Archive for January 9th, 2007

AbouT time for Diaby’s return

135 comments January 9th, 2007

It’s taken nigh-on nine months, but Abou Diaby is back. Incase you’ve forgotten what he’s like, here’s a quick reminder.

It’s fantastic news: of all the injuries we’ve had recently, only Lauren’s can be considered as serious. And as with the former Cameroon defender, there were serious doubts about Diaby’s ability to come back from a tackle this bad. Horriffic. Thankfully, higher powers have intervened, and the culprit now plies his trade in the SPL. I bet he’s sorry now.

Just watching that video back over, two things stand out: 1) that it’s hard to create a compilation of a player’s finest moments when that player has only started around a dozen games in his entire professional career, and 2) that when Diaby starts running with the ball, he looks like he can’t be stopped. He allies immense power with outstanding close control in a very familiar manner. You have to give a bit of credit to Ian Grant, who picked him out as a “Patrick Vieira doppelganger” back in August 2005.

However, the man himself points out:

“I am very, very flattered when people say that, but to reach his level, I will need to do lots and lots of work. He was and still is a reference point for me – but he is Patrick Vieira and I am Abou Diaby, and now I need to impose my own game.”

And impose his game he did in his fleeting appearances last season, toughening up a struggling midfield with some battling displays against the likes of Bolton, Fulham, and Aston Villa, where he grabbed his only goal to date. He’s unlikely to start tonight, but could make a huge difference to the squad over the coming months. Welcome back, Abou.

Diaby will almost certainly be on the bench, but Lauren will not be involved. In spite of speculation this could be linked to an imminent move to West Ham (who may also be after Freddie Ljungberg), it seems he is in fact carrying “a minor toe injury”. I really hope we’re not considering selling Ralph: with Eboue’s theatrics getting worse by the game, we need Lauren back in the side ASAP.

William Gallas, Emmanuel Adebayor, and Fredrik Ljungberg will also miss out, but the likes of Johan Djourou, Justin Hoyte, Julio Baptista, and possibly Denilson all seem set to start.

After the win at Anfield on Saturday, spirits will be high. However, tonight is certain to be a different game: they’ll be bang up for it, and our team will be significantly weaker. A victory, however, would set up a mouth-watering two-leg tie with Tottenham.

Anthony Stokes has gone, not to Charlton, not to Celtic, but to Sunderland. All this in spite of his father saying that:

“Anthony didn’t sleep the night after learning that Celtic had an offer accepted. We thought it was a done deal. He loves Celtic and was prepared to accept less money to play for them. When he gets up in the morning he listens to Celtic songs and by the time he goes to bed he’s watched Celtic videos.”

It seems that a bit more of Niall Quinn’s consortium’s money swung it Sunderland’s way. It’s a good move for him: they’re an amibitious Championship side and he’ll be learning from his mentor, Roy Keane. Plus, the guy who attempted the murder of Abou Diaby’s ankle is no longer there. So no problem.

Finally, the draw for the FA Cup Fourth Round has been finalised, and of course, we got Bolton. But this time, we’re at home. And it’s payback time. Oh yes.

“Ah, Mr. Campo. You may remember my friend Abou…”


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