Roeder Tries To Convince Fred To Back Him

Last updated : 29 January 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor

... this transfer window the manager is finding it very hard to convince Freddy Shepherd his judgement is good enough to back. His two signings - Damien Duff and Oba Martins - both struggled at first, but Roeder insists they are worth the dosh paid out.

Roeder: "Just like Obafemi Martins, it has taken time for Damien to settle. Coming out of London, having been there for three years and won the Premiership twice, Damien will have probably found this season mentally different.

"But I feel that in the second half of the season, having seen him in action myself out there on the training ground in the last couple of days, we will see Damien Duff really take off and play like he did for Chelsea.

"We will get value for money over the next three or four years from Damien Duff.

"When you consider the prices that are being asked at the moment, the price we paid for Damien was not over-expensive. As for Oba Martins, I can only talk about what people in the game are saying to me," he said.

"In my three days at the Pro-Licence course (last week), there were two or three Premiership managers, and maybe an international manager who lectured, and all were very impressed with him and would like him to be in their team.

"Even though he looked expensive at the start, he now looks value for money and I do think that he will really take off next year."