Who will join Diakite in centre mid for the start of the season? If it's a defensive player, I can only think of Derry. We have many attacking players who, though not specialist cm's, could cover there, but wouldn't that stifle Diakite's natural game? That Arsenal goal was one of the highlights of last season. There are many on here who think Barton let us down v man city last year, but I think he's actually let us down more now. We're stuck with a high earning player who can't play for a third of the season in one of only two positions we need players in, along with cb. And his wages could be stopping us bringing someone else in to fill that roll. Maybe they'll try to get Hargreaves on a 6 month deal as a stop gap.
Do we know if Diakite is a starter? God help us if he isn't. I can just see MH naming Derry and Dyer in the middle. If he does I will lead the calls for him to be sacked.
Worrying? Not at all, we have plenty of options in Derry, Park, Diakite, Faurlin, SWP, Hogan, Dyer, Fabio, ?Hargreaves?. Why worry when we're in a much healthier position than in decades. Still over two weeks left of the transfer window too. If MH isn't comfortable he'll bring in what we need. If he is then there's is no need to bring in any more. He know more than us, fact.
Bloody hell fella if you're worried by the position we are in now I dread to think what you were like a few years ago
Park for me. Want Faurlin when fit. Neither Park nor Diakite are particularly defensive but they're not recklessly attacking and will cover the ground.
Ha ha. Difference is, back then I had no expectations. Not worried in terms of relegation, just in terms of doing really well this year...
I think the fact we are at home it will be park and Diakite. If its Park in the middle you might see Mackie on the Right as he would put more of a shift in. 7 Days later at Norwich , if Ali is fit i could see him making a n appearance.
Diakate surely wont play? He has been missing for the last three friendlies? What is up with him? I saw on Twitter that he gets random bouts of Malaria or something and it keeps him out for a month or so at a time, hence why he missed the end of last season. Not sure if its true and hope its not.
I really think that we are light in the middle of the pitch. It really depends on what system MH plays 4-4-2 We have quite a few options: Diakite and Adel. Diakite can sit and Adel play ACM. (Would love to see this combination this year). No 1 option at home for me. Diakite and Park. Diakite and Ali. No 1 option away from home. Derry and Diakite. Derry sitting with Diakite allowed to venture forward when he gets the chance. Derry and Park. Derry sitting with a busy Park getting forward when he gets the chance. Derry and Ali. 4-2-3-1- Not as many options for two DCM. Derry and Diakite. Diakite and Ali. Derry and Ali Don't think that Park is best suited for this position. IMHO Ali is probably not perfect for this role either. Thats why i would like a De Jong type player to come in. Diakite likes to move forward with the ball which means if we play a 4-2-3-1 formation we might get caught on a quick counter unless Derry is playing and sitting deep to break up the threat. Really think we need another DCM. Think we have players who can play ACM like Adel or SWP but not DCM. It is a specailist position.
if mackie cant appear caz of injury, really need diakite. and SWP goes right side. if mackie and diakite both cant appear, it will be very difficult game. diakite should appear at least before Ali is back.
Forget a few years ago! If you think about 36 years ago, and what happened after that, there is absolutely no need to be wetting yourself with excitement now!
I was 7 Oslo . Football and money in football was a completely different game then from what is now and I think it's very hard to cast any kind of comparison.