What's new

Player Watch: Moussa Sissoko

Phomesy

Well-Known Member
Aug 20, 2013
9,188
14,102
Winks did cop shite, including from me, in the ratings thread.

Please stop with the "some fans don't recognise the role he's playing" bollocks, this is really fucking tiresome. Poch isn't playing Sissoko in some highly nuanced or complex tactical application that involves a PHD in sport trigonometry to comprehend.

Like I said, it could be the fact that we've got 50m+ riding on Sissoko that is keeping him around the first team right now, or it could just be that Poch doesn't get everything right. Or it could be that the majority of us and some well regarded football journalists are mistaken and you and Poch are visionary's who are living in a parallel footballing universe in which shit technique, poor tactical and positional awareness and a complete lack of vision are actually qualities of value.

I think you accusing Poch of playing a player because of the price paid is not only demeaning of Poch but also flies in the face of everything we've ever know about how he operates. He had no problem freezing out all our billy big bollocks players - he plays people who buy into his ethic and can be very stubborn about that.

Just as you are stubborn - but Poch isn't slandering you.

You need to get a grip.
 

Bus-Conductor

SC Supporter
Oct 19, 2004
39,837
50,713
I think you accusing Poch of playing a player because of the price paid is not only demeaning of Poch but also flies in the face of everything we've ever know about how he operates. He had no problem freezing out all our billy big bollocks players - he plays people who buy into his ethic and can be very stubborn about that.

Just as you are stubborn - but Poch isn't slandering you.

You need to get a grip.

Completely ignoring my other theory then?
 

Bus-Conductor

SC Supporter
Oct 19, 2004
39,837
50,713
I'm not a massive fan of Sissoko. Wasn't before he signed for us. Having said that he was fantastic for France at the Euros, so we know there is a good player in there somewhere.

The issue I have is that when he plays, he seems to make others around him nervous or look worse, quite often he lays the ball off too quick and plays it into someone who has opposition around them. Perhaps he is too nervous to show his true capabilities because of the reaction he gets. I dunno, just something doesn't seem right with him. His first touch is awful as well, he tends to need 3 touches to get a pass/cross/shot away.

I think he is an ok option on the bench for games where we need to inject some energy but I just think he has zero confidence at the club.

I’d delete this before the Sissoko Popular Front see it and have you tarred and feathered for implying that our glorious leader is in some way fallible.
 

Bus-Conductor

SC Supporter
Oct 19, 2004
39,837
50,713
I reckon @Phomesy and Poch are visionaries in a parallel universe BC but not with the qualities you describe. I think Poch actually knows what he is doing. Which is why he manages Spurs and you, like the rest of us plebs, merely armchair critique every thing he does. There is no conspiracy to keep playing Sissoko.

Lay off FFS. Sissoko is not that bad as you and others make out. It’s now becoming fucking annoying hearing the same shite commentary after every game when my eyes are telling me something different. At least give some credit to a player that wears our shirt and puts in an honest shift.

Not strictly true, sometimes I critique whilst sitting on the bog.

I didn’t mention Sissoko in my post match ratings, I did however criticise Winks. The first mention of Sissoko was two “plebs” who decided to put him forward as contender for MOTM. (Which again, I think most of us ignored).

Personally I’m findining the continual inaccurate over inflating of everything he does fucking annoying.

What I suggest, is that if you don’t want to hear alternative opinions to yours about Sissoko, then maybe the “Sissoko” thread is not for you.

I don’t support any of these multi millionaires, I support Spurs.
 

ilikeost

Well-Known Member
Jul 17, 2012
5,382
12,072
In answer to the MOTM question:

So, who starts the tiresome, over the top and repetitive stuff ?

Nobody started off pelting Sissoko, but various people seem hell bent on winding everyone "who thinks he's crap" up with this silly drivel, which I wholeheartedly support their right to spout, but you can't then complain about what it generates or that this is a one sided "tiresome, over the top" fest.
I was being sarcastic, Sissoko was terrible.
 

Phomesy

Well-Known Member
Aug 20, 2013
9,188
14,102
I’d delete this before the Sissoko Popular Front see it and have you tarred and feathered for implying that our glorious leader is in some way fallible.

You really do disappear up your own fundament at times, BC. Nobody is saying Poch is infallible - and it's not like anyone is really calling for Sissoko to be starting every match cos he's so magnificent. I, personally, sigh every time I see him on the team sheet because I think Poch is too wedded to protecting the front four and should have more faith in a progressive Central Midfield (sound familiar?! :ROFLMAO:).

But I understand why Poch does it and am prepared to see the value Poch thinks he brings to the team. You, however, want to throw your toys out of the pram and accuse the Manager of selecting players based on the financial implicationsof signing him. This is an outrageous slur and completely at odds with Poch's entire history. Yu should be ashamed of yourself.

And the other point is Sissoko is not nearly as bad as you and other dummy spitters make out. The scapegoating and rubbish poured out every week is embarrassing - and says more about some of our fans than it says about Sissoko who, at least, is completely buying into the role laid out for him by the Coaching staff. He's showing more love and support for the club than some on here.
 

JUSTINSIGNAL

Well-Known Member
Jul 10, 2008
15,980
48,498
I agree with those that say the perennial Sissoko bashing is tiring. But, let's be honest here, he's an awful player. One of, if not the worst i've seen in my 30 years of supporting spurs. He actually makes football look difficult, I find him uncomfortable to watch, to the point I actually feel sorry for the guy, such is his complete lack of ability. He is the only player I can remember watching who actually makes me laugh out loud in despair at his ineptness.

So yes, I don't feel the need to constantly cane the guy but i really struggle with the concept that anyone can deem him anything other than a complete liability.
 

Phomesy

Well-Known Member
Aug 20, 2013
9,188
14,102
I
So yes, I don't feel the need to constantly cane the guy but i really struggle with the concept that anyone can deem him anything other than a complete liability.

So how do you account for him having played in more matches for Spurs than any other player? Are the Coaches unable to see his ineptness? Or do you, like BC, think they are playing him because he cost a lot of money and they have to save face or are being bullied by Levy?

Or is there just the slightest possibility that you aren't quite grasping what value he brings to the side. That its a value not totted up in world class goals or flashy first touches but is more on filling space; organisation; adherence to team rules and structures? Any chance at all that this might be part of the reason?#

And, perhaps, just perhaps he hasn't actually been as awful as you seem to remember? That a group think mentality has descended whereby Sissokos poor first touch has inflated to being on an epic scale not seen ever before in a Spurs shirt.

I'd respectfully suggest this might just be the case.

Or maybe Poch is just gone insane... A possibility I suppose...
 

Bus-Conductor

SC Supporter
Oct 19, 2004
39,837
50,713
So how do you account for him having played in more matches for Spurs than any other player? Are the Coaches unable to see his ineptness? Or do you, like BC, think they are playing him because he cost a lot of money and they have to save face or are being bullied by Levy?

Or is there just the slightest possibility that you aren't quite grasping what value he brings to the side. That its a value not totted up in world class goals or flashy first touches but is more on filling space; organisation; adherence to team rules and structures? Any chance at all that this might be part of the reason?#

And, perhaps, just perhaps he hasn't actually been as awful as you seem to remember? That a group think mentality has descended whereby Sissokos poor first touch has inflated to being on an epic scale not seen ever before in a Spurs shirt.

I'd respectfully suggest this might just be the case.

Or maybe Poch is just gone insane... A possibility I suppose...


Firstly, an appearance can be 10 minutes, using a simple appearance as a value barometer is a bit bogus, the fact is, Sissoko has actually played the 12th most league minutes for us this season, and that's with a raft of injuries and him being able to cover a couple of positions.

Secondly, I never said I categorically believe the only reason he's playing at all is because of the amount of money he's costing us as a package, but I'll be honest with you, that is a massive amount of money and I would be amazed if that didn't factor into the equation somewhere. The fact that Sissoko doesn't feature in our top 11 played league players, whilst still having "appeared" in the most games could easily be a compromise that didn't involve Levy bullying Pochettino, but them having a civilised, sensible chat in which it's suggested that 50m is a very large amount of money to this club and anything we could do to protect as much of that as possible, whilst not affecting the viability of the team, would be a good thing?

Personally I believe it's probably a combination of things that has seen Sissoko start in limited PL games, injuries, Poch's reluctance to play academy players without experience, Sissoko's decent attitude (which I have never questioned), his physical attributes (we know Poch likes a unit) and the second thing I suggested to you, which you chose to ignore, and that is that managers don't always make brilliant decisions. All managers. And this would be a long way from the first issue that many of us have disagreed with Poch. But I also think it's very naive not to factor in the fact that he was probably one of the biggest financial deals this club had ever done and a commitment of 50+m. You really think that no conversation would take place about how this (losing 10,20,30m on the deal) could affect future budgets (and future acquisitions etc) etc ?

I don't think Levy would ever tell Poch who to pick, but I think he'd be failing in his job if they weren't at least having a conversation about it. We know Levy had a similar conversation with AVB about Adebayor, and there was no fee outlay on that deal, just very high wages. And we also know that Sherwood was specifically told that the expensive signings had to feature.
 

Phomesy

Well-Known Member
Aug 20, 2013
9,188
14,102
Firstly, an appearance can be 10 minutes, using a simple appearance as a value barometer is a bit bogus, the fact is, Sissoko has actually played the 12th most league minutes for us this season, and that's with a raft of injuries and him being able to cover a couple of positions.

Secondly, I never said I categorically believe the only reason he's playing at all is because of the amount of money he's costing us as a package, but I'll be honest with you, that is a massive amount of money and I would be amazed if that didn't factor into the equation somewhere. The fact that Sissoko doesn't feature in our top 11 played league players, whilst still having "appeared" in the most games could easily be a compromise that didn't involve Levy bullying Pochettino, but them having a civilised, sensible chat in which it's suggested that 50m is a very large amount of money to this club and anything we could do to protect as much of that as possible, whilst not affecting the viability of the team, would be a good thing?

Personally I believe it's probably a combination of things that has seen Sissoko start in limited PL games, injuries, Poch's reluctance to play academy players without experience, Sissoko's decent attitude (which I have never questioned), his physical attributes (we know Poch likes a unit) and the second thing I suggested to you, which you chose to ignore, and that is that managers don't always make brilliant decisions. All managers. And this would be a long way from the first issue that many of us have disagreed with Poch. But I also think it's very naive not to factor in the fact that he was probably one of the biggest financial deals this club had ever done and a commitment of 50+m. You really think that no conversation would take place about how this (losing 10,20,30m on the deal) could affect future budgets (and future acquisitions etc) etc ?

I don't think Levy would ever tell Poch who to pick, but I think he'd be failing in his job if they weren't at least having a conversation about it. We know Levy had a similar conversation with AVB about Adebayor, and there was no fee outlay on that deal, just very high wages. And we also know that Sherwood was specifically told that the expensive signings had to feature.

Sorry BC but this is all nonsense. If Poch was influenced by the price paid to acquire Sissoko he would have played far more LAST SEASON. Just stop it. It's complete rubbish and beneath you.

Sissoko is playing far more this season because Poch has a role for him and Sissoko is quite clearly fulfilling that role to Poch's satisfaction. Yes, injuries do account for some of that but not enough to account for the many times Sissoko has been preferred when other, more talented, options have been available on the bench.

And, yes, it's entirely possible Poch has been making an error all along and is compounding that error by doubling down.

But it's also entirely possible that you,, for all your vaunted football strategy and tactical nous, are incapable or unwilling to divine Poch's role for Sissoko - even though Poch has spoken about it repeatedly in Pressers because he's felt it necessary to explain himself to people like you - but you won't accept it.

You need to take a deep breath, calm down, and carry on loving the Sissy :D (hopefully on the subs bench)
 

Eric_s

Well-Known Member
Aug 30, 2004
1,561
1,924
You really do disappear up your own fundament at times, BC. Nobody is saying Poch is infallible - and it's not like anyone is really calling for Sissoko to be starting every match cos he's so magnificent. I, personally, sigh every time I see him on the team sheet because I think Poch is too wedded to protecting the front four and should have more faith in a progressive Central Midfield (sound familiar?! :ROFLMAO:).

But I understand why Poch does it and am prepared to see the value Poch thinks he brings to the team. You, however, want to throw your toys out of the pram and accuse the Manager of selecting players based on the financial implicationsof signing him. This is an outrageous slur and completely at odds with Poch's entire history. Yu should be ashamed of yourself.

And the other point is Sissoko is not nearly as bad as you and other dummy spitters make out. The scapegoating and rubbish poured out every week is embarrassing - and says more about some of our fans than it says about Sissoko who, at least, is completely buying into the role laid out for him by the Coaching staff. He's showing more love and support for the club than some on here.

I wish I can like and winner thisa few more times. Some so called Spurs supporters here are really embarrassing and childish.
 

Basil Brush

Well-Known Member
Aug 20, 2013
1,691
3,080
How about this as an end to the argument?

Hear me out.

Sissoko is not a great player.

However, unfortunately, we can not have a team of superstars.

I personally do not rate Sissoko and hope we sell him asap but he appears to perform a role (at times).

I am sure that is sitting on the fence but hope that placates you all.

Edit: The biggest problem appears to be the fee we paid for him. However, that is not the fans problem. Think of him as a 5mio signing. He is still rubbish but he is a spurs player (hopefully for not much longer ;) )
 
Last edited:

bomberH

Well-Known Member
Jun 4, 2005
28,454
168,207
The fact that Dawson, Mason have been fans favourite while Lamela, Vertonghen and Rose were all once been bashed frequently, demonstrate that praise or bashing of players are not always related to football abilities of the players.

Can you expand on this? What are you insinuating the bashing/praise is for if not based on football abilities. I did ask yesterday but you ignored it. I may well be on your ignore list so can someone copy this for Eric and tag him so he can see it. Ta.
 

SlotBadger

({})?
Jul 24, 2013
13,751
43,099
@Eric_s

Dear Eric Underscore S,

Another user has posted the following but is unsure if he's on your ignore list:
Can you expand on this? What are you insinuating the bashing/praise is for if not based on football abilities. I did ask yesterday but you ignored it. I may well be on your ignore list so can someone copy this for Eric and tag him so he can see it. Ta.

Kind regards,
Interloping Mofo
 

The Apprentice

Charles Big Potatoes
Mar 10, 2005
11,143
15,618
So how do you account for him having played in more matches for Spurs than any other player? Are the Coaches unable to see his ineptness? Or do you, like BC, think they are playing him because he cost a lot of money and they have to save face or are being bullied by Levy?

Or is there just the slightest possibility that you aren't quite grasping what value he brings to the side. That its a value not totted up in world class goals or flashy first touches but is more on filling space; organisation; adherence to team rules and structures? Any chance at all that this might be part of the reason?#

And, perhaps, just perhaps he hasn't actually been as awful as you seem to remember? That a group think mentality has descended whereby Sissokos poor first touch has inflated to being on an epic scale not seen ever before in a Spurs shirt.

I'd respectfully suggest this might just be the case.

Or maybe Poch is just gone insane... A possibility I suppose...

I’m not sure if you’re being serious now or if you’re enjoying the wind up? Adherence to team rules? Filling space?

Come on mate.
 

The Apprentice

Charles Big Potatoes
Mar 10, 2005
11,143
15,618
And the other point is Sissoko is not nearly as bad as you and other dummy spitters here make out.

Unfortunately, this isn’t true.

We are obliged to support master Sissoko due to being pathologal Spurs fans, however, if you were to ask any other non-Spurs affiliated football viewer, they would press you on how laborious Moussa is. Is this rival envy? Doubtful.

Of course we all support him when picked, however, let’s not dress up the fact he is an incredibly limited footballer who adds very little of value. Just because Poch picks him, doesn’t make him immune to criticism.

I can’t wait until the day he’s sold.
 

Phomesy

Well-Known Member
Aug 20, 2013
9,188
14,102
Unfortunately, this isn’t true.

We are obliged to support master Sissoko due to being pathologal Spurs fans, however, if you were to ask any other non-Spurs affiliated football viewer, they would press you on how laborious Moussa is. Is this rival envy? Doubtful.

Of course we all support him when picked, however, let’s not dress up the fact he is an incredibly limited footballer who adds very little of value. Just because Poch picks him, doesn’t make him immune to criticism.

I can’t wait until the day he’s sold.

Look forward to you walking up to Poch and calling him a useless **** twice - that is if he hasn't kicked your teeth in the first time (y)

When are you going to accept the reality of team selection not the reality you are creating?
 
Top