Player Watch: Moussa Sissoko

[SpursDave88]

I don't blame him today...you can't really blame a player for not being something he isn't.

Poch should have changed it when we were still 2-1 up or at 2-2...early in the second half when it was clear the momentum of the game had swung against us...he didn't.

 

[Mr Pink]

I'm not blaming him solely but think he was a reason for a lot of our issues today along with a few others.

On top form he can have those games where he can win a ball and burst into space to create a counter attacking opportunity. But when you need someone to get into a position to receive the ball & alleviate pressure, get others involved, spray the ball across field, etc. he's just not able to do that.

We needed a midfielder to step up, go get the ball from teammates and get the ball into our attackers and we just couldn't do that today. Goes for him and Dier.

The real reason why we lost today was a lack of desire and determination, and the fragility at the back.

Their energy levels were higher and it really showed. We had a far tougher week, physically, coming into the game.

 

[dtxspurs]

The real reason why we lost today was a lack of desire and determination, and the fragility at the back.

Their energy levels were higher and it really showed. We had a far tougher week, physically, coming into the game.

Like I said, I think there were several reasons for what happened today. Our midfielders were right at the top of the list for me. We consistently struggle to control the midfield this season which allows our defense to constantly be under attack. The back four played poorly today and it emphasized those issues.

 

[punkisback]

Technically not good enough to be part of a midfield at the top level, he will lose the ball too often which is so dangerous against the top teams or a well schooled team. Good form for a bad player recently, but he can't cut it at spurs he's just not good enough for us.

 

[fortworthspur]

I didnt see the game. Is he back to being "shit" again?

 

[southlondonyiddo]

I didnt see the game. Is he back to being "shit" again?

No

Some posters have just gone back to being fucking idiots again

 

[dontcallme]

I didnt see the game. Is he back to being "shit" again?

He had a few good games leading to some over rating his performances. Now he has had a bad game some are going ott with how bad he was.

Simple honest analysis is in short supply.

 

[Mr Pink]

Like I said, I think there were several reasons for what happened today. Our midfielders were right at the top of the list for me. We consistently struggle to control the midfield this season which allows our defense to constantly be under attack. The back four played poorly today and it emphasized those issues.

When you play so limply as we did, as a collective from front to back, you're asking for trouble.

It wasn't just the midfield, it was all of them really.

Compare and contrast the workrate of the front four today as opposed to against Chelsea, night and day. That's when we're best, pressing from the front high up the pitch.

Aggressive and on the front foot was nowhere to be seen. I never expected us to control the midfield today in a charged up derby.

To win, I expected us to press hard from the front when we could, pinching the ball high up the pitch, and also to stay compact and counter effectively.

We saw none of that. We turned up expecting to just stroll about and control the game in a casual manner, and got blitzed straight away.

That's what happened imo.

 

[SpursDave88]

When you play so limply as we did, as a collective from front to back, you're asking for trouble.

It wasn't just the midfield, it was all of them really.

Compare and contrast the workrate of the front four today as opposed to against Chelsea, night and day. That's when we're best, pressing from the front high up the pitch.

Aggressive and on the font was nowhere to be seen. I never expected us to control the midfield today in a charged up derby.

To win, I expected us to press hard from the front when we could, pinching the ball high up the pitch, and also to stay compact and counter effectively.

We saw none of that. We turned up expecting to just stroll about and control the game in a casual manner, and got blitzed straight away.

That's what happened imo.

By some miracle we went into the second half ahead...you would have thought we had learned our lesson...Poch should have been the one ringing the changes at half time not Emery!

 

[Mr Pink]

By some miracle we went into the second half ahead...you would have thought we had learned our lesson...Poch should have been the one ringing the changes at half time not Emery!

Yeah, I was hoping he would but it never happened.

 

[The Apprentice]

I know Sissoko has had a renaissance recently, but it was a bit of a stretch to expect him play on his own in CM in the second half.

 

[Hazelton]

He's been in fantastic form and fully deserved to start, but maybe Poch needs to start realising that often it's a case of horses for courses. Playing Sissoko in the heart of midfield against a team that were always going to press high was a poor decision. He panics under pressure and isn't technically gifted enough to operate in a limited space.

Still, he should absolutely play against Southampton, who I would think will certainly sit back more than Arsenal.

 

[Phomesy]

He made less mistakes and did more good things than most of our players today.
What we needed today was Dembele at his peak. Unfortunately he don’t exist no more.

 

[yido_number1]

He made less mistakes and did more good things than most of our players today.
What we needed today was Dembele at his peak. Unfortunately he don’t exist no more.

Agree with that. Someone not worried about a press, playing two players that don't move the ball as well as others was a bit naive. Still onwards and upwards.

 

[rossdapep]

I know Sissoko has had a renaissance recently, but it was a bit of a stretch to expect him play on his own in CM in the second half.

Especially when it was his third game in 8 days.

Desperately need another CM to rotate.

 

[Shadydan]

So Sissoko gets blamed despite their being far worse players on the pitch yesterday, well done Spurs fans.

 

[wrd]

So Sissoko gets blamed despite their being far worse players on the pitch yesterday, well done Spurs fans.

I think people couldn't wait to find a reason to justify him moving on, Nobody had a great game but he was in our top 3-4 performers.

 

[bomberH]

For me personally, I thought he had a poor game and if this game had been a few weeks ago then I’d have been fuming. But his performances lately have been worthy of allowing him a poor game or two without unnecessary criticism because he has shown us what he’s capable of and even the better players like Eriksen and Dele etc have poor games without much mention, so he’s earned that.

Plus this came on the back of his 3rd game in a week where he’s played every minute so it’s not entirely surprising that he didn’t perform like he has been.

With that said, I’d like to see Winks start against Southampton to give Sissoko a rest but on the flip side, Southampton would probably suit Sissoko quite well.

 

[Primativ]

Amazing. The Dele Alli thread doesn't to get this much activity, when the guy was absolutely useless yesterday.

at least Sissoko didn't hide, but he was completely overwhelmed in there and playing Eriksen next to him who is just too powder puff is never going to work.

We needed someone who can put there foot in and is able to keep the ball under an intense press. Winks possibly but obviously he was knackered from Wednesday.

 

[dtxspurs]

For me personally, I thought he had a poor game and if this game had been a few weeks ago then I’d have been fuming. But his performances lately have been worthy of allowing him a poor game or two without unnecessary criticism because he has shown us what he’s capable of and even the better players like Eriksen and Dele etc have poor games without much mention, so he’s earned that.

Plus this came on the back of his 3rd game in a week where he’s played every minute so it’s not entirely surprising that he didn’t perform like he has been.

With that said, I’d like to see Winks start against Southampton to give Sissoko a rest but on the flip side, Southampton would probably suit Sissoko quite well.

I fail to see a scenario in which Sissoko is suited to play an opponent who will likely park the bus.