Player Watch: Moussa Sissoko

[punkisback]

I think he's definitely worth a try. He'd have to cut out his tendency to overplay in dangerous areas but he has a Dembele-esque ability to glide past players with the drop of a shoulder, and he's a far better, more creative passer than either Sissoko or Winks. At this point we don't have anything to lose, and if Dier could be converted into a DM, why not Foyth?

I agree, I like players who try and keep their body between the ball and the opposition. If you want to beat the press this is how we need to play; we don't value the ball well enough.

 

[Shadydan]

Foyth as a DM, ha is that how desperate we've become might as well give it a try lol

 

[punkisback]

Also Skip can't do much worse if Tanguy and Lo Celso stick central and close to him.

 

[muppetman]

Foyth as a DM, ha is that how desperate we've become might as well give it a try lol

I've noticed anyone who isn't playing (or isn't playing in that position) is always a better option that what we have - until they actually play.

 

[Joely]

Can't fault Sissoko's effort and endeavour. Problem is, he is crap on the ball and he knows it. Hence you see him shy away from offering himself as an outlet. He seems to be comfortable in the role of putting out fires, something he does well but that simply isn't enough, especially when you are at home with a lot of the ball and looking to dictate the game. No doubt he is blessed with some freakish physical attributes but it's like we have an NFL player playing in midfield at times not a footballer.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

Can't fault Sissoko's effort and endeavour. Problem is, he is crap on the ball and he knows it. Hence you see him shy away from offering himself as an outlet. He seems to be comfortable in the role of putting out fires, something he does well but that simply isn't enough, especially when you are at home with a lot of the ball and looking to dictate the game. No doubt he is blessed with some freakish physical attributes but it's like we have an NFL player playing in midfield at times not a footballer.

Love this analogy, so true.

 

[rsmith]

Love this analogy, so true.

I’ve just rewatched the SHU match and was thinking exactly the same thing. He is genuinely in the wrong sport (I was thinking rugby union).

 

[Danners9]

Can't fault Sissoko's effort and endeavour. Problem is, he is crap on the ball and he knows it. Hence you see him shy away from offering himself as an outlet. He seems to be comfortable in the role of putting out fires, something he does well but that simply isn't enough, especially when you are at home with a lot of the ball and looking to dictate the game. No doubt he is blessed with some freakish physical attributes but it's like we have an NFL player playing in midfield at times not a footballer.

The whole team was under pressure for roughly the first 30 mins on Saturday. The match thread was all about how awful this is, getting dominated by Sheff Utd at home etc etc - and while that is true, the reason for it was the line up with Sissoko in the wrong position, next to or in front of players who are equally uncomfortable on the ball. Dier, Aurier and Sanchez are all clumsy/nervous. Sheff Utd press high up the field, forcing errors from players unable to operate under pressure.

Not blaming any of them, it isn't their game, but Sissoko keeps being selected in a role that doesn't suit. Unless forced into these changes - noting Alderweireld and Winks on the bench - it is on the coaching staff for putting the players in this position and/or not preparing for Sheff Utd's tactics. You can say that Spurs should be able to dictate play, but Sheff Utd haven't been rolled over by anyone this season and Spurs' own high press has disappeared!

 

[Monkey boy]

So since his rallying cry we’ve picked up 3 points out of a possible 12 against teams that will likely be fighting relegation at some point this season. I’m glad the players listened to him when he said they’d do everything in their power to change things!

 

[double0]

Why on Earth did we extend his contract?

Levy?

Sissoko is a good squad player but we shouldn’t be building a midfield around him.

 

[double0]

The whole team was under pressure for roughly the first 30 mins on Saturday. The match thread was all about how awful this is, getting dominated by Sheff Utd at home etc etc - and while that is true, the reason for it was the line up with Sissoko in the wrong position, next to or in front of players who are equally uncomfortable on the ball. Dier, Aurier and Sanchez are all clumsy/nervous. Sheff Utd press high up the field, forcing errors from players unable to operate under pressure.

Not blaming any of them, it isn't their game, but Sissoko keeps being selected in a role that doesn't suit. Unless forced into these changes - noting Alderweireld and Winks on the bench - it is on the coaching staff for putting the players in this position and/or not preparing for Sheff Utd's tactics. You can say that Spurs should be able to dictate play, but Sheff Utd haven't been rolled over by anyone this season and Spurs' own high press has disappeared!

Blame the couching staff the players mentioned on the bench are not exactly on form. Winks has been killed on social media imo Toby legs have gone.

 

[bubble07]

Mourinho told BBC Sport: “What made me [start Winks and Dier] was the positional play of the four attacking players. I needed one midfielder that was more positional and I needed one midfield that was more a passer of the ball.

“Of course, when I see Moussa, he is a very good player, but he is very different than my needs. I need that stability from Dier and I need the kid to move the ball faster, also positionally and also to find the attacking players in the positions we want them to find the ball.”

 

[Primativ]

I think Winks will be back up to Ndombele in Jose's system.

 

[bubble07]

Mourinho told BBC Sport: “What made me [start Winks and Dier] was the positional play of the four attacking players. I needed one midfielder that was more positional and I needed one midfield that was more a passer of the ball.

“Of course, when I see Moussa, he is a very good player, but he is very different than my needs. I need that stability from Dier and I need the kid to move the ball faster, also positionally and also to find the attacking players in the positions we want them to find the ball.”

It does seem Moussa will be the fall guy under Jose

 

[rossdapep]

It does seem Moussa will be the fall guy under Jose

That's fine by me.

I love Moussa and really appreciate his qualities but if we're being really truthful with ourselves our performances in terms of fluidity dropped more so once he became a regular starter, especially against teams that set up with men against the ball.

When a game is stretched he's an asset as he can burst forward with the ball but as teams adapted to our style of play it's become tougher. Dembele had such incredible ability of holding the ball which allowed us to be play in tighter spaces and force through defences. Sissoko doesn't possess excellent close control which has meant we've found it harder to create against defensive blocks.

Winks will be able to focus on what he's good at.

If one person is to be the fall guy, it needs to be Sissoko.

 

[doctor stefan Freud]

That's fine by me.

I love Moussa and really appreciate his qualities but if we're being really truthful with ourselves our performances in terms of fluidity dropped more so once he became a regular starter, especially against teams that set up with men against the ball.

When a game is stretched he's an asset as he can burst forward with the ball but as teams adapted to our style of play it's become tougher. Dembele had such incredible ability of holding the ball which allowed us to be play in tighter spaces and force through defences. Sissoko doesn't possess excellent close control which has meant we've found it harder to create against defensive blocks.

Winks will be able to focus on what he's good at.

If one person is to be the fall guy, it needs to be Sissoko.

Posted similar sentiments yesterday. He’s the obvious casualty of the Mourinho era. It’s possible he’s retained as an impact player because against teams chasing points, he can initiate counter attacks with his bursting runs, but I’m not so sure this is enough reason to keep him in a match day squad. With Mourinho obviously set to play a CDM and CAM, that leaves Sissoko battling for the one CM position that Ndombele and Winks are fighting for. He’s not technically adroit enough to play WF in a team set up for quick counters, where the margins for moving the ball quickly and accurately are too fine. I think he’ll move on in the summer, providing Levy has finally figured out how to shift deadwood

 

[rsmith]

he can initiate counter attacks with his bursting runs

The problem with his bursting runs is that the most common outcome is that he loses possession and we need to scramble to cover his position. His greatest attribute is frankly that his name has 5 syllables which means we didn't have to retire Seven Nation Army when the Moose left.

 

[Gassin's finest]

Don't write Sissoko off just yet. Moussa is a force of fucking nature in the box-to-box role. If you want an alternative to the double pivot system, and have someone to just disrupt the midfield, you won't get much better. We've seen in this past two seasons that given the right setup, Sissoko can dominate a game.

Jose will very much value that.

 

[doctor stefan Freud]

The problem with his bursting runs is that the most common outcome is that he loses possession and we need to scramble to cover his position. His greatest attribute is frankly that his name has 5 syllables which means we didn't have to retire Seven Nation Army when the Moose left.

Yes, that’s my point, which I make later in my post

 

[doctor stefan Freud]

Don't write Sissoko off just yet. Moussa is a force of fucking nature in the box-to-box role. If you want an alternative to the double pivot system, and have someone to just disrupt the midfield, you won't get much better. We've seen in this past two seasons that given the right setup, Sissoko can dominate a game.

Jose will very much value that.

Possibly, but Winks and Ndombele complicate that. Especially if we invest in a CDM, which I think is likely; then we’ll have cover for all three midfield positions: CDM-Dier/New player, CM- Ndombele/Winks, CAM- Dele/GLC.

I think he’ll get some game time off the bench but I wouldn’t be surprised if we sell him in the summer window. If he can make himself indispensable then great, his ability to cover ground, disrupt play and bulldoze through the lines are great when they work well. But I’d be surprised