Damien Duff has been playing well of late, and today he says he feels fitter than he has ever done at Newcastle, and that’s since the arrival of Alan Shearer and Iain Dowie on April 1st.
Damien Duff – fittest he’s ever felt at Newcastle
The Irishman has had his best season at the club, and with 28 starts so far, only Fabricio Coloccini and Nicky Butt are ahead of him in the appearances chart for this season.
One of the things that Shearer noticed when he arrived at Newcastle was that the players were not as fit as they could be, and he has stepped up the training to be more like match conditions, and it seems to be paying off in their fitness, if not the results.
Duff has played in every game under Shearer and has shown excellent form, and an obvious willingness to work his socks off for the team, and it appears the former Blackburn Rovers and Chelsea man is willing to play wherever he boss wants him to play.
Damien talked to Newcastle United TV this morning:
“It’s no problem,” “Whatever job needs doing for the team then I’ll do it.” “I’ve played left-back a couple of times before and I feel comfortable there.”
“Since the gaffer’s come in he’s brought Iain Dowie and the training has been excellent,” “I must say it’s the best I’ve felt since I come to the club.”
“I feel fit and sharp.” “You get your match sharpness from training and that’s been fantastic so I’m enjoying it.”
Damien has been in his best form for a while under Shearer, and he had another solid game at left-back at Liverpool on Sunday, and maybe longer term Damien could switch to left back to prolong his career, although his natural position is still left wing.
If we can get a win against Middlesbrough on Monday night that will be great, but Hull City, who are just above us in the league, play Stoke City at home, and if ever they had a chance of 3 points it has to be in that game on Saturday.
We’ll know the situation before the kick-off on Monday night, but if Hull lose we could catch them with a win on Monday.
We just have to start winning if we are going to survive.
7 comments so far
lesh
May 6, 2009 at 10:29 AM
Comment #1Take note Mr Barton…… words backed up by action and effort.
JJJ
May 6, 2009 at 10:35 AM
Comment #2Yes, Duff has been impressive, in fact, if we had a fit left back (what was R Taylor bought for?), I’d play Duff in midfield because he and Viduka are our only players with more than half a creative pea in their head. Guthrie and Duff would be my midfield pairing, with Jonas. Butt playing the holding midfield role.
————————Butt————————-
——–Jonas——Guthrie——–Duff———-
—————-Viduka—-Martins—————-
Flan
May 6, 2009 at 12:05 PM
Comment #3Your right JJJ i was sure R. Taylor played left back at Wigan and so far he’s played every position but left back. I like the look of that midfield too Guthrie has to start ahead of Nolan.
AndyT
May 6, 2009 at 5:01 PM
Comment #4Talking about Ryan Taylor’s ineptitude reminded me of this article by Sir Bobby Robson from this past Sunday. Really good read. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1176679/SIR-BOBBY-ROBSON-Dont-blame-Ashley-Newcastles-decline.html
It puts our shambles into perspective a bit as well.
Tom_Toon
May 7, 2009 at 2:31 AM
Comment #5#
harry861
May 7, 2009 at 10:18 AM
Comment #6I agree with JJJ. bang on the midfield. Also why hasn’t R Taylor played at left back ?
After watching Newcastle play Liverpool I nominated Duff, Harper, Bassong, in that order.
Some of the supporter keep on about Duff & in my opinion he’s back to best since joining Newcastle. They said Enrique was useless but he proved them wrong.
How on earth can the people who support Smith & giving him 30 votes is beyond me. Look at the goals scored by Liverpool & see where he was, he breasted the ball down for Liverpool to score the first goal.
Tom_Toon
May 7, 2009 at 1:04 PM
Comment #7#####