Seny Dieng is here for the season – Doncaster Rovers could do worse than pushing to make it much more long term
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Confident and fearless in the air, a great shot-stopper and then there is the small matter of what he does with the ball at his feet.
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Hide AdIf the goalkeeper has the ability, why should they not be that exciting?
Dieng has been a big hit over his first few months at Doncaster Rovers and news that his loan from Queens Park Rangers has been extended until the end of the season should be widely welcomed.
After finding himself as understudy to Ian Lawlor on his arrival, Dieng waited patiently for his opportunity and has never looked back since – not that anyone with such confidence would.
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Hide AdFrom his league debut for the club against Peterborough United, the 25-year-old showcased his comfort on the ball from his days as a midfielder in the Grasshoppers academy as he drew in opposition players before playing a pass at the final moment.
You could have been forgiven for thinking Dieng was a liability in waiting.
And for a time, there were a fair few nervy moments, particularly with his determination to play out to centre backs whether they were under pressure or not. As Rovers sought to settle into the approach, and under increasing scrutiny from opposition teams, Dieng was ensuring at times that the defence was thrown in at the deep end.
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Hide AdBut as Rovers as a whole have grown in comfort with the approach , Dieng has become more street smart with it too, making more sensible decisions. And it has made him a stronger and more reliable all-rounder of a goalkeeper.
A very, very good goalkeeper for the level at that.
And it would be wise for the club to strongly consider pushing for a stay beyond this season, on a more permanent basis.
Still young in goalkeeping terms at 25 and someone who only seems to be improving with more game time, Dieng is exactly the sort of signing that fits with the Rovers ethos.
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Hide AdWith a very solid back two and Dieng between the sticks, Rovers look very resolute. That, despite their struggle for form in recent months, only three sides have conceded fewer in League One this season says plenty.
Dieng is a considerable part of that.
In many games it can seem as though he has had very little to do. But a large part of that is down to him, particularly with the confidence in which he claims crosses, making the difficult look simple.
And we have seen numerous spectacular saves too.
Arguably the best of those most recently was the most impressive, given the scenario. Having had few saves to make against the might of the Peterborough front line on Boxing Day and with Rovers three goals to the good, Dieng went full stretch to tip wide a header from Ivan Toney in the dying moments.
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Hide AdIt demonstrated the concentration levels which stand good keepers out from the pack.
Rovers have a good keeper on their hands and it would be a shame to see him slip away, if he has no future at QPR.
However long he remains at the Keepmoat, it is sure to be fun.
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