Mo Diame has transformed his career at the club over the past few months. The Senegalese midfielder has been superb playing in a more withdrawn role alongside Jonjo.
He was once again excellent against Huddersfield at the weekend, and fans on Twitter were quick to note our no.10’s transformation from a failed signing into an integral member of the starting eleven:
Absolutely. Its took far too long for him to join the party though.@PaulDummett has been brilliant since his return also.
? The Ginger Pirlo?️ (@TheGingerPirlo_) 31 March 2018
Maybe, but he`s here for the right end of the season and in the short term surely that`s all that matters?
? Rob Dryden (@robbalucky84) 31 March 2018
Rafa is a genius for turning him into a Kante / Iniesta hybrid.
? Scott (@ScottBarclay6) 1 April 2018
He’s never looked back since I gave him a Pep talk outside Hana Hana Restaurant just before Xmas .Nice Bloke signing Autographs etc
? David HUDDART (@DavidHUDDART1) 31 March 2018
Cant believe how good he is currently. He has reinvented himself playing deeper.
? Dan (@dan_hazza) 31 March 2018
He’s gone from an Amdy Faye to a Patrick Viera (slight exaggeration)
? Paul Leatherland (@PTLeather) 31 March 2018
Aye he was never as bad as Amdy Faye
? Chris Dixon (@CDixon_NUFC_83) 1 April 2018
That`s not Mo Diame who`s been playing in the middle with Shelvey no way.
? Adam Hassan (@Adam_Hassan909) 31 March 2018
Super Mo
? Daniel Potter (@danpotter31) 31 March 2018
Totally different player
? Rob Simon (@RobSimon9) 31 March 2018
Love watching the big fella bulldoze his way through the midfield, his role has been well stamped on the squad, just goes to show how much Rafa sees about the players
? Brian Murphy (@4LeggedGeordie) 31 March 2018
Rafa done an amazing job with him. Would be one of the first name’s on the teamsheet at the moment for me
? Dull Bloke UK (@dullblokeuk) 31 March 2018
Verdict:
Mo’s consistency playing in central midfield in recent games has been something to behold. He came to the club with the reputation of a marauding no.10, but never looked comfortable being rotated with Ayoze Perez. He had expressed on a number of occasions his unhappiness at his overall performances.
Yet, playing in a deeper role, he has found his best form once again. The centre midfield position is not an unfamiliar one to him as he played it regularly for both Wigan and West Ham before his switch to Hull. However, his partnership with Shelvey in midfield is more surprising. It seems Rafa has found the perfect combination in the middle of the park.