Far from a Duff deal
It may have been 3-0 when Damien Duff reluctantly made way for Albert Luque on Saturday against PSV Eindhoven.
But the Newcastle United new boy more than played his part on his debut at St Jamesâ Park.
Duff never stopped running on Saturday and showed why United wanted him so much from Chelsea.
It wasnâÂÂt just his fantastic dribbling, passing and crossing. But also his ability to shake off defenders and the genuine look of disappointment when the fourth official confirmed his number was up on the hour mark was an almighty encouraging sign.
Duff is here to play and that must be music to the ears of the Geordie faithful.
The Toon Army love to see players running at defenders, beating them and producing that killer cross - preferably with a respected number 9 polishing things off - could you say in Duff we have half of that dream in the bag already?
Down the years United have almost afforded the same cult status to wingers as they have to the great number 9s themselves.
Names like Terry Hibbitt, Chrissy Waddle, David Ginola, Keith Gillespie and Laurent Robert have all had some truly sensational moments at United and thatâÂÂs to name but a few.
Everybody has their favourite Toon winger!
One of my personal favourite moments was when David Ginola in one of his early games gave then Middlesbrough defender Neil Cox a near mental breakdown after a terrific showing at the Gallowgate back in 1995, culminating with a trio of step-overs before the laying the ball off.
Cox later claimed because he was on a yellow card he could do little about GinolaâÂÂs roasting - but the truth was heâÂÂd been ran ragged.
Now there isnâÂÂt a Geordie alive who isnâÂÂt willing Duff to join that legendary group of UnitedâÂÂs wide men.
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Lee Ryder - Proudly born and bred on Tyneside, the Chronicle's chief sports writer has followed the fortunes of the club over the last three decades as a Toon fan and football writer.
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Hopefully Duff is what the Toon need! A player who not only cares for the club and the fans, but after the hype can produce great performances like he did at the weekend!
Duff is a class act. I'm suprised that we managed to get him so cheaply...let's just hope we can get someone to fill the number nine shirt to start putting away the chances that Duff will create.
I agree about getting Duff for 5M he is the bargain of the season.Give him 4-6 weeks to fit into the squad and if he stands by his own talk about finishing his career at ST James' park he will become a legend.
Duff was a snatch...a bargain....that lad will do good for us well done glenn...u know who we need.
as a toon fan living in magalluf i am finding it very difficult to keep other team supporters beliving as i do in my team even though they admire me for my loyalty.i have been a toon fan since 1965 and will be till the day i die i just wish we could prove to others what a great team we are, bring back the entertaining football and forget formats