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Post by Baggs on Apr 3, 2009 12:37:36 GMT
Sorry there's not a link, it's not on the internet
FAMILY VISIT CLEARED MY MIND - DIAO
Stoke midfielder Salif Diao hopes a trip to see his family will inspire him to
rediscover his best form for the relegation dogfight.
Diao took advantage of the two-week international break to spend time with his
wife and children at their home in Monaco.
And he admitted being away from his family had been a problem as his
performance levels dipped after the turn of the year.
He said: ``I don't want to make excuses but it is difficult being away for so
long, especially when things aren't going so well.
``I really enjoyed going home to see everyone and it has cleared my mind. That
should help me to give everything for Stoke until the end of the season.
``I've been disappointed with how I have played in the last few games and I
need to put that right.''
Diao will retain his place at West Brom tomorrow as long as he shrugs off a
groin strain which he picked up in training on Wednesday.
The Senegal international has also encountered knee problems for much of his
career but added: ``I'm feeling quite good now and I'm desperate to help Stoke
stay up.
``West Brom might be at the bottom of the league but it won't be easy because
I've been impressed when I've seen them on television.
``They are producing a good calibre of football and I think they are unfortunate not to have a few more points on the board.
``A lot of people seem to have written them off but they definitely won't think
that themselves.''
Diao is not unduly concerned by the fact Stoke are the only Premier League side
without an away win and believes a point at the Hawthorns would be a good
result.
He added: ``A draw would be more of a positive than a negative. It would take
us closer to where we want to be and keep West Brom where they are.
``It would be nice to win away but we have a very good home record and some of
the bottom teams still have to come to our place.
``It is good to know our destiny is in our own hands and all the boys are
focused on what we need to do.''
Stoke boss Tony Pulis has been sweating over the fitness of his international
quartet, with Senegal star Abdoulaye Faye a particular concern.
Pulis said: ``Abby has flown half way around the world to play a friendly in
Iran and that worries me. We just have to hope it hasn't taken too much out of
him.
``His ability and experience at this level has been very important for us and
we are hoping he will be okay.''
Faye's central defensive partner Ryan Shawcross was forced to cry off from
England Under-21 duty because of growing pains, but he will start at The
Hawthorns.
Pulis added: ``We have to be very careful with Ryan because he's still growing
and that has led to a few problems in recent months.
``People are giving him a lot of praise, and rightly so, but he still has a lot
to learn. His positional play could be better and we have to accept he is going
to make mistakes.
``Having said that, he has all the attributes to become a top player.''
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Post by Merciful on Apr 3, 2009 13:01:52 GMT
I like Salif, there i've said it, i know he's bin pretty piss poor just lately but everyone has rough patches and it's refreshing for a player to admit it themself. His treatment in the last home game was nothing short of pathetic and embarrasing so i for one hope he plays tomorrow and has a stormer (well a pretty decent game anyway).
Goarrrn Big Fella!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by vestanpance on Apr 3, 2009 13:06:28 GMT
I'm glad it's eased his mind. I just wish his family visit would have speeded his legs up, stopping him giving the ball away and made him play slightly higher up the pitch, you know, in front of Faye for example  Delap & Whelan, s'il vous plait. |
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Post by anarchicalan on Apr 3, 2009 13:36:06 GMT
Why live in Monaco when there's plenty of decent properties in Abbey Hulton, Bentilee and Fegg Fayes?
Some people just don't know where the best places are.
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Post by Baggs on Apr 3, 2009 13:41:36 GMT
unfortunately those bright spots of Staffordshire don't offer the same tax benefits as Monaco
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Post by terrorofturfmoor on Apr 3, 2009 13:52:30 GMT
Why live in Monaco when there's plenty of decent properties in Abbey Hulton, Bentilee and Fegg Fayes? Some people just don't know where the best places are. ;D lmao!!! |
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Post by stone6 on Apr 3, 2009 14:43:16 GMT
I'm glad it's eased his mind. I just wish his family visit would have speeded his legs up, stopping him giving the ball away and made him play slightly higher up the pitch, you know, in front of Faye for example Delap & Whelan, s'il vous plait. Great pic of Uncle Umed !!! It's amazing what emptying your ball bag can do!!! Cleared his mind........ bollocks more like!!! |
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Post by garyhackett on Apr 3, 2009 14:44:42 GMT
As much as i like and respect Diao i think his days of premiership football are numbered, like to see Delap and Whelan/ Amdy in the centre for the remainder of the season.
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Post by pez75 on Apr 3, 2009 15:02:19 GMT
Pity the pull of his family in Monaco (I cant help thinking that if anyone other than one of his faves was having issues over their family being thousands of miles away, TP would drop them like a stone) didn't make him want to stay there for good...
I see TP is quick to talk down Ryan too - although I am sure he knows what he is doing.
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Post by eddy_under_fire'sviews on Apr 3, 2009 15:02:19 GMT
if he can start to replicate the kind of performances when he first joined us, then he stays. if not he goes. simple as that.
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Post by sheikh al dubai bin stokie on Apr 3, 2009 15:14:02 GMT
Monaco or Fegg Hayes Monte Carlo or Bentilee The Lido or Fezzie Park Salle Garnier or Viccy Hall.... ... its not a choice id like to make.. |
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Post by assessornum1 on Apr 3, 2009 15:33:28 GMT
Salle Garnier, is that shampoo?
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Post by andylgr on Apr 3, 2009 16:31:48 GMT
An average player like him and hes earned a fortune and lives in Monaco. Football is mad.
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Post by harrysburrow on Apr 3, 2009 18:59:04 GMT
You beat me to it andylgr. I went to Monaco a couple of years ago and you obviously have to be a millionaire to live their. (A bloody brew cost an arm and a leg!)
I suppose 20K + bonuses soon adds up - which would probably make Mr Cresswell a millionaire also!(Not that I'm bitter).
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Post by harrysburrow on Apr 3, 2009 20:14:12 GMT
Or how about:
"Was having a bad time at work (broke some plates and stuff), so I took advantage of a half hour lunch break and went see me mum up Hartshill. It really cleared me mind and should help me give everything for "Toss Pots Ltd" until the end of the week".
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Post by Trouserdog on Apr 3, 2009 21:17:51 GMT
Oh, I'm glad his minds all cleared up now...it must have been giving him confusing messages before like "why not give the ball away?", "run as slowly as you can" and "play like you've got special needs".
Thankfully it seems that Mrs Diao has cleared away that nebulous mass of uncertainty by reminding him which colour shirts to pass to, and i'm confident that we'll see a much better player thanks to her timely involvement.
First name on the team sheet for me now.
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Post by banburypotter on Apr 3, 2009 22:20:04 GMT
is it me or does it fuck anybody off when pulis moans about players having to fly back from half way around the world. i mean i know there will be a bit of jet lag, but i presume they are not expounding much energy and if they have sense would sleep for a large part of the flight. And they are athletes so not unfit.
i find it all rather a pathetic excuse.
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Post by Vodkab1ock on Apr 3, 2009 22:23:08 GMT
ok i am going to say "i love salif diao" ok he has been the weak link for the last few weeks if TP picks him i am confident he will defend like makele and pass like beckham...
if you play 2morrow salif diao please play like you life depends on it tackle hard pass simple and just fucking win!!!!!!
COMN STOKE I AM FUCKING BUZZING AND SLIGHTLY FUCKING WASTED GOARNNN STOKE AND DIAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO....!!!!!>!!
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Post by march4 on Apr 3, 2009 23:58:40 GMT
An average player like him and hes earned a fortune and lives in Monaco. Football is mad. Doesn't TP live on Sandbanks in Bournemouth which is supposedly the most expensive bit of real estate in Europe!! |
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Post by chinesedave on Apr 4, 2009 1:10:05 GMT
An average player like him and hes earned a fortune and lives in Monaco. Football is mad. Doesn't TP live on Sandbanks in Bournemouth which is supposedly the most expensive bit of real estate in Europe!! No, he lives on "Sandford Hill bank" mate, 2 doors up from that chippy... |
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Post by andylgr on Apr 4, 2009 8:31:21 GMT
Doesn't TP live on Sandbanks in Bournemouth which is supposedly the most expensive bit of real estate in Europe!! No, he lives on "Sandford Hill bank" mate, 2 doors up from that chippy... Brilliant. I guess the point Im making is where is the incentive for players, when already they are millionaires living in one of the most exclusive places of the world (Monaco not Sandford Hill). |
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