Keeping faith with Diao?

[FullerMagic]

Looks like it.

STOKE CITY: STRUGGLING DIAO 'WILL SOON BE BACK TO HIS VERY BEST'
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09:40 - 06 March 2008

Struggling City midfield star Salif Diao will soon be firing on all cylinders again, says Stoke assistant boss Dave Kemp.

The 31-year-old has made eight appearances, including five starts, since joining Stoke in December.

But in his last two starts - the home win against Scunthorpe on February 15 and Sunday's defeat at QPR - Diao, right, was subbed after less than an hour.

However, Kemp dismissed concerns over Diao's fitness as the club continues its push for promotion to the Premier League.

He said: "Diao was out for a long time with a knee injury before his arrival here, but he's now up and running.

"The lay-off has affected his fitness so he needs to be playing games, which he is doing now.

"But we're not playing him to get fit - we are playing him to win matches. The fact he's in the team tells you how fit he is.

"He could be back to his best on Saturday - you just don't know.

"He's training every day and he could be the star man against Burnley. He's certainly going to be a valuable member of the squad towards the end of the season."

Diao came into the team at QPR for the suspended Rory Delap, now available to face Burnley after serving a one-match ban.

However, City will be missing January midfield recruit Glenn Whelan, who begins a two-match ban after accruing 10 bookings during the season. New loan signing Chris Riggott trained with his team-mates for the first time yesterday, but Kemp remained tight-lipped on whether the former Middlesbrough man will be in contention for Saturday.

[southwalesstokie]

"He could be back to his best on Saturday - you just don't know."

FFS, surely we cant take that risk at such a crucial point in the season. Play Gally I say, n switch Lawro to the middle. Whilst Diao is in the starting XI we will risk losing games. He blatantly isnt the player he was/isnt fit so why take that risk? Seems foolish to me.

[realstokebloke]

Ooops.

[FullerMagic]

I must admit, I can't square Kemp's comments with the evidence we've seen with our own eyes over the last few weeks.

He doesn't look close at all, and I can't see how we could gamble in a crucial match and play him ahead of Delap, Pugh or Whelan whenever 2 of them are available.

[OldStokie]

The lay-off has affected his fitness so he needs to be playing games, which he is doing now.

So, they're prepared to sacrifice our season just to get a bloke fit! I like Diao. He's a super player when he's proper fit. He just aint anywhere near yet. For God's sake, Pulis, stop fookin' abite or you'll bollox up what you've achieved!

OS.

[sheikhmomo]

Of course the quickest way to get him back to his best is games. Earlier in the season it may have been worth the risk giving him the games so he could get back to his best, at this stage of this season it’s sheer lunacy.

[PONTAFCE]

Get him in the reserves for a few and see how he progresses from there.

[FullerMagic]

They could have done that last night for an hour - but he was nowhere to be seen.

I'm sure there's a reason why - but I can't think of it.

[onemanbang]

to be fair hes got a point whod have expected delap to come this good? With games he's only going to get better and become an integeral part of the squad.

[PONTAFCE]

Yeah i know but i think it would be better to put him in the reserves and put the strongest team out for these crutial games left.I think on his day diao is a top class player but he needs to be sure in himself that he is 100%

[FullerMagic]

It took Delap months to get to the fitness levels he's at now though.

With 10 games left, you'd have to be tempted to forget Diao for the remainder of the season, given how staggeringly off the pace he has looked recently.

The prospect of the spine of the team in Riggott, Diao and possibly Nugent (proven quality that they are) all building their fitness in the most crucial games of our recent history is a bit concerning, especially when you consider how many tens of thousands we're paying them for the next few months.

[brazilian]

When he's fit he's a good player, but whilst he's more unfit and slower than John Hartson after 10 pints of ale and 4 midnight kebabs he's no use to you.

[barndoorbanjo]

We need to win games now as well as the crucial games at the end of the season.
We haven't got time to take risks- Pugh or Gally alongside Delap for the Burnley game for me.

[crashbandicoot]

cant afford to play him at this stage, not like rorys situation

but fook me hes 31?

[andylgr]

Diao clearly isn't fit and is a shadow of the player from last season.

If Dicko is fit I'd go with:

Simmo
Griff - Shawcross - Cort (or Riggott) - Dicko

Lawrence - Pugh - Delap - Gally

Mama - Ric

[wakefieldstokie]

I'd go with that line up andylgr. Riggot or Cort though ???

[lordb]

Pugh & Delap will surely be the midfield two this saturday (?)

Diao on the bench

Dicko @ LB or Griff @ LB with Wilko @ RB

Gally on the ledft instead of Cresswel please

bencj should look quite strong: Nash,Wilko/Dicko,Diao,Cresswell & one of Riggott/Cort/Shawcross

Parkin will have to miss out after his fuck up for the reserves

[mermaidsal]

If we'd got 30 games left then fair enough but for the run-in it has to be Delap and Pugh for me, Pugh can be as good as Salif in that role whereas he's no more than average at left back on the evidence so far.

[okeydokeystokie2]

For what my opinion's worth I would start with Salif against Burnley. He still looks like a class player to me. His positional sense is excellent, and there was one tackle/pass against Ipswich that was brilliant. First half, from the centre circle into the inside right channel to turn defence into attack

It's got be worth easing him back in because the benefits will be worth it THIS season. Maybe just gve him the first half, then bring on Pugh?

[**** Pulling Himself Off]

Hope he pisses on all your fires and scores the winner on Saturday.

[FullerMagic]

Very little improvement today, despite Kemp's assurance that he was "looking the part" in training.

How long well they keep stubbornly picking him?

Surely the brains trust of O'Connor, Kemp, Pulis et al can jointly come to the conclusion that he's a passenger we can ill-afford to keep carrying?

[Davef]

Well, with Whelan still suspended, I'd expect Salif to be in Tuesday, but after that there are simply no excuses not to have Whelan/Delap as the central midfield pairing for the rest of the season, barring suspension or injury.

[FullerMagic]

Sadly - I'd expect it too

But, away game or not, surely the Pugh-Delap midfield option must still be on the table for Norwich?

Salif is bringing nothing at the moment.

[Titan Uranus]

Totally agree FullerMagic

just cannot see how he can keep playing Salif

I've got a horrible feeling that this decision by Tone will cost us big style.

[Stick It On Cort's Head]

he doesnt even look interested though!!!

Now he has a contract , he has nothing to play for!

Last year when he was on loan he was playing for his career..

[Davef]

Actually, I'm probably wrong there. With Lawrence suspended for two games, we're probably going to see Diao partner Whelan and Delap on the right hand side of midfield, until Lawrence returns.