Diao??

[655321]

First of all, I probably shouldn't be the one to start his, b/c I've watched all of nothing in the ANC. Can anyone report on how he's doing there??

Do we expect him to step up?? Have we lost hope?? Does he deserve more time??

Personally, I haven't seen a single thing to point towards him becoming a spectacular Liverpool player, or even a decent sub for that matter, but he has had some injuries, and maybe he just needs a bit of confidence.

Anyone??

[Twenty26Six]

Diao is 27, slightly smaller and lighter than Biscan.

He has played all 270 minutes of Senegal's three first round ANC matches so far. All, I believe in the heart of central defense paired w/ Ferdinand Coly. Giving up only one goal as a team. Which isn't that bad considering the hiding Senegal were getting from some people.
[0-0 Burkina Faso, Draw]
[3-0 Kenya, Win]
[1-1 Mali, Draw, YC 51']

I haven't seen a lot from Salif. At 27, it doesn't look like he will grow much more as a footballer. He doesn't have very much creativity or seem to be very good going forward. All that said, he is probably best suited to play CB, DMF. Most likely he will be a substitute or reserve player.

Things that are often overlooked, especially on BS are intangible attributes. If he is a player that plays very hard and gives 100% in training, he can be an asset to the team. Also, not to be overlooked is the possible influence/guidance he can have on a young player like Diouf [23]. Being that El-Hadji is so young it is very good for him in particular to have a fellow international teammate around. I imagine it helped ease the transition from Lens.

Diao is under contract for five years from August '02. So I think, that keeps him with us for three years after this one. Senegal plays Tunisia tomorrow and Liverpool concerns not withstanding, I hope they do well. It can only mean good things for Diao and _especially_ Diouf if they advance. Considering these guys are key figures for their nation, it's even better.

At 4.7 million, GH probably paid a bit too much for a role player. It was however at the tail end of a bullish time for the transfer market. Maybe GH's much maligned infatuation with Senegal was boosted by his high esteem of the French National squad, who they beat at J/K '02. You never can tell. If you sell him you probably only get half of your transfer money back. So I hope he stays and can at least contribute to the club in some form.

[kopiteinkc]

Well Senegal as a team haven't impressed so far.

Both Diouf and Diao have been credited with one assist each in their three matches

Diao took a free kick against Mali which Senegal scored from in their recent 1-1 draw.

They are gonna have to play a lot better in their quarter final against Tunisia to advance.

[Gabbage]

Originally posted by kold_77_krush
Things that are often overlooked, especially on BS are intangible attributes. If he is a player that plays very hard and gives 100% in training, he can be an asset to the team. Also, not to be overlooked is the possible influence/guidance he can have on a young player like Diouf [23].

Actually, one of the reasons that Diao has not won over fans is his inconsistent workrate. And any kind of guidance he provides to Diouf is probably minimal - Diouf has said that they are not close friends. Don't forget that there is no shortage of French-speaking players at Liverpool.

Considering these guys are key figures for their nation, it's even better.

Diouf, yes; Diao, no. Diao is a valued first team player but he is not a key figure. His role in the Senegal squad is equivalent to Nicky Butt's or Ashley Cole's in the England team. He was not even called up by Senegal until a few months before the World Cup.


At 4.7 million, GH probably paid a bit too much for a role player. It was however at the tail end of a bullish time for the transfer market.

Well, you win some and you lose some. Houllier has gambled on a number of mid-priced players who were unproven at the highest level. In the case of Hyypia, he acquired a world class defender for a seventh of the fee that Man United paid for Ferdinand. When a player fails as dismally as Diao has, however, I think you have to cut your losses.


Maybe GH's much maligned infatuation with Senegal was boosted by his high esteem of the French National squad, who they beat at J/K '02. You never can tell.

The signing of Diouf was completed before the France game. I am not certain about Diao, though.


If you sell him you probably only get half of your transfer money back. So I hope he stays and can at least contribute to the club in some form.

When Stuttgart made a bid for Henchoz in the transfer window, Houllier rejected it but offered Diao to the German club. So he is already looking to get rid of him. While it is probably true that Houllier would only recoup about half of the fee that was paid for the player, 2-3 million can go a long way in the current transfer market. Houllier will need to buy at least a top-class striker and central defender for next season and 14 million is rumored to be reserved for Cisse. Funds are going to have to be generated somehow.

[655321]

Originally posted by Gabbage
When Stuttgart made a bid for Henchoz in the transfer window, Houllier rejected it but offered to sell Diao. So he is already looking to get rid of him.

I wasn't aware...

Not that I don't believe you, but is there a link?? I'd be interested in reading more about this.

[Gabbage]

It was on the liverpool website - the "transfer rumors" section. There were several external links to newspaper reports that mentioned the offer.

[Twenty26Six]

Originally posted by Gabbage
Actually, one of the reasons that Diao has not won over fans is his inconsistent workrate. And any kind of guidance he provides to Diouf is probably minimal - Diouf has said that they are not close friends. Don't forget that there is no shortage of French-speaking players at Liverpool.

Inconsistent workrate can be due to not being acclimated to the team or style of play. Also, French speaking is different from being African in the premiership. I agree that Diao is a bust, but

On a side note, do Liverpool hold training sessions that are open to the public? If so, are they ever meaningful or during key parts of the season? Or are they just during preseason?

[RedKnight]

Got to admit I’ve pretty much written him off, if for no other reason than what I see as his chronic indiscipline.

But for what it’s worth, there’s an article on his commitment to Anfield on the official club Web site today:

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N143703040206-1205.htm

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[Gabbage]

Originally posted by kold_77_krush
Inconsistent workrate can be due to not being acclimated to the team or style of play.

That was just a nice way of saying that he shows no effort on the pitch. Forget about my word choice: his workrate is poor.

[ScouseCat]

I can't see Diao lasting at Liverpool if we're serious about improving the quality of our squad next season and beyond. At best he is a back up to the first team, and even so I'd choose Biscan over Diao anyday.

[Gabbage]

Originally posted by ScouseCat
I can't see Diao lasting at Liverpool if we're serious about improving the quality of our squad next season and beyond. At best he is a back up to the first team, and even so I'd choose Biscan over Diao anyday.

Me too. And don't forget about John Welsh, now a U-21 international.

[oojason]

Worryingly when Hamman was injured for a fair bit earlier in the season Diao wasn't his replacement - Murphy was.

Diao was then shuttled into the RB position for a couple of games where he looked nervous and out of his depth. Hasn't really featured since.

With Hamman, Gerrard, Murphy, Cheyrou vying for centre mid berths and with Welsh playing well in the ressies (and Diarra onloan abroad) it's hard to see Diao making it here.

Diao's most likely one of the players to go in the summer when GH will prob want to reshuffle his squad and get some money in.

Wouldn't be surprised to see Biscan, Vignal, Smicer, Dudek and Mellor to go too.

[Snuffles]

Or he will be one of the players moved out by a new manager...