Duff to improve with Keegan?

**tricky_colour** · 16/01/2008, 9:51 PM

Originally Posted by boovidge

any good?

It was a fairly simple goal in the end but what impressed me was Duff's pace, burst through the centre leaving everyone else for dead then slotted past the keeper. Can't say much for the defence though.

Can't remember the last time Duff scored, I will have to contact Time Team to see if they can put a date on it.

**tricky_colour** · 16/01/2008, 9:57 PM

Originally Posted by irishfan86

I'm happy with this move.

Duff has played under defensive coaches for too long, and hopefully this will see him become an offensive force again.

The man needs some serious sprint training though. There's no doubting his ability, but if he can build the speed up again to take on people 1 on 1 he's got a great chance of touching that world-class status once again.

Only just read that comment, but I thougt he showed some serious pace for the goal, seemed to out pace everyone with comparative ease.

**eirebhoy** · 16/01/2008, 10:25 PM

Given captained Newcastle tonight. It'll be interesting to see if he keeps it.

**tetsujin1979** · 16/01/2008, 10:39 PM

Originally Posted by tricky_colour

Can't remember the last time Duff scored, I will have to contact Time Team to see if they can put a date on it.

From http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroa...5&seasonID=136
it was the 17th September 2006 VS West Ham away
so 16 months, almost to the day

**dr_peepee** · 17/01/2008, 7:29 AM

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

A couple of comments from a Newcastle forum.

- Apparently Duff was top notch today. Might finally see the real Damien Duff.

- N'Zogbia in a Keegan team is a real mouth-watering prospect, can't wait.
-- Duff as well. We'll see what he's really worth.

N'Zogbia is a left winger as well isn't he??

**Wolfie** · 17/01/2008, 7:41 AM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

With Keegan, and his defending-be-damned approach to football, back in situ at Newcastle, will this see a return to the pre-Mourinho version of Damien Duff, or have the succession of injuries taken too toll on his pace, and overall game?

Let's not forget, Finnan and Dunne both improved massively while working under Keegan.

We're obviously all thinking the same thing as I posted something similar on the World Football thread.

A resurgent Damien Duff would do Ireland no harm at all.

**eirebhoy** · 17/01/2008, 8:05 AM

Originally Posted by dr_peepee

N'Zogbia is a left winger as well isn't he??

That's probably his best position but he played mainly at left back for Allerdyce and played central midfield yesterday.

**Stuttgart88** · 17/01/2008, 8:07 AM

and was very good in CM according to the radio. Duff had a great first half by all accounts.

**tetsujin1979** · 17/01/2008, 9:33 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

and was very good in CM according to the radio. Duff had a great first half by all accounts.

He laid in a great cross for the opening goal, his goal was from a 3 on 2 situation, ending in Duff 1-on-1 with the keeper. Cool finish too.
Lawrence's goal was the best one of the night though, shot from the just outside the corner of the area, looping over Given into the far corner

**galwayhoop** · 17/01/2008, 10:16 AM

would be great to see the Duffer with a spring in his step waltzing through EPL defenses. Especially with, as was said above, Keegan's apparent blais� attitude to defending

**Dr. Ogba** · 17/01/2008, 11:24 AM

Duffer's goal was a very cool finish to the keeper's left but Lawrence's was an absolute beauty, cut in from the left and curled in a lovely shot in to the top corner...Given no chance.

Hope to see more from Duff now with the combination of more games under his belt and a more attack-minded manager...

**tetsujin1979** · 02/02/2008, 2:31 PM

Duff: Keegan knows my strengths: http://www.football365.com/story/0,1...103187,00.html

**RivaldoBabb** · 03/02/2008, 11:14 AM

Duff has always played well for Ireland, he was our best player in the 2 games we had at Croker last year before he got injured. He has nothing to prove to Irish fans and he certainly doesnt need Kevin Keegan to improve.

**eirebhoy** · 03/02/2008, 12:48 PM

He's certainly been our best player since the '02 world cup, bar Given.

I have today's match on in another room and just heard that he beat 2 tackles through cheers of the crowd. It's been a long time since I heard that.

**geysir** · 03/02/2008, 1:38 PM

I hope your guests didn't spill anything in the excitement.

**eirebhoy** · 03/02/2008, 1:41 PM

I hope your guests didn't spill anything in the excitement.

Anyway, from what I've watched he's the best player on the pitch.

**tetsujin1979** · 03/02/2008, 2:00 PM

Had a goal disallowed for offside, looks the right decision

**tricky_colour** · 17/03/2008, 9:22 PM

Not even on bench for Newcastle and apparently not injured either.

**kennedmc** · 17/03/2008, 9:39 PM

Keegan dropped him. Has he done anything in recent games?

Duff must be very disappointed. He went to Newcastle for the handy number and the large wage packet; the least they could do is play him in every bloody game.

**kennedmc** · 17/03/2008, 9:45 PM

Originally Posted by Ciaran

A better heading would be "wingers dropped".

Keegan went 4-3-3 with no width because Milner was out so there was nobody to take the right wing. He wasn't on the bench because N'Zogbia was there who can play in many more positions than Duff and also Left wing so is a better bench player.

I though it was 442 - Martins played left midfield.
You can play with 1 winger and 1 midfielder tucked in.