The Mail Bag
Duffy a Gem?
Comments (21)
I thought some of you might be interested to read an article about Shane Duffy from one of the Irish papers today.
http://www.herald.ie/sport/soccer/irish-unearth-a-gem-in-duffy-2185406.html
Although only a training match, for now, It seems we might have a nice little player on our books. Let's hope he keeps developing the way he is and goes on to fulfill his potential.
Is there anybody out there who follows the reserves or would have seen him play regularly? Would any of you be of the same opinion as this reporter? Cheers
Stephen Rogers, Posted 20/05/2010 at 03:08:40
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Ian Kearney
2 Posted 20/05/2010 at 14:59:47
2 Posted 20/05/2010 at 14:59:47
I haven't seen enough of him, but keep hearing good things. Not sure he will make it, but I don't think ability on the ball will necessarily stop him. There's some unbelievable yard dogs in the Prem, some are even in the England squad.
Nick Broadhurst
3 Posted 20/05/2010 at 15:25:08
3 Posted 20/05/2010 at 15:25:08
I thought he did well against Bate Borisov and, although nervy when he came on at AEK, settled well there too. I've always attributed the centre back role to a player with a level head who can still excell later on in their career in that position. It's a role that benefits hugely from experience, Sol Campbell being an example of a centre back who can still seemingly do a job there for Arsenal these days.
He's shown early promise and seems composed enough for a teenager to improve significantly over time. Definately one to watch.
He's shown early promise and seems composed enough for a teenager to improve significantly over time. Definately one to watch.
Steve Robinson
4 Posted 20/05/2010 at 15:31:37
4 Posted 20/05/2010 at 15:31:37
Seriously, how can you say he won't make it already? Think the lad is 18 and is promising already and has all the physical attributes. At 18 he has years and years to come on and improve his game with positional sense etc.
Trust me, this lad will be a gem!
Trust me, this lad will be a gem!
Chris Keightley
5 Posted 20/05/2010 at 16:38:22
5 Posted 20/05/2010 at 16:38:22
Steve, my sentiments exactly. Centre-backs, as we all know, really come into their own in their late 20s; he's what 18-19? The fact Moyes has played him on the odd occasion makes me believe we may have a half decent lad on our books!!
Alex Marsh Nikas
6 Posted 20/05/2010 at 16:44:09
6 Posted 20/05/2010 at 16:44:09
Still very young and inexperienced, I hope Moyes sends him out on loan to a Championship side, get some more competitive games, like Coleman.
Mike Allison
7 Posted 20/05/2010 at 17:29:29
7 Posted 20/05/2010 at 17:29:29
Richard Dunne looked abysmal when he came through, no ability on the ball, slow and the turning circle of a supertanker. We were right to get rid of him at the time. If he can become a top Premier League defender then I'm sure Duffy has a chance.
Steve Pugh
8 Posted 20/05/2010 at 17:44:52
8 Posted 20/05/2010 at 17:44:52
I agree with Mike, get him some experience in the Championship so that he can learn to judge the play in front of him and improve his reading of the game in proper competitive football.
He has the potential to be a top centre-half, if he can get that side of his game sorted.
He has the potential to be a top centre-half, if he can get that side of his game sorted.
Alex Kociuba
9 Posted 20/05/2010 at 20:07:43
9 Posted 20/05/2010 at 20:07:43
Mike Allison, I'd disagree, Dunne was always pretty good, remember he played in a fairly crap Everton team at the time. I think the fans were generally split when we sold him.
Fran Mitchell
10 Posted 20/05/2010 at 20:30:52
10 Posted 20/05/2010 at 20:30:52
I think Dunne had alcoholisim problems. He was very highly rated, but he started drinking too much, too regularly and gained lots of weight if I remember. He needed to leave Everton as part of his rehab too, I think I remember him saying.
This is all patchy memories of him talking about this on some program many years ago, so I may not be completely correct.
As for Duffy, he looks ok, he's 18 so let's not start talking about him as anything other than a youngster. A central defender can never really command a place in the team till they're 22/23 so let's be patient.
This is all patchy memories of him talking about this on some program many years ago, so I may not be completely correct.
As for Duffy, he looks ok, he's 18 so let's not start talking about him as anything other than a youngster. A central defender can never really command a place in the team till they're 22/23 so let's be patient.
Christopher McCullough
11 Posted 20/05/2010 at 21:33:02
11 Posted 20/05/2010 at 21:33:02
I see him as a long-term replacement for Jagielka while Rodwell is the Heitinga's long-term replacement. I'm surprised nobody really mentions Rodders as a central defender anymore.
Peter Warren
12 Posted 20/05/2010 at 22:22:01
12 Posted 20/05/2010 at 22:22:01
Chris; I think the reason is because Rodwell has looked a real threat going forward in a central midfield position so people are wondering whether or not he would be wasted at CB.
Duffy seems a very good player and I actually think he will make it surprised to hear someone else say he won't. A good few youngsters coming through the ranks which is great and hopefully the training ground and facilities are doing the trick
Duffy seems a very good player and I actually think he will make it surprised to hear someone else say he won't. A good few youngsters coming through the ranks which is great and hopefully the training ground and facilities are doing the trick
Christopher McCullough
13 Posted 20/05/2010 at 22:49:15
13 Posted 20/05/2010 at 22:49:15
Take your point, Peter. I forget what game it was but Rodwell made a surge down the left-wing and I thought 'this guy could play anywhere'. He is such an impressive athlete. However, I think if he was at Barca or Ajax, for example, this would not be such an unusual trait in a centre half. Total football etc. I just think that Rodwell could be Beckenbauer-esque while Duffy could be his 'old-school' centre half foil.
Steve Edwards
14 Posted 21/05/2010 at 10:19:44
14 Posted 21/05/2010 at 10:19:44
I was quite impressed with young Duffy when he came on in the European games. The key here is that he is only eighteen. He's a big strong lad for his age and I thought that he looked the part. I think he has every chance of making the grade but needs games to get the experience.
I think a lone spell would do him the world of good. You don't have to be the greatest player on the ball to play centre back although it helps. In any case that side of his game could develop as he gains more confidence. I don't think distribution is one of Phil Jagielka's greatest assets and he's not eighteen years old.
I think a lone spell would do him the world of good. You don't have to be the greatest player on the ball to play centre back although it helps. In any case that side of his game could develop as he gains more confidence. I don't think distribution is one of Phil Jagielka's greatest assets and he's not eighteen years old.
Gavin Ramejkis
15 Posted 21/05/2010 at 13:03:59
15 Posted 21/05/2010 at 13:03:59
Peter and Christopher don't forget Duncan Ferguson started out as a centre half up in Scotland as a youth and kept getting pushed further up the pitch. Gosling was bought whilst playing as a defender but doesn't play there for us. Whilst Rodwell's still young and has pace let's see him running at players.
From what I have seen of Duffy, he's still a kid but not the worst I have seen and looks decent with an old head playing alongside him, he needs more experience and it's way too early to be writing him off.
From what I have seen of Duffy, he's still a kid but not the worst I have seen and looks decent with an old head playing alongside him, he needs more experience and it's way too early to be writing him off.
Duncan McDine
16 Posted 21/05/2010 at 13:08:31
16 Posted 21/05/2010 at 13:08:31
Faiir enough that he shouldn't be written off (and I didn't)... but the original post asked for opinions. I didn't write him off as a pro footballer... but from what I've seen of him, I'd be surprised if he turns out to be a top class centre back (Rio, Vidic, Terry, Jags etc etc).
Remember what people were expecting from Peter Clarke, and where is he now? It'll be a great acheivement if any one of Baxter, Wallace, Duffy, and even Coleman go on to be top class players. All all say, is that its pretty obvious in most cases which ones have that special quality. Just about all of us saw it in Rodwell at 16, (and Rooney at the same age).
If they don't stand out head and shoulders above the rest at under 18's / reserve level, then I think its unlikely they'll turn out to be world beaters in their 20's.
Tis only my humble opinion.
Remember what people were expecting from Peter Clarke, and where is he now? It'll be a great acheivement if any one of Baxter, Wallace, Duffy, and even Coleman go on to be top class players. All all say, is that its pretty obvious in most cases which ones have that special quality. Just about all of us saw it in Rodwell at 16, (and Rooney at the same age).
If they don't stand out head and shoulders above the rest at under 18's / reserve level, then I think its unlikely they'll turn out to be world beaters in their 20's.
Tis only my humble opinion.
Peter Warren
17 Posted 21/05/2010 at 13:26:19
17 Posted 21/05/2010 at 13:26:19
Gav, didn't know that about Big Dunc interesting.
Chris, I think Rodwell will be moved back to centre half, totally agree he has ability to play anywhere and indeed, I see him in a Beckenbauer type role - although before my time ! He has potential to be a legend. Like Gav's point, Bergkamp played right back for Ajax and so I think EFC are doing it right playing him in different position and getting expierence.
Obviously, playing at the back, when still inexperienced is difficult as one mistake and that's it - hence why central defenders and more so, goalkeepers are invariably better with age.
Saying that what a potential young British back four we have - Baines, Rodwell Duffy and Coleman - great to have these youngsters who are so talented and have great potential. I always rated Ruddy but I suppose Moyes has seem him first hand and does not believe he has enough potential
Chris, I think Rodwell will be moved back to centre half, totally agree he has ability to play anywhere and indeed, I see him in a Beckenbauer type role - although before my time ! He has potential to be a legend. Like Gav's point, Bergkamp played right back for Ajax and so I think EFC are doing it right playing him in different position and getting expierence.
Obviously, playing at the back, when still inexperienced is difficult as one mistake and that's it - hence why central defenders and more so, goalkeepers are invariably better with age.
Saying that what a potential young British back four we have - Baines, Rodwell Duffy and Coleman - great to have these youngsters who are so talented and have great potential. I always rated Ruddy but I suppose Moyes has seem him first hand and does not believe he has enough potential
Alex Robinson
18 Posted 21/05/2010 at 14:22:18
18 Posted 21/05/2010 at 14:22:18
Careful Peter! You'll incur the wrath of some of our Irish brethren by calling Duffy and Coleman British (Coleman's already played for the Eire U21 team, and Duffy's chosen to play for the Republic even though he was brought up in Northern Ireland). But to the subject at hand... ;-)
Duffy's got great potential there's no doubt about that. He still needs to learn lot though, and having the likes of Jags, Johnny H, and Distin around will aid that learning process, not forgetting Alan Stubbs and a certain Mr Moyes as ex-central defenders on the coaching staff. I reckon we should give him another season in the reserves, combined with the valuable experience the aforementioned can pass on. Then, if he's good enough, loan him out to a Championship team a la Coleman, and hopefully when he comes back from a stint like that he'll be pushing for a first team place. If not then get rid like we did with Peter Clark (although he seems to be plying a decent trade in the lower leagues these days - I forget what team he's currently playing for).
Over to you Mr Duffy...
Duffy's got great potential there's no doubt about that. He still needs to learn lot though, and having the likes of Jags, Johnny H, and Distin around will aid that learning process, not forgetting Alan Stubbs and a certain Mr Moyes as ex-central defenders on the coaching staff. I reckon we should give him another season in the reserves, combined with the valuable experience the aforementioned can pass on. Then, if he's good enough, loan him out to a Championship team a la Coleman, and hopefully when he comes back from a stint like that he'll be pushing for a first team place. If not then get rid like we did with Peter Clark (although he seems to be plying a decent trade in the lower leagues these days - I forget what team he's currently playing for).
Over to you Mr Duffy...
Andy Crooks
19 Posted 21/05/2010 at 18:50:53
19 Posted 21/05/2010 at 18:50:53
Shane Duffy will be a top class Premier League centre back. I have seen him often and he has what it takes. Unlike Coleman, I wouldn't mind seeing him go on loan.
Anthony O'Sullivan
20 Posted 22/05/2010 at 12:11:59
20 Posted 22/05/2010 at 12:11:59
Duffy was involved in an accident at training with the Irish team. He got a knee to the chest he was taken to hospital where he underwent an emergency life saving operation to restore the blood supply to his liver.
He is recovering in hospital today and seems to be ok.
He is recovering in hospital today and seems to be ok.
Brendan O'Doherty
21 Posted 22/05/2010 at 15:01:14
21 Posted 22/05/2010 at 15:01:14
It was a very serious incident.
http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2010/0522/duffys.html
http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2010/0522/duffys.html
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1 Posted 20/05/2010 at 14:26:27
I'm sure he'll go on to be a decent, strong, no nonsense type of centre-half... but from what I've seen of him on the ball, he'll never be a top Premier League player.