Diagouraga needs time to find best Bees form (From Wimbledon Guardian)

Diagouraga needs time to find best Bees form

3:41pm Wednesday 21st July 2010 in Sport By Stuart Amos

Brentford midfielder Toumani Diagouraga admits he is playing catch up when it comes to finding his best form for the start of the League One campaign.

The 23-year-old completed his switch from Peterborough United last week in putting pen to paper on the three-year deal to keep him at the club until 2013.

Boss Andy Scott had been tracking the French-born star since he was told he didn’t feature in Posh boss Gary Johnson’s plans, despite impressing at Griffin Park last season.

Diagouraga, who plans to move to west London as soon as possible, was left kicking his heals in the UK when United headed for their pre-season training camp in Portugal.

He was a face in the crowd at Kevin O’Connor’s testimonial last week and made his return to Brentford colours in Saturday’s 0-0 friendly draw at Tonbridge Angels.

And he admits it is like he has never been away.

“It was a deal I always wanted to happen, especially after I was shown the door by Peterborough,” he said.

“I was told on the first day of pre-season training there that I didn’t feature in their plans so I haven’t really trained since then.

“My aim is to get back, fit and ready for when the season starts and hopefully I can get somewhere near to my form of last year.

“The new signings seem like decent players. I’ve only been here five days and nothing seems to have changed.

“The same team spirit is there. The lads are still a good bunch and are all still up for it.”

Scott is ambitious to take the club into the Championship and is confident Diagouraga can play a major part having finished on the losing side only four times in his half-season loan earlier this year.

“I feel that at his age and level of experience he will be a very important player for us now and in the future,” the manager added.

But the former Watford trainee is in a hurry and believes the Bees can more than challenge for a top six spot this season.

And he is out to sharpen his shooting boots for the cause.

“If we had turned a few of the draws last year into wins, we could have been in the play-offs,” said Diagouraga.

“We want to get Brentford as high as possible in the table.

“I didn’t get many goals last year and I want to get a few more, by getting on the end of a few more things.”