- Apr 16, 2005
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Yup. We see post after post about how our transfer business this past summer was inadequate and our squad depth is weak, but we've had a season-long fucking nightmare with injuries, today we've lost our whole midfield before half time and we've still won, if not comfortably, then at least decisively and with a clean sheet.
Some people are still grumbling about Sissoko, but the team without Sissoko couldn't deal with Burnley before half time and the team with Sissoko progressively crushed them from the start of the second half and was in total control for the last 20 minutes.
It's not just about what you do in high-profile moments with the ball, it's about the shape and the movement and the overall pattern of the game. Prior to half time Burnley were winning nearly every 50/50 ball and keeping possession comfortably. After half time, we won the ball off them with ease and dictated the tempo and pattern of the play. You can only do that if 11 men are doing their parts.
We were in control, and Lloris made no save of note all game.
The second half had everything to do with the change in system and zero to do with the appearance of Sissoko. To suggest that he made any difference to proceedings, or influence on the result is pure fantasy. I would dearly love to see him progress but in fairness just who should be dropped to make way for him?