can sign Chris Commons from Derby according to some of the British rags.

Not in a million years an that story have any provenance. Commons is less than one tenth of the player Duff is, even in his current state. Kris Commons is lazy, ball greedy, and a poor passer. He also has absolutely no experience playing at the highest level. Not exactly the kind of player Newcastle need at the moment.

**dr_peepee** · 30/01/2009, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by ShamrockIreland

Did Duffer ever get dropped under mick?

He was surely. There were times when he was behind Kilbane and Kennedy.. In the play off against Turkey Rory Delap was in the starting 11 and Duff was on the bench. He only really "nailed" his place in the warm ups for 2002.

**shakermaker1982** · 30/01/2009, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by livehead1

Not in a million years an that story have any provenance. Commons is less than one tenth of the player Duff is, even in his current state. Kris Commons is lazy, ball greedy, and a poor passer. He also has absolutely no experience playing at the highest level. Not exactly the kind of player Newcastle need at the moment.

100 % agree with that. If it was April 1st I'd understand the rumour.