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Chigwell 8:06 Tue Mar 9
Issa Diop

Who thinks he's good enough to be part of our future plans? I must admit that I haven't been able to watch recent games - just the highlights - but frequently I see him not apparently giving everything to compete for the ball, and very slow to cover the ground or react to threatening situations. I'd be quite happy to be contradicted but from what I've seen I think we'd be better off getting a tigerish tackler into our defence.

LAF 8:27 Wed Mar 10
Re: Issa Diop

Any news on Oggy’s return?

collyrob 5:52 Wed Mar 10
Re: Issa Diop

Not many teams in the league have a 4th choice centre back as good as him.

El Scorchio 5:20 Wed Mar 10
Re: Issa Diop

Done great since he came back into the side, and although we aren't quite so solid, we do not miss Ogbonna half as much as I feared.

I feel that he needs to play alongside a 'leader' or more experienced player at the moment, however he's still only 24 years old and will only improve aspects of his game. He clearly has talent when playing in an organised defence, which we were not last time he was a regular.

It's no coincidence they've all looked far better this season under Moyes.

ted fenton 5:11 Wed Mar 10
Re: Issa Diop

I think he'll be gone before next season.

Mex Martillo 4:41 Wed Mar 10
Re: Issa Diop

I think he should be in the future plans.
I like his play, especially went he surges forward he has goals in him. He does appear to be down on confidence in his defending and I hope he can build that back up. He seems to need regular match play to get confidence and attain a good level.

Block 4:38 Wed Mar 10
Re: Issa Diop

For me, he needs to bulk up a bit.

62Hammer 4:37 Wed Mar 10
Re: Issa Diop

He's been very good recently, and certainly better than I was expecting. Not only got in some excellent tackles on Monday but also a number of interceptions. Yes, Ogbonna should be back in when he's fit, but I'm happy with Diop until he is.

OneAll 4:28 Wed Mar 10
Re: Issa Diop

got all the attributes to be one of the best around , his positional sense lets him down though , but the way he can charge forward on the ball is very positive . I would not sell him, with time i reckon his going to be a class act

riosleftsock 4:16 Wed Mar 10
Re: Issa Diop

A frustrating player for me. Doesn't try hard enough to improve.

He should watch Dawson - what he lacks in talent he makes up for through sheer commitment. Coufal the same, he lacks talent but puts 110% into the game and refuses to be beaten. If Diop had half the heart those two have he'd be causing Moyes selection problems when Oggy is fit.

Bishopsfinger 4:03 Wed Mar 10
Re: Issa Diop

Good cover and not worth selling in an already small squad. If replaced by better yes but that goes with every member. Remember players weren’t queuing up to sign for us. He’s stayed loyal and quiet when not in the team.

He could have moaned and pushed for a move. No doubt someone would have increased his wage.

Good player amd has loyalty so keep

the exile 2:58 Wed Mar 10
Re: Issa Diop

I would say the jury is still out on Diop. He's looking a good bit better than he was at his dithering, ball-watching worst, but he's no Ogbonna. He particularly needs to work on being more proactive, on the speed and correctness of his decision-making and his heading - the height of his leap and the distance of his clearing headers, which is pretty poor at the moment. However, in his favour is the fact that he has all the necessary physical attributes, we've seen what a beast he can be and you can be sure that Moyes and his team will be making it a priority to work on him. He'll do fine as 3rd choice CB and may work his way up from there.

Alex Bunbury 2:36 Wed Mar 10
Re: Issa Diop

I like Diop but I get the impression he lost a bit of confidence and is gradually working his way back. If you look across his time with us I think he has done well, it just seems to me people are very quick to write players off when they lose a bit of form. We are actually quite strong for competition for all of the defensive positions so there is a real incentive for players to step up when they get a start in the team. Long may that continue.

ludo21 2:20 Wed Mar 10
Re: Issa Diop

Yes. He should be offered a new one IMO. He can’t be on big bucks (relatively) and offers good back up.

Lee Trundle 1:36 Wed Mar 10
Re: Issa Diop

Balbuena is out of contract at the end of the season, isn't he?

PostmanPissed 1:34 Wed Mar 10
Re: Issa Diop

Dawson and Balbuena as a central defensive partnership???

Because of the lack of any pace we'd have to spend the whole game defending from the edge of our own penalty area to prevent being outstripped for pace to constant balls over the top.

When in possession we'd be camped in our own half if we wanted to keep hold of the ball, or revert to aimless punts upfield as a form of attacking.

Diop still has lot a development needed to oust Ogbonna or Dawson, but he brings pace to the central defence in Ogbonna's absence.

ornchurch ammer 11:51 Wed Mar 10
Re: Issa Diop

Depends on how much he develops over the next season or so.

At the moment he is prone to ball watching allowing players in behind him. Also needs to work on his heading.

Full Claret Jacket 11:50 Wed Mar 10
Re: Issa Diop

I agree with quite a few comments on here. Its tough for him to come in when both Ogbonna and Dawson have been playing well. Ogbonna for me has been a standout in out team past couple of seasons and has been one of the best in the league. Diop has done well given his lack of gametime recently and its clear the club like him.

If he can stay alert and not switch off, get a bit stronger when challenging in the air then he would be absolute quality as his tackling, pace and ability on the ball are better than a lot of centre backs. Even his reading of the game for a younger player is decent.

jack flash 11:49 Wed Mar 10
Re: Issa Diop

Diop is a class player but has had a bit of a dip in form since his enforced coronavirus lay off at the start of the season
One on one he's excellent with his telescopic legs but for his height I think he could definitely improve his heading ability particularly in attack
Perhaps Dawson could give him a few lessons!
We're well covered now for CH places with Ogbonna, Dawson, Diop, Balbuena, Alves and the other youngsters coming through
It would be interesting to see whether or not Diop could adjust to a defensive midfield role alongside Rice and Soucek, as he has a lot of pace for a CH

terry-h 11:45 Wed Mar 10
Re: Issa Diop

Dawson and Ogbonna are just great together. Shame they are not five years younger.

ludo21 11:28 Wed Mar 10
Re: Issa Diop

We are well placed for CBs. I prefer Balbuena over Diop but they are both good back up players who have done a good job when needed.

Hopefully next season we might need some rotation so we should give Balbuena a new contact and hope that Alves offers even more competition for places.

Pepe last night for Sevilla was MotM and showed that at 38 it is possible to still be at the top of your game... we should be well served for a while, nice blend of youth and experience.

Block 11:23 Wed Mar 10
Re: Issa Diop

He's still young, IMO he needs to work on his strength and first touch, once he gets running with the ball as shown in the Leeds game he can be quite effective bringing the ball out of the defence.

He reminds me a little of Rio Ferdinand by the way he steps out of the defence with the ball.

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