A section of Newcastle United fans took to Twitter to criticise Mohamed Diame for his first-half display in Saturday’s Premier League clash against Bournemouth.
The central midfielder was partnered by Ki in the middle of the pitch due to the unavailability of Jonjo Shelvey and United roared out of the starting blocks through a Salomon Rondon strike after seven minutes.
But many Newcastle supporters were unimpressed with the contribution of Diame in the opening period even though Rondon had sent them into the break 2-1 up.
This Is Futbol has rounded up some of the best tweets below.
COMMENTARY:
Those Newcastle fans ripping into Diame for his careless distribution and frustrating capacity to give the ball away are not wrong about his lack of composure in possession. It is a trait that has annoyed them throughout his two-and-a-half year spell at St James’ Park. However, Diame does bring other qualities to the centre of Newcastle’s midfield, especially his power, energy and mobility. He is very difficult to knock off the ball and in 50-50 duels frequently comes out on top. That is why Rafael Benitez has selected him for all 12 of Newcastle’s Premier League matches this season, with the Senegal international completing 10 of the first 11 before Saturday’s clash against Bournemouth. Many expected Newcastle to struggle without kingpin quarterback Shelvey, but the partnership of Diame and Ki helped the home side dominate the opening period and they should have been 5-1 up at the break.
https://twitter.com/TheToonReview/status/1061284001820880896
https://twitter.com/CRWikeley/status/1061283783968722944
Diame is terrible at passing #NUFC
— Andrew (@AndyhHiggins89) November 10, 2018
A goal will be conceded from either Ayoze, Diame or Ritchie giving the ball away
— JB (@jj_balmer) November 10, 2018
Diame has to stop fouling near our penalty area. That has cost us dearly this season already. #nufc
— David McAndrews (@DavidMcAndrews) November 10, 2018
https://twitter.com/Mark_Burns_NE10/status/1061281894367719424
https://twitter.com/JoshTomBrown_95/status/1061274330678640641