The Irishman has struggled to impress in a black and white shirt and the fans are starting to wonder why Chelsea paid £17 million for him in 2003. He certainly hasn't looked a £5m player ... never mind £17m.
And there have been suggestions that the winger is unhappy with life on Tyneside. More than suggestions, if the truth was known.
Roeder: "Class is forever and that is still there. It's just a case of us and him squeezing it out. He did not have a pre-season like other players, so that means he has to play catch up. But with his attitude and ability I have no worries.
"Damien is, by his own admission, taking time to settle in, but he has come from a side that has just won two league titles and has moved from one end of the country to another.
"The pace of life in London is different to Morpeth, where he lives, and the injury he had has not helped. But I have spoken to him and he has no regrets about joining Newcastle. In fact, he loves it up here, having friends like Shay Given and Steve Carr.
"He has signed a five-year contract and he will be here for that long as far as I'm concerned. He has shown in the past what he can do and we just have to be patient."
Sorry Glenn ... but "not having a pre-season" does not wash as regards his form in February and March! And I cannot possibly understand how a manager can use that as an excuse.
Scores of players in the Premiership were involved in the World Cup and had two weeks holiday before returning to Premiership action. Now that IS an excuse! Not someone who had an extra long holiday.
Come on Roeder ... welcome to the REAL world!