Diouf rises to challenge of captain at troubled Rovers

Sean O’Driscoll out, Dean Saunders in.

A link up with a leading football agent.

A host of big-name signings.

Yet the appointment as Rovers captain of controversial Senegalese striker El-Hadji Diouf this weekend was arguably the biggest shock so far.

Diouf has played in the World Cup and spent the majority of his career in the Premier League but he is hardly known for leading by example.

Down the years, he has spat at opposition players and fans, been sent off for bust-ups with managers, and been branded ‘lower than a sewer rat’ by former Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock.

But that matters nothing to Rovers boss Saunders who still sensed that his team would be inspired by Diouf’s on-the-field leadership.

It didn’t bring a victory against Watford but Rovers kept a clean sheet for only the second time this season and the player was also a model of professionalism.

Ironically, even Diouf admitted to ‘surprise’ at the decision – made due to the absence of regular captain George Friend with an ankle injury.

“It was a surprise and I didn’t know before the game,” he said. “I was surprised when the gaffer told me but it shows anything can happen in football.

“I was captain for a time at Bolton Wanderers and for Senegal and the most important thing is what you show on the pitch and outside the pitch.

“The gaffer wanted to give me that responsibility and now I have to show him that I deserve it.”

Diouf was unable to last the full 90 minutes because of a hamstring injury and is now likely to miss tomorrow’s game at Millwall.

But any cynics who question the wisdom of short-term buys could do far worse than study a DVD of Diouf’s hour or so on the field.

He covered more ground than most, worked in every area of the field, and produced several moments of real quality.

Rovers should have picked up more than a point and the draw means they are still six points adrift of safety at the bottom of the Championship table.

But Saunders was in a far better mood than seven days earlier against Barnsley when his side had more or less waved a white flag in a South Yorkshire derby.

The introduction of three new signings – Habib Beye, Marc-Antoine Fortune, and Herold Goulon – made a big difference, especially Beye’s in the centre of defence.

Goalkeeper Carl Ikeme also warranted special praise for another uncomplicated but steadying performance.

“We kept a clean sheet and should have won the game,” said Saunders. “We put 18 crosses into the box, we had 12 corners, but no final touch. I looked at the team today and thought ‘That is more like it’. We came out and had a fight and looked like we wanted to win. It was a sign of what I am trying to do at the club.”

Diouf’s early involvement in the game justified his appointment as captain.

Playing in a free role just off the front, he delivered two world class crosses that Billy Sharp only just failed to put away.

The days of pretty passing under O’Driscoll are now a fading memory at the Keepmoat with Rovers getting the ball forward far more quickly under Saunders.

It may not be as pleasing on the eye but, if it gets the team out of trouble, supporters won’t be complaining.

Rovers enjoyed the better of the first half although Watford winger Michael Kightly was unlucky not to score when curling inches wide from the edge of the area.

Sharp went close just after the break when latching onto a flick by Fortune but his attempted lob bounced agonisingly wide.

The mood of the game changed after an incident involving Watford winger Mark Yeates and Rovers defender Herita Ilunga.

Yeates caught Ilunga with a swinging arm and Watford striker Chris Iwelumo was unhappy with the way the Rovers defender went to ground clutching his face.

Iwelumo and Goulon exchanged angry words and Watford full-back Lee Hodson stoked the fires by opting not to throw the ball back to Rovers goalkeeper Ikeme.

Watford forced a corner from the throw sparking a chorus of disapproval from the home crowd.

Referee Paul Tierney produced his only yellow card in the 58th minute for a foul by Beye on substitute Craig Beattie.

It was no worse than a number of other challenges that went unpunished and raised the question of whether officials consider a player’s celebrity status when deciding who to book.

Watford were limited to only a few goalscoring opportunities and Kightly spurned his second of the game when a pass might have done more damage.

Saunders revealed Rovers are paying only £20,000-a-week for the services of Diouf and the club’s other recent new arrivals.

“We have got £265,000 worth of wages for about £20,000,” he said. “I actually think that’s a miracle when we are not only in the Championship but bottom of the league. If we shuffle things around a bit we can pay for all of that with just one player leaving the club.”