SECRET SCOUT: Doncaster goalkeeper Seny Dieng ready for Championship
https://mol.im/a/8132279
Sportsmail's scout is a top football expert who attends matches each week searching for the next star.
This week they bring the full low-down on goalkeeper Seny Dieng who is at Doncaster on loan from Queens Park Rangers.
Goalkeepers often improve with experience and Seny Dieng is gaining valuable game-time at Doncaster.
I can recall many other keepers who emerged better after loan spells. Of the current crop, Jordan Pickford and Dean Henderson are two.
I watched Dieng play on a difficult away day and this well-built keeper showed me that he has all the tools for the job. Whether this was a one-off performance from a much-travelled player is hard to say but he was certainly impressive.
As his team came under strong second-half pressure, this 6ft 4in keeper showed all the qualities required. What impressed me most was his confidence between the sticks, taking crosses from both flanks with ease.
He was equally adept at commanding a crowded penalty area to take the fiercely driven delivery.
He was also quick off his line to stand big — only going to ground at the last second.
He showed courage and timing and it doesn’t surprise me that Doncaster — ninth in the table — have one of the best defensive records in the division. Indeed, they have conceded fewer away goals than anyone else in League One. That speaks volumes.
Dieng’s distribution featured less of the short passing which is in vogue — but that can catch out goalkeepers, anyway. He preferred to play it long and accurately to try to get his team upfield and out of the defensive zone. It is another string to his bow.
Strangely, I didn’t get a great look at his shot-stopping. Although the opposition were forcing Dieng’s team to defend deep, they seemed reluctant to take shots from the edge of the box. So Dieng wasn’t given a thorough examination of this essential requirement.
Top-class goalkeepers need speed of reaction, control of the penalty box and a calm presence. And I have to say that on the day I watched, this lad had it all.
Next season it will be interesting to see if QPR boss Mark Warburton gives him a chance. He’ll have been following his progress and Dieng could easily play in the Championship.
https://mol.im/a/8132279
Sportsmail's scout is a top football expert who attends matches each week searching for the next star.
This week they bring the full low-down on goalkeeper Seny Dieng who is at Doncaster on loan from Queens Park Rangers.
Goalkeepers often improve with experience and Seny Dieng is gaining valuable game-time at Doncaster.
I can recall many other keepers who emerged better after loan spells. Of the current crop, Jordan Pickford and Dean Henderson are two.
I watched Dieng play on a difficult away day and this well-built keeper showed me that he has all the tools for the job. Whether this was a one-off performance from a much-travelled player is hard to say but he was certainly impressive.
As his team came under strong second-half pressure, this 6ft 4in keeper showed all the qualities required. What impressed me most was his confidence between the sticks, taking crosses from both flanks with ease.
He was equally adept at commanding a crowded penalty area to take the fiercely driven delivery.
He was also quick off his line to stand big — only going to ground at the last second.
He showed courage and timing and it doesn’t surprise me that Doncaster — ninth in the table — have one of the best defensive records in the division. Indeed, they have conceded fewer away goals than anyone else in League One. That speaks volumes.
Dieng’s distribution featured less of the short passing which is in vogue — but that can catch out goalkeepers, anyway. He preferred to play it long and accurately to try to get his team upfield and out of the defensive zone. It is another string to his bow.
Strangely, I didn’t get a great look at his shot-stopping. Although the opposition were forcing Dieng’s team to defend deep, they seemed reluctant to take shots from the edge of the box. So Dieng wasn’t given a thorough examination of this essential requirement.
Top-class goalkeepers need speed of reaction, control of the penalty box and a calm presence. And I have to say that on the day I watched, this lad had it all.
Next season it will be interesting to see if QPR boss Mark Warburton gives him a chance. He’ll have been following his progress and Dieng could easily play in the Championship.
