Cheltenham Town goalkeeper, Mamadou Diallo, has opened up on the experience he has gained whilst being involved with the first-team, saying “it helps me grow as a player.”
The 18-year-old has made two appearances in the EFL Trophy this season, with a pair of impressive displays against Plymouth Argyle and Bristol Rovers.
“It’s been good experience for me as a young player, training with the first team everyday, it helps me grow as a player and also an individual person.
“I get to see the first-team environment at such a young age, and it gives me good insight into what it’s like and it’ll help me in my future career.”
Diallo has found himself being Steve Cotterill’s back-up goalkeeper, something that gives the youngster valuable experience.
“Being around it is good. Having Joe (Day), who is very experienced, is very good to watch him. Sometimes I actually just watch him, rather than watching the game.
“Just speaking to him after the game, going through why he made certain decisions, asking him and then he’ll give me the reasons as to why.”
Many clubs ask their goalkeepers to play out from the back, which requires technical skill from the goalkeeper. Diallo stated that his ball playing is “a big part of my game.”
“Being comfortable with the ball is one of my unique selling points, being able to take the ball with pressure.
“As a goalkeeper, especially nowadays, it’s very important to be comfortable and be that extra man, to help the team playout.
“The gaffer (Cotterill) emphasises it quite a lot, he likes the goalkeeper to comfortable, to stay on it and invite that pressure.”
