Bradford City boss on his unforgettable first encounter with Robbie Savage

The rival bosses come head-to-head on the Mbanq Valley Parade touchline tonight when City face Peterborough United for a place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals (7.45pm kick off).

Duff has never managed against the flamboyant Welshman – but does not expect a repeat of their first encounter on the pitch in a Burnley and Blackburn local derby.

The City boss told the Bradford Telegraph and Argus: “My first ever game against him probably tells you everything. It was in the FA Cup and they were Premier League at the time. It was a 0-0 draw and a supporter ran on the pitch after about half-an-hour and grabbed him round the throat!

“Tony Grant was probably our best player at the time and, in the replay, we’ve taken the kick-off and Robbie has booted, well tackled, Granty. It put him out the game and it was only five seconds old. That’s what he was.

“He went about his job and did it really well. He wound people up and went around and kicked them, but he was obviously a better footballer than people give him credit for to play at the level he did for that long.”

Savage got his first hot-seat job at Forest Green where Duff often bumped into him because they were both living in Cheltenham.

“He’s an infectious character and with Barry Fry there as well, I can’t imagine there’s a lot of quiet time in the office!

“I went to watch Reading v Mansfield about six weeks ago and sat next to Robbie the whole game because his son’s there.

“You can tell he loves football. He’s got an appetite and enthusiasm for it and that’s the way he played with that energy.

“His personality came out on the pitch. I’ve never managed against him so I don’t know what he’s like on the sidelines, but I know he can be quite lively.

“They scored against Burton in the last minute the other day and he’s down by the corner flag celebrating with all the players. He’ll bring that type of energy to the group and it looks like it’s had that lift.”

Duff will try to turn a blind eye to any histrionics that might be going on in the away dug-out later.

He added: “It doesn’t really bother me, to be honest. I try to focus on my team.

“I try not to get involved, but sometimes it’s difficult. If I’m engaging or worrying about where the opposition manager is, no matter who it is, then I’m not concentrating on my team.

“I’m not helping my team when they might need it because I’ll get involved in something that I shouldn’t.

“If the game goes flat, the supporters will be watching Robbie and I’m happy with that.

“He has a high profile. He obviously has a job outside of the football with the Radio Five Live stuff.

“He puts himself out there and people take pot-shots at him. But it’s all water off a duck’s back, he’s been doing this for 25-30 years.”