No Salif - Poor Results - Coincidence?

[walrus]

Salif has been out injured since the Newcastle game on December 6th, since then our results have nearly all been poor, as have a lot of our performances, games against the top three in recent weeks aside.

Are we missing him or is it just a coincidence?

[Tuncay Stryder]

I don't think Diao would make a huge difference anyway

[upthepotters]

I really think sorro ad faye salif and mama is the spine of the team

[dexter97]

Or is down to no Mama since the Fulham game? We missed Sidibe badly this time last season too.

[monkeycat]

We (and especially Fuller) don't play the same when Mama is out, it was exactly the same last season

[stokefctillidie]

ye we need mama back, salif would also be a lift.

[mermaidsal]

I agree, Mama's the greater loss but Salif is definitely part of the spine, he's not showy but no-one else has got the same solidity in that role.

[johnnysoul60]

Diao when fit is a must start player for us, he has a calm head and provides great protection for the defence and does not panic when he has the ball.

Hopefully he will be back soon, would have been invaluable yesterday when our backs were against the wall

[march4]

Jan 17, 2009 22:42:24 GMT mermaidsal said:

I agree, Mama's the greater loss but Salif is definitely part of the spine, he's not showy but no-one else has got the same solidity in that role.

Agree wholeheartedly.

[sgtpotter89]

mama is the reason, we have only scored 2 goals since he got injured and only 1 from open play

[march4]

Jan 18, 2009 11:15:57 GMT sgtpotter89 said:

mama is the reason, we have only scored 2 goals since he got injured and only 1 from open play

Amazing. The less enlightened than you Sgtpotter would have castigated you twelve months ago if you had suggested anything other than Mama was a waste of time. He has been the most important member of our squad since TP returned.

Wonder if Cresswell will have a similar renaisance?

[northstokie]

I think the reason is related and that is Whelan coming into the team...

Another poor showing from him yesterday

[Smudge_SCFC]

It's been more down to our attcking woes than anything else.

I genuinely consider Salif Diao to be the most overrated and over-valued player in the current Stoke squad. If we play both him and Amdy Faye in the same team we end up sitting way too deep and lose all link between the forward line and the midfield.

[march4]

I think most of us want to see Diao or Amdy, supported by a driving midfield presence.

[mermaidsal]

But I'm also agreeing with Smudge about Salif and Amdy being an either/or, starting them both is Tone at his most negative and timid.

[FullerMagic]

It does leave me questioning my sanity when I hear Pulis describing Diao as "the best midfielder at theclub by a country mile" and "the best player, of his type, in the country"

Unless, by type, he means 31-year-old Senegalese holding midfielders who used to play for Monaco and Liverpool.

[sweetandinnocent]

we were to minutes away from 3 points at stamford bridge yesterday, i dont beleive salif would of made a difference in the final outcome, he would probably replace whelan anyway, and i for one am happy to see whelan have an extended run in the team.

[march4]

Jan 18, 2009 13:28:16 GMT FullerMagic said:

Unless, by type, he means 31-year-old Senegalese holding midfielders who used to play for Monaco and Liverpool.

I do believe you might be correct sir!

[AlanHansen]

No Mama, in my opinion.

[Paul Spencer]

Jan 18, 2009 13:28:16 GMT FullerMagic said:

Unless, by type, he means 31-year-old Senegalese holding midfielders who used to play for Monaco and Liverpool.

Quality! ;D