Duffy Replacement

[Sheffsteel]

Those type of players are generally expensive. WBA bid £15m for Dack allegedly. I think we are more likely to change how we play a little than find an effective Duffy replacement in Jan. Not sure Fleck is good enough receiving the ball with his back to goal which is essential in that role.

McG dropping deeper in front of a flat CM 3 is probably as close as we can get

Agree with this. None of our other midfielders can play like Duffy.

In order to find a Duffy replacement we need to establish what Duffy gives us that the others don’t.
1: Duffy has almost a free role floating around between midfield and attack, so we need someone with intelligence and versatile enough to float into different positions finding space, agree McGoldrick could do this.

2: I think the thing that sets Duffy apart is he’s the only player who can dribble past players. This is massively important.
The whole team play a “pass and move” game, so opposition teams concentrate on following our players and marking us up tight.
Duffy throws a spanner into that tactic by dribbling past his marker causing havoc. McGoldrick doesn’t have the pace to dribble past his markers. The only other player who had the Duffy dribbling ability was Brooks but he’s gone. I’m hoping Woodburn can dribble but we’ve not seen what he can do.

3: The thing that lets Duffy down is his willingness to shoot, especially from distance. He’s always tends to look to pass instead of shooting.

When I think of the Duffy role I think of Edin Hazard at Chelsea, trying to replace Duffy with guaranteed quality will be really expensive.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

Agree with this. None of our other midfielders can play like Duffy.

In order to find a Duffy replacement we need to establish what Duffy gives us that the others don’t.
1: Duffy has almost a free role floating around between midfield and attack, so we need someone with intelligence and versatile enough to float into different positions finding space, agree McGoldrick could do this.

2: I think the thing that sets Duffy apart is he’s the only player who can dribble past players. This is massively important.
The whole team play a “pass and move” game, so opposition teams concentrate on following our players and marking us up tight.
Duffy throws a spanner into that tactic by dribbling past his marker causing havoc. McGoldrick doesn’t have the pace to dribble past his markers. The only other player who had the Duffy dribbling ability was Brooks but he’s gone. I’m hoping Woodburn can dribble but we’ve not seen what he can do.

3: The thing that lets Duffy down is his willingness to shoot, especially from distance. He’s always tends to look to pass instead of shooting.

When I think of the Duffy role I think of Edin Hazard at Chelsea, trying to replace Duffy with guaranteed quality will be really expensive.

Luke Freeman at QPR is a clever player, quick, good feet, can dribble, score goals and assist. Not sure he has the tenacity and willpower of Duffy, not sure he’s quite as clever either, but he’s a good age and would be a good investment if we can afford it.

Market conditions suggest we probably can’t. In January the big spenders will throw money at it and drive the value of players into stratosphere’s we can’t compete at. You will see the Aston Villa’s, Swansea’s, Nottingham Forest’s etc. all pushing the panic button.

 

[Sheffsteel]

Morganselbow,

Agree that Luke Freeman does seem a great match up for the role Duffy plays.

I read a few comments from QPR fans on their forum saying that they should sell Freeman because although he’s highly talented they said he goes missing when a team are struggling. Basically said he’s a luxury player and if QPR are fighting a relegation battle then they could cash in and use the money to strengthen in other areas.

Apparently QPR’s Les Ferdinand has admitted in the last few days that they may need to consider offers for Freeman in January, it seems Middlesboro are the front runners to sign him after having earlier bids that were rejected.

 

['Doc' Pace my hero]

Affordable players similar to Mark Duffy,but younger,are like rocking horse shit.The best option was Ryan Woods, he went to Stoke City for £7m,it is going to take big money to replace a very big player for us.I think we will re-visit the possiblity of signing Luke Freeman in January,he is only 26 and could make a real difference to the eventual outcome of our season.

 

[Isaw Joeshaw]

Keep calm and carry on .

Duffy has at least two more good seasons in him , possibly more , and to even think of replacing him in the immediate future ( barring injury) would be the height of foolishness.

 

[Chali 2na]

The problem has arisen due to Wilder subbing him regularly at 70 minutes whether he's knackered or not. This has led to the supposition that he can't last 90 minutes. The last few games have proven otherwise.

The last few games haven't proven that Duffy can complete a full season, with no backup, regularly playing 90 mins.

They've proved he is capable of playing 90mins regularly, but only for a short spell.

 

[Chali 2na]

Keep calm and carry on .

Duffy has at least two more good seasons in him , possibly more , and to even think of replacing him in the immediate future ( barring injury) would be the height of foolishness.

So what do you do when he's tired or injured?

 

[8lade]

Whilst scoping who we should sign in the close season as a goalscorer, I dismissed this one as not prolific enough but with him being an opponent this afternoon had another look. Jarrod Bowen could be the Duffy replacement only 21, operated at this level already and got a bit of everything.

 

[snootyfenooty]

The last few games haven't proven that Duffy can complete a full season, with no backup, regularly playing 90 mins.

They've proved he is capable of playing 90mins regularly, but only for a short spell.

Then the short spell has to be extended then hasn't it otherwise we'll never know.

Duffy's already made everyone look stupid this season (including Wilder) so I wouldn't put it past him to do it again.

 

[Pinchy]

The last few games haven't proven that Duffy can complete a full season, with no backup, regularly playing 90 mins.

They've proved he is capable of playing 90mins regularly, but only for a short spell.

Me to golf pro: There, I’ve proved once and for all I can hit a gentle draw.

Golf Pro: You’ve proved you can do it once.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

So Duffy has played 90 mins for a couple of games without fading or picking up an injury, and you've taken this as proof that he will definitely be able to play 90 mins when needed, for the rest of the season, 35 games?

Mate, are you looking for an argument? It often seems like it. No, I'm not saying that either. All I'm saying is that I don't agree with you that he looked tired and needed subbing after an hour in the Birmingham game and I'm saying that he's the most creative player we have and if we take him off and need to create more chances to win the game we've lost some of that creativity.

I don't care whether you agree or not mate, that's your prerogative. This is my opinion. Now go and find someone else to bicker with, there's a good chap!

 

[Chali 2na]

Mate, are you looking for an argument? It often seems like it. No, I'm not saying that either. All I'm saying is that I don't agree with you that he looked tired and needed subbing after an hour in the Birmingham game and I'm saying that he's the most creative player we have and if we take him off and need to create more chances to win the game we've lost some of that creativity.

I don't care whether you agree or not mate, that's your prerogative. This is my opinion. Now go and find someone else to bicker with, there's a good chap!

If you didn't want someone to bicker with then why did you even reply?

My opinion is that a 33 year old, playing a demanding role, who's spent more of his career in the non-league will struggle to stay sharp and will fade, like in the Birmingham game.

 

[Sheffsteel]

If you didn't want someone to bicker with then why did you even reply?

My opinion is that a 33 year old, playing a demanding role, who's spent more of his career in the non-league will struggle to stay sharp and will fade, like in the Birmingham game.

To be fair here.

I’ve no doubt that Wilder would prefer to play Duffy for near enough 90 minutes every single match.
The fact that he’s regularly subbed on 70 minutes surely proves there’s something wrong.

I remember when Wilder joined saying that technology plays a massive role in developing and picking players.
Apparently every player apart from the 2 who refused, have a small GPS chip in the back of their shirts.
Wilder knows exactly how much work every player does through out every minute of every game.
He’ll also have fantastic data on who tracks back and the areas each player runs into.

We make judgements on what we see but we tend to watch the ball and miss off the ball work.
There’s now no hiding place out there. Wilder knows exactly which players can and can’t handle 90 minutes playing high tempo.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

If you didn't want someone to bicker with then why did you even reply?

My opinion is that a 33 year old, playing a demanding role, who's spent more of his career in the non-league will struggle to stay sharp and will fade, like in the Birmingham game.

I was bicker-baiting Makes a change from the other kind of baiting I usually do.

No mate, I noticed you’d started a thread about Duffy tiring after an hour and I don’t see it that way. I think they’ve been several games where the team, as a whole, seemed to run out of ideas after an hour or so and Brum was one of them. But I don’t put that down just to Duffy.

Bristol City away was a classic. We’d played them off the park, we took Duffy off, they scored a goal and we’d lost the one player who might have conjured up a chance.

I think if we’re comfortably ahead, fine, give him a rest and let somebody else have a go, but if we still need to chase the game then leave him on because he can do unusual things!

 

[Cerberus Blade]

To be fair here.

I’ve no doubt that Wilder would prefer to play Duffy or 90 minutes every single match.

The fact that he’s regularly subbed proves there’s something wrong.
I remember when Wilder joined saying that technology plays a massive role in developing and picking players.
Apparently every player apart from the 2 who refused, have a small GPS chip in the back of their shirts.
Wilder knows exactly how much work every player does through out every minute of every game.
He’ll also have fantastic data on who tracks back and the areas each player runs into.

We make judgements on what we see but we tend to watch the ball and miss off the ball work.
There’s now no hiding place out there. Wilder knows exactly which players can and can’t handle 90 minutes playing high tempo.

They rely too much on these “scientific” stats. I think it was Wilder who admitted as much before? The stats say ‘he’s knackered now” based on how many times he’s touched the ball and his calculated fitness levels and age. But that’s not the whole story imo. Judgment and intuition has its place over stats.

 

[Sheffsteel]

I was bicker-baiting Makes a change from the other kind of baiting I usually do.

No mate, I noticed you’d started a thread about Duffy tiring after an hour and I don’t see it that way. I think they’ve been several games where the team, as a whole, seemed to run out of ideas after an hour or so and Brum was one of them. But I don’t put that down just to Duffy.

Bristol City away was a classic. We’d played them off the park, we took Duffy off, they scored a goal and we’d lost the one player who might have conjured up a chance.

I think if we’re comfortably ahead, fine, give him a rest and let somebody else have a go, but if we still need to chase the game then leave him on because he can do unusual things!

Often we are ahead and taking Duffy off seems more of a defensive/ protecting the lead move.

Would be a good idea to contact Radio Sheffield so they can ask Chris Wilder to clarify the energy/ fitness mystery regards Duffy.
It’s one of those mysteries that’s gone on for ages....don’t see why Wilder can’t provide a simple answer.

 

[FriethBlade]

It's an f in good job he wasn't subbed off v Millwall on 70 mins.

Not looked at the stats to see if this is correct but maybe he gets subbed off after 60-70 mins when we are in front but not if we are losing or drawing ?

Can't remember the lads name and obviously one game isn't a great guide but I liked the look of the small Reading lad who single handedly dragged them back into the game when we beat them at their place last season. He's more likely to be in our price range than some of the more obvious targets.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

Often we are ahead and taking Duffy off seems more of a defensive/ protecting the lead move.

Would be a good idea to contact Radio Sheffield so they can ask Chris Wilder to clarify the energy/ fitness mystery regards Duffy.
It’s one of those mysteries that’s gone on for ages....don’t see why Wilder can’t provide a simple answer.

Maybe he has to leave early to beat the traffic?

 

[Cerberus Blade]

It's an f in good job he wasn't subbed off v Millwall on 70 mins.

Not looked at the stats to see if this is correct but maybe he gets subbed off after 60-70 mins when we are in front but not if we are losing or drawing ?

Can't remember the lads name and obviously one game isn't a great guide but I liked the look of the small Reading lad who single handedly dragged them back into the game when we beat them at their place last season. He's more likely to be in our price range than some of the more obvious targets.

Jonathan Swift.

Very good player. But according to Reading fans (I’m in Reading as I type this) he’s injury prone.

So was David McGoldenOldie though!

 

[Sheffsteel]

It's an f in good job he wasn't subbed off v Millwall on 70 mins.

Not looked at the stats to see if this is correct but maybe he gets subbed off after 60-70 mins when we are in front but not if we are losing or drawing ?

Can't remember the lads name and obviously one game isn't a great guide but I liked the look of the small Reading lad who single handedly dragged them back into the game when we beat them at their place last season. He's more likely to be in our price range than some of the more obvious targets.

Think you’re talking about John Swift, seems CW is an admirer as he mentioned him in the post match interview last season.

His Wikipedia page says Swift is only 23 described as “a box-to-box player who is technically gifted with an eye for goal”.
It also says he only played 10 matches for Reading last season.

 

[Ricky]

Liam Kelly.

 

[Cerberus Blade]

Think you’re talking about John Swift, seems CW is an admirer as he mentioned him in the post match interview last season.

His Wikipedia page says Swift is only 23 described as “a box-to-box player who is technically gifted with an eye for goal”.
It also says he only played 10 matches for Reading last season.

Ah yes!

I was getting confused with the guy who wrote “Gulliver’s Travels”.

Does he have a sweet left foot though? And If so, what does the other one taste of?

 

[Sean Thornton]

Ah yes!

I was getting confused with the guy who wrote “Gulliver’s Travels”.

Does he have a sweet left foot though? And If so, what does the other one taste of?

Aah the Struldbrugs.

As Sheffield Uniteds away support is sometimes known.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

Can see Luke Freeman still being an option in January but wouldn't mind a cheeky bid for Jota given Birmingham City's FFP plight. They'd probably want the money they paid for him back (6 million) so we'd probably only be interested if we were right up near the top and thought iut was worth the risk so he's probably unrealistic.

Still wouldn't mind Marcus Maddison if we're going for a cheaper option to develop.

I do think Woodburn's lack of success thus far, leaves too much pressure on Duffy and its a similar thing with Leon. As god a window as its being we badly needed players coming in those two positions that were at least as good if not better but sadly we didn't manage it and we'e now over reliant on too ageing players and in Leon's case when it doesn't go for him he looks a yard short.

Hopefully we'll be there of thereabouts in January and can get at least one quality player in the attacking mid or up top.

Good shout for Jota. Will always remember him running the show for Brentford on our first game back in the Champs. Thought he was destined for the top.....very strange move to Brum.

 

[LJBlade]

Then the short spell has to be extended then hasn't it otherwise we'll never know.

Duffy's already made everyone look stupid this season (including Wilder) so I wouldn't put it past him to do it again.

In what way has he made Wilder look stupid? Has Wilder actually said that he takes Duffy off (occasionally) after 70 minutes because he doesn’t think he can play for longer?

 

[FriethBlade]

Ricky is correct, pretty sure it was Kelly. I don't think Swift played that night.

 

[Newbury Blade]

Swift was excellent for Reading at the Lane. Lost his way a bit thanks to injury and clueless managers.

 

[FriethBlade]

If Wilder rates them either of Swift or Kelly have to be 'gettable' Reading are a club in decline and the prospect of moving to promotion contenders has to be attractive

 

[BerksBlade]

Ricky is correct, pretty sure it was Kelly. I don't think Swift played that night.

It was Kelly. He was their best player by miles.
Swift has been in and out of the team with injuries for the last year or so.

 

[Dark muffy]

Anyone ever thought that barry banana looks a bit like a shit Duffy, i don't mean playing wise just looks wise. Kind of like that film Twins with Danny de vito and Schwarzeneggar. Duffy got all the good genes and Bannan the shit genes. Eg shit hair and and shit face and shitter footballer.