I like Duffy!

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

Thought Duffy was poor myself at Gills and had a bit of a mare. One of those days when virtually everything he tried turned to rat shit. Still kept probing and ahowing for the ball and i liked his charachter on the day as he could have easily 'done a Hoyland' and played the invisible man for the rest of the game. He didnt though and thats to his credit. He tries to be positive and Utd have lacked players like that so i will cut the lad plenty of slack to get his feet under the table and settle down. I like the look of him in the team. Plenty more to come from that lad.

Went to the game and he actually had a good game IMO . However the good thing about footy , we all see a game , players differently from were we sat to the flow of the game or what we see on the box.

10 to 12 games will be the benchmark barometer for the team and individuals . Truth be known we have some good players keeping the bench warm. Another test Saturday , were the mentality of we just turn up seems to be in the past . Unfortunately bad habits die hard at the lane.

UTzb

 

[Ricky]

If Duffy was playing against us last Sunday our fans would've been saying what a decent player he looked and how he looked likely to make something happen. He had a positive influence on the game.

 

[sheffielder]

I like Duffy, and in the last few games he seems to have got stronger as the game went on.

He's new to the club and some players take abit longer to settle. I know at Burton he was 1 of 3 players who commuted from Liverpool, so maybe the journey has changed and I think there is only O'Connell who might commute now. Sometimes takes people time to get to know others like in any other job.

He doesn't stop trying and think this new free role should hopefully bring us some goals from midfield.

 

[Ricky]

I'm starting to think Duffy could be more effective in a number 10 role with plenty of freedom, mainly because he always seems to get on the ball, and doesn't hide.

I wouldn't mind seeing this midfield


.............Basham..............

Coutts...................Fleck

...............Duffy.................


Could see a lot of good football with that. Maybe swap Basham and Coutts positionally. With someone like Lavery up front who can pressure defenders and provide pace and a wide threat it could work.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Just to revisit this thread. I watched the Gills game through again this week and paid particular attention to Duffy.

I can understand why some get frustrated with him, but I think the reason that he's been spotlighted is that he never hides and is always trying to get on the ball and so is always involved. Added to that he's always trying to make a quick one-touch positive pass and looking split the opposition's defence with a killer ball. This is why his mistake ratio is higher than the other players who maybe take the easy option. He played 3 great balls to Sharp, Freeman and Clarke which all could have resulted in goals, but he tried other times and it didn't come off.

We've had so many players in recent years who've just gone through the motions, always played the easy sideways pass and even hidden when things weren't going for them, but Duffy isn't like that. I agree that he's taking time to settle, but I really think he's quality and will become a major asset to us over the season.

I don't see him as a winger, he hasn't got the pace. I see him more as a playmaker, and he'll probably come more into his own with players with pace around him like Lavery, Chapman and even young Brooks.

As I watched the game on TV I didn't think he particularly stood out, but I thought he did ok overall. When a mate rang me after the game I didn't include him in the list of players I thought did well. I thought he was an important part of our attacking though, always involved, making himself available, never hiding.

I then read a few reviews basically saying he was crap, and decided to watch the game again on BP. Watching him closely for the second time I concluded he had a good game. There were some technical errors, two or three times where he miscontrolled the ball and it went out of play, and I think these situations are what stuck in people's minds after the game and which gave him poor reviews. But a player like him shouldn't be judged (exclusively) on certain touches that didn't come off. We should also look at his positive contributions.

When people said he couldn't do anything right, it's simply not correct. I noticed a few situations where he did very well, and if the players on the receiving end of his passes had more pace, more ability, a few of them may have been assists. Those who highlights that he needs mobile players to pass to are right, and hopefully we'll make more out of his passes as the team progresses. As posted elsewhere, some of his good contributions on Sunday:

 

[GrayBlade]

As I watched the game on TV I didn't think he particularly stood out, but I thought he did ok overall. When a mate rang me after the game I didn't include him in the list of players I thought did well. I thought he was an important part of our attacking though, always involved, making himself available, never hiding.

I then read a few reviews basically saying he was crap, and decided to watch the game again on BP. Watching him closely for the second time I concluded he had a good game. There were some technical errors, two or three times where he miscontrolled the ball and it went out of play, and I think these situations are what stuck in people's minds after the game and which gave him poor reviews. But a player like him shouldn't be judged (exclusively) on certain touches that didn't come off. We should also look at his positive contributions.

When people said he couldn't do anything right, it's simply not correct. I noticed a few situations where he did very well, and if the players on the receiving end of his passes had more pace, more ability, a few of them may have been assists. Those who highlights that he needs mobile players to pass to are right, and hopefully we'll make more out of his passes as the team progresses. As posted elsewhere, some of his good contributions on Sunday:

I think you saw it second time around more or less the way I did Bergen.

It's easy for us to focus on the more obvious ricks and overlook the better stuff. He's got to cut out some of his basic errors, but I really hope we can give him time to settle. I think a first goal would help him even though he's not particularly prolific.

 

[Deadly_D'Jaffo]

The curse of creative players not being wanted at Bramall Lane. Our fan base can be moronic with these types.

Ifill, Cotterill & S Quinn all got jeered at least once by our 'supporters'. Simply because they didnt have an end product every time they dared to do something with the ball. If every cross and dribble they did came off perfectly, they wouldn't be doing it at Bramall Lane would they?

Duffy is getting it now and whilst he can be frustrating (eg free kicks vs. Gills), credit for him for continuing to have a go. It's bravery like that we didn't see last season.

 

[Sheff de party]

From what I've seen of him, I expect him to be a big player for us. Skilful, quick feet and clever. I don't care if it doesn't come off every time, we need flair and it's what I pay to watch.

Too many Duffy types n we'd get smashed, but too many Bashams types and we'd never score! Duffy could be just what we need, especially to change a game or unlock the parked bus.

 

[Bladeinleeds]

The curse of creative players not being wanted at Bramall Lane. Our fan base can be moronic with these types.

Ifill, Cotterill & S Quinn all got jeered at least once by our 'supporters'. Simply because they didnt have an end product every time they dared to do something with the ball. If every cross and dribble they did came off perfectly, they wouldn't be doing it at Bramall Lane would they?

Duffy is getting it now and whilst he can be frustrating (eg free kicks vs. Gills), credit for him for continuing to have a go. It's bravery like that we didn't see last season.

Agree, if players could do it every match - they certainly wouldn't be playing for united.

I rated cotterill - we could certainly do with some of his directness atm. I remember he had one of the best games I've seen against Leicester at our place. Absolutely destroyed their left back for the entire game - to the extent I felt sorry for him. Think he was one like, Ched, Britton and Dyer that were clearly good players but Blackwell just gave up on.

 

[Antonb]

Duffy is always involved in our best moves. So for me he has to stay in the team. I just wish he wouldn't give the ball away as much.

 

[loyalblade95]

Scored his first goal for the blades just now

 

[Ricky]

Get in. Sounded like a good finish. Will be the first of quite a few for Duffy.

 

[loyalblade95]

Get in. Sounded like a good finish. Will be the first of quite a few.

Sounds like he turned 2 defenders before striking it

 

[loyalblade95]

Billy sharp 2-0 with a header from close range

 

[DronnieBlade]

Billy sharp 2-0 with a header from close range

Drop him. He's wank

UTB

 

[PeteBlade]

Me and Barney are both really big fans

 

[Champagneblade]

If you'd got Duffy on one wing and Chris Burke on the other, if he's still got some left in the tank, you could Football a few teams to death at this level especially if you throw in these lads being options available for a confident Coutts and a fit again Fleck.

They'd both get double figures in a good side.

 

[Ricky]

If you'd got Duffy on one wing and Chris Burke on the other, if he's still got some left in the tank, you could Football a few teams to death at this level especially if you throw in these lads being options available for a confident Coutts and a fit again Fleck.

They'd both get double figures in a good side.

We had enough quality footballers in midfield today (thought it was a calculated gamble by Wilder to bring Fleck on, knowing that we'd surely score again with such quality in midfield - Fleck then got an assist) so to throw Burke into the mix would be a real luxury and a great option to have if he's got something left, which I think he will have.

Playing Duffy in a free role with Burke out on the right could well take the piss at this level, especially with Coutts and Fleck behind them. The only thing I'd question there is their fitness and energy to press high up.

 

[itsinyerblood]

Great bit of business with Wilder signing Duffy. With each passing game Duffy shows more and more why he's a top player at this level. With Fleck still to become an integral part of this team (surely only a matter of time before that happens?) we appear to have the type of attacking threat that we've lacked for several years. Well done Chris Wilder, your choice of player is helping this club to finally assert itself - the future's bright, the future's red and white UTB

 

[super_pig]

Billy Duffy is a mardy cunt.....he got the face on big time when he was pelted with bottles of piss back in the day lol

and a third rate geordie copycat to boot

 

[Fulwood Blade]

Great bit of business with Wilder signing Duffy. With each passing game Duffy shows more and more why he's a top player at this level. With Fleck still to become an integral part of this team (surely only a matter of time before that happens?) we appear to have the type of attacking threat that we've lacked for several years. Well done Chris Wilder, your choice of player is helping this club to finally assert itself - the future's bright, the future's red and white UTB

Think you make a good point there - he seems to be growing into the team.

It's one thing that for me happens with teams - teams get better as players get used to one another and if you look back at teams who have started slowly in this division, they get stronger as the season progresses.

It's where I hope CW & AK will succeed - we started poorly, they have recognised very quickly the errors and problems and acted decisively.

Just hope it continues and P'boro will be a great test. Have had many many false dawns over the past few years. This Saturday is another of those moments - which Blades team will turn up? The "new" CW team that keeps it going or the Blades team of the past.

I actually can't wait to see - roll on Saturday. Mojo is back.............at least for a short while - hopefully longer.

UTB

 

[itsinyerblood]

Think you make a good point there - he seems to be growing into the team.

It's one thing that for me happens with teams - teams get better as players get used to one another and if you look back at teams who have started slowly in this division, they get stronger as the season progresses.

It's where I hope CW & AK will succeed - we started poorly, they have recognised very quickly the errors and problems and acted decisively.

Just hope it continues and P'boro will be a great test. Have had many many false dawns over the past few years. This Saturday is another of those moments - which Blades team will turn up? The "new" CW team that keeps it going or the Blades team of the past.

I actually can't wait to see - roll on Saturday. Mojo is back.............at least for a short while - hopefully longer.

UTB

False dawns have become as expected as the below-par players we've bought regularly. One of the things I like about Wilder is that he appears to have his antennae focused closer to the supporter's view of what constitutes a half-decent player. He'll make mistakes, that's only human, it's just that he'll make fewer than those who sat in the manager's chair before him.

Of course I understand the reservations that still exist. When Clough first took control I was lured into the belief that finally we had no further need of playing managerial merry-go-round, so what do I know? Positively, in Duffy and Fleck we've signed two really talented players. The resurrection of Freeman and Coutts has surprised many, but then isn't that what you hope for in a manager, that his expertise will be able to identify that beneath the mediocrity there might also exist a player worth keeping?

You're right FB, the mojo's back where it deserves to be, at BDTBL! UTB

 

[Dellas Cowboys]

UTD (up the duff)

 

[The_Green_Man]

I like big butts and I can not lie........

 

[Fulwood Blade]

False dawns have become as expected as the below-par players we've bought regularly. One of the things I like about Wilder is that he appears to have his antennae focused closer to the supporter's view of what constitutes a half-decent player. He'll make mistakes, that's only human, it's just that he'll make fewer than those who sat in the manager's chair before him.

Of course I understand the reservations that still exist. When Clough first took control I was lured into the belief that finally we had no further need of playing managerial merry-go-round, so what do I know? Positively, in Duffy and Fleck we've signed two really talented players. The resurrection of Freeman and Coutts has surprised many, but then isn't that what you hope for in a manager, that his expertise will be able to identify that beneath the mediocrity there might also exist a player worth keeping?

You're right FB, the mojo's back where it deserves to be, at BDTBL! UTB

Well, I thought Clough was the right person - and still do. Reckon he will keep Burton up. Sure , he's different and had some annoying foibles, but I believe he would have got us out last season.

Anyway - Freeman can be a very good wing back - fullback no - Wilder seems to have sussed him out - and if so, then great. Perhaps AK can work a bit of coaching genius on him and solve his defensive frailties.

Coutts - well, I am fed up of defending him on here - glad it is coming good for him - he has found a niche and if he only keeps the ball moving to the players, then so be it. At least he goes looking for the ball and doesn't hide, something sadly missing from numerous midfielders in the past couple of years.

As for what the manager sees - yes, agree totally. I was really disappointed that Adkins and his staff didn't appear to make any players better last season. I appreciated that they kept trying different things - players, formations etc, but it simply was never going to work for them. Sad in a way, but that's how footy is sometimes.

UTB