Swans head into must win game – will it be enough for Duff?

[JA News]

Saturday 23rd September could prove to be a pivotal day in the career of Michael Duff as he leads his Swansea side into the next game of his managerial career in SA1 and it is certainly not inconceivable that it could be the last.  Whatever happens. After seven league games without a win and just three...

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[cadleigh]

In all probability, yes. After Russell Martin's first 8 games in charge we had 7 points and we were in 21st place. If Duff gets a win today we'll have 6 from his first 8 games and we could be in 21st place. It took another two seasons of more of the same before Martin was shown the door.

Plus we came within a few minutes of having another two points in the last game. Martin pulled off something similar, but that was rescuing a point against Luton at the death. But for small margins, Duff could be on 8 points tonight and Martin could have been on 5 at the same stage.

I've remembered a difference between this season's QPR fixture and last season's. Last time, a minority of the crowd sang 'Swansea loves you more than you will know' at Mr Fisty during the game and cheered him at the end. This time a minority booed Duff after the match. Not much to tell between the two performances, in all honesty, except that we were better for the first 15 minutes this time round. Probably the same teenagers responsible for cheering/booing both times.

None of this is exonerating Duff for some poor football so far this season. Just addressing the question of whether it's reasonable to discuss sacking him so early. As I recall, Martin said his first 10 games were all about sorting out the defence, then he planned to move on to the rest of the positions (that worked out well!) It could reasonably be argued that (Cardiff aside) Duff is actually doing a good job of doing just that.

 

[sainthelens]

2 observations.
Russ wasn't shown the door.
And on what planet is Duff actually doing a good job ?

 

[cadleigh]

2 observations.
Russ wasn't shown the door.
And on what planet is Duff actually doing a good job ?

You surely don't think the bearded professional Pep Impersonator was really going to be offered another contract? :shock: He was a dead man walking by last Christmas, that's why they kept the safe locked when he ran around trying to buy mostly random players that few of us had heard of. Southampton did us a massive favour in taking him off our hands and not forcing us to pay yet more compo. If we ever get any money for him that'll be icing on the cake.

Now, as to 'a good job', I said it could be reasonably argued that Duff is doing a good job of sorting the defence out. Compared to the clown-in-a-minefield performances that we saw for most of Martin's tenure, and that continued at the start of Duff's time in charge, would you not agree that we have steadily been getting better in that department so far this season?

If I had to bet which one will be sacked first, my money is on Martin.

 

[sainthelens]

You surely don't think the bearded professional Pep Impersonator was really going to be offered another contract? :shock: He was a dead man walking by last Christmas, that's why they kept the safe locked when he ran around trying to buy mostly random players that few of us had heard of. Southampton did us a massive favour in taking him off our hands and not forcing us to pay yet more compo. If we ever get any money for him that'll be icing on the cake.

Now, as to 'a good job', I said it could be reasonably argued that Duff is doing a good job of sorting the defence out. Compared to the clown-in-a-minefield performances that we saw for most of Martin's tenure, and that continued at the start of Duff's time in charge, would you not agree that we have steadily been getting better in that department so far this season?

If I had to bet which one will be sacked first, my money is on Martin.

We'll never know if he was gonna be sacked , me being picky by saying he left on his terms.
And sorry pal, there are literally no redeeming features for me in anything I've seen from us so far. Maybe last 10 mins v Baggies/first 10 mins v Brizzles and QPR and that's being generous.

 

[cadleigh]

We'll never know if he was gonna be sacked , me being picky by saying he left on his terms.
And sorry pal, there are literally no redeeming features for me in anything I've seen from us so far. Maybe last 10 mins v Baggies/first 10 mins v Brizzles and QPR and that's being generous.

In terms of overall performance I agree 100%. In terms of defence, I read this on another forum recently “We are now third best [in the division] for interceptions and 6th best for tackles. We are still bad for blocks but are now only joint worst rather than being way worse than the rest.” I know the adage about Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics, but that squares with my impression. We are improving defensively - slowly.

 

[cadleigh]

And that is a perfect example of why it is rarely a good idea to call things too early. I well remember a poster on social media declaring that Martin was "the real deal" before he'd managed a single game. Two years later he is still trying to dig himself out of that hole, and he's not alone in that particular pit.

Eight games in, Duff is one point off Martin's total at the same point in his first season and in exactly the same league position.

Now personally, I would say I still have no clue about Duff's preferred style of football, whereas two years ago I don't think anyone was in any doubt about what Martinball looks like. Someone today said he is combining the worst of 'Cooperball' and 'Martinball'. Is that his intention, or just the way it is playing out while he gets the team playing the way he wants? His record to date suggests he always takes time to get his ideas implemented on the pitch. Maybe he needs to work on his communication skills with fans, the media, and possibly with his players too. Maybe he has been promoted beyond his abilities, like Martin. Time will tell - and eight games in is way too early to call it.

 

[Captain_Sham]

I like Duff and I want him to succeed. I was the same with Cooper. I never really took to Russ, although obviously as he was managing the team I support, I was hoping he did a good job. Same with Potter. I thought he was a bit of a twange, and when fkd off I wasn't the least bit surprised.