South Walian Saikou – the journey of Janneh, and how he ran Rovers ragged

To score your first goal in the Football League is an achievement in itself. For it to be a winning goal to send your side second? It must feel even better.

This exact scenario occurred for 20-year-old Gambian forward Saikou Janneh yesterday. On loan from Bristol City, he helped his new side Newport County defeat Tranmere Rovers by a goal to nil.

Following the footsteps of countrymen like Modou Barrow and Mustapha Carayol in the EFL, the Gambia certainly have themselves a talent on their hands.

Janneh joined Bristol City from local Somerset side Clevedon Town at the age of 18 – playing in the youth sides before joining Torquay United on loan in the Vanarama National League South.

He bagged 16 goals in 2018/19 after joining the Gulls, helping them gain promotion into the National League, and re-joined them for the following season.

Only making eight appearances last term, it must’ve been a risk for Michael Flynn and his recruitment team to bring Janneh in – especially being so unproven.

“I’ve been watching Saikou closely over the last few seasons and he is someone who I feel can enjoy a successful season with this football club.

“I wanted him to join the club in January, so I’m delighted that he is finally here now. I’m looking forward to working with him and hopefully this club can play a big role in his development.”

– Michael Flynn, speaking to Newport’s official website.

This pursuit and genuine interest from all parties must have given Janneh confidence – and Flynn has repaid his faith by starting him four times in all competitions so far this season. He’s also featured as a substitute on four occasions.

And finally, having had a mini-drought at the start of his Newport career goal-wise, he got the ball rolling yesterday.

A deep corner was nodded back Janneh’s way on the six yard box, leaving the Gambian the task of smashing home past Tranmere’s Joe Murphy.

It was the perfect poacher’s goal. Right place, right time. But let that take nothing away from the goal – it wasn’t a scrappy tap-in.

Unfortunately for clubs’ at this level, we don’t have running stats. But if we did, Janneh’s sprints would be right up there, distance covered as well.

From my cubby hole in the press-box, I was in awe of his energy. It reminded me of watching Roberto Firmino for the first time in the false nine position at Anfield.

Yes, Janneh is no Firmino – it would be foolish to suggest anything like that. But his game echoes a lot of the Brazilian in the way he linked up with Tristan Abrahams, the intelligent presses he made, and the goal he scored.

He put so much into the game that towards the end his quality began to disintegrate – which is why Michael Flynn decided to replace him with Padraig Amond with eight minutes to go. That, coupled with the Irishman’s physicality and ability to win headers in both boxes.

Conservation is something Janneh will learn to control more as his career progresses – it comes with experience.

So what does the future hold for young Saikou? He has the rest of the year at Rodney Parade, learning his trade at a good level and continuing to impress – then comes another loan deal?

Bristol City, his parent club, do have a deluge of options in that position. And ones with Championship experience.

Chris Martin has recently arrived from Derby, who’s renowned for being a quality option – and they also have Nakhi Wells and Famara Diedhou, who all have sixteen years of second tier experience between them.

Antoine Semenyo, similar to Janneh, had a loan spell with Newport County –  back in 2018/19. He has played a role in the cup competitions this season, bagging two goals in three matches.

It’s his path Janneh will want to follow – and I’m sure with the display he put in on Saturday, Dean Holden will be excited to reintegrate or test Janneh out at a higher level, like he has with Semenyo.

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