13/08
Silencieux lors de sa première saison avec Portsmouth, Pape Bouba Diop promet cette année des buts et se fixe un objectif de 8 buts. Déjà buteur lors des matchs de préparation, le milieu sénégalais espère continuer sur la même lancée.
Papa Bouba Diop has set himself an eight-goal target this season.
The Senegal international believes he needs to up his strike threat, after failing to hit the back of the net in his debut Pompey campaign.
But the 30-year-old was on target against Oxford last week and believes he is capable of scoring on a regular basis.
Diop explained he has been concentrating on his finishing in training for his side. He managed to hit the back of the net eight times in 70 league appearances for Fulham, including some memorable strikes from distance.
Now the player thinks he can grab a similar return this season at Fratton Park.
Diop said: 'This season I want to score more goals. I want to score goals for Portsmouth like I did for Fulham.'The goal against Oxford helped and I can score more. I think I can score eight goals this season. That is a good total for a midfielder I have been working on that in training, as well as crossing and attacking. The manager wants me to score more goals. I have confidence and now I am waiting for the season to start.'
There were a few eyebrows raised as Diop was given the nod to start on the right side of midfield in Sunday's Community Shield.
But with Glen Little (right) suffering with a slight thigh problem, he was chosen to start in front of John Utaka by Harry Redknapp. It is a position Diop filled on a number of occasions at the end of last season, most notably in the FA Cup semi-final against West Brom. Although not a natural wide man, the hulking midfielder insisted he is happy to play down the right if that is what his manager feels is required. That leads to Pompey presenting less potency in terms of providing a ammunition for the striker.
Conversely, his presence there makes his team a more solid proposition, a greater consideration for Redknapp against the top sides.
Diop stated he had no problem with doing a job there against Chelsea on Sunday.
He said: 'I'm happy playing in any position. I'm a good player who will do what is needed for the team. I will play where the manager needs to me to play. I think I have the technique to do that. I'm happy to do that for the team.'
