Damien Duff had another excellent game this afternoon for Newcastle, and looked like he could (and did) run all day, and Kevin Keegan was quick to praise the Irishman.
Damien Duff – played great again today
Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan seemed delighted after the excellent win against Valencia this afternoon, at St. James’ Park.
We don’t usually see Damien Duff head the ball much at all, but what a stunning header he hit home after 77 minutes today, following a good Jonas Gutierrez corner.
And you could see Kevin on the line waving and saying something to Duff – probably just congratulations, but the Irishman has been a revelation in the summer.
We were calling for him to be sold a few weeks back, so he’s managed to prove us completely wrong with his brilliant displays in pre-season – and we love it. We were wrong about Duff – dead wrong.
It also shows you what a great character the man has – when things look their darkest he comes back with his best performances in a black and white shirt – good for him.
Kevin said after the game:
“Damien Duff has been terrific for us – you could be talking about seven goals pre-season.”“He’s been working very hard. It’s the first time he’s had a pre-season – and it shows. It looked like he could run forever.”
“The goal today is not the sort of goal you associate with Damien Duff but his fitness level is fantastic, he has really trained hard, and he is now getting his rewards.”
The goal said up a grandstand finish that had Newcastle looking for the winner which came when James Milner rifled home on 91 minutes from 6 yards.
Keegan said Duff, as well as many others in the team were “my type of players”, and cited Charles N’Zogbia, Oba Martins and new signing Jonas Gutierrez as examples.
Quite honestly the lads today ran their socks off, and while we mustn’t get too carried away – because Valencia are at least a week behind us in their training – there were dare we say it – signs that Kevin has woven his magic over a lot of the players out there today.
The team played like a Kevin Keegan team – full of action, enthusiasm and swarming forward all the time – just great to watch – it’s the way football was meant to be played.
There’s one thing that was obvious today – any team coming to St. James’ Park this season had better be fit – otherwise we’ll run them off their feet.
Of the Argentinian Gutierrez, Keegan said:
“He is a combination of ability and a big heart, and the Geordies love that.”
The crowd was a good one of 31,494 and Keegan continued:
“It was a really good pre-season game. They were a good side and showed their quality.”
“They were good on the ball and comfortable from back to front.”
“But they are maybe a week behind us in terms of preparation and we looked fitter as the game went on. We finished really strongly.”
Maybe it was because our expectations were so low, because of all the hassle going on in the press – but we were surprised at how good the team looked and played today.
Not only did they look really really fit, but the players were strolling the ball around beautifully.
If Kevin was right in January when he said we only need 3-4 top players – maybe we are closer to having a good team than we thought – we certainly hope so.
Certainly the lads today can be proud of their performances today and Keegan is obviously upbeat about the performance – and so he should be.
If this is a taste of what the team will serve up in future games – we just cannot wait.
But we know we cannot get carried away, and we’ll now have to see how we do in the real world of the Premier and European Champions at Old Trafford next Sunday.
That’s when the real test begins.
Comments welcome.
180 comments so far
Lull
Aug 9, 2008 at 10:41 PM
Comment #1Hope he (Duff) retain the form he have now till the end of the season, i would say a valuable squad player atm nothing more.
p/s- when will the silver kit up for sale?
gordond
Aug 9, 2008 at 10:44 PM
Comment #2Lets hope KK gets the best out of him this season can you not get a picture of him in a Toon shirt Ed
Linktoon
Aug 9, 2008 at 10:46 PM
Comment #3i was impressed today like aint felt this optimistic in a long time, think how solid our defence could be if collocini adapts as well as he says. also guttierez looks like the buy of the season, and i really will have high expectaions if owen signs a new contact 🙂 uefa cup here we come
Lull
Aug 9, 2008 at 10:46 PM
Comment #4i was thinking bout that too gordond. Any chance that we’ll know bout the club interview with MA, Ed?
nufc ireland
Aug 9, 2008 at 10:46 PM
Comment #5Finally, duff playin to his potential,.keegan’s magic is rite
Nick C
Aug 9, 2008 at 10:53 PM
Comment #6The Duffer of St James owes us a decent season. You know there is a player in there somewhere, lets hope we see him on a permanent basis…
toonaldinho
Aug 9, 2008 at 10:57 PM
Comment #7@ lull…….silver kit is available from 21st august exclusively from nufc direct or the club shop
Lull
Aug 9, 2008 at 11:06 PM
Comment #8toonaldinho- Thanks
daiv
Aug 9, 2008 at 11:07 PM
Comment #9Lets hope KK can transform Smith into a top striker. he obviously thinks he can because he does not want to sell him. The Alan Smith of a few years ago would keep Oba and and Owen out the team. Come on Smudger!!! Smith and The Duke in tandem. Dream forward line.
scottish mag
Aug 9, 2008 at 11:13 PM
Comment #10two signings likely after colo deal
http://sport.setanta.com/en/Sport/News/Football/2008/08/09/Premier-Three-signings-likely—Keegan/
HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES
Aug 9, 2008 at 11:14 PM
Comment #11Daiv, your humour is mad!
scottish mag
Aug 9, 2008 at 11:16 PM
Comment #12also wot r nufc doing, not commenting on colo, are they waiting to bring i the other two and have a huge press conference with colo, taiwo and queresma
daiv
Aug 9, 2008 at 11:17 PM
Comment #13HPS
Just trying to stay positive as I have been described as negative. Was that too over the top because Smith is the pits?
richie
Aug 9, 2008 at 11:19 PM
Comment #14why is colo deal not announced yet????any ideas
daiv
Aug 9, 2008 at 11:19 PM
Comment #15Still waiting for my season ticket. What is going on? Anybody got theirs or are some still waiting? I know my account was debited weeks ago. Mr worried.
Tom_Toon
Aug 9, 2008 at 11:22 PM
Comment #16As you know lads i dont normlly make stuff up but i am willing to put my neck on the line and say we will sign Ismael Bangoura from Dynamo Kiev as a replacemen for Smith.
🙂
daiv
Aug 9, 2008 at 11:24 PM
Comment #17HPS
Who on this blog would not accept 3mil for Smith? Nobody. Lets hope the press are making it up again about KK blocking the deal because if it is true then KK has totally lost the plot. He may be our only fit forward this week but he cannot score and as such is a non player. waste of space.
micknufc
Aug 9, 2008 at 11:26 PM
Comment #18no sign of mac or mozza yet tom ? they couldnt hack the party till the end last night
daiv
Aug 9, 2008 at 11:26 PM
Comment #19tom Toon
What happens to your neck if you are wrong?
Tom_Toon
Aug 9, 2008 at 11:27 PM
Comment #20🙁 Do as you wish.
simon376
Aug 9, 2008 at 11:28 PM
Comment #21Daiv – Think I read somewhere (can’t remember where) they will be sent out from the 11/08/08. I signed up for the 3 year deal. After today I’m feeling a bit more hopeful. I still wasn’t over impressed, but it’s been the best game yet and lets face it, they are a good team. I really like what I’ve seen of Guthrie up to now, looks a great buy.
It’s been nice to be back at St James the past couple of games, roll on next weekend when it all starts for real and hopefully the 3 new players that KK has been talking about.
daiv
Aug 9, 2008 at 11:30 PM
Comment #22You are spared the guillotine because you have cred unlike some on this blog.
stumpofthetoon
Aug 9, 2008 at 11:30 PM
Comment #23that ismale 2 old inless i am thinking of rong one tom ?
Tom_Toon
Aug 9, 2008 at 11:31 PM
Comment #24Bangoura is 22/23 and a striker who can also play on the wing if needs be.
richie
Aug 9, 2008 at 11:31 PM
Comment #25where u hear that tomtoon?thats interesting i was at the drogedha utd v dynamo game in dublin as my mate was playin and that bangoura chap was class! very close to pitch and he looked a very good player…
daiv
Aug 9, 2008 at 11:32 PM
Comment #26Simon 376
Thanx. reassuring.
Tom_Toon
Aug 9, 2008 at 11:35 PM
Comment #27Bit of a long shot, my sound silly but that pic that has been going around aint Nile Ranger and i knew it looked familiar, its definitely Bangoura, am sure of it, right face, colour, hair, everything. Nile Ranger is much paler, different hair and different face.
Nick C
Aug 9, 2008 at 11:35 PM
Comment #28Alright TT, hows it going? And why do u think that lad will be coming here??
Tom_Toon
Aug 9, 2008 at 11:37 PM
Comment #29http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/6462/dreads2rt3.png
look at that and them search recent pics of Ismael Bangoura, he is a spit of that image.
stumpofthetoon
Aug 9, 2008 at 11:37 PM
Comment #30is he any good yho who he play 4
Tom_Toon
Aug 9, 2008 at 11:38 PM
Comment #31Ye he is pretty damn good, saw him in the CL and the ACN, really impressed me. He plays for Dynamo Kiev.
antz
Aug 9, 2008 at 11:39 PM
Comment #32any links to ‘that pic’ tomtoon, i wouldnt mind havin a nosey
HATE PRAWN SANDWICHES
Aug 9, 2008 at 11:40 PM
Comment #33Daiv, smith has been a waste of money! hasn’t scored a competative goal for 3 seasons! I’d take £1 million just to get him off our books!
just feel KK is just playing a tactical game with the media! just to big him up! thats what I hope! we are desperate for a new striker! would consider someone like Cisse as he scores goals knows the premiership and would cost about what we paid and pay in wages! but there are plenty of others to choose from just hope we get a good one!!??
richie
Aug 9, 2008 at 11:42 PM
Comment #34good god tomtoon!!!i saw him up close at the CL game in dublin and im about 90percent thats him,,that pic from st james ye??
however would the papers not have copped…
High Flyer
Aug 9, 2008 at 11:42 PM
Comment #35TT, if what you are saying is true, I for one will be overjoyed. I have heard nothing put praise for the lad coming out of the Ukraine
Colo's Curly Locks
Aug 9, 2008 at 11:44 PM
Comment #36got to say he does look very similar
Tom_Toon
Aug 9, 2008 at 11:44 PM
Comment #37the papes know nowt.
Yep that is from st. james the other night.
Nick C
Aug 9, 2008 at 11:45 PM
Comment #38Tom, that looks a quality spot son!!!
stumpofthetoon
Aug 9, 2008 at 11:45 PM
Comment #39anything going forward is good by me we still look week. duff looked good tonight hopefully he has lost so called big club sindrome like wot butt used 2 have
Bingo wing
Aug 9, 2008 at 11:46 PM
Comment #40take a look at this:
http://www.setantasports.com/en/Sport/News/Football/2008/08/09/Prem-Newcastle-looking-in-Italy/?facets/sport-space/football/great-britain-locale/