Duffy back with repeat ambition for Swans

Mar 20 2008 by Phil Blanche, Western Mail

SCOTTISH striker Darryl Duffy is hoping history repeats itself as he tries to put the finishing touches to Swansea City's promotion push.

Duffy was a revelation on loan at the back end of last season when five goals in as many games almost steered Swansea into the League One play-offs.

But the £300,000 summer signing has endured a dreadful time since his permanent switch from Hull; injury, illness and loss of form combining to make him a fringe figure as Swansea have closed in on promotion to the Championship.

Duffy has found himself as the fourth striker behind Jason Scotland, Guillem Bauza and the on-loan Febian Brandy and he has only two goals to his name all season.

Until Tuesday’s 2-0 win at Bristol Rovers he had not even started a league game since mid-November, but Duffy’s impact there alongside the 25-goal Scotland was such he could be a key player again for Roberto Martinez in the final few weeks of the campaign.

“I felt quite sharp despite not playing many games and I want to kick on from here,” said Duffy, who confessed his own surprise at being called up for the victory which took Swansea nine points clear at the top.

“Hopefully I can have a similar sort of impact to last season. There were about eight or nine games to go when I joined last season and I scored a few goals.

“There’s about the same amount of games left now and it would be great if the same thing happened again.”

Duffy admits he has suffered a crisis of confidence during a season where it has got so bad for him he has often failed to make the Swansea bench.

Before Tuesday his last start came against Brighton in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy on January 8, and you have to go back to Carlisle’s visit to the Liberty Stadium on September 14 for his one and only league goal this season.

“I won’t lie, my confidence has been low,” he said. “I haven’t started too many games and that’s been really disappointing for me.

“It’s really difficult to train constantly and know you’re not going to play games at the end of it.

“There are so many words – angry, frustrated, disappointed – to describe that feeling.

“It’s tough, but you just need to get your head down and train as hard as you can.

“Sometimes I’ve been like a bear with a sore head and I’ve probably not been the best of people to be around.

“But it would be a bad thing if I was coming out of training happy and bubbling knowing that I wouldn’t be playing.

“I’m happy with my reaction, but it’s up to the manager which team he picks.

“I’ve been chomping at the bit to play and hopefully I can get a run in the team and a few goals and build that confidence up again.”

Swans boss Martinez was delighted with Duffy’s contribution as the league leaders halted a mini-slump which had brought just one point from a possible nine and saw Doncaster and Carlisle close the gap to six points.

“I’ve seen Darryl in training on a daily basis and he has worked really hard, he deserved his chance and I thought he was fantastic,” said Martinez.

“In football, you cannot have an excuse when things are not going your way, and he has just got on with his job.

“He has been dying for his chance and he was lively and sharp.

“I’ve said before that the amount of games we have in a short space of time is amazing and you need those fresh legs.

“It was great to see the desire of the new faces coming in. They gave us that solid platform to get the win.”

Duffy could now be set for extended first-team action with Bauza off the pace in Saturday’s 4-2 defeat at Northampton and Brandy facing a three-game ban for his late red card at Rovers.

Brandy tangled with Rovers defender Danny Coles and both players grabbed each other by the throat.

Swansea will not appeal against the decision so Brandy will serve the first game of his suspension at Southend tomorrow.

“It was right in front of me and I can guarantee Febian hasn’t got a nasty bone in his body,” said Martinez about his player’s tackle which sparked the incident.

“He had a similar challenge last week and it’s just a desire to close the ball down, he doesn’t get off the ground with two feet.

“The challenge was a normal one and the referee told me that he was sent off because of the reaction.

“The two players grabbed each other by the throat and it’s disappointing that one gets more punished than the other.

“I don’t like these reactions in football, but, if that’s the case, then both players should be sent off.”