Player Watch: Moussa Sissoko

[WalkerboyUK]

You believe our squad is weak?

Our squad is weak in terms of players being able to put the starting XI under pressure for a starting place, other than at the back.
When we have a fully fit first choice XI, Sissoko, GKN, KWP and dare I say it, Winks, don't stand much chance.

Poch is picking Sissoko purely due to lack of better options right now.
The team that started last night - Trippier, Jan, Dembele and Dele are the only ones likely to get in the XI for a PL/CL game when we have a fit squad.

 

[WalkerboyUK]

An actual improvement on the pitch when playing, not an improvement that's merely invented by manic holier-than-though fans online.

And I would not really judge a so-called improvement in performance against the likes of Swansea and Barnsley.
If he shines against the big boys then my opinion will be swayed.
While he may stand out as the "best of a bad bunch" in those sort of games, let's not get carried away like he's the second coming...

 

[mattie g]

Veils over eyes.

Inability to see what is accurate, rather than what they want.

Denial.

Inability to see themselves doing the above.

Inability to watch themselves while they watch something else.

Well said Mattie G.

And remember folks.. "Dont believe everything you think"

Thanks.

I don't doubt that plenty of Sissoko's detractors want him to succeed since such success should have a very positive impact on Spurs, but by the same token I think there are a large number who want him to fail simply because of their own hubris.

 

[scat1620]

Thanks.

I don't doubt that plenty of Sissoko's detractors want him to succeed since such success should have a very positive impact on Spurs, but by the same token I think there are a large number who want him to fail simply because of their own hubris.

I want him to succeed, but I don't think he will. (In much the same way that I'd like to spend the evening in amorous congress with Louise Redknapp, but I don't think that will happen either.)

Therefore, given that I think he won't succeed, I don't want him in the team; I want other players to be in the team instead (e.g. Winks, Onomah etc). To repeat, I don't want him to fail - I can promise you I am more annoyed when he is in the team and doing badly than when he is in the team and not doing badly - but I just don't want him in the team in the first place.

That's where I am.

 

[@Bobby__Lucky]

Thanks.

I don't doubt that plenty of Sissoko's detractors want him to succeed since such success should have a very positive impact on Spurs, but by the same token I think there are a large number who want him to fail simply because of their own hubris.

No gonna lie, had to look up 'Hubris'. Now that I know what it means, I can now agree with you.

Thank you for showing me a very nice word, I've never used.

 

[@Bobby__Lucky]

I want him to succeed, but I don't think he will. (In much the same way that I'd like to spend the evening in amorous congress with Louise Redknapp, but I don't think that will happen either.)

Therefore, given that I think he won't succeed, I don't want him in the team; I want other players to be in the team instead (e.g. Winks, Onomah etc). To repeat, I don't want him to fail - I can promise you I am more annoyed when he is in the team and doing badly than when he is in the team and not doing badly - but I just don't want him in the team in the first place.

That's where I am.

Respect your honesty and self reflection.

The thing we have to look at now is (and this is for everybody not just Mr Scat.) is what is outside of us more important and accurate than what is inside our own head ?

 

[coys200]

Fact is his header last night set trippier free to make the goal.Love to see what would happen confidence wise if he grabbed a goal.

 

[Gassin's finest]

Think he's been just fine in his last few games.

 

[The Apprentice]

He's improved slightly in the last few weeks. Still haven't seen him trap a ball first time, mind you. We live in hope.

 

[mattie g]

I want him to succeed, but I don't think he will. (In much the same way that I'd like to spend the evening in amorous congress with Louise Redknapp, but I don't think that will happen either.)

Therefore, given that I think he won't succeed, I don't want him in the team; I want other players to be in the team instead (e.g. Winks, Onomah etc). To repeat, I don't want him to fail - I can promise you I am more annoyed when he is in the team and doing badly than when he is in the team and not doing badly - but I just don't want him in the team in the first place.

That's where I am.

I've got absolutely no issue with that. I think where the issue arises for people like me is when someone has the same assessment as you do (that Sissoko is a waste of time and money), but doesn't have the perspective to appreciate/accept when he's played fairly well.

 

[Clark28]

From the extended highlights it seems he was involved (and contributed) to some of our better attacking plays.

Last few games he has been improving for me.

 

[punkisback]

He may be working harder, but there are so many players available out there who would be an upgrade on him. His space good have gone to a youth player who probably would do just as well.

 

[dontcallme]

I was at the Barnsley game and thought he played OK.

Played some nice one twos and was energetic. We played quite static so the likes of Winks, Trippier and Dembele often played slowly, sideways and safe. Sissoko made some runs which at times opened up space and got us into a threatening position but at others lost it.

To be fair to Sissoko this made us attack Barnsley more. But many will just see the times he lost it and not give credit for the fact he was making things happen, even if it wasn't that pretty.

The safe players will have better stats and won't make the eye-catching mistakes but this isn't always a good thing.

I don;t think Sissoko is good enough for us but he can be an asset for us in certain situations.

 

[dontcallme]

He may be working harder, but there are so many players available out there who would be an upgrade on him. His space good have gone to a youth player who probably would do just as well.

Problem is I don't think we have other players with the same skilset as Sissoko.

Winks is clearly very talented. Good in possession with an excellent eye for a pass.

Many have said Onomah could have Sissoko's place but Onomah has Winks' attributes, not Sissoko's.

Poch clearly wanted physical midfielders who could drive forward. Sissoko did this again Barnsley in a game when we were yet again playing in a static way.

 

[Everlasting Seconds]

Problem is I don't think we have other players with the same skilset as Sissoko..

Good.

 

[Cravenspurs]

If you want a player to fail due to pure ego, you are not a fan. Last year he showed nothing in terms of quality. This year he has stepped it up a bit and hasn't looked completely lost. He is still all power and no finesse. I don't think he offers more than GKN (who has been injured I know) in the front 3 and I would rather see the latter get the run as he is a more technical player that can actually take players on.

I for one want him to continue his efforts, to be a fun loving member of the squad, and to push his teammates, but like most I think his time is limited as his quality just isn't of the ilk we need for our 3 at the top structure behind Kane.

 

[Japhet]

Our squad is weak in terms of players being able to put the starting XI under pressure for a starting place, other than at the back.
When we have a fully fit first choice XI, Sissoko, GKN, KWP and dare I say it, Winks, don't stand much chance.

Poch is picking Sissoko purely due to lack of better options right now.
The team that started last night - Trippier, Jan, Dembele and Dele are the only ones likely to get in the XI for a PL/CL game when we have a fit squad.

I think that is precisely where we are in our evolution. City, Chelsea etc. pay 2nd stream players massive wages to compensate them for wasting their careers on the bench. We can't/won't do that, and so our back up players have to able to do a job whilst fitiing into our wage structure. As such, they often seem a bit lacking or inexperienced but I don't see that we have much choice.

 

[ebzrascal]

The rose tinted brigade are out in full force in this thread !!!

He was a bad player when he joined, he was a bad player last season, and he has been a bad player this season.

He isn't very good at football!!!! He is a good athlete, with a moderate work rate, and the touch of a rapist.

Just accept, it's fine. Confirmation bias isn't going to help you here. He will never be a success.

Pretty biased comments his performances have improved this season without question. I think by the end of the season he could be a valuable squad member.

 

[TwanYid]

I was at the Barnsley game and thought he played OK.

Played some nice one twos and was energetic. We played quite static so the likes of Winks, Trippier and Dembele often played slowly, sideways and safe. Sissoko made some runs which at times opened up space and got us into a threatening position but at others lost it.

To be fair to Sissoko this made us attack Barnsley more. But many will just see the times he lost it and not give credit for the fact he was making things happen, even if it wasn't that pretty.

The safe players will have better stats and won't make the eye-catching mistakes but this isn't always a good thing.

I don;t think Sissoko is good enough for us but he can be an asset for us in certain situations.

I like this^^. He is a force of nature; literally the strongest player I have ever seen in 13-or-so-odd years of watching soccer. He has the power of a hurricane; problem is, he has the control of a hurricane as well.

But yeah, in certain situations against certain park-the-bus-ey teams he can deliver the goods simply by driving us forward through the middle.

But like some others have said: why Poch persists with him on the right wing is unfathomable. The boy's a CM, period. Having him bursting through the Maginot lines and unloading a pass (or hell even a shot) can only be good for us when the 80th minute rolls around and we can't unlock, say, Burnley's defense to save our lives.

He does have talent- and a rare talent indeed- in that he can basically go where he wants when he wants as long as he gets the ball in the right position. And as much as he drives me out of my mind with his lack of basic ball skills, I still think he can help us- despite the fact that I can't stand him lol...

Btw to those asking what he's ever done for us: he singlehandedly won us a match last year by bounding forward like an 18-wheeeler tractor trailer and then dishing it off to someone (Lamela? Son? Eriksen?) to beat some shit team (who had stifled us all day) at the death. It was actually quite beautiful. Just wish there was more of that more of the time...

 

[EQP]

I like this^^. He is a force of nature; literally the strongest player I have ever seen in 13-or-so-odd years of watching soccer. He has the power of a hurricane; problem is, he has the control of a hurricane as well.

But yeah, in certain situations against certain park-the-bus-ey teams he can deliver the goods simply by driving us forward through the middle.

But like some others have said: why Poch persists with him on the right wing is unfathomable. The boy's a CM, period. Having him bursting through the Maginot lines and unloading a pass (or hell even a shot) can only be good for us when the 80th minute rolls around and we can't unlock, say, Burnley's defense to save our lives.

He does have talent- and a rare talent indeed- in that he can basically go where he wants when he wants as long as he gets the ball in the right position. And as much as he drives me out of my mind with his lack of basic ball skills, I still think he can help us- despite the fact that I can't stand him lol...

Btw to those asking what he's ever done for us: he singlehandedly won us a match last year by bounding forward like an 18-wheeeler tractor trailer and then dishing it off to someone (Lamela? Son? Eriksen?) to beat some shit team (who had stifled us all day) at the death. It was actually quite beautiful. Just wish there was more of that more of the time...

It was his assist to Rose for the winner against Burnley.