Mark Duffy wants competition for his place (West Brom programme)

[nopigfansintown]

This is from Friday night's match programme. There has been a debate on here about Duffy with a large proportion of this board supporting Duffy playing the full ninety in each game, irrespective of form or fatigue. There has also been debate about where to strengthen the squad: some (myself included) prioriting a player to rotate with Duffy, and others seeing it as not that important.The interesting take away from this interview for me is that Duffy himself sees that he needs competition to push his game on, and give him the rest that he needs.He cites Brooks as somebody who helped to push his game on - the implication being that we are weaker now. It's rare you get such openness from a player.

You play in a pivotal position in the current system, has the competition around you during the last three seasons brought your game on even further?

MD: It's a position the gaffer has attempted to strengthen during the last three seasons and it is still a position where we need more depth and options. Whether I'm unavailable or not at my best, or whether the gaffer wants someone else to star in that role, it's a vital position in the team given our formation and I'm sure the gaffer will know who he wants to come in and make us stronger. We've got got competition for places throughout the team in nearly every position and it does push you on as an individual because you know there is often someone itching to take your place and give the gaffer a selection headache.
.Question 2: ...I understand sometimes I'm taken out of the team in certain games or because of the schedule..
That brings the best out in you as a player, though, because I knew I had to improve quickly following the emergence of David Brooks last season.

 

[LenTednTony]

I love this man.

 

[Large Mendonca]

I love this man.

Hands off he’s mine

 

[Grecian2000]

Until the end of time.

 

[benn5712]

Garrincha, little bird.
Eusebio, black pearl.
Duffy, bounce killer.

Poetry.

 

[PokerBlade]

Duffy is the one player that there is no real cover for. We can make do with McGoldrick in that spot but it isn't as effective.

It's as though people have forgotten that even in League One, particularly second half of the season, Duffy would regularly get subbed off. Now, we were good enough in that division that the damage was usually done by then, and if he needed resting we were still more than enough for most at that level.

In the Championship, if Duffy isn't having a very good game, we're struggling. When Fleck's not having a good game, we're struggling. Same for Norwood. And then when we get a second half like against WBA we don't have anything on the bench that can make a real impact.

Sometimes players have off days, or they need rest, or the opposition nullifies them, and that's when we desperately need tactical options.

With Woodburn now clearly being a failed loan, we have to have something different. I think that could be the Duffy role, a striker, or a wing back with a better cross, but in order for us to really improve some kind of real quality will have to come in in one of those positions.

I get that we're frustrating at times but Wilder said it last season and I think it's still true: this is as good as you can get from this squad.