DIKE THE TYKE IS LIKE LUKAKU!
USA striker Daryl brings power and goals to Oakwell
DARYL DIKE has been labelled “the new Romelu Lukaku” by Barnsley team-mates, in awe of the American’s physical prowess.
Tykes boss Valerien Ismael signed the 20-year-old on loan from MLS outfit Orlando City last month, convinced he would offer his side a new dimension.
But not even the Frenchman could have predicted the impact Dike would make, with Barnsley now in the play-off places after winning all seven league games he has been involved in.
His scorching winner against a dogged but unambitious Birmingham side made it three goals in four outings for the boy from Oklahoma.
“It’s a totally different world at Barnsley compared to America but he’s adapted really well and been a massive help to the team,” said team-mate Jordan Williams.
“The goal was unbelievable but that’s not the first time I’ve seen him score like that. He’s hit a few in training which have flown into the top corner.
“He’s similar to
Lukaku who also has a rocket of a right foot.
“OK, he’s not scoring as many goals but he certainly hits the ball just as hard.”
Dike would not have been eligible to play for Barnsley had he not made his USA debut in a 7-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago on January 31 which cleared the way for a work permit.
Ismael (right) saw him as the Tykes’ missing link and spent a few nervy weeks praying red tape would not scupper a deal which has transformed his side’s fortunes.
The youngster certainly plays like Inter Milan powerhouse Lukaku (below) and if he carries on scoring goals like his latest, he could yet have a career like the Belgium international.
“He’s a massive unit, runs the channels and holds the ball up really well,” added Williams. “With the goals and assists he’s had, Daryl’s doing brilliantly for us.”
Bar two first half headers from skipper Harlee Dean which flew wide, the Blues failed to threaten the home goal. Manager Aitor Karanka lamented this lack of firepower but, bizarrely, chose to focus on relegation rivals Rotherham’s latest postponement due to Covid rather than his own side’s failings.
The Millers are three points adrift with three games in hand and Karanka fears they will be rearranged for a time when potential opponents have little to play for.
“It is something the EFL need to check because I don’t think it is normal,” he said. “It’s unfair.
“This isn’t the first time Rotherham have had this problem. Our club hasn’t had one problem because we are looking after ourselves.
“Those three games in hand, they are going to play when they are rested and other teams may already know their positions. It won’t be the same.” BARNSLEY: Collins 6, Andersen 7, Sollsbauer 7 (Sibbick 71, 6), Helik 7, Styles 5 (Williams 45, 6), Palmer 6 (Halme 58, 6), Mowatt 7, Brittain 6, Woodrow 6 (Adeboyejo 88), Dike 8, Frieser 6 (Morris 45, 7) BIRMINGHAM: Etheridge 6, Roberts 6, Dean 7, Friend 6 (Bela 70, 6), Valery 6, Gardner 7, Harper 6 (Leko 84), Sunjic 6, Pedersen 6, Hogan 5 (Cosgrove 84), Jutkiewicz 5 (Sanchez 70, 6)
PRESTON
70 BOURNEMOUTH 37
Johnson
Danjuma 1
1
DANIEL IVERSEN proved that Kasper Schmeichel is not the only Danish keeper creating headlines at Leicester City.
Bournemouth now know all about the 23-year-old who answered Preston’s SOS in January by signing on loan when Declan Rudd was ruled out for the season through injury.
Like King Power Stadium team-mate Schmeichel, Iversen also has a goalkeeping father – not as famous as Manchester United legend Peter – who played for their Danish hometown club Gording.
Iversen, who has also been on loan at Oldham, Rotherham and with Belgian side OH Leuven, was the main reason the Cherries dropped out of the promotion play-off spots.
Several outstanding saves in the first half kept Bournemouth at bay until Arnaut Danjuma made the breakthrough from close range only for skipper Steve Cook to giftwrap the equaliser for Daniel Johnson.
“I came here for games and it’s a good place to be,” Iversen said. “I want to play every week so going out on loan has helped me learn and grow as a player. I’m now confident and shouting more at team-mates.”
Something the Schmeichels have never been afraid of as Leicester and Manchester United defenders can testify to.
Cherries boss Jonathan Woodgate looked like he wanted to scream and holler after a second-half fade-out cost them another two valuable points.
“We’ve taken seven points from nine in our last three games but the nine points was there for us,” he stressed.
“This feels like a defeat. We should have been out of sight. Now we’ve got to move on and build. The next game is Barnsley and then Swansea City.”
It was Barnsley who leapfrogged over his side into sixth place and midfielder Ben Pearson said: “It’s important we get our tactics for that game spot on.”
Preston boss Alex Neil said: “In terms of shot-stopping Daniel is excellent. He has made points-winning saves. We have collected points we might not have except for him.”
Iversen 8, Van den Berg 6, Huntington 6, Storey 6, Cunningham 6, Whiteman 6, Browne 7, Johnson 7 (Potts 84), Barkhuizen 7 (Gordon
65, 6), Sinclair 6 (Maguire 65, 6), Evans 7 BOURNEMOUTH:
Begovic 6, Smith 7, Carter-Vickers 7, S Cook 7, Kelly 8, L Cook 7 (Long 74, 6), Pearson 6, Lerma 7, Stanislav 6 (Wilshere 84), Danjuma 7, Solanke 6
LLOYD KELLY (B’MOUTH)
SENY DIENG is urging his QPR team-mates to be more clinical, as they bid to secure a top-half Championship finish.
The Swiss goalkeeper was a virtual spectator for most of a onesided game, as Mark Warburton’s team made it seven League wins since the turn of the year.
Ilias Chair (in possession, below) headed them in front on 11 minutes, and defender Rob Dickie fired in the second goal midway through the first half.
But Dieng admitted life would have been even easier had Rangers taken more first-half chances against opponents forced to reorganise because of head injuries to midfielders Adam Nagy and Zak Vyner.
He said: “We have to be even more ruthless to get to where we want to be. We should have killed the game and been three or four up by the interval.
“That’s the lesson we have to take from this game. It was a really good performance, but we are always looking to improve.”
The result left both clubs anchored in mid-table, but Dieng insists there is still plenty to play for.
“There will be no problem motivating ourselves because we are determined to win every remaining game and finish as high as possible,” he added.
The action made frustrating viewing for Bristol City boss
Nigel Pearson, who admitted it was no way to celebrate 500 games as a manager.
But he found some consolation in the performance of 19-year-old namesake Sam Pearson, thrown on as a 36th-minute replacement for Vyner for his first-team debut. “It’s not easy to make your first appearance with the team two goals down and the senior players not able to help you as much as they might,” said the Robins boss.
“Sam did very well in the circumstances. I like introducing young players when possible and will not hesitate to do so again.
“But overall, we started the game poorly and were too passive in the first half, not making Rangers work hard enough for their goals. We now have a free week to work on things, and hopefully get some of our injured players fit again.”
Loanee Jordy de Wijs enjoyed a confident debut in a strong Rangers back-line.
BRISTOL CITY: Bentley 6, Hunt 5, Mariappa 5, Kalas 6, Sessegnon 5, Vyner 5 (Pearson 36, 6), Palmer 6, Bakinson 5 (Semenyo 23, 6), Nagy 5 (Lansbury 31, 6), Wells 5, Diedhiou 5
QPR: Dieng 6, Dickie 8, De Wijs 7 (Kakay 62, 6), Barbet 7, Kane 7, Johansen 7, Field 7 (Bonne 74, 6), Wallace 7, Willock 7 (Adomah 82), Chair 8 (Thomas 82), Austin 6 (Bail 74, 6)