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Post by knowles on Oct 25, 2009 11:03:10 GMT
I think it's pretty fair to say that the return of Salif has been far more influential than we could have hoped or expected. However, looking at a few stats, it shouldn't come as a big surprise... Salif in the Premier League.23 games. 10 wins, 7 draws, 6 defeats. That's one hell of a return- 37 points, while losing just 26% of the games. Salif in the Championship.38 games. 21 wins, 11 draws, 6 defeats. Even better! 74 points and 15% of matches ending in defeat. So, despite the stick he has received in the past, it is clear that Sal, whether he plays well or not, is extremely influential to the side. Welcome back Salif. Three games, seven points. Roll on Wolves...
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Post by stokelad84 on Oct 25, 2009 11:03:52 GMT
It winds me up that Diao is such a boo boy!
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Post by Orbs on Oct 25, 2009 11:05:21 GMT
I think it's pretty fair to say that the return of Salif has been far more influential than we could have hoped or expected. However, looking at a few stats, it shouldn't come as a big surprise... Salif in the Premier League.23 games. 10 wins, 7 draws, 6 defeats. That's one hell of a return- 37 points, while losing just 26% of the games. Salif in the Championship.38 games. 21 wins, 11 draws, 6 defeats. Even better! 74 points and 15% of matches ending in defeat. So, despite the stick he has received in the past, it is clear that Sal, whether he plays well or not, is extremely influential to the side. Welcome back Salif. Three games, seven points. Roll on Wolves... You have used your extra hour well my friend
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Post by fca47 on Oct 25, 2009 11:05:52 GMT
To be fair he was shocking last season. Was he playing with injuries?
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Post by walrus on Oct 25, 2009 11:06:10 GMT
I think the most telling stat is this season:
League games without Salif: Two wins, two draws, three losses - eight points from seven games.
League games with Salif: Two wins, one draw, no losses - seven points from three games.
I really like him and now he's back to his very best, as he was when he first came on loan. His tackling is generally excellent and he has the ability to find the telling pass.
Who started the move for our goal yesterday. None other than Salif.
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Post by jen on Oct 25, 2009 11:06:20 GMT
Nobody who saw Salif play for Stoke when he first came here on loan will be surprised at his contribution now. We've waited a long time for him to be properly back and fit. But now it looks like he is!
Gooaarn Salif!!!
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Post by robwahlmann on Oct 25, 2009 11:07:13 GMT
I admit I thought he was finished and was amazed when he was given a new contract. He is proving me wrong though so hat off for Sal!
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Post by OldStokie on Oct 25, 2009 11:09:36 GMT
He's a class player, like Fuller. Always has been, but when he's not fit and a yard or two off the pace, he's a liability. Now, getting back to full fitness, as I've said on another thread, he's like a new class signing. Our team certainly looks better when he's playing well. Is he, at last, the midfielder we've been needing? At the moment, I'd play Whelan in front of him and go from there.
OS.
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Post by markscfc72 on Oct 25, 2009 11:10:26 GMT
the team for Wolves i really would like to see would be
Tommy
Wilko Ryan Abdy Collins
Liam Whelan Diao Matty
Fuller Tunny
probably wont happen but would be great, Diao and our back 4 should be able to cope with what they have to offer them let the rest of them sort out the creating and scoring!
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Post by jen on Oct 25, 2009 11:11:02 GMT
And to think some on here were ripping the piss out of someone for having Diao on the back of his shirt - stand up and be counted my good man!!!
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Post by Jamo on the wing on Oct 25, 2009 11:11:44 GMT
He's been very good in the last 3 games. I never expected him to still be able to cut it but he has done very, very well.
In truth he has come back and been far better than Whitehead (although he did well yesterday) and I would at minute put Whelan in Whitehead's place especially if Rory is still picked out wide.
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Post by Ddraigcoch on Oct 25, 2009 11:19:00 GMT
It seems that Salif has a calming influence on the midfield. Plays it simple and breaks up play effectively......Shawx and Abdy love it when he plays in front of the back 4.
Deano had a good game yesterday I thought ....ran his legs off. Which compliments Salifs lack of pace these days.
The way we play suits Salif at this stage of his career...long may he continue to contribute to what iis becoming an effective midfield unit.
The thought has crossed my mind that Arsimendi is being molded to become the next Salify type player in RED & WHITE, but obviously a younger version with more mobility.
Happy Days.
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Post by symons55 on Oct 25, 2009 11:20:18 GMT
Not sure why Rory is getting stick in another thread. He gives his all every game and everyone is allowed an off day. TP was right to sub him but he should not be written off. I like the team you put up markscfc with one exception for the home games. Leave out one of liam and matty and play 2 up front with Tuncay behind them. With the option to change to your formation when we are 2 up :-)
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Travis
Academy Starlet
Posts: 210
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Post by Travis on Oct 25, 2009 11:24:00 GMT
Salif looks leaner than last season. A couple of times last season I made the remark that he looked a bit chubby. But he looks leaner, fitter, and stronger this term. Even in his first spell on loan you wouldn't have seen him running around as much as he did yesterday. By far his best performance as a Stoke player. And by far his best spell as a Stoke player.
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Oct 25, 2009 11:35:48 GMT
I agree with all the praise Salif is getting on here. As OS says when he is fit he adds a lot to our game. My one concern is that I think TP is sometimes a bit too slow to take him off when he tires. This was very obvious against Everton but yesterday he had a couple of dodgy tackles late in the game when his tackling earlier on seemed to be spot on. But, apart from that, I will be happy to see him start every game so long as he remains fit and in this sort of form.
Like others, I'd partner him with Whelan - certainly in home games (where I would also play Liam and Ethers on the wings).
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Post by scfcrob on Oct 25, 2009 12:20:40 GMT
I think it's pretty fair to say that the return of Salif has been far more influential than we could have hoped or expected. However, looking at a few stats, it shouldn't come as a big surprise... Salif in the Premier League.23 games. 10 wins, 7 draws, 6 defeats. That's one hell of a return- 37 points, while losing just 26% of the games. Salif in the Championship.38 games. 21 wins, 11 draws, 6 defeats. Even better! 74 points and 15% of matches ending in defeat. So, despite the stick he has received in the past, it is clear that Sal, whether he plays well or not, is extremely influential to the side. Welcome back Salif. Three games, seven points. Roll on Wolves... James, I must agree - Salif was IMMENSE yesterday and was the player who typified our whole team's performance. Seeing him seemingly play without injury shows why Tone thinks he is "the best midfielder in the club by a country mile." He shows great composure, consistency and breaks up lots of play, getting a toe on the ball at vital times. I have only seen the alleged penalty incident twice, did he touch the ball before the player? Let's hope he stays injury free and keeps playing the way he is now.
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Post by PotteringThrough on Oct 25, 2009 12:24:22 GMT
He's back with a bang!
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Post by kev1060 on Oct 25, 2009 12:28:02 GMT
A top, top performance yesterday, and the main reason why we won the game. If Wilson Palacios was bought for £14 million (I think), then for us to get Salif on a free must rank as yet another of TP's steals of the century.
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Post by The Red and White Baron on Oct 25, 2009 13:32:44 GMT
Salif looks leaner than last season. A couple of times last season I made the remark that he looked a bit chubby. But he looks leaner, fitter, and stronger this term. Even in his first spell on loan you wouldn't have seen him running around as much as he did yesterday. By far his best performance as a Stoke player. And by far his best spell as a Stoke player. Agreed, he looks in great shape considering his age and that he hasn't played much recently
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Post by Bowd1863 on Oct 25, 2009 14:19:52 GMT
Thought Diao was outstanding yesterday, apart from a couple of tired challenges late on. He seems to have got his passing back up to scratch again, which has been missing since that first loan spell. I have to admit I was gutted when he signed a new contract, and was bemused to say the least when TP started him at Goodison. However, on the evidence of the last three games it looks like the old Salif is back...long may it continue!! For once in my life i'm happy to concede that I was wrong ;D
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Post by harrysburrow on Oct 25, 2009 14:30:56 GMT
Think OldStokie is spot on about Salif - he's a class act but needs to be 100% fit at his age. I made a point of keeping an eye on him on the Football First coverage and he really was very impressive all over the pitch yesterday - until he got tired. As for Fuller, when he's in his stride with the ball (as with the build up for the goal) it's seems like it's virtually impossible to get the ball off him? I can't figure what it is he does, but it seems to sort of stick to his feet like glue. I suppose it's what you call being a bloody good footballer?
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Post by Beardy200 on Oct 25, 2009 14:34:00 GMT
I think it's pretty fair to say that the return of Salif has been far more influential than we could have hoped or expected. However, looking at a few stats, it shouldn't come as a big surprise... Salif in the Premier League.23 games. 10 wins, 7 draws, 6 defeats. That's one hell of a return- 37 points, while losing just 26% of the games. Salif in the Championship.38 games. 21 wins, 11 draws, 6 defeats. Even better! 74 points and 15% of matches ending in defeat. So, despite the stick he has received in the past, it is clear that Sal, whether he plays well or not, is extremely influential to the side. Welcome back Salif. Three games, seven points. Roll on Wolves... I'm not here to knock Salif as he's playing really well but i'd like to see the same stats for Cresswell just as a comparison.
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Post by Beardy200 on Oct 25, 2009 14:36:31 GMT
It seems that Salif has a calming influence on the midfield. I think you've hit it on the head there matey. Doesn't get everything right but he always does look calm and that definitely rubs off on others.
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Post by stokemark on Oct 25, 2009 15:47:36 GMT
Whilst Salif deserves all the plaudits yesterday all credit to Dean Whitehead who covered every blade of grass in support of Diao.
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Post by jezzascfc on Oct 25, 2009 16:22:47 GMT
Salif Diao was MoM yesterday, in Tone-speak, by a country mile. He was immense, breaking up play, calming us down time and again with the simple ball under pressure, anticipating so much of what Spurs were doing to snuff out danger and executing several text books tackles (save for one late lunge when he was tiring) to turn defence into attack.
Let's hope he stays fit now, as his influence does not need stats to be proved, just your eyes yesterday.
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Post by march4 on Oct 25, 2009 16:48:51 GMT
I'm just amazed by Diao's form since he came back. Where has the real Salif Diao been for the last 2 years?
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Post by Smudge_SCFC on Oct 25, 2009 17:45:38 GMT
Salif's return has been a VERY pleasant surprise - no question about it.
To try and make some capital out of this season's stats is a little disingenuous though when he didn't play against Liverpool, Chelsea and Man Utd.
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Post by johnnysoul60 on Oct 25, 2009 17:50:36 GMT
When he is fit he is a very good player , we are seeing that now, he reads the game much better than the rest of our midfield and easily picks out a simple pass better than most of them . Whitehead also deserves a mention he was excellent yesterday aswell
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Post by ColonelMustard on Oct 25, 2009 17:59:50 GMT
Salif's return has been a VERY pleasant surprise - no question about it. To try and make some capital out of this season's stats is a little disingenuous though when he didn't play against Liverpool, Chelsea and Man Utd. I don't think it's disingenuous at all considering he's played 3 fixtures we lost last year especially the two aways.
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Post by stokiehad on Oct 25, 2009 18:13:26 GMT
SALIFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
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