The End for Diouf

There`s 43 minutes on the clock and Matt Taylor`s shot take`s a wicked deflection. Bolton are two goals up against Arsenal. The crowd erupts and the players celebrate. All bar one. El Hadji Diouf walks back to the centre circle, seemingly unmoved, which is odd as his pass put Taylor in. That action, says far more than Diouf`s statement to the press did yesterday.

“If Bolton stay in the First Division or not, I will not stay next year for sure,” Diouf told L`Observateur.

“Teams are interested in me; an agreement between three parties is the only thing missing and I will leave with serenity.

“Whether Bolton remain in the league or not, it is my last year. But it does not prevent me from respecting and admiring Bolton.”

The timing sucks, but it`s no surprise. As much as anyone, Diouf is representative of Sam Allardyce`s time at Bolton. He was rescued from a disastrous spell at Liverpool and played a major part in the Whites first qualification for Europe in 2005. That he was portrayed as a pantomime villain added to the appeal as far as the home fans were concerned.

As a player his main problem has been inconsistency. He was the stand out player for the first half of last season, but did little after the new year. It`s no coincidence that Bolton`s performances deteriorated then. Yet even in poor form Diouf could produce a moment of magic. His set up for Andranik`s goal at Wigan last season was typical. A long punt from goalkeeper Jaaskelainen, killed stone dead with a first touch that`s as good as anyone in football, followed by an inch perfect pass.

Things are winding down at the Reebok now and there`s a sadness about the place. The best players have gone – to sit on the bench at Chelsea. Too many of the ones that remain are either past it, or not good enough. Ones thing`s for sure. The place will be a lot less colourful without El Hadji Diouf around.