Dieng settled on centre stage

REGULAR STARTER . . . Timothee Dieng has repaid manager John Sheridan’s trust in him.

TIMOTHEE Dieng gets badgered in training daily - but the scoring hero of Gillingham has revealed he doesn't mind that a bit.

The 23-year-old centre back is now in his second season with Athletic, but only recently has he really found his feet as a defender and put in some eye-catching efforts alongside Anthony Gerrard, despite their quite different styles.

Dieng and Gerrard have proved a useful duo at the back in a run that has seen Athletic collect three clean sheets in five outings. And Dieng says both Gerrard and manager John Sheridan are helping to shape his improvement as an elegant but determined player.

“Sheridan asks us to play higher up the pitch and to keep the ball higher up the pitch, playing more direct,” said Dieng. “I think it is a good thing for us as we need to score goals.

“Anthony and the manager push me every day to be better and to be more aggressive. I have learnt a lot from them. In England the game is more physical, and I feel I have improved my game a lot.”

Though initially thought of as a midfield player, Dieng says he prefers his current role.

“When I was in France, I played centre-back every time. When I came here Lee Johnson told me I could play as a midfielder so tried me there. But I do feel more comfortable at the back.”

Dieng's vital equaliser against the Gills last weekend came through a back-flicked header from a Matt Palmer delivery and it was a moment he clearly enjoyed.

“It was my first goal for Oldham Athletic and I am very proud of that,” said Dieng. “It was beautiful for me because as a defender, you don't score often.”

The likeable character from across the Channel reckons Athletic are only now starting to show the form the squad is capable of.

“We are stronger,” he said. “We have quality in the team and we should be higher in the table.”