Is it my imagination,or do we seem to 'switch off' when the big man starts? I wouldn't constitute the last 2 games as a 'slump' just yet, but we seemed to be playing very well whilst he was unavailable, with Weimann, Pato and Taylor stepping up. Now he is back - and starting, we have started to misfire. This seemed to happen last season too - after Christmas. As soon as FD returned we started to misfire - and play the dreaded long ball. I don't think he (Diedhiou) is doing anything wrong in himself, - and he scores goals (he was scoring last season too, during our downturn - we just couldn't stop leaking them), but does the team play differently as a unit when he starts the game? I haven't been to a game yet this season so I'd be interested to hear the opinions of people who have......
The team has to play differently with him in it. He lacks the athleticism of other players, his touch is hardly velcro like but he contributes obviously a high number of goals. At this point and last season his goals carry less value because the team wins less. Its not a reason to not attempt to accommodate him. but how to better employ him e.g drop off, press and screen and let Famara retain his energy. He could perhaps work more fluidly in a 4-3-3 with wide players and a three leaving him further up the pitch.
This is one signing that I have always questioned and, although he can score goals, we seem to spend more time wondering who we can play alongside him and just when we think we might be close we lose players from injury or something else. Trying to build a team around a single player whose skills are lacking in many areas would appear to me as a way not to go, and yet we continue to find the right mix. He always appears to me as a lost soul hoping that something will prove his worth and if he can't get goals then what is left? Hoofball?
As was bourne out against Palace in the League Cup last season We were 0-1 down and were just hoofing It forward. When Diedhiou got injured Djuric came on and we started passing the ball and won comfortably in the end. It could have been the cup run that never was had Fammy stayed on.
It's an interesting question and the results both this season and last season bear it out. Not sure it's the individual that's the problem - maybe more the mindset when there is a big guy to hit?
Give Famaras work rate a mark out of ten, then also give his intensity a mark out ten. If the marks are not on the high side how does this player benefit the teams in theory high tempo approach? Its a point there beyond hitting the big guy up front … Although due to touch long balls frequently do not stick.
City playing the ball longer to Diedhiou is ineffectual. The player does not hold the ball up consistently.
To me he always appears to be cumbersome and awkward when on the ball and somewhat less than that off the ball. Thumping the ball up for a slow player like him is a total waste of time and yet it will probably will continue until someone gets the message. Your most expensive player does not necessarily become your best player and you only have to look at Sanchez to see the reality of life.
Famara Diedhiou, why are we knocking this guy, ok he is not a prima donna ballet dancer but he scored 14 goals from all competitions last season and scored 2 from 7 starts this season, give him a break fella's.
HOPEFULY not a leg! ……. we do have a problem with scoring goals from the front, in fairness [all round ] fammy's 2 goals have been when we were all but won against Blackburn he played last 23 mins and against WBA when we were 3-0 down and he played last 34 mins since the BBurn game we have scored 2 v WBA we have scored 1 goal sheff utd/wed and vila, 6 games 5 goals with a 0-0 v ROTHERHAM …. hardly form of a top 6 chasing team! before Fammy came on the team had secured 11 pts, however assuming BBurn counts for both before and since his return 1.583 pts a game [ possible top 6 ].... since we have gained 5 pts @ 1.083 pts per game [ possible relegation ] ... we have p[layers to fill the gaps of the wounded but need to give them the opportunity GARETH IS! NOTE:- THE POINTS FOR the BBurn game were given as 1.5 to before he played and 1.5 after he played … both divided by 6 games
My post wasn’t intended on being a personal attack on him. Quote from my original post: ‘I don't think he (Diedhiou) is doing anything wrong in himself, - and he scores goals (he was scoring last season too, during our downturn.....’ It’s more an observation of the style that the TEAM appear to adopt when he plays.
I wasn't directing my comment at you mate, I agree Fammy can sometimes be lethargic and a bit slow but there is a lot worse around than him, the general swell of opinion so far seems to be critical of him, I was just high lighting the positives he has brought to our game, mind you if he fails to score more frequently as the season develops I will become as fickle as anybody else.
It would depend on how you want to see the team progress. Its a ideal that removes goals. If you want high tempo and energy lethargic cannot be part of it ...
