Pablo Zabaleta has become a paid up member of the Diafra Sakho fan club and is a believer in understanding players’ situations.
The Argentine believes the striker can have a big impact on the Irons season saying: “He’s a great player, but it is all about confidence.
“He’s not been playing much in the Premier League aside from coming on for a few minutes, and his only starts have been in the Carabao Cup.”
Speaking to the official site Zaba added: “This is what you expect from players like this who, even if they are not starting the games, they come on and give 100 per cent, even if it is only for ten minutes. He did that against Swansea, so I’m very pleased for him.
“Personally, I always try to understand player’s situations. I’m a new player here and I don’t know Diaf’s situation from last season or three or two seasons ago or whenever but, when the transfer window closed, Diaf was a West Ham player and he has given everything because he is important for this club and is a great player.
“He has done a fantastic job for this club, so he needs to fight for a place, show the manager he is worthy of a place in the team and that’s it.
“The best way to do it was like he did against Swansea, coming on, making runs, working hard and scoring goals. That is the only way to show the manager you are worth a place in the team and that healthy competition between everyone has to be like this.
“I understand that every player cannot play every week. This is the manager’s job, thinking what is best for the team. As a player, I’ve been dropped many times and the only way I can show I am worthy of a place in the team is by performing and working hard – this is what it’s all about.”
I see this only as Saba showing his leadership skills. He I’m sure recognise the tempramental nature of Diaf and is offering advice along with a dosage of morale.
Zaba could potentially make for a good manager. Seemingly very intelligent and clearly highly professional.
Future West Ham manager? He’d have my backing (not that it means FA)
I see it as zaba saying to bilic wake up and smell the coffee lol,
He’s bang on form and that’s with no game time under his belt , !!! Bilic said that players will be picked on merit some time back ? Well bilic, its time to put it into practice !!!!😉
Laz makes you wonder what Bilic is smelling other than coffee?
😂
very true No 32 as well. Sahko is most rounded striker we have no his biggest fan of the pitch but apparently there was more to the Renne deal th . Just him going.
But on form he should be playing of course we heard the same of Hart.
No Offense to AC but I’d rather sell him then Sahko
Sakho has already done enough to show he should be partnering Hernandez both of their games would provide more space for themselves and each other in and around the box. With Lanzini in behind could make for a great 443 / 442 if we wanted to go all out attack play Hart, Zab, Reid Ogbonna, Masuaku, Antonio, Lanzini, Obiang, Arnautovic, Sakho & Hernandez COYI !!!
I would like to see us in 4-3-3 w Lanzini and AC as to be a Sub for me.
Rice made 1 mistake and was pulled but ask me he could be our future whether in mid or CB… AC made how many mistakes recently and still starts.
Kouyate Obiand and Lanzini on left getting in behind Chic and or Sahko would be great
3-5-2 for me ! We just seem more balanced in that mode IMO, with a fit squad to choose from
We can hurt teams offensively by playing this system by hitting the flanks and going through the middle and with sakho running and aerial strengths and poaching a goal along with the peas fox in the box foray’s , and with cheik and obiang holding the line defensively and both wing backs helping out gives us that balance imo!!! But bilic will not see it that way going on the last 20 + months ? To say I will be surprised to see sakho and the pea start up top is a understatement 😉 Adrian zabba Reid rice obiang chieck Arnie Antonio lanzini sakho pea.
Sub’s , Carroll ogbonna Vic cresswell Martinez Samuelson hart . noble and ayew in the stiffs😎
Massuaku as a sub too? 😉