Signed El Hadji Malick Diouf (LB, West Ham, 21)

[WarDamnBees]

If he's causing trouble to leave West Ham (I don't know that he is), how likely is it that in one or two years time we have another Wissa situation to deal with? Do we really want that?

I doubt he’d be behaving this way if West Ham had not been relegated. I imagine it’s more about his wages getting cut via relegation than it is personal distaste for West Ham or anything.

 

[andyrew]

Always exciting to see a strong rumour, especially when it’s from a club who think they’re superior to us despite years of decline.

We’ll take one of your best players, even though we don’t really need him. Because we can. Thanks very much.

I always place myself in a room with rival supporters before making assertions of that kind. Helps keep you grounded and humble.

 

[WarDamnBees]

Well I have watched football for a very long time and I had to google Haram Ball. FFS what is wrong with the term parking the bus?

Sorry…. We use parking the bus plenty (we being gen z), a lot of folks just find it funny to call it haram ball. You’ll see people make similar memes about George Russell or Verstappen as well.

But I have taken this conversation way too far off topic. My personal apologies to Banana.

 

[WarrenBee]

If he's downed tools at WHU, doesn't that put him in the dick head category?

 

[andyrew]

If he's downed tools at WHU, doesn't that put him in the dick head category?

Phil Giles didn't take an emotional stance on Wiss leaving. He just dealt with a business transaction. That was the correct way to go and he will do the same with any future transactions. Top man!

 

[Canterbee]

Well I have watched football for a very long time and I had to google Haram Ball. FFS what is wrong with the term parking the bus?

Language evolves... you'll find both phrases are used alongside each other across the country - both have their place.

 

[brentford born & bred]

Language evolves... you'll find both phrases are used alongside each other across the country - both have their place.

Internet jargon for the kids?

 

[readingbee]

If he's downed tools at WHU, doesn't that put him in the dick head category?

Not sure he’s downed tools just said he wants a move from what I can glean from their boards.

 

[stevendamico]

Clearly this was upgraded to strong rumor for a reason, but I find this signing a bit confusing if it happens, unless we are expecting a departure in the next two windows. Henry?

 

[grepo]

Internet jargon for the kids?

We have a beautiful language. Let's preserve it.

 

[footman]

We have a beautiful language. Let's preserve it.

Wherefore dost thou think so, my friend?

 

[Simon C]

Clearly this was upgraded to strong rumor for a reason, but I find this signing a bit confusing if it happens, unless we are expecting a departure in the next two windows. Henry?

We will buy another left back in the next few windows. Kayode's impact on the other side makes that obvious.

Until then having too many options that aren't the long term first choice is the next best thing and the reason why we won't overpay now.

 

[KenCootesNephew]

Well I have watched football for a very long time and I had to google Haram Ball. FFS what is wrong with the term parking the bus?

Me too.
It's Arabic with religious connotations.
I'm parking the bus with you

 

[londondude]

If PG wants him and thinks he will improve us and a good deal then I'll back him

 

[hanworthbee]

If Tuchel had any sense at all KLP would be part of the England set up already, sure he offers more than the ones he constantly picks

Although not a natural left back he's doing a great job but the club wouldn't even be entertaining looking at Diouf if they thought KLP was going to be there permanently

 

[stevil]

Wherefore dost thou think so, my friend?

For so should we discourse, if time did lock our English tongue in ice eternal…

 

[PGH_Bee]

Clearly this was upgraded to strong rumor for a reason, but I find this signing a bit confusing if it happens, unless we are expecting a departure in the next two windows. Henry?

Rico's contract is up next summer, so it could make sense.

 

[ChesilB]

Wherefore dost thou think so, my friend?

Whyfore not Wherefore.

 

[Boston Bee]

Whyfore not Wherefore.

And sweet friend, surely

 

[davewfilms]

Not sure what's going on posted yesterday saying back on.
But was firmly told not happening
Love it hope it happens.

 

[GlasgowBee]

And sweet friend, surely

Verily

 

[TadB]

Although not a natural left back he's doing a great job but the club wouldn't even be entertaining looking at Diouf if they thought KLP was going to be there permanently

KLP, if he plays as well as he did on Saturday I hope he will be there permanently!

 

[PGH_Bee]

If we sign him, I think KLP will still be looked at as the starter and then Diouf and Rico will both be looked at as specialists. Diouf seems as though he will offer more going forward with that cross and Rico is always shut down defensively. That will help insulate Diouf from too much risk as he develops too, so it could be an ideal opportunity to develop.

 

[Boston Bee]

KLP, if he plays as well as he did on Saturday I hope he will be there permanently!

Sorry, this makes no sense. Do you mean if he doth play passing well as on the sabbath?

…sorry, I know my sense of humor isn’t everyone’s

 

[alikat]

Whyfore not Wherefore.

Or even "whyfor".

 

[Jim Rourke]

This is like the bath scene from Fatal Attraction!

 

[Boston Bee]

Anglo-Saxon IS English.
You can't get any more English!

Celts for you on line 8

 

[Gee Bee]

KLP, if he plays as well as he did on Saturday I hope he will be there permanently!

The only two chances Spurs had were arguably because KlP switched off

 

[Brentford77]

What's the Saxon bit for then?

Well that’s kind of from Germany… But heck, the Germans are as English as can be too. Hell, our royal family is German and they’re as English as English can be

 

[aslan]

Well that’s kind of from Germany… But heck, the Germans are as English as can be too. Hell, our royal family is German and they’re as English as English can be

Even the Greek ones?

 

[TadB]

The only two chances Spurs had were arguably because KlP switched off

That put me in my place!

 

[taxi driver]

That put me in my place!

I'm sure Mikey Moore had 3 very similar chances

He looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights though.

 

[fencer/bee]

The only two chances Spurs had were arguably because KlP switched off

But he will learn , he is a young man, no need to waste 40m on anew LB,
He scored a very good goal, let's be positive and give the lad some credit

 

[Gee Bee]

But he will learn , he is a young man, no need to waste 40m on anew LB,
He scored a very good goal, let's be positive and give the lad some credit

I’m not being negative thought he was POtM Saturday, just pointing out nobody’s perfect

 

[fencer/bee]

I’m not being negative thought he was POtM Saturday, just pointing out nobody’s perfect

Not even Messi

 

[Gee Bee]

Not even Messi

No he missed a penalty last week

 

[taxi driver]

We need this fella

We can then out Man City, Man City.

We could play 4 LB in defence

 

[larrysigny]

We have a beautiful language. Let's preserve it.

Yep, it's beaut innit?

 

[Canterbee]

Internet jargon for the kids?

They happily say both!

 

[PNWbee]

Sorry…. We use parking the bus plenty (we being gen z), a lot of folks just find it funny to call it haram ball.

Both are used, but they're not synonymous!

Parking the bus can be haramball, and it often is used to describe ultra-defensive football, but colloquially, haramball more generally describes football that sucks, ie. joyless football.

The New Year's Day Match against Spurs was haramball.

 

[horshambees]

I keep being told this is done.
It looks like he has played his last game for WHU and lets hope he is on his way.

 

[Phreebee]

Internet jargon for the kids?

The ‘kids’ will soon be the wizened and wise posting on the GPG.

 

[AB]

That's more like 2+2=Wombat...

If we are planning to spend north of £30m on a player then I wouldn't want it to be on a gamble that we can convert him from one position to another because we weren't sure he was good enough at either.

Though as we have our famous 17 outfield positions approach it is possible that we’ve assessed him as not just a FB/WB but capable of more, just as KLP clearly has the skill set to play superbly at FB while nominally being a winger.

It depends on whether the player is himself open to being developed according to skills, aptitudes and team needs rather than insisting on his identity being tied in with a particular position. In pretty much his first public interview on being appointed head coach Keith said what he loved about the squad was how coachable they are.

Maybe Diouf fits this mould too.

While we have with KLP and Canos before first played them “out of position” at FB through necessity, it may be that now we can do this more by design. We let the players now play with a lot of designed in freedom that doesn’t pin them in their zone.

Our CBs are playing right up top. KLP in scoring on Saturday was at LB, CM, RW and CF in the same move while others seamlessly covered where he wasn’t. Kayode marauds from RB to LW every game. Since Toney we’ve had our strikers fully integrated as auxillary CBs. Keith highlighted how significant Schade’s defensive contributions were when people criticised his attacking output.

We joked a bit about it being Total Football but maybe that’s actually exactly what we’re doing and recruiting for.

 

[stevil]

Though as we have our famous 17 outfield positions approach it is possible that we’ve assessed him as not just a FB/WB but capable of more, just as KLP clearly has the skill set to play superbly at FB while nominally being a winger.

It depends on whether the player is himself open to being developed according to skills, aptitudes and team needs rather than insisting on his identity being tied in with a particular position. In pretty much his first public interview on being appointed head coach Keith said what he loved about the squad was how coachable they are.

Maybe Diouf fits this mould too.

This is a very interesting perspective. I lack the imagination to see beyond LB peg in LB hole, but there are definitely growing signs of a more fluid style. Keith describes it as ‘chaos’, but (as you suggest later in your post) perhaps we’re seeing the rebirth of total football!

Unbelievably exciting times.

 

[aawharris]

The only two chances Spurs had were arguably because KlP switched off

Wait until you see how Diouf "defends" then

 

[mhead bee]

If he's downed tools at WHU, doesn't that put him in the dick head category?

PG said every transfer is the same, its just they are not all played out in the public eye like Wissa's.

 

[N5022N122]

Where's a moderator when you need them peeps waffling on about the origins of britspeak.

 

[Wouldbee]

Here's a new take.
40million for a LB is ALOT. Its more than I ever thought I'd see us offer for a full back. I thought it was insanity when Chelsea paid circa £60m for Cucueralla from Brighton and I still do.
But its an inflated market and whilst we are masters at not pandering to that dynamic, perhaps the view is that for a player who is young, mouldable ,with premiership experience its a price worth meeting now rather than in a season or two . We still get a season out of Rico at least and we have time to bed the lad in. In another year trying to buy a player like that ,and having the opportunity to do so, may well be alot harder.

 

[Gee Bee]

Wait until you see how Diouf "defends" then

I’ve seen him defend many times and yes he was poor against us, but during their run in last season where they almost survived he was very much part of a settled back 4 that Nunu eventually settled on. He was good in most part, and I living very much in WHU territory most fans are upset if he were to leave.

 

[super J]

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