What's new

Tottenham vs Crystal Palace: Match Thread

dondo

Well-Known Member
Jan 4, 2006
8,603
14,091
As I've said above, Sissoko brings different qualities to the table, and I don't think he's anywhere near as bad on the ball as you suggest. He's obviously not at the level of a Matic or Kante though, so not exactly a fair comparison with them.

He had a poor season last season, without doubt, but is improving this season, and with time and the coaching of Pochettino, will hopefully continue to do so.

When everyone is fit, he's not in the first XI, but how much makes an excellent pack up or for a different way of playing.

He was the one who was at right wing today and crossed the ball in twice for our goal - other deep-lying centre mids wouldn't have even been in that position.


Well said. I was about to make a similar post but you put it much better than I could have (y)
 

rupsmith

Well-Known Member
Jul 29, 2006
1,714
2,328
It's the channels. With Dier sitting deep, Sissoko can run the channels, provide an outlet for the wing backs and create space centrally for Eriksen, Kane and Ali/Song. He was working the channels well in the EPL games - it wasn't central midfield play. Demebele and Wanayama simply don't do that. Their primary focus is ball retention and control. So with them, while it appears that we have control of the game, we are too central and not penetrative/"creative" enough because our creative guys don't have space. They are not very quick distributors either so our play is ponderous with them in the side. With sissoko - even though he clearly does not have the best touch - our side looks mobile and more attacking, as he always looks forward in his play. With Dier holding - and holding well - it's a much more balanced looking side.

With one pacey outlet to back up Sonny and Eriksen we will be an awesome side. I think Aurier has a lot more to offer
 

Phomesy

Well-Known Member
Aug 20, 2013
9,188
14,102
Stop being so precious.

It's hardly scapegoating someone by pointing how bang average they are. He's lucky he's surrounded by class players who hide his basement level skill set. In a team of similar players (like he was at Newcastle), he will fit right in.

Or can we only praise players irrespective of performance?

Glad Poch's our manager and you aren't.

And as a "supporter" you seem to know very little about how spurs play and what's important to the team ethic. Maybe if you took a closer look you'd see what Poch sees in Sissoko given the lack of options.

Or you could just spend all your breath slagging off Spurs players, Whatever floats your boat.
 

Phomesy

Well-Known Member
Aug 20, 2013
9,188
14,102
As I've said above, Sissoko brings different qualities to the table, and I don't think he's anywhere near as bad on the ball as you suggest. He's obviously not at the level of a Matic or Kante though, so not exactly a fair comparison with them.

He had a poor season last season, without doubt, but is improving this season, and with time and the coaching of Pochettino, will hopefully continue to do so.

When everyone is fit, he's not in the first XI, but how much makes an excellent pack up or for a different way of playing.

He was the one who was at right wing today and crossed the ball in twice for our goal - other deep-lying centre mids wouldn't have even been in that position.

All of this is so true yet some of our so-called fans just want to stick the knife into him regardless. Then they whinge if other fans point out that Sissoko's being selected for a reason and maybe he should be supported.

It's as if having the right to slag Spurs players is more important than actually watching how the team works. :rolleyes:
 

Yakflange

Well-Known Member
Jul 30, 2004
852
1,032
It's the channels. With Dier sitting deep, Sissoko can run the channels, provide an outlet for the wing backs and create space centrally for Eriksen, Kane and Ali/Song. He was working the channels well in the EPL games - it wasn't central midfield play. Demebele and Wanayama simply don't do that. Their primary focus is ball retention and control. So with them, while it appears that we have control of the game, we are too central and not penetrative/"creative" enough because our creative guys don't have space. They are not very quick distributors either so our play is ponderous with them in the side. With sissoko - even though he clearly does not have the best touch - our side looks mobile and more attacking, as he always looks forward in his play. With Dier holding - and holding well - it's a much more balanced looking side.

With one pacey outlet to back up Sonny and Eriksen we will be an awesome side. I think Aurier has a lot more to offer

Hallelujah! Someone with eyes! (And a brain.)
 

HW61

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2012
680
3,620
As much as games like these are not easy on the eye or entertaining, it’s always a great sign when teams are securing 3 points in games where the team is not firing. That’s how premierships are won. More than happy with this result given the players we had out.
 

Coyboy

The Double of 1961 is still The Double
Dec 3, 2004
15,506
5,032
Getting a bit fed up of hearing the constant lazy and completely unjustified criticism of Sissoko. Why do people feel the need to find a scapegoat to pick on? Seems like Sissoko is the current target of choice.

He's not Alli or Eriksen, he'll never have their first touch, or get their goals or assists. But he brings much more to the team, with many different attributes, than people give him credit for.

He had a pretty good game overall today - in an overall average team performance - from the criticism on here you'd think he'd been terrible.

You've all been watching football all your lives, right? So why can't you see the abilities of this player, or do you just want a scapegoat to moan about?

Like what?
 

Phomesy

Well-Known Member
Aug 20, 2013
9,188
14,102
Like what?
It’s already been answered several times above but he must have something going for him because he’s the only Spurs player to have played every game this year.

Or do you think Poch is complete fucking mug?

Fuck me - the bloke’s doing his job. Sure he’s not best 11 all fit but you could try and support him for a change.

It’s not like pointing out Sissoko’s many flaws is either original or insightful or anything. In fact it’s just fucking boring now.
 

Coyboy

The Double of 1961 is still The Double
Dec 3, 2004
15,506
5,032
It’s alrra been answered several times above but he must have something going for him because he’s the only Spurs player to have played every game this year.

Or do you think Poch is complete fucking mug?

Yeah I saw them after I posted, apologies.

No I don't think he is a mug at all and will defer to his expertise but Sissoko is truly an awful footballer technically and intellectually. I don't actually think he offers many of the traits referred to above.

He did ok today but did nothing more than that.

I would never criticise much less abuse our manager. Similarly I never seek a scapegoat or make my mind up about a player based on blind prejudice. I support him when I go to spurs and would love him to do well for us but he's not up to it and I'd sooner give one of our youngsters game time than him or today played Dembele over him even if he wasn't 100%.
 

JamieSpursCommunityUser

Well-Known Member
Jan 27, 2011
1,870
9,859
He's right though, I'm not a Sissoko hater and he's done a good job of keeping us ticking over with the injuries we've had but no team in the top 6 has a CM as bad on the ball as Sissoko. Even defensively minded CM's (Wanyama, Matic, Kante, Fernandinho, Xhaka, Can) are much better on the ball than him. Him and Aurier going down the right were like the Chuckle Brothers at points today..

Fellani? Coquelin? Delph when he was a CM?
 

Donki

Has a "Massive Member" Member
May 14, 2007
14,451
18,966
Stop being so precious.

It's hardly scapegoating someone by pointing how bang average they are. He's lucky he's surrounded by class players who hide his basement level skill set. In a team of similar players (like he was at Newcastle), he will fit right in.

Or can we only praise players irrespective of performance?

Who stole the jam outa your donut?
 

The Apprentice

Charles Big Potatoes
Mar 10, 2005
11,143
15,618
Glad Poch's our manager and you aren't.

And as a "supporter" you seem to know very little about how spurs play and what's important to the team ethic. Maybe if you took a closer look you'd see what Poch sees in Sissoko given the lack of options.

Or you could just spend all your breath slagging off Spurs players, Whatever floats your boat.

Hopefully when I grow up, I'll know as much about football as you Phonesy
 

Hazardousman

Audere est Facere
Jul 24, 2013
4,619
8,944
Trolololer+used+roll+picturetrolololer+rolled+image+and+to+think+hugh+_17cd3544b26ebf1b9aab27fab7eb79dd.jpg
 

jolsnogross

Well-Known Member
May 17, 2005
3,729
5,431
Zaha was very good and is a really decent player. He'd be a great option for us if we could get him. But his miss was an incredible let-off for us.

Sissoko did well. I'm not his biggest fan, but he can impose himself on weaker sides. It's such a shame he hasn't got a decent touch.

Aurier really needs a Poch bootcamp. He's reckless. He's developed some sort of personality cult that seems to draw support, but I'm not seeing much value in him as yet - he's a loose cannon and his pace doesn't seem to count at all going forward because he never takes his man on, and coming back he just seems to dive in too much. Too eager to dive in, not eager enough to go outside his man. And his turnovers today were epicly bad. Needs to shape up and I'd have Trippier in there all day long at the moment.
 

Ionman34

SC Supporter
Jun 1, 2011
7,182
16,793
Our 3 CB's were very good today and just about kept him at bay, I think he'd rip apart some teams with inferior defences given the chance.
One thing I will say about Zaha is that he has taken his game up another level over the past 2 seasons. Ever since Pardew criticised him he’s got his head down and made himself into a consistent threat, rather than the sporadic one he was previously, and this in a fairly ordinary Palace side.

I would go all out to get him this coming Summer, I wanted us to do so this Summer past. If we are prepared to shell out £40 million on Sanchez, the £50 million or so on Zaha should be manageable. I’m aware of his wage demands, but it may be possible to structure that if he’s amenable.

I honestly feel that he’d make a huge difference to us next season, particularly against the more obdurate sides looking for a draw. The guy terrifies defenders as his control at pace is excellent and he’s a great “out ball” under pressure to set up swift counterattack’s.

He’s still the player at the top of my “want” list.
 
Top