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Player Watch: Moussa Sissoko

Phomesy

Well-Known Member
Aug 20, 2013
9,188
14,102
Vs Brighton he had best pass completions of any starting player 93.5%(77 passes).
2nd starting match in a row he has done this.

This is because he's been ordered to play within his limits - which is to say he's NOT to play the ambitious,progressive and risky balls outside his known skill set but, rather, he's to lay off immediately to Winks or the CB or, occasionally to attempt a 1/2 pass to get the RWB into space.

Poch and the coaching staff have instructed Sissoko to play a risk averse, inglorious and utterly selfless role. Sissoko adheres to their instruction faultlessly. No moaning; no undisciplined breaking of formation - he's been the definition of professional.

When Spurs fans moan they "can't see the point of him" what they actually mean is they can't be arsed to understand what Poch and the coaches are using him for given the gaps in the squad due to injuries. They can't be arsed to see how he's been instructed to play - so they are constantly (and made to look ridiculous) surprised when he's named in the starting line up. Despite all the evidence of reality. Just look at the "Team for Brighton" thread - Sissoko was always starting yet the vast majority of posters simply couldn't grasp reality. So they set themselves up to be angry when he's, inevitably, named in the starting 11 - but they don't get angry at themselves for ignoring all available historical evidence and precedent; nor do they get angry at the coaching staff who have just done what they have always done in the circumstances - they get ANGRY AT SISSOKO

Then when Sissoko does what he's been ordered to - which is to play safe passes and keep position and be professional and sacrifice any impulse to be glorious - Spurs fans get even angrier because it's easier and more satisfying to blame the scapegoat for our lack of understanding, than to blame ourselves for not paying attention to REALITY.

Do people really think Sissoko wouldn't fucking love to just spend his time haring forward without a care for team shape? That he wouldn't love to be attempting the "money shot" balls? Ie: doing all the selfish shit he did at Newcastle?

The bloke has sacrificed his entire game and his entire identity to Poch and Spurs. That's why he's played every game this season.

And it's why he deserves a little more respect from our fans.

IMo
 

The Apprentice

Charles Big Potatoes
Mar 10, 2005
11,143
15,618
This is because he's been ordered to play within his limits - which is to say he's NOT to play the ambitious,progressive and risky balls outside his known skill set but, rather, he's to lay off immediately to Winks or the CB or, occasionally to attempt a 1/2 pass to get the RWB into space.

Poch and the coaching staff have instructed Sissoko to play a risk averse, inglorious and utterly selfless role. Sissoko adheres to their instruction faultlessly. No moaning; no undisciplined breaking of formation - he's been the definition of professional.

When Spurs fans moan they "can't see the point of him" what they actually mean is they can't be arsed to understand what Poch and the coaches are using him for given the gaps in the squad due to injuries. They can't be arsed to see how he's been instructed to play - so they are constantly (and made to look ridiculous) surprised when he's named in the starting line up. Despite all the evidence of reality. Just look at the "Team for Brighton" thread - Sissoko was always starting yet the vast majority of posters simply couldn't grasp reality. So they set themselves up to be angry when he's, inevitably, named in the starting 11 - but they don't get angry at themselves for ignoring all available historical evidence and precedent; nor do they get angry at the coaching staff who have just done what they have always done in the circumstances - they get ANGRY AT SISSOKO

Then when Sissoko does what he's been ordered to - which is to play safe passes and keep position and be professional and sacrifice any impulse to be glorious - Spurs fans get even angrier because it's easier and more satisfying to blame the scapegoat for our lack of understanding, than to blame ourselves for not paying attention to REALITY.

Do people really think Sissoko wouldn't fucking love to just spend his time haring forward without a care for team shape? That he wouldn't love to be attempting the "money shot" balls? Ie: doing all the selfish shit he did at Newcastle?

The bloke has sacrificed his entire game and his entire identity to Poch and Spurs. That's why he's played every game this season.

And it's why he deserves a little more respect from our fans.

IMo

Can you send me a source or link to this inside knowledge you have regarding what Poch instructs him and orders him to do?
 

SpunkyBackpack

Well-Known Member
Dec 8, 2005
7,831
9,372
I heard that Poch and the coaching staff are constantly telling him to play in defence but he ignores them and runs off up the field, also during training he won't stop eating gummy bears and won't share them which made Harry Winks cry.

See i can make stuff up based on things ive imagined too! What we do know are two certain things-

1. Poch is happy enough to keep selecting him and playing him.
2. He's still a bit crap.

Anything beyond that is speculation and guesswork, except the gummy bears thing, thats true.
 

Shadydan

Well-Known Member
Jul 7, 2012
38,247
104,143
I think it's safe to presume if a player wasn't carrying out the manager's instructions he wouldn't be constantly be picked in the team, pretty obvious that Sissoko is fulfilling the remit of what Poch is asking of him.
 

The Apprentice

Charles Big Potatoes
Mar 10, 2005
11,143
15,618
I think it's safe to presume if a player wasn't carrying out the manager's instructions he wouldn't be constantly be picked in the team, pretty obvious that Sissoko is fulfilling the remit of what Poch is asking of him.

In that case, Poch should broaden his remit for the role.
 

punkisback

Well-Known Member
Apr 10, 2004
4,410
7,278
Ok so two points

Firstly he is our player so we have to support him; it doesn't mean that he's not immune from criiticism.

Secondly with all players, if we have a better player available that we can sign or promote from the youth he is replaceable.
Because his ability is poor there are probably more players out there that we can sign to replace him.
 

alex hamilton

New Member
Dec 16, 2017
23
71
Personally, I love the lad and he’s certainly better than last year.
However I have a question, are we really paying Newcastle 5 6 Million Pound instalments for him?
 

Reece

Shutterbug
May 27, 2005
2,860
1,779
He’s too inconsistent. He can get himself up for a tournament or the odd game, but never seen anything even resembling a good 10 game run from him.

That kind of inconsistency is compounded when even in his good games he looks just that little bit heavy on the ball.
 

The Apprentice

Charles Big Potatoes
Mar 10, 2005
11,143
15,618
Or maybe he should just carry on doing what he does best and manage Spurs rather than listen to forum wannabe managers.

OK flower, calm down. You just tell us all what to think Dan and I’ll ensure everyone nods and agrees with you.

I wasn’t aware Poch read this forum.
 

Yid121

Well-Known Member
Aug 9, 2008
3,463
3,139
Sissoko offers us something different. I don't care if he's technically inferior. He's a great player to have away from home in my opinion. The guy deserves more respect from our fans.
 

Dharmabum

Well-Known Member
Aug 16, 2003
8,274
12,242
We know he's shit at shooting (in the tradition of Zokora and Freund) but he set up 1 goal for Kane today and should have had a another goal-assist if Son had not blasted that 100 % chance over the goal - a finishing that was worse than Sissoko's miss. And he helped Spurs dominate Burnley away so he certainly can't be as bad - or as some claim, shite - as a few on SC believe.
 
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4shambles

Well-Known Member
Jun 7, 2004
178
298
We know he's shit at shooting (in the tradition of Zokora and Freund) but he set up 1 goal for Kane today and should have had a another goal-assist if Son had not blasted that 100 % chance over the goal - a finishing that was worse than Sissoko's miss. And he helped Spurs dominate Burnley away so he certainly can't be as bad - or as some claim, shite - as a few on SC believe.

Son's chance would have been Aurier's assist I believe... I really can't help but wonder if we would have played better against City if Aurier and Sissoko had started...?
 

SpunkyBackpack

Well-Known Member
Dec 8, 2005
7,831
9,372
Sissoko offers us something different. I don't care if he's technically inferior. He's a great player to have away from home in my opinion. The guy deserves more respect from our fans.

A horse with a water cannon also offers us something different, doesn't mean we should have in in the starting eleven.
 

SpursD22

Well-Known Member
Aug 3, 2017
4,682
8,929
I’m Sissoko’s biggest hater but fair play to him he did well yesterday but I feel like we start to overrate him again. Every simple thing he does we start to give him credit. If we played a team that pressed us higher than Burnley then he would be in trouble because he just can’t control the ball quickly enough to turn. I would still sell him/use academy players instead of him. That’s just my opinion I know that many of you will disagree with me
 

nasescoba1985

Well-Known Member
Jan 27, 2011
847
3,058
I Still think he’s stealing a living as a professional footballer and he is so unbelievably shocking at shooting but he does give 100% every game he plays and you can’t moan at that. Let’s not kid ourselves here though, he is a terrible footballer.
 
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