Don't blow it at Boro, Diouf (From The Bolton News)

Don't blow it at Boro, Diouf

9:51am Friday 18th April 2008 in

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EL-HADJI Diouf could be the man to keep Wanderers' survival hopes alive at Middlesbrough tomorrow, provided he can keep his cool.

The Senegal striker, unpopular on every ground he visits, has been cast in the role of Public Enemy No 1 at the Riverside ever since he was accused of spitting drink at a young fan in November, 2004.

He eventually appeared in court, where he admitted reckless behavour and apologised to the youngster, but that hasn't stopped Boro fans giving him a hard time.

So tough, in fact, that last season he was wound up to such a degree when Wanderers were getting thrashed 5-1 that he let fly with a tirade of abuse at referee Alan Wiley and was red-carded for "foul and abusive language".

Boro fans, who have been urged by midfielder, George Boateng, to make it "hell" for Wanderers, will surely target him again tomorrow. But with the Whites playing for such high stakes, he must ride the storm.

If he does, he could make the headlines for all the right reasons.

With Kevin Davies suspended, Wanderers desperately need inspiration from somewhere and Diouf could be the man to take up the mantle.

He certainly owes Gary Megson a performance. Since the sale of Nicolas Anelka in January and the failure to recruit a proven goalscorer, the Wanderers boss has been looking for the likes of Davies, Kevin Nolan and Diouf to shoulder the scoring responsibility.

But all three of his Premiership goals this season came in a four match sint over Christmas and the only goal he has scored since Anelka left came in the home leg of the UEFA Cup triumph over Atletico Madrid.

Diouf did no one any favours, including himself, when he told a Senegal newspaper that he planned to quit the Reebok in the summer, whether or not they survived in the Premiership.

He had already been carpeted by his team-mates for a lack of commitment but his performance in the 4-0 defeat at Aston Villa led some to suggest they'd be better off without him.

Encouragingly, though, he looked more like his old self against West Ham, when he was unlucky to have a legitimate goal disallowed for offside.

It was the kind of a selfless, disciplined performance that would not go amiss tomorrow.