A bit surprised that a thread has not been opened regarding his performances so far this season I thought that he was our most important signing of the summer but he just doesn't look with it at the moment Obviously if you have 2 central midfielders and one isn't performing up to standard you are going to get outplayed in the most important area I hope it is just that he is not 100% at the minute
Just like everything else, it's going to take time. He didn't play for the last few games last season, and when he was he had a resurgent Barton along side to cover. Let's not forget he is young and needs cover and experience next to him to show him the ropes. I am surprised that we didn't buy a holding midfielder as baron is surplus to requirements and faurlin still a while from being match fit. But even when he is, faurlin and diakite together could be a little inexperienced together to make it work. But give them time together and a season or two in the prem and I think we could have the best Center mid around.
I think most on here said he had great potential, but that it would take time to fulfill. He also doesn't yet look match fit and would benefit greatly from having Faurlin next to him!
I only hope Faurlin lives up to all the expectation thats going around on this forum,maybe he should be manager as well, its the only problem his name hasnt been linked with.
This thread sums up this board over last couple of days. Over-reacting, counter productive and generally idiotic. He hasn't had a pre-season (think he played in 1 game in Far East), we are 2 games in. He hasn't really been bad just below his own high standards. In a poorly performing team that is undergoing a lot of change.
Diakates place isn't in our starting XI if he plays like he had so far. Everybody saw him losing almost every 50/50 ball and , several miss passes and lack of tackles. I don t know what is with him but Derry would do better job for us than him. Maybe he gets better later but now he just have to train and get himself fit.
We had a 3 man central midfield last season when Diakite came into the team. Due to this he had a freedom of sorts with Barton/Derry covering him. Now that hes in a 2 man system with a guy like Park, whom is playing well considering he isn't a natural CM but he can't anchor a midfield like Derry or Barton can. The young man has been noticeably more disciplined, and let's face it, does anyone here think he's a great ball winner? I can only remember one time this season that I have seen him go (or even attempt) on his trademark runs with the ball that we all raved about last season. The main problem the team has at the moment is our formation and the players we are picking in our central midfield. We have conceded almost half of our goals so far this season due to this in my opinion. I still think we need to have a 3 man CM set up, with Derry/Faurlin/Diakite. I don't like Derry but hes the only player in our team that will anchor the midfield.
Already said before the season started that I didn't understand all the hype about him. He had a couple of great games, but only when the rest of the team were. He's still young and relatively new to this league. We really should have bought an experienced CM(not old) before now......
Park/Mackie on the right and Hoillett/Taarabt on the left. The latter pair, as good as they both are, don't work hard enough for a team of our standing in the league for them both to play in the same team, I said this before the start of the season, I'll say it again. Up front, Cisse or Zamora. We keep being countered down the middle. We're suffering for it. Things won't get magically better when Faurlin slots back in there either, we need Derry or another anchor.
Hmm, while again he didn't have a great game but he was presence in midfield which is needed. Park played slightly deeper and helped out (did well I thought) but in comparison to some other on the pitch definitely not the worse performance.
Weird how many people suddenly claim they knew Diakite wasn't up to it, why didn't you say beforehand? He's missed more preseason than any of our other players, he had family issues/depression or whatever it was, give him a break.
Said it before the season. Not saying he's not up to it, just don't think it's fair to him to be seen as the main man, would've preferred a more experienced player who knows the role alongside him. Park is not a CM, no matter how hard he works.
I've also heard that he's suffering from depression.If this is true it is deeply worrying and he needs to get help with it immediately.
