Diame - A Defensive mid who was out of position last season?

He'd been relied upon last season as an expected player maker, however he was average playing CAM. Could have been that he was just completely mismanaged last season?

Now that he's been given a CM role with more to do, he's shining. Literally doesn't look off the pace playing against top class opposition.

Some people may say we're committing a knee jerk reaction and we'll see Shola 2.0 back soon enough, but the guy looks like a great defensive CM to play along side a playermaker.

He wins back possession well without giving away too many fouls. An unaggressive, strong, powerful presence.

 

Not for me. it comes down to one thing - application. He played games there last year and he simply didn't put enough effort in. I have to say I think Rafa deserves great credit for getting the best out of him.

 

Don't know what the hells happened to him? Early days, but he's been transformed in Viera this year. Long may it continue!

 

I have to agree with the application argument, at some points last season (jan/feb time) he cemented himself in the team and look great, then would look dire a week later.

In the same way he looked horseshit at the start of this season.

It's not just positioning, there's clearly been a big turnaround in his attitude.

 

If he keeps playing like this until the end of the season we could easily screw Spurs for £50m for him

 

'Average' at CAM is a bit kind Tash. He was shocking. Having said that I have no clue what is going on at the moment. Him and Shelvey at the weekend were taking the piss out of Pogba & Matic!!!

 

Maybe it helps that the fans aren't getting on his back, and he feels wanted.

 

You can't put the cart before the horse though. Our fans will never get on your back if you apply yourself.

 

Not always true, dummet always tries but is limited and got lambasted for years. Same with Gouff until the championship. But I get the sentiment as disinterested players rile the fans more than anything, Loic Remy aside anyway.

 

There a few exceptions I grant you that. It is normally those who look like they lack the quality. But even then some of those turn it around through sheer determination. Dummett, Perch, Barton, I mean our fans took to Ketsbaia and he was utter ****e. Just ran round like a headless chicken. Kicked a few boards and the fans thought he was great.

 

This had **** all to do with playing the position he'd filled all last season. The major difference is he looks straight for a pass now rather than shooting or putting his head down and attempting to dribble like Messi whilst simultaneously forgetting he has feet.

 

This is a good point. Diame had a bad habit of dribbling and just running into an opponent and getting tackled. That is partly his starting position, but also the manager getting the player to play to his strengths such as tackling and simple passes. With that has also come a better work rate, the player being clear on his job on the pitch and, finally, he has found his confidence again.

 

Last season and most of this he has been out of position merely by being on the pitch. Cards on the table I'd given up on him entirely and if I'm being fully honest I expect that he'll turn back to the poor player he was soonish. Form is temporary etc. So long as he earns us a few more points and is putting in the effort he'll have the fans behind him all the way - he has always come across as honest with himself and the fans.

 

Maybe it's thanks to being chinned by Jamaal?

 

Was he?

 

He was.
It was all over the press:

 

Didn't voldemort hurt his hand breaking it up?

 

I seem to remember that Lascelles hurt Voldermrt's hand as Voldermort tried to break it up. Lascelles wasn't having any of it!