Roeder backing winger Damien

[Scottish Mag 3]

Glenn Roeder has backed Damien Duff to demonstrate his true class in Newcastle colours in the second half of the season after insisting the improving Irishman has finally got to grips with life at St James's Park.

 

The double Premiership winner has shown little of the form that made him a firm favourite at Stamford Bridge since joining United in a £5m move from Chelsea last summer but, as Duff prepares to return from a knee complaint that has sidelined him since mid-December, his manager believes he will win over his doubters in the coming weeks.

 

With time running out in his bid to strengthen his first-team squad, Roeder is relying on the return of the club's injured contingent to provide the impetus required to finish the campaign with a flourish.

 

And, having been encouraged by Duff's efforts since he resumed full training last week, the 51-year-old is confident a player who has yet to live up to his reputation in the North-East will begin to showcase the talents that have established him at the peak of his profession in recent years.

 

"Just like Obafemi Martins, it has taken time for Damien to settle," explained Roeder, who is expected to restore Duff to Newcastle's starting line-up when Aston Villa head to St James's Park on Wednesday.

 

"Coming out of London, having been there for three years and won the Premiership twice, Damien will have probably found this season mentally different.

 

"But I feel that in the second half of the season, having seen him in action myself out there on the training ground in the last couple of days, we will see Damien Duff really take off and play like he did for Chelsea.

 

"We will get value for money over the next three or four years from Damien Duff."

 

Duff came through a 70-minute practice match at the club's training ground unscathed on Friday morning and, like Titus Bramble - who also took part in the exercise without any problems - the 27-year-old will offer Roeder the kind of options he has been denied for much of this season.

 

Although his signing appeared a masterstroke on Roeder's part, the Irishman remains an enigmatic figure at St James's Park. But, while there is no doubt that Duff has yet to reproduce the dazzling form with which he won universal admiration during his days at Ewood Park and Stamford Bridge, his manager is convinced he will come good.

 

"When you consider the prices that are being asked at the moment, the price we paid for Damien was not over-expensive," said Roeder, who is confident Duff has finally settled in the North-East. He will get the chance to prove it this week.

 

Another player who has taken time to find his feet at St James's Park is Martins but, having persevered with the £10m Nigerian, Roeder has reaped the rewards in recent weeks.

 

Martins has struck 10 times already during his maiden campaign in the English game and as he hopes will be the case with Duff, Roeder knows that patience is a virtue. "I can only talk about what people in the game are saying to me," he said.

 

"In my three days at the Pro-Licence course (last week), there were two or three Premiership managers, and maybe an international manager who lectured, and all were very impressed with him and would like him to be in their team.

 

"Even though he looked expensive at the start, he now looks value for money and I do think that he will really take off next year."

 

With Wednesday's transfer deadline looming, Roeder's chances of adding to his first-team squad seem increasingly slim. The United boss is continuing to chase two loan signings, but time is not on his side.

 

Roeder is keen to add a defender and a striker to his squad, although the agent of Deportivo La Coruña's Fabricio Coloccini last night claimed United had failed with a bid for the Argentinian stopper.

 

Saint-Etienne forward Frederic Piquionne has emerged as a target and sources in France have claimed discussions have been held between the 28-year-old's club and St James's Park officials.

 

The former Nimes and Rennes striker is understood to be available on loan for the remainder of the season with a view to a £5m permanent transfer in the summer.

 

He has also attracted interest from Lyon, who had a £3.7m bid rejected this month.

 

The French champions have since swapped striker John Carew for Aston Villa's Czech Republic front man Milan Baros. Piquionne has sat out his club's last three matches - including last night's 3-3 draw at Lens.

[Sima 0]

Believe it when I see it tbh

[Howaythetoon 0]

Believe it when I see it tbh

 

Same here, he rarely strings 10 consecutive games together these days and seems prone to too many niggly injuries, that and awful form that stretches back over a year now indicates to me a player whose better days are behind him. Bad signing in my opinion and typical of this club's transfer policy. Had we not signed Duff we would today have the money to buy both that Argentinian defender and the Yank, defenders we could do with. Still, you can never have too many wingers though...

[Invicta_Toon 0]

you'd be amazed at who wants to sign our players

[sammynb 3342]

Believe it when I see it tbh

 

Same here, he rarely strings 10 consecutive games together these days and seems prone to too many niggly injuries, that and awful form that stretches back over a year now indicates to me a player whose better days are behind him. Bad signing in my opinion and typical of this club's transfer policy. Had we not signed Duff we would today have the money to buy both that Argentinian defender and the Yank, defenders we could do with. Still, you can never have too many whingers though...

tbqfh

[Tooj 17]

Time to settle Glenn? Duff was never a fan of the bright lights of London, took him about a week to decide to actually move to Chelsea from there.