Damien Duff

**Razors left peg** · 14/08/2009, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by Drumcondra 69er

Talk Sport in the UK saying Fulham as well, not the most reliable station though.

I'd have liked to seen him at Wolves purely because of the Irish connection and his relationship with McCarthy but Fulham under Hodgson would be a decent move in fairness.

Playing in europe would be much better for him than fighting another relegation battle with Wolves.
Seen an interview on Sky Sports last week where Mick was saying that he thinks they will have to change their tactics from last year and will probably play 5 in midfield so they are harder to beat. Really sound to me like they will go negative and I think having that mindset from the start means that its gonna be a long hard season for them.
On the other side of that Fulham are a well settled squad now under Hodgeson and while they are solid and hard to beat they play some nice football too that would suit Duffer perfectly

**tetsujin1979** · 14/08/2009, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by irishfan86

I don't know about Villa being best case scenario, unless Young is leaving.

Young, Milner, and Downing (when he returns) would all be ahead of him in the pecking order, and he wouldn't be more than a squad player for them.

I'd be okay with him being 3rd choice winger at Villa, but unless Young moves on, he'll only be 3rd choice until Downing is fit again.

probably not, but O'Neill has a long history of getting the best out of players. Think Downing has been earmarked to replace Barry in the centre of the park as well, for some reason

**tetsujin1979** · 14/08/2009, 2:15 PM

Hodgson confirms offer for Duff: http://www.football365.com/story/0,1...490745,00.html

**tommy_c12000** · 14/08/2009, 3:56 PM

Fulham will be a good move for him at 30 years of age. He'll enjoy being back in London again

**DeLorean** · 14/08/2009, 4:02 PM

Originally Posted by tommy_c12000

Fulham will be a good move for him at 30 years of age. He'll enjoy being back in London again

Yeah, hard to believe he's 30. Too old to be wasting his time in the Championship.

**Roo69** · 14/08/2009, 4:10 PM

It's pretty much a given that we will sign for Fulham. Heard this from a seriously good source earlier in the week when the story wasn't even in the press.

**Scram** · 14/08/2009, 4:35 PM

Originally Posted by Roo69

It's pretty much a given that we will sign for Fulham. Heard this from a seriously good source earlier in the week when the story wasn't even in the press.

Thanks for the heads up !!

Anyway! Fulham under Hodgson, great stuff. I wanted Hodgson as Irish manager, great record by all accounts.

Funny that nobody has anything negative to say about the move, there's usually at least one.

**DeLorean** · 14/08/2009, 4:50 PM

Originally Posted by Scram

Funny that nobody has anything negative to say about the move, there's usually at least one.

He'd want his head examined to go to Fulham. They finished 7th last season so the only way is down and they'll all blame poor Duffer!! plus he'll be playing against better players so he won't look as good

**ken foree** · 14/08/2009, 5:13 PM

Originally Posted by Razors left peg

Playing in europe would be much better for him than fighting another relegation battle with Wolves.
Seen an interview on Sky Sports last week where Mick was saying that he thinks they will have to change their tactics from last year and will probably play 5 in midfield so they are harder to beat. Really sound to me like they will go negative and I think having that mindset from the start means that its gonna be a long hard season for them.
On the other side of that Fulham are a well settled squad now under Hodgeson and while they are solid and hard to beat they play some nice football too that would suit Duffer perfectly

that's a very good point razor's left peg, sure he was basically doing that with newcastle for the majority of the previous season and even ended up as a left back. i prefer to think of that dubious positional assignment as a testament to duff's professionalism and intelligence as a footballer, rather than an affirmation of his waning attacking powers. fulham, as hodgson has shown with other players (hangeland looked crap at first), should be an excellent move for him if it goes through.

**tricky_colour** · 14/08/2009, 8:52 PM

If it's Fulham it wil be good because there is not much Irish interest there although they have Stephen Kelly now too. I can't seem to recall any other Irish ever playing there but no doubt there have been.

**Jicked** · 14/08/2009, 9:06 PM

Steve Finnan played there for years from where he earned a move to Liverpool.

**irishultra** · 14/08/2009, 9:39 PM

I like

Good move.

**SkStu** · 14/08/2009, 10:43 PM

fantastic move for Duff.

**Paddy Garcia** · 14/08/2009, 11:12 PM

Originally Posted by tricky_colour

If it's Fulham it wil be good because there is not much Irish interest there although they have Stephen Kelly now too. I can't seem to recall any other Irish ever playing there but no doubt there have been.

Timlin looked like he was going to break through at one point. You are right though not the strongest Irish heritage.

**Uncle_Joe** · 15/08/2009, 10:23 AM

im praying this comes true. Although I was trying to be optimistic about a year in the championship for Duff, he is still too good for that level.
A move to level is the perfect level for him, he can still handle himself against big teams, and gets to play in europe, playing with a stable club and with a decent manager who plays good football.
.... and you can always get a ticket for Fulham!

**Oink** · 15/08/2009, 10:53 AM

Looks like a done deal, great move... Hodgeson had him at Blackburn so he must have a specific plan in mind. Great manager is Hodgeson and a very positive atmosphere around the club, really happy for Duff.

**tetsujin1979** · 15/08/2009, 11:20 AM

Duff in London to finalise deal: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...491679,00.html

**elroy** · 15/08/2009, 12:20 PM

Good move and according to sky sports, he is going to london to finalise deal today.

Well that'll make two Irish at Fulham now, Duff and Kelly.

**fu1ham** · 15/08/2009, 4:10 PM

..isn't too shabby chaps: John Dempsey, Jimmy Conway, Ray Houghton, Gerry Peyton, Steve Finnan, just to name a few internationals. And Hammersmith was traditionally a big Irish destination , probably second only to Kilburn. Streamed the match today, Wilson looked very average , but Pompey look doomed. Can't wait to see Duffer, hope he gets on on Thursday.