- 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