Thought this thread was gonna be about a new sweet for diabetics there Joking aside, wouldnt be so sure mate, oozes quality by all accounts although i must confess to never seeing him play, the reports are fantastic
I've seen him play a couple of times and when he's fit and given a good run he could be one of if not the best centre backs we've ever had.
Couldn't disagree more this guy will be first on team list, you could argue who will partner him though.
JOS & Brown for me. Brown is bloody good when he's fit. Diakite looks like Titus at the mo, ie, overweight.
What formation have we adopted in pre season thus far please? It would surprise me if we used the draconian English 442 after our continental overhaul
My only worry about Brown is pace, or lack of it. He reads the game superbly and is calm on the ball but I think it has to be Brown or JOS and not both.
JoS all day long for his organisation skills. Problem is JoS, Brown, Cuellar and from what I've read diakite all lack any real pace. WE NEED ANOTHER CENTRE BACK! We need a wes brown with pace. Looking forward to seeing the ball being played out on the deck instead of hoofball but pace at the back is still a real worry for me fellas.
From what Ive heard Diakite is one of the fastest centre backs around. He has the occasional gaff Titus style, but is so quick he always gets himself back out of trouble. And for the person who asked above, he has been playing JOS and Brown in the games so far.
You're right mate, re read what I thought I read and he is fast. His problem is that he's not very comfortable on the ball, which also worries me.
EXCLUSIVE MODIBO DIAKITEâs stint on the sidelines is expected to be a brief one after the Bosman signing was left out of Sunderlandâs trip to Hong Kong. Diakite is yet to feature for the Black Cats during pre-season after missing both of Sunderlandâs behind-closed-doors games in Italy with a slight hamstring strain. That injury was sustained on only the fourth day of pre-season at the Academy of Light and required the former Lazio centre-half to spend eight days on the sidelines. After only just returning to full fitness prior to Sunderlandâs trip to the Far East for the Barclays Asia Trophy, Di Canio opted not to take a chance on Diakite. But the Sunderland head coach is confident that after a week on Wearside, working alongside the clubâs fitness and medical staff, Diakite can play a part in pre-season. Di Canio told the Echo: âHeâs got a little injury because after four days at the Academy of Light, we had a match and you could see everyone wanted to push to give their best. âHe made two or three very hard tackles and he hurt his hamstring and was out for eight days. âWe decided not to bring him to Hong Kong because itâs better if he stays at the Academy of Light morning and afternoon with the physio and fitness coach. âObviously, he couldnât be part of this trip, but the other signings have made me very happy already.â Di Canio admits Sunderland are also taking a cautious approach with Diakite due to the 26-year-oldâs injury record. Diakite missed the bulk of last season at Lazio through injury, yet Di Canio says a balance has to be struck between competitive training and pure fitness work. When asked about Diakiteâs run of injuries last season, Di Canio added: âThis is also a problem. âWhen there is someone who is running a risk sometimes, I try to keep him calm. âThat is not easy because itâs in their nature. âBut if they only run, run, run, rather than playing in a training game, you donât give them the chance to express themselves in a match.â
This is almost contradictary to what he is saying regarding Peruzzi regarding his past injury concerns. Not complaing like. Very happy will all our signings so far and cant wait to see them in action and hoping for a few more before start of season.
