Adelaide United defender, Dylan McGowan, has praised the impact of Baba Diawara after the talisman netted an impressive double in the Club’s 3-2 win over Central Coast Mariners in Gosford on Saturday.
Diawara restored parity with a clinical half-volleyed finish, before grabbing his second off a corner to score four goals in his last three outings in all competitions.
McGowan lauded the Senegalese striker’s recent performances since his arrival to the Reds during the January transfer window.
“He’s fantastic, he’s just come in and he’s starting to get used to the way we play,” McGowan told Fox Sports.
“I think in the last couple of weeks in training he’s been very good and he’s showed that with the goals he’s been getting for us recently.”
The 25-year-old lamented his side’s disappointing first-half, and attributed a change in mentality and tactics ultimately led to an Adelaide win.
“I think the first-half we were very poor,” he said.
“Central Coast are a very good side, Paul Okon has got them set up well.
“They keep the ball, they can hurt you on the counter-attack and their pace up-front is something every team would love.
“We had to play a good game plan and I think the second-half we pushed up a little bit more.
“We pressed them a bit more and we got our reward in the end.”
McGowan also etched his name onto the scoresheet either side of Diawara’s brace with a forceful header.
However, the centre-back, who netted his second of the campaign, admitted he would have swapped his goal if it meant keeping a clean sheet.
“It’s a rare thing that (scoring a goal) so it’s always good to get a goal,” he continued.
“But more importantly I’d rather keep a clean sheet.
“The goals we conceded today were a bit sloppy, but we’ll take the three points.”
Adelaide United host Perth Glory in Round 25 of the Hyundai A-League 2016/17 season on Friday, 31 March at Coopers Stadium. Kick-off is at 7.20pm ACDT.
