Kevin Keegan has again come out to say that Damien Duff is definitely in his future plans for Newcastle United.
Damien Duff - chomping at the bit to play
Keegan says the left winger has been outstanding in training, and was not at all surprised with his good showing in the 3-0 win against Reading, when he almost scored at the end of that game.
Keegan told the Shields Gazette today:
“Damien’s champing at the bit – he’s been absolutely outstanding in training,”
He’s over that injury now. That’s all behind him, and he can look ahead with some optimism, because he’s very fit.â€
“I think he’ll need a few more games, and he’s nearly there. Michael (Owen) needed 10 games on the trot to get back to his best, and Duffer will be a lot better with a pre-season and some games.â€
“He’s worked very, very hard, and I’d have liked to have given him a bit longer (against Reading), but that was the way it was.”
With Newcastle having three wins and a draw in their last 4 games Duff, Alan Smith, Charles N’Zogbia and James Milner, will all need to be at their very best to win their places back in the side.
Keegan is adamant that when Duff does return to the first team he will be in a completely different side to the one which Damien was in just a short few weeks back.
Keegan added:
“If Duffer, James Milner and Smithy come back into this side, they’ll notice a big difference from the one they went out of, and it’s all down to confidence.â€
“It’s got nothing to do with them not being there, it’s just the players have now got confidence and belief.â€
“But, at the moment, the guys in possession are just saying: ‘I want to keep this shirt’, so I’m not going to mess around with it too much.”
It’s obvious that Kevin sees Duff as part of his reconstituted first team squad for next season, and if he does decide to go back to a 4-4-2 formation Duff will be ready to take one of the wing spots.
He will not be put up for sale in the summer, that seems certain.
Comments welcome.
9 responses so far ↓
1 faustino // Apr 11, 2008 at 13:49
“But, at the moment, the guys in possession are just saying: ‘I want to keep this shirt’, so I’m not going to mess around with it too much.â€
Good lad!
The fact is we’re going to need to play in more than one shape next season and Duff on form is a great player so Kevin is going to want to keep him.
2 dougnufc // Apr 11, 2008 at 13:54
Duff looked good against reading
3 Egar // Apr 11, 2008 at 14:25
Duff was great at Blackburn and he’s not past it yet. I’m sure he’ll come good in time just like Owen and Viduka did proving the old adage that form is temporary while class is permanent.
Though our awesome threesome are dynamite now, there will be times when a viable alternative is necessary. DD is one such alternative.
4 Leo // Apr 11, 2008 at 14:57
give him a full season’s pre season and he will be a better player the whole season, he aint had that in a long time.
5 Bill F // Apr 11, 2008 at 15:28
I would really like to see Duff giving a role as back up for Enrique. I think he has lost a bit of speed but he is still quick enough for the LB position.
6 ScottyT // Apr 11, 2008 at 15:41
agree people the likes of duff milner nzogbia if he stays are needed next season when we need to change to 4-4-2 for some games. tbh imo a think all 3 are good players but a do think we should think about getting a rm/cm to challenge milner.
7 Toon Al // Apr 11, 2008 at 16:01
not one mention of charlie there.. will be sad to see him go to be honest
8 Toooooooooooooooooon // Apr 12, 2008 at 3:45
Duff is a player who never complain. he play LB, Right winger and as a striker when roeder was the manager. i rather hope he stay than that frenchman zoggy. note to ourselves: never buy an arrogant french winger (e.g robert,zoggy)
9 Leo // Apr 12, 2008 at 9:56
laurent robert was my favourite player
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