There are two chances that Damien Duff will tell his Shelbourne players that staying up is the priority next season He would be a liar if he does.
Shels are adamant they won’t blow the budget just because they’ve appointed a big name. But it doesn’t take a lot to be the surprise package in this league and Duff is ambitious.
He’ll push the club as hard as he can and qualifying for Europe or winning one of the Cups is not out of the question. It’s a professional game and you have to aim high. Sure, he might fall short but it’s not an unrealistic objective.
I loved reading Duff’s interviews yesterday. He pulled no punches and was brutally honest and open. By accident or design, he exposed his flaws which is the opposite of what the coaches manual tells you to do.
A lot of managers and coaches these days are insular and robotic. I don’t know where it comes from, but it’s the fashionable thing to say nothing. It’s the same drivel all the time.
Duff was a breath of fresh air. He sounded human, he sounded interesting. But not just to the journalists, to the players who’ll be going into his dressing room.
They’ll lap that up and will enjoy his professionalism. If you want to go through the motions and just have a laugh when you turn up, go and play five-a-side twice a week.
When you’re in the professional game, you need to feed off the intensity and pressure of it all.
There are so many layers to Damien Duff and he’ll be upfront and honest with his players. Believe me, footballers appreciate that more because they’ll see through the spoofers in an instant.
Everyone has different s**t going on in their lives. Supporters can park their troubles for 90 minutes when they turn up at a football match. But the people they’re watching - the players, managers and coaches - aren’t immune to life's worries.
We don’t view the game here as an industry but for many it’s a full-time job and players have mortgages, debt, problems with the kids, their partners, health issues.
That doesn’t go away just because you’re a footballer or a manager and that’s why Duff’s interviews were fantastic.
He admitted being scared about the job which is brilliant because we’re all scared and unsure in life. I’ve yet to meet someone who has their s**t together and everything mapped out nice and neatly.
Duff will still get frustrated because no matter how much you strive for perfection, you’ll never get there - ever. But you can get as close as you can to it.
That’s a double-edged sword, of course. You need to push people around you and we need people like him doing that, otherwise we get too comfortable.
Being uncomfortable and frustrated is part of his personality but having admitted as much will help him get over issues quickly and move on. I can’t wait to see it all play out.
FIRST DIVISION REWARDS FOR MEDIOCRITY
The set-up of the First Division playoffs is a farce.
The idea that a team that finishes fifth can get into the Premier Division is just insane.
Why should you be rewarded for mediocrity and a mid-table finish?
It’s like when there’s a bad smell in a room and everyone scrunches up their face but nobody will say where it’s coming from.
Well, it’s coming from the First Division!
The second-placed team should play the second-from-bottom side in the Premier and nothing more.
End of story.
HOOPS STARS ROVERLOOKED
Stephen Bradley is right to highlight the fact that none of his Shamrock Rovers players have won a Player of the Month award.
It’s surprising to say the least when you think of Danny Mandroiu and Dylan Watts’ form at various stages this season.
But when I was a player, I never put too much stock on monthly awards. Too many Bohs supporters voting from the press box if you ask me!
No, I think it’s harder for a Rovers player to win a monthly award as everyone accepts they’re the club with the most money and best players.
They’re expected to clean up on all fronts, so people naturally look elsewhere for little good news stories.
POTM competitions are also driven by goal scorers and those chipping in with assists. It's a beauty contest and a more forensic look would be ideal.
KNOCK IT ON THE ED, OK?
Ed Sheeran could sing ‘Baa Baa Black Sheep’ and he’d still get to No 1.
Good luck to him, I’m sure he’s a nice guy who just floats through life but I’m sick of the sight and sound of him.
He’s plugging his gigs in Ireland at the moment and is all over the TV and radio every time I switch them on.
If he could have a little word with his PR team to tone it down a notch, I’d greatly appreciate it.
NOT A HATCH ON WHAT HE USED TO BE
When I was a kid, you were deemed a ‘hatcher’ if you stood beside the goal without contributing to the game in any other way.
It was usually the player with the big fat arse too, hogging the glory and the limelight while his mates ran their socks off.
Cristiano Ronaldo is just a chiselled and ridiculously well-paid version of that guy we all remember.
He’s doing little or nothing in games until he pops up with the late goal, flashes that slightly creepy smile with the blinding-white teeth and gets the headlines.
You’d still want a bit more bang for your buck than that, no?
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
