Fulham added another piece to its' puzzle on Tuesday with the signing of left winger Damien Duff from Newcastle United for an undisclosed fee.
Duff has a long standing relationship with Fulham boss Roy Hodgson dating back to their Blackburn days when Duff broke into the first team for then Rovers boss Hodgson. The then 20-year-old Duff burst onto the scene at Ewood Park before leaving for Chelsea in 2003 for 17-million-pounds.
After being in and out of the Chelsea lineup, Duff decided to move onto Newcastle in 2006 for only 5-million-pounds. Duff's time at Newcastle had its bright spots but was overshadowed by the mess that became the Magpies being relegated last season.
Duff's best days were spent with Blackburn and in order for him to be productive now at Fulham he will have to revert back to his form from those days. No one will question his pace and ability to attack from the left wing, but he has not been able to to be the consistent player that both Chelsea and Newcastle have wanted from him.
If anyone can reignite Duff it will be Hodgson. I like the signing here, but I am very curious to see how he plays for Fulham. While he might be big in name, he has a lot to prove. He is not an automatic first team player in my eyes. Perhaps with Simon Davies out through injury right now he will get a bulk of the first team action, but when Davies returns he might be used in a reserve role pending his performances up to that point.
What does everyone else think of the Duff signing? What role do you see him playing at the club?
Comments
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Posted by Michael on 08/18/2009
I tend to agree, a "5th" midfielder if you will. He'll provide some strong minutes, but probably won't start unless to relieve someone given the number of games with Europa this season.
I like that it is not a hugely expensive signing. Fulham should stay relatively stable financially.
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Posted by Nick on 08/18/2009
Let him play the left side and switch Dempsey over to the right. Simon Davies would be better off as a sub. I have been waiting for us to sign a better midfielder so we may finally get Davies off the field. It seemed last season that we would hold the ball with beautiful, very calm possession, right up until it hit Davies foot. Then he would constantly play these 50/50 balls downfield giving possession back the other way. Duff is a much smarter player and I believe he will mesh well with who we have on the field.
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Posted by Adam on 08/19/2009
I can see Duff getting a string of games early on for Fulham, especially while Davies is injured. Gera is a good squad player, but should not be starting. If he performs well straight away it will likely become his job to lose, and Davies will have to earn his spot back.
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Posted by Rick in Chicago on 08/20/2009
I'm very happy with the Duff signing. We've all been talking about getting more depth in the team. I think he'll feature in the starting 11 regularly, even if he has something to prove. I doubt they would have brought in a veteran of his stature if they did not intend him to start. You don't want a veteran stewing on your bench. The pending Greening signing is welcome, too. I wouldn't mind another central defender, and it's very important that we hold on to Hangeland. If they can get a little more depth on the back line, they'll be set for a long run in Europe and a strong finish domestically.
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Posted by Jonathan on 08/20/2009
Terrific signing for the club, adding more depth to the midfield. However, it remains to be seen how much playing time Duff will get. Obviously, I would imagine that Davies would start ahead f him, until Duff proves his worth, but if I was Davies, I would be feeling a little nervous.
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Posted by Vincent Vaiano on 08/20/2009
I think that these comment have been pretty much dead-on. uff can play on the left and you can move Dempsey to the right. Or, remember, Dempsey can play up front with either partner and Duff would be the natural choice to fill his place when moved up front. Duff still had the ball skills and pace to create chances and openings out wide, something that seemed to be missing last season until Dempsey was put into the lineup. Any thoughts on using EJ out wide? With his pace, he can definitely create some openings as well.
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Posted by David on 08/20/2009
Sounds like an excellent signing. He provides additional cover on the wings which is definitely needed considering Davies lengthy injury and Gera's shakey play. Of note also, is the fact that they finally picked up Greening for a year on loan. He provide compition and cover for Murphy and Etuhu which was much needed. He was the Baggies captain so he should be a good leader on the pitch as well. All around good signings if you ask me.
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Posted by James on 08/26/2009
Vincent... im not sure if u watched the Chelsea game but seeing that game i think puting Clint Dempsey up top is out of the picture... he needs too be playing out wide makn moves and advancing the ball too the strikers... as for Eddie Johnson seeing him out wide might be his spot at Fulham... and it could give him more playing time wit top level clubs... i still think we need 1 or 2 more midfield subs... i cant think of any cheap midfielders who could actually help us... mayb the Greening loan will change my mind im highly upset that i didnt get to see him perform against Chelsea behind our home crowd that wouldve been good and raised our playing level... and i think at Halftime Roy shouldve seen Dempsey wasnt getting any balls up front and switched him for Davies or Duff up top... just for more midfield possession... especially wit Murphy getting hurt... i wouldve liked too see if he can play inside even though i know he is an outside midfielder... but he has leadership, physicallity,
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Posted by James on 08/26/2009
and the ball control / finess too hold the ball and make things happen for Fulham
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