Newcastle interim boss Joe Kinnear admits the two week international break has been of great benefit to both his Newcastle side, and to himself.
Damien Duff - had another great game for Ireland on Wednesday
Newcastle United had seven men away on International duty, and it would have been a lot more but for injuries.
England captain Steven Taylor and Xisco played key roles in their country’s Under-21 Euro Championships qualification, and Irishmen Damien Duff and Shay Given, along with Cameroon star Geremi helped their countries to World Cup wins.
But Joe Kinnear was particularly impressed with his fellow Irishman Duff, and his great play against Cyprus as Joe commented:
“Damien had a great game for Ireland and it was a fantastic run and cross to set up the goal for Robbie Keane,” “He’s a top player, but we’ve all known that for a long time.”
“I said after the Everton game that I would’ve loved another match straight away,” “But looking back now I’m glad we had the break because we’ve got through a lot of good work.”
“I’ve really got to know the lads and they’ve got to know me.” “Added to that we’re also seeing the likes of Habib Beye, Oba Martins and Jonas Gutierrez nearing a return.”
“The injury to Michael Owen is a big disappointment but we’ve got to get on with things and there are other players who can come in.”
Good to hear Joe being so positive and realistic when many a manager (how about Graeme Souness as just one example) would be moaning about their bad luck with injuries.
That positive attitude will certainly rub off on our players.
Comments welcome.
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21 responses so far ↓
1 darren grech malta // Oct 18, 2008 at 12:19
joe is doing really a good job and he is proud of doing this job.i think his attitude is capeble to succead because he is very optimistic in his ability.
i think he deserva big support from the fans for the job he is doing because many manegers scared to be interim newcastle maneger.
good luck joe
2 ToonEskimo // Oct 18, 2008 at 12:20
Not often enough in a black and white shirt I’m afraid.
3 Tom // Oct 18, 2008 at 12:20
Duff is yet to prove to Newcastle fans that he is still a top player.
A couple of glimpses of class over a couple years isn’t enough.
4 thelongshanks // Oct 18, 2008 at 12:45
Iwas at the ireland vs cyprus match at the weekend and duff was amazing he beat 3 players to set up robbie keanes goal and never gave the ball away once.also his crossing was top drawer.some of the same on monday i hope!
5 cause I got the girth // Oct 18, 2008 at 12:59
not doing it enough for club does not mean he isn’t a top player lads, he is, but i agree he does need to give more consistency for us. I think he may be a really crucial player for us coming up to Christmas!
6 Ganiyu // Oct 18, 2008 at 13:02
Regaining his form
7 Southern Geordie // Oct 18, 2008 at 13:05
Fingers crossed he can show some class on Monday
8 Ganiyu // Oct 18, 2008 at 13:06
Not a top player but good and inconsistent player
9 Ganiyu // Oct 18, 2008 at 13:10
For the fact that ZOG is a stingy player.i would manage duff in my first team
10 Ageordiedoonsooth // Oct 18, 2008 at 13:14
Lets hope he carries his International form into Monday’s match
11 reillers // Oct 18, 2008 at 13:19
Aye sure he’d a great game for us over the week, was one of our stand out players no doubt, he’s gaining his form back, slowly but surely. I think one paper summed it up best after the match. “He’s back!!”
He’s been terribly unlucky with injuries, he’s only really back from them now, give him a chance to prove himself and I promise ye that ye’ll understand why wee Given, Scotty Parker and Carr we’re kicking down Roeder’s door to get him to St James and why all anyone could talk about during the world cup in 02 was “Kerr’s kids”..Duff and Keane. They were the reason for half most of our goals, why we got so far (combined with the iron curtain in goals Shay Given.)
And why he played for Chelsea once upon a time.
I promise ye that ye will see why everyone thought he was such a special player, why he and why he was nicknamed the wing wizard. Just give him a wee bit of time, that’s all he needs and ye will see the same player who lit our world cup campaign on fire back in 02, and why everytime he got the ball at this feet people stood and looked..he turned peoples heads and I promise ye that ye will see why if ye give him a wee bit of time. Give him a chance and he’ll deliver.
12 cyprus mag // Oct 18, 2008 at 13:42
I live in Cyprus and can say none of the Cyprus players would find their way into an English league team-any division.
I’m afraid a performance against these guys doesn’t show anything for premier league football. Duff has shown no consistency at Newcastle and is living on his reputation. He has had plenty of time and I wonder why we give him the leeway Ameobi never had.
13 reillers // Oct 18, 2008 at 13:57
He’s been injured that’s why and then anytime he came back from an injury he was match unfit and then just when it looked like he was getting it back he got injured again. This time though, *touch wood* it looks like he’s done with injuries and his finally regaining the form we all are used to seeing him in.
14 cyprus mag // Oct 18, 2008 at 14:13
ameobi played a full season with a hip injury.
15 I want Steve Bruce in, Along with Amir Zaki, Valencia and Palacios(GG7) // Oct 18, 2008 at 14:16
smoggies getting smashed, loving watching this, i hate them
16 Keith // Oct 18, 2008 at 15:39
Ive said it before ill say it again duff future is down the middle, he has lost that extra yard of space but he could pull the strings for us.
17 skin d // Oct 18, 2008 at 17:44
damien duff is a top player of scrabble.
18 Tom_Toon // Oct 18, 2008 at 18:01
I like Damien Duff and hopes he comes good because he will help us and he is a very nice person for a footballer.
19 NASMIE JACOBS // Oct 19, 2008 at 0:26
its very disapointing to see the very same fans object to DUFF and not to OWEN.i love the club as much as u do but i dont think ur honest with urself .OWEN and DUFF was great in their days but not at this moment .im glad keegan left coz he was totally inloved with OWEN.they both can play a role at newcastle but not or long .come the end of the season ur HERO will be gone to greener pastures.he aint and will never be a ASPRILLA,COLE,FERDINAND OR A SHEARER .newcastle vs barcelona champion league do u remember how we played with heart.OWEN play with no love for newcastle.we gona win on monday 3-2 HOWAY THE LADS
20 iain // Oct 19, 2008 at 3:06
if oba is fit for man city 433 might be a good idea it will certainly protect our soft center of defence
given
beye taylor collo bassong
butt
geremi nzogbia
martins duff
xisco
21 graeme // Oct 19, 2008 at 11:11
Duff used to be a top player, but has failed to produce the goods at NUFC. He no sooner gets back to some sort of form, then he’s out injured for a few months. Another long term sicknote holder!!!
Lets see if he can manage to play for a season before calling him a top player, especially in a black n white shirt!!!!
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