StevenageFan 0 Posted December 22, 2004 I have noticed that lots of posters are anticipating the return of Damo for the Boxing day clash. I would say don''t get your hopes up for 2 reasons.1) He is only returning to training on Christmas day and will therefore not be fully match fit and even if he does play will not be the Damo we have come to expect.2) I broke my cheekbone in 3 places whilst playing in goal taking a knee to the face during a one on one. I had the same operation as Damo to lift the cheek back into place and I too almost had to have a metal plate inserted. The thing is it is a very real confidence shatterer. I haven''t played in 11-a-side goal ever since, I now try to play on pitch. Although Damo is clearly allot tougher and allot better than I could hope to be, it will affect his confidence in the tackle and in the air, it will take a number of games before he is back to full flight. Playing him early could be to the detrement of the team and have negative affects on results and his own confidence.Please don''t rest too many hopes on him to turn our midfield around, get behind the players doing the job now and encourage everyone equally. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Worthy Nigelton<br><br><br><br><br>Evening News Sports Page Headline 8th August 2007:<br><br>Henderson joins Dereham Town. 0 Posted December 22, 2004 An excellent post StevenageFan, I 100% agree. If we bring Damo back to early and he is not quite as confident or commited in the tackle through fear of re-injuring the cheekbone this will serve to the detriment of everybody:1) The crowd will become restless and get on his back.2) He may lose confidence in his own game and might not be the same player he should be when he does become fully fit3) There is no point playing someone half fit ahead of a fully fit player, despite Damo being probably our best midfielder. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nolegs 0 Posted December 22, 2004 Official website states he will definately not be available for the spurs game. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dean Coneys boots 1,531 Posted December 22, 2004 too right injuries do knock confidence I bust my ribs playing rugby a few years back and it took ages to run into tackles without half thinking of them. Wiped out a whole season give or take- then one day- it was just over. Deep down we somehow know what to protect!! I reckon francis will be crocked for a while Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ca 1 Posted December 23, 2004 [quote]too right injuries do knock confidence I bust my ribs playing rugby a few years back and it took ages to run into tackles without half thinking of them. Wiped out a whole season give or take- then on...[/quote]I think that he will return against Portsmouth on January 1st which gives him another week of full training.Cant wait to have him back in the team, can you? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StevenageFan 0 Posted December 23, 2004 Cant wait to have him back in the team, can you?CityAngel this is exactly the kind of anticipation I am trying to warn against, too many people are wishing him back and I am trying to say that even when he comes back, he won''t be the same Damo as we had come to love. If he performs badly due to confidence I fear that people will turn on him as they did with, Holt and recently Helveg. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZLF 335 Posted December 23, 2004 Citybabes sentiments are right though - a fully functioning Damo can only enhance the side and the thought of him and Helveg in the defencive midfield pairing gives us real options. I agree that it may take a game or so for him to return to full form and a full challenge before real confidence returns but he is needed.OTBC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ca 1 Posted December 24, 2004 [quote]Cant wait to have him back in the team, can you? CityAngel this is exactly the kind of anticipation I am trying to warn against, too many people are wishing him back and I am trying to say that even ...[/quote]Stevenage fan,Sorry but I have to disagree with you because I cant wait to have him back and he will always be the same Damo that I have come to love whether he''s feeling 100% confident or not. I think we have missed him badly and even if he only gives 75% of his usual performance for a couple of games then that will be good enough for me.As for the crowd getting on his back I dont think so, hes surely most people''s Player of the Season so far! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StevenageFan 0 Posted January 4, 2005 always the first to eat humble pie, great prediction cityangel. He was back for Pompy and he scored. Thought his fitness let him down yesterday against Liverpool though hence the sub. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
