Michael Duff

[Captain_Sham]

We react to what happens. 7 games without a win. Unhappy supporters. 4 wins in a row. Happy supporters. If we lose 4 in a row we are going to be unhappy again. Revisiting old opinions, when situations have flipped, is idiotic.

 

[JackSomething]

We react to what happens. 7 games without a win. Unhappy supporters. 4 wins in a row. Happy supporters. If we lose 4 in a row we are going to be unhappy again. Revisiting old opinions, when situations have flipped, is idiotic.

Aye. Fun though.

 

[ROKERITE]

We react to what happens. 7 games without a win. Unhappy supporters. 4 wins in a row. Happy supporters. If we lose 4 in a row we are going to be unhappy again. Revisiting old opinions, when situations have flipped, is idiotic.

True but Duff was under real pressure and being heavily criticised when he'd been in charge for just six league matches.
If a manager has been underperforming at a club for a season and more and hits a bad run of form criticism will naturally come his way. But it is ridiculous when he's finding his feet at a new club and has just had to sell Joel Piroe.
Hey it's not unique to Swansea City; it happens at almost every club.
I've no doubt a bad run will occur some time and, as you say, there'll be grumbling again. But at least Duff has had the chance to put a bit of credit in the bank.

 

[swansvalleyjack]

It was going to take Duff a little while to change the DNA ingrained by RM in several players.

Now not only are results forthcoming, but some more direct and entertaining football, thank god.

A way to go yet, Leicester next will be a big test, but compared to RM it's developing nicely (of late)

Btw, talking about RM, here's a post from Saints Forum today...sound familiar . I never want to see this again (though we will when they come here) ...

"The only thing that really frustrates me in this 'new way' lark is how ponderously SLOOOOOOOOOOW we are in the build-up. We need to mix it up with some zippy long diagonal balls (yes that may not connect) and much faster movement of the ball. Teams have time to get back behind the ball, make a cup of tea, watch the video of the 'attack' build-up, discuss defensive options and then pack the box to clear"

 

[Longlostjack]

It was going to take Duff a little while to change the DNA ingrained by RM in several players.

Now not only are results forthcoming, but some more direct and entertaining football, thank god.

A way to go yet, Leicester next will be a big test, but compared to RM it's developing nicely (of late)

Btw, talking about RM, here's a post from Saints Forum today...sound familiar . I never want to see this again (though we will when they come here) ...

"The only thing that really frustrates me in this 'new way' lark is how ponderously SLOOOOOOOOOOW we are in the build-up. We need to mix it up with some zippy long diagonal balls (yes that may not connect) and much faster movement of the ball. Teams have time to get back behind the ball, make a cup of tea, watch the video of the 'attack' build-up, discuss defensive options and then pack the box to clear"

Bang on. Duff is no bullshitter which I like. Got off to a bad start PR wise but I‘d had enough of slick ego driven press conferences anyway. Never mind parroting what fans would like to hear.

 

[Dillwyn the Dog]

True but Duff was under real pressure and being heavily criticised when he'd been in charge for just six league matches.
If a manager has been underperforming at a club for a season and more and hits a bad run of form criticism will naturally come his way. But it is ridiculous when he's finding his feet at a new club and has just had to sell Joel Piroe.
Hey it's not unique to Swansea City; it happens at almost every club.
I've no doubt a bad run will occur some time and, as you say, there'll be grumbling again. But at least Duff has had the chance to put a bit of credit in the bank.

It amazes me how these same people not willing to give Duff 7 games allowed Martin two whole seasons of absolute banal mediocrity.

Where are the sane peeps??

 

[exiledclaseboy]

I really thought he’d blown it and was a pile of dung.Not as much as Clasie did, obvs.

I apologise from the bottom of my arse. You have the freedom of the city now. Just keep it! The russbots will be waiting.

Oh and Andrew NH said that these games would be the ‘real test’. Will he discount this like he tried to discount Narch?

What on earth have I done now?

 

[Captain_Sham]

Bump. I cant see anything but Swans news posts. I'm just bumping this to see if it brings it up to the top.

 

[Dillwyn the Dog]

It was going to take Duff a little while to change the DNA ingrained by RM in several players.

Now not only are results forthcoming, but some more direct and entertaining football, thank god.

A way to go yet, Leicester next will be a big test, but compared to RM it's developing nicely (of late)

Btw, talking about RM, here's a post from Saints Forum today...sound familiar . I never want to see this again (though we will when they come here) ...

"The only thing that really frustrates me in this 'new way' lark is how ponderously SLOOOOOOOOOOW we are in the build-up. We need to mix it up with some zippy long diagonal balls (yes that may not connect) and much faster movement of the ball. Teams have time to get back behind the ball, make a cup of tea, watch the video of the 'attack' build-up, discuss defensive options and then pack the box to clear"

It’s frustrating that we wasted two seasons on that charlatan when we underperformed but should have done so much better.

Contrast to Duff - despite losing one of the top two strikers and best midfielders in the league plus a shed load of injuries he’s done absolute wonders. His his no frills hard working approach seems suddenly to be what we really needed all along and the football is miles better to watch. I sense a proper winning mentality is being forged and it’s really beginning to show.

Patterson yesterday was fantastic - two assists and he should have scored himself. Grimes looks like a new player although I think there’s more to come but I think Duff has made far more of a positive impact on some of our players who historically haven’t lived up to their full potential. Interesting to see how Walsh fares - if Duff can keep him fit and motivate him like the aforementioned there’s another excellent player in there.

In the build up to Leicester I hope Duff tells them that “it’s a free hit, you won’t be expected to win, that pressure will be on Leicester. Win however - it will be the stand out result in the division”. Really looking forward to this one now. Looking good as a squad and a team - we were ruthless and clinical yesterday and played some great football.

 

[Dr. Winston]

Some of the criticism was justified, some of it harsh.

There's no getting away from it, we were pretty shite early in the season. I think he could have made things easier for himself by shifting to a back four sooner (or even just going with that from the off) but there were definite glimpses, even if that's all they were at the time, of where he wanted us to go.

Midfield has stepped up big time, probably aided by the confidence of having a solid defensive four.

 

[CurtessECarr]

I don't think many were convinced up to and including Cardiff where we were going and although not vocally I too had my doubts.
Results breed confidence and MD is getting them and were all delighted. (Well most of us).
The experts on hoofball will probably believe our 3rd goal was just that. Where as most think it was a superb goal.
They would rather see 48 passes leading to that goal.

 

[Whaleoilbeefhooked]

It’s frustrating that we wasted two seasons on that charlatan when we underperformed but should have done so much better.

Contrast to Duff - despite losing one of the top two strikers and best midfielders in the league plus a shed load of injuries he’s done absolute wonders. His his no frills hard working approach seems suddenly to be what we really needed all along and the football is miles better to watch. I sense a proper winning mentality is being forged and it’s really beginning to show.

Patterson yesterday was fantastic - two assists and he should have scored himself. Grimes looks like a new player although I think there’s more to come but I think Duff has made far more of a positive impact on some of our players who historically haven’t lived up to their full potential. Interesting to see how Walsh fares - if Duff can keep him fit and motivate him like the aforementioned there’s another excellent player in there.

In the build up to Leicester I hope Duff tells them that “it’s a free hit, you won’t be expected to win, that pressure will be on Leicester. Win however - it will be the stand out result in the division”. Really looking forward to this one now. Looking good as a squad and a team - we were ruthless and clinical yesterday and played some great football.

Well said. Agree with all of that.

 

[sainthelens]

No doubt he's hit on something its clicked. And for that he deserves plenty of praise.
The stick he had early on was fully justified , and anyone saying different are talking outa their arse.
But time to look forward not back, this league ( Leicester/Leeds aside) is wide open, and as long as we avoid anymore long term injuries, and strengthen in the next window...absolutely no reason why we cant emulate Cov/Sunland/Luton last year. I can't see why we'd now resort back to the shite of the first 7 games.

 

[monmouth]

What on earth have I done now?

Can’t remember but there must be something.

 

[exiledclaseboy]

Can’t remember but there must be something.

Sounds fair. If it’s happening it’s probably my fault.