Player Watch: Moussa Sissoko

[bat-chain]

I think a few people are getting to carried away with ripping Sissoko here and it is making it difficult to see the signing in context.

Just because the signing hasn't worked out that doesn't mean it was a signing we should never have made or a poor one, it was an opportunity and crucially one Pochettino wanted to take. I said on deadline day it wasn't a signing that excited me at all but given that Pochettino wanted him it became something different.

On his day Sissoko offers a fair bit, and Pochettino absolutely has a track record for turning reasonable and good players into good and exceptional ones. He wanted to try this on Sissoko, I don't see the issue, indeed should he stay next season as he claims he will maybe Pochettino will have another go.

Sissoko's failings seem fairly clear but let's be fair to him, almost any player would struggle to get in our team right now, we can't mock him for not getting in it when it is as good as it is. He would be a starter for any team outside the top 6 and that is a sign of the huge progress we are making.

It's also a bit cruel I think to suggest he has made absolutely no impact, he made a vital assist against Burnley with time running out and played a big role in the away win at Southampton. It is clear also that Pochettino still has trust in him and finds him useful in certain situations. Ok maybe that isn't what you expect for 30m or whatever we paid but in a squad of 22/3 players he is making contributions where he can and for all the press talk seems to have Pochettino's trust

I actually feel a bit sorry for him to be honest because he's quite a good squad member who offers a lot of power off the bench, sexy it isn't but he has his place for me. I do hope however that if he is here next season Pochettino tries him in a few different positions as well. I like seeing him run through the centre of the pitch.

 

[tiger666]

I think a few people are getting to carried away with ripping Sissoko here and it is making it difficult to see the signing in context.

Just because the signing hasn't worked out that doesn't mean it was a signing we should never have made or a poor one, it was an opportunity and crucially one Pochettino wanted to take. I said on deadline day it wasn't a signing that excited me at all but given that Pochettino wanted him it became something different.

On his day Sissoko offers a fair bit, and Pochettino absolutely has a track record for turning reasonable and good players into good and exceptional ones. He wanted to try this on Sissoko, I don't see the issue, indeed should he stay next season as he claims he will maybe Pochettino will have another go.

Sissoko's failings seem fairly clear but let's be fair to him, almost any player would struggle to get in our team right now, we can't mock him for not getting in it when it is as good as it is. He would be a starter for any team outside the top 6 and that is a sign of the huge progress we are making.

It's also a bit cruel I think to suggest he has made absolutely no impact, he made a vital assist against Burnley with time running out and played a big role in the away win at Southampton. It is clear also that Pochettino still has trust in him and finds him useful in certain situations. Ok maybe that isn't what you expect for 30m or whatever we paid but in a squad of 22/3 players he is making contributions where he can and for all the press talk seems to have Pochettino's trust

I actually feel a bit sorry for him to be honest because he's quite a good squad member who offers a lot of power off the bench, sexy it isn't but he has his place for me. I do hope however that if he is here next season Pochettino tries him in a few different positions as well. I like seeing him run through the centre of the pitch.

It's become a circle-jerk to hurl abuse at him. All the cool kids are doing it.

 

[Monkey boy]

I think a few people are getting to carried away with ripping Sissoko here and it is making it difficult to see the signing in context.

Just because the signing hasn't worked out that doesn't mean it was a signing we should never have made or a poor one, it was an opportunity and crucially one Pochettino wanted to take. I said on deadline day it wasn't a signing that excited me at all but given that Pochettino wanted him it became something different.

On his day Sissoko offers a fair bit, and Pochettino absolutely has a track record for turning reasonable and good players into good and exceptional ones. He wanted to try this on Sissoko, I don't see the issue, indeed should he stay next season as he claims he will maybe Pochettino will have another go.

Sissoko's failings seem fairly clear but let's be fair to him, almost any player would struggle to get in our team right now, we can't mock him for not getting in it when it is as good as it is. He would be a starter for any team outside the top 6 and that is a sign of the huge progress we are making.

It's also a bit cruel I think to suggest he has made absolutely no impact, he made a vital assist against Burnley with time running out and played a big role in the away win at Southampton. It is clear also that Pochettino still has trust in him and finds him useful in certain situations. Ok maybe that isn't what you expect for 30m or whatever we paid but in a squad of 22/3 players he is making contributions where he can and for all the press talk seems to have Pochettino's trust

I actually feel a bit sorry for him to be honest because he's quite a good squad member who offers a lot of power off the bench, sexy it isn't but he has his place for me. I do hope however that if he is here next season Pochettino tries him in a few different positions as well. I like seeing him run through the centre of the pitch.

Cracking post sir. That said, not a single tear will be shed by me if we move him on in the summer.

 

[dontcallme]

I think a few people are getting to carried away with ripping Sissoko here and it is making it difficult to see the signing in context.

Just because the signing hasn't worked out that doesn't mean it was a signing we should never have made or a poor one, it was an opportunity and crucially one Pochettino wanted to take. I said on deadline day it wasn't a signing that excited me at all but given that Pochettino wanted him it became something different.

On his day Sissoko offers a fair bit, and Pochettino absolutely has a track record for turning reasonable and good players into good and exceptional ones. He wanted to try this on Sissoko, I don't see the issue, indeed should he stay next season as he claims he will maybe Pochettino will have another go.

Sissoko's failings seem fairly clear but let's be fair to him, almost any player would struggle to get in our team right now, we can't mock him for not getting in it when it is as good as it is. He would be a starter for any team outside the top 6 and that is a sign of the huge progress we are making.

It's also a bit cruel I think to suggest he has made absolutely no impact, he made a vital assist against Burnley with time running out and played a big role in the away win at Southampton. It is clear also that Pochettino still has trust in him and finds him useful in certain situations. Ok maybe that isn't what you expect for 30m or whatever we paid but in a squad of 22/3 players he is making contributions where he can and for all the press talk seems to have Pochettino's trust

I actually feel a bit sorry for him to be honest because he's quite a good squad member who offers a lot of power off the bench, sexy it isn't but he has his place for me. I do hope however that if he is here next season Pochettino tries him in a few different positions as well. I like seeing him run through the centre of the pitch.

A fair post. I have no problem with Sissoko as a person.

He has openly said he has not performed for us yet and has to train hard to fit Poch's style. He clearly wants to succeed.

I stand by my original opinion that he would flop given the expectations of an expensive singing of a player in his prime. I personally believe he is not a very talented player and won't ever be more than a squad player.

Still if he trains hard and adapts better for next season then i'm happy for him to stay and try to make a success of it.

 

[Everlasting Seconds]

I think a few people are getting to carried away with ripping Sissoko here and it is making it difficult to see the signing in context.

The context is that he is a high risk panic buy that we would have been just as well off without.

 

[Trix]

The context is that he is a high risk panic buy that we would have been just as well off without.

The worst part about this transfer is that he was not a panic buy. He might not have been on the top of the list but he was certainly on it, and when others failed Poch pushed for him.

 

[E17yid]

The worst part about this transfer is that he was not a panic buy. He might not have been on the top of the list but he was certainly on it, and when others failed Poch pushed for him.

How far down the list was he, though? If you fail with your first few targets and you settle for number 3 or 4 I class that as a panic buy. Reminds me of the Fazio signing, he must've been on a list as well after 3 or 4 others, we fail to get them then we're in a situation whereby we need someone in and you just have to settle for whoever is left. Hindsight and all that but we should've just let him join Everton.

 

[Everlasting Seconds]

The worst part about this transfer is that he was not a panic buy. He might not have been on the top of the list but he was certainly on it, and when others failed Poch pushed for him.

I know, I know, I know. I honestly do respect the authority of you and other ITKs, but on this topic I respectfully disagree. You are not the first ITK to make this very claim in a comment to me. However, I see no mutual exclusion what so ever between Sissoko being priorly scouted and "on the list", and being the clearest PIT (panic induced transfer) under Pochettino. Information might have been gathered, but panic generated the decision, in my eyes

 

[Eric_s]

It's become a circle-jerk to hurl abuse at him. All the cool kids are doing it.

Furthermore its the same people who keep returning to this thread and repeat their points again and again.

 

[tiger666]

Furthermore its the same people who keep returning to this thread and repeat their points again and again.

Attention seeking.

 

[fortworthspur]

just curious - who'd you rather see coming off the bench, Sissoko or Chadli?

 

[midoNdefoe]

just curious - who'd you rather see coming off the bench, Sissoko or Chadli?

In all honesty and seriousness....Sissoko!

I think he will come good, he is adjusting to our high-tempo, high-workrate style and i think he will be more of a key-figure next season once he has had a full preseason with us...

I think the apparent £30m pricetag is weighing everyone down and once we begin to forget about that he will be cut some slack and start to show his worth.

Lamela was written off because of his price tag for a while too. Some people still havent come round to thinking he is good.


I also think the same with regards to Janssen

 

[midoNdefoe]

The worst part about this transfer is that he was not a panic buy. He might not have been on the top of the list but he was certainly on it, and when others failed Poch pushed for him.

Are you suggesting there are a lot of red-faces within the club, regarding this transfer?

 

[Vincent30]

Why do people keep trying to justify or over think this. Its basic.

1. He is a scapegoat and for someone that has hardly played any minutes this year to get so much abuse about how shit he is, is just shocking and bizarre.

2. Sometimes transfers don't work out. Poch saw something in him, he joined and clearly in training / match days he hasn't shown what Poch initially thought he had as a player. In the right team, with the right system he can be an absolute tank and dominate teams (he's done it to us on more than one occasion). It just seems he hasn't hit it off with us and all the best to him in the summer when we will likely recoup most of what e paid out.

I will mention though, the satisfaction some so called fans get out of absolutely destroying him on here, when he has literally not played is awful and pathetic at times. It's like he constantly scoring a hat trick of own goals from the subs bench and wearing Arsenal hand band and chelsea socks. WTF guys.

 

[TheHood]

The sensitivity of some is quite something, if people readily accept overstated praise with a player then they should equally do with such criticism. But as usual it is a one way process for a certain crowd as is the endless complaints that ensue.

Sissoko has been a very poor signing and one that came as little surprise to a large number of supporters. We have the same player that we saw at Newcastle, this shouldn't come as a surprise, the scope for a player at that age and ability to progress beyond hat level was always limited.

The issue for me was never with the player, the greater concern is allowing a coach such reign in the market. The concept of a 'manager' is a dead one, it is a relic of another era so for a club, whose revival in the last 12 years coincided with the implementation of the DOF model to submit to the demands of a coach who is unproven in this area is sheer folly.

 

[nuttynoah]

Is he injured atm?
I noticed he wasn't even on the bench for France at the weekend.

 

[Vincent30]

The sensitivity of some is quite something, if people readily accept overstated praise with a player then they should equally do with such criticism. But as usual it is a one way process for a certain crowd as is the endless complaints that ensue.

Sissoko has been a very poor signing and one that came as little surprise to a large number of supporters. We have the same player that we saw at Newcastle, this shouldn't come as a surprise, the scope for a player at that age and ability to progress beyond hat level was always limited.

The issue for me was never with the player, the greater concern is allowing a coach such reign in the market. The concept of a 'manager' is a dead one, it is a relic of another era so for a club, whose revival in the last 12 years coincided with the implementation of the DOF model to submit to the demands of a coach who is unproven in this area is sheer folly.

Two things.... he has hardly kicked a ball for us and when he has he has been good and bad, couple of assists along the way, hardly lost games for us, the outright criticism of him has been spectacularly over the top and many follow like sheep to sound cool and just join in.

Secondly, hindsight is a beautiful thing. He just come off the back of being one of the outstanding players at the Euro's (many people who berate him on here will disagree blindly with this statement) and we were lacking someone older and of more experience in the team. Was he my first choice, no, but i'm pretty sure when this was going through there were a hell of a lot more people wanting it to happen then it not happen, because so many keep moaning about the net spend and not spending money. So you're dammed if you do and dammed if you don't.

But what is the end result of all this?? Aren't we second in the league, in the semi final of the FA Cup. So you could say we are in a better position than we were last year in a much stronger league than last year. Sissoko has been a part of that squad even if you and many others don't like that. So he's hardly ruined our team and ok he hasn't set the world alight, but look up North at the ridiculous waste of money that is Pogba. Sissoko was never purchased to be our star man he was added to strengthen the squad and we really won't lose much money on him in the summer. Maybe he might be adding extra motivation to some of our other players like Alli, Son, Eriksen, and Winks breaking through. Without him being in the squad, would they be performing at the level that they are? I don't know, i can't predict the future like you.

But come on. This whole thread is one of the most ridiculous ones on here. With little evidence backing up the shocking treatment this player gets.

 

[Nocando]

Why don't people aim their dissatisfaction at Poch?

 

[TEESSIDE1]

I think a few people are getting to carried away with ripping Sissoko here and it is making it difficult to see the signing in context.

Just because the signing hasn't worked out that doesn't mean it was a signing we should never have made or a poor one, it was an opportunity and crucially one Pochettino wanted to take. I said on deadline day it wasn't a signing that excited me at all but given that Pochettino wanted him it became something different.

On his day Sissoko offers a fair bit, and Pochettino absolutely has a track record for turning reasonable and good players into good and exceptional ones. He wanted to try this on Sissoko, I don't see the issue, indeed should he stay next season as he claims he will maybe Pochettino will have another go.

Sissoko's failings seem fairly clear but let's be fair to him, almost any player would struggle to get in our team right now, we can't mock him for not getting in it when it is as good as it is. He would be a starter for any team outside the top 6 and that is a sign of the huge progress we are making.

It's also a bit cruel I think to suggest he has made absolutely no impact, he made a vital assist against Burnley with time running out and played a big role in the away win at Southampton. It is clear also that Pochettino still has trust in him and finds him useful in certain situations. Ok maybe that isn't what you expect for 30m or whatever we paid but in a squad of 22/3 players he is making contributions where he can and for all the press talk seems to have Pochettino's trust

I actually feel a bit sorry for him to be honest because he's quite a good squad member who offers a lot of power off the bench, sexy it isn't but he has his place for me. I do hope however that if he is here next season Pochettino tries him in a few different positions as well. I like seeing him run through the centre of the pitch.

You've referred to some of the good things he's done but ignored the bad things. We can't ignore his intentional elbow that got him a deserved 3 match ban. Then prior to his assist against Burnley he somehow survived another red for GBH. Let's not forget his reported quotes in the press where he was criticising Poch. Add a few albeit cameo appearances where he's looked out of his depth. I'm all for giving players time to adapt but he lacks technical ability and has already shown that his attitude is questionable at best. Let's not forget the Newcastle fans wanted him sold for his p*ss poor attitude. I don't think he's crap and think he would be much better suited as a box to box midfielder but Poch doesn't utilitise him like this. Therefore if Poch only sees him as a wide attacking midfielder then we'll be much better cutting our losses and looking to replace him as he lacks the close ball control, passing accuracy and final ball required for someone in his position.

 

[Khilari]

I know, I know, I know. I honestly do respect the authority of you and other ITKs, but on this topic I respectfully disagree. You are not the first ITK to make this very claim in a comment to me. However, I see no mutual exclusion what so ever between Sissoko being priorly scouted and "on the list", and being the clearest PIT (panic induced transfer) under Pochettino. Information might have been gathered, but panic generated the decision, in my eyes

But the transfer was being negotiated weeks before the deadline day. So it was not a panic buy. The fee agreement was probably very last minute.