Diatta: "I Want To Stay"
By Tyne-Talk
April 8 2008
Newcastle's loan signing Lamine Diatta has told how happy he is at the club & how welcome he has been made to feel by his fellow team-mates. Diatta made his debut at the weekend in Newcastle's 3-0 win over Reading, Just one game has convinced him he would be happy at the club on a long term deal. He was initially on a trial period but Newcastle agreed to take him until the end of the season only.
The Senegalese defender said:
"It was my first game and I was very happy to play," said Diatta. "It was a very special atmosphere.
It was my first game in The Premier League and it's a difficult league, but I believe I can help the team.
I'm very happy at the club - I have been made very welcome by my team-mates. I'm enjoying the training and I want to prove myself to the manager.
Habib Beye and Abdoulaye Faye are, like me, from Senegal and they have been a great help. They have told me what a great club this is and I want to stay here with them."
Keegan also praise Habib Baye after his performance against Reading at the weekend, he said:
"The guy is going out there looking like it's a matter of life and death almost - he has that attitude. Habib Beye has tremendous athleticism and he's a good man around the dressing room.
He was my man of the match, just ahead of Joey Barton. I wouldn't argue with the choice of Joey, because he has a terrific engine, driving us forward, but I thought Habib was absolutely outstanding.
You can't play right back any better than that in the system we had. He defended well and got forward well. I don't think he gave the ball away. I think he works fantastically with Geremi - those two were terrific.''
Now if they can fix the timing of the ANC, then fine. Still can't give any kind of verdict on this guy yet, though.
