Player Watch: Moussa Sissoko

nasescoba1985 · Sep 24, 2017

Look you can't question Sissoko's commitment and fair play to the lad for getting stuck in today especially the Noble incident. But he's just not good enough on the ball in my opinion and will eventually cost us against better opponents. He seems to get the ball stuck under his feet when ever he brings it forward and can't seem to control it. It almost seems like he's a youth kid playing his 1st game for the club because he looks that nervous. The odd time he might sprint forward wit it and you think wow, then suddenly he blazes it 20 ft wide or runs into a brick wall at the last minute. He's just not goon enough in my opinion. He's a good option on the bench if need be as he certainly has the drive and desire we need in certain games but as a player he is bang average.

SugarRay · Sep 24, 2017

He's started the season pretty well, especially compared to last term.

He's a squad player. He's good enough to start against 8-10 sides in the division.

I'm no fan of his but he's at the club and currently serving a purpose. Accept that he'll get games and let's try and get behind him.
As long as his commitment levels are there, he might even become a bit of a cult figure!

morris25 · Sep 24, 2017

He wasn't bad but did nothing of note just the basics, Son is a different league and I'm sure lamela will take his place when fit

gloriousbillynich · Sep 24, 2017

If he wasnt doing the business in training and showing committment to the cause, Poch wouldnt pick him, its as simple as that. We all know poch is a hard taskmaster - players have to buy into his game plan, work hard, or get the fuck out of the club.

Sissoko is clearly doing that. Which is why it annoys me when some on here say rot like ‘hes never shown any desire or committment, or hard work for this club’. Utter codswallop.

Yes, he was dreadful last season, no point denying that. But since being played in the middle of the park, his performances this season have been much improved.

I am not saying that he should be a consistent first XI starter, but he is turning into a useful squad player who gives us more options and long may it continue.

But people can stop unnecessarily scape goating him now because frankly its getting boring. By all means criticise a poor performance but by the same token, give credit when it is due.

Viva la revolution! Viva la Sissoko!

gloriousbillynich · Sep 24, 2017

morris25 said:
He wasn't bad but did nothing of note just the basics, Son is a different league and I'm sure lamela will take his place when fit

A prime example of someone refusing to give due credit. He did NOT just do the basics. He added a lot more than that. It was thankfully highlighted on MOTD by people who actually know something about professional football. Suggest you re-watch the game, frankly.

Cruyff · Sep 24, 2017

Did any of the other top six sides want to buy him? No.
Would he start for any of the other top-six sides? No.
Does he make such basic technical errors including control/first touch as well as weight and accuracy of pass that suggest that he may need a sports psychologist rather than coaching at this relatively late stage of his development? Yes.
Does he have an identical twin brother who plays for France? Possibly.

Colonel_Klinck · Sep 24, 2017

gloriousbillynich said:
If he wasnt doing the business in training and showing committment to the cause, Poch wouldnt pick him, its as simple as that. We all know poch is a hard taskmaster - players have to buy into his game plan, work hard, or get the fuck out of the club.

Sissoko is clearly doing that. Which is why it annoys me when some on here say rot like ‘hes never shown any desire or committment, or hard work for this club’. Utter codswallop.

Yes, he was dreadful last season, no point denying that. But since being played in the middle of the park, his performances this season have been much improved.

I am not saying that he should be a consistent first XI starter, but he is turning into a useful squad player who gives us more options and long may it continue.

But people can stop unnecessarily scape goating him now because frankly its getting boring. By all means criticise a poor performance but by the same token, give credit when it is due.

Viva la revolution! Viva la Sissoko!

I haven’t seen any comment like that in the last couple of pages. He is clearly putting the effort in, closing down and working the press. Poch wouldn’t have him on the pitch if he wasn’t. That is not what people are criticising him for. I’m not going to repeat myself or others for what he isn’t doing well though, it is there for all to see from watching the games.

FibreOpticJesus · Sep 24, 2017

gloriousbillynich said:
If he wasnt doing the business in training and showing committment to the cause, Poch wouldnt pick him, its as simple as that. We all know poch is a hard taskmaster - players have to buy into his game plan, work hard, or get the fuck out of the club.

Yes he is playing better. But he could not have played any worse. Historically we have had many a player who have been committed, hard working, Up for it, putting a shift in, putting the boot in. All with no end product. But we have moved on from these type of players. Due to injuries he is getting game time as we have not strengthened the squad in this area. Poch is working his best to make a "cotton purse out of a pigs ear". I believe that if we can get the right players in he will be gone in January/end of season.

How soon we forget that Poch was trying to offload him to a club in Turkey before the window shut!

coys200 · Sep 24, 2017

Really getting lots of praise for yesterday in many quarters.Tbh thought the MOTD highlights was a bit embarrassing.Anyways once wanyama Lamela dembel are back and Barkley most likely January I doubt he will get much of a look in.As said fine against 10-12 clubs in league FA cup etc.Done well for us this season when needed,but will be sidelined when others return.

Shadydan · Sep 24, 2017

FibreOpticJesus said:
Yes he is playing better. But he could not have played any worse. Historically we have had many a player who have been committed, hard working, Up for it, putting a shift in, putting the boot in. All with no end product. But we have moved on from these type of players. Due to injuries he is getting game time as we have not strengthened the squad in this area. Poch is working his best to make a "cotton purse out of a pigs ear". I believe that if we can get the right players in he will be gone in January/end of season.

How soon we forget that Poch was trying to offload him to a club in Turkey before the window shut!

On the premise that Barkley would be a Spurs player I'd imagine. Reckon that he would have been Sissoko's replacement as I can see Barkley playing the role he plays now.

MattPhilpott · Sep 24, 2017

Think Poch is starting to get more out of Sissoko in the middle of the park...

Personally, I never bought into the whole "Powerful Wide Man" label, had no idea what people were seeing. I tended to see him as a bit of a discount Yaya Toure (When YT was a monster), always thought MS looked better in the middle, glad Poch is starting to see that.

Early days to say whether or not we will get a class player out of him, but I think with Dembeles Injury track record, he could be a handy squad player to have.

Prove us all wrong Moussa, earn that shirt.

gloriousbillynich · Sep 24, 2017

Colonel_Klinck said:
I haven’t seen any comment like that in the last couple of pages. He is clearly putting the effort in, closing down and working the press. Poch wouldn’t have him on the pitch if he wasn’t. That is not what people are criticising him for. I’m not going to repeat myself or others for what he isn’t doing well though, it is there for all to see from watching the games.

Yes, there have been plenty of comments like that. Plenty. In the build up to the game. So don't come out with bullshit like that, thanks. It's really not hard to find comments saying he doesn't and never has tried hard enough. So, YES, it is what some people are criticising for, and I am not having it. End of story, goodbye, the end.

rossdapep · Sep 24, 2017

nasescoba1985 said:
Look you can't question Sissoko's commitment and fair play to the lad for getting stuck in today especially the Noble incident. But he's just not good enough on the ball in my opinion and will eventually cost us against better opponents. He seems to get the ball stuck under his feet when ever he brings it forward and can't seem to control it. It almost seems like he's a youth kid playing his 1st game for the club because he looks that nervous. The odd time he might sprint forward wit it and you think wow, then suddenly he blazes it 20 ft wide or runs into a brick wall at the last minute. He's just not goon enough in my opinion. He's a good option on the bench if need be as he certainly has the drive and desire we need in certain games but as a player he is bang average.

Perhaps nerves and confidence have been the reason we've not seen the best of him? I don't really rate him but he does have some qualities that may be displayed the more confident he becomes.

Colonel_Klinck · Sep 24, 2017

gloriousbillynich said:
Yes, there have been plenty of comments like that. Plenty. In the build up to the game. So don't come out with bullshit like that, thanks. It's really not hard to find comments saying he doesn't and never has tried hard enough. So, YES, it is what some people are criticising for, and I am not having it. End of story, goodbye, the end.

Calm down love. I said in the last couple of pages. You really shouldn’t get so worked up about a player thread. Christ it’s like I shagged your Mum and Mrs at the same time and then wiped my cock on your curtains.

Khilari · Sep 24, 2017

morris25 said:
He wasn't bad but did nothing of note just the basics, Son is a different league and I'm sure lamela will take his place when fit

I actually thought he was bad.

I watched the whole game, albeit on the telly.

He was rarely able to run with a ball for any distance without losing control of it. Ball retention other than very short passes was poor.
He was 'physical' without actually ever really winning the ball of the opponent fairly.
He was poor at crossing from the channel.

What he did well was link up with Aurier on the right side that meant crosses came in between them.

He's 'better' than last season... I think so but am finding it hard to know how to measure that.

thinktank · Sep 24, 2017

gloriousbillynich said:
If he wasnt doing the business in training and showing committment to the cause, Poch wouldnt pick him, its as simple as that. We all know poch is a hard taskmaster - players have to buy into his game plan, work hard, or get the fuck out of the club.

Sissoko is clearly doing that. Which is why it annoys me when some on here say rot like ‘hes never shown any desire or committment, or hard work for this club’. Utter codswallop.

Yes, he was dreadful last season, no point denying that. But since being played in the middle of the park, his performances this season have been much improved.

I am not saying that he should be a consistent first XI starter, but he is turning into a useful squad player who gives us more options and long may it continue.

But people can stop unnecessarily scape goating him now because frankly its getting boring. By all means criticise a poor performance but by the same token, give credit when it is due.

Viva la revolution! Viva la Sissoko!

I agree. Also think he's a huge confidence player and has been rock bottom in that department since he arrived. He's got 'credit' with the national squad which is why he's usually a different player when he plays for them - confident, driving, dominant.

With us he's had to start from scratch coming from a drab experience with the barcodes into a team that demands a higher level of technical ability and performance.

He didn't have a pre-season when he came and that really didn't help him, but he had a full one this time and is beginning to gain some momentum and very slowly grow in confidence. He's been super close to scoring twice and if one of those had gone in he'd be properly up and running. If he can manage to get a goal it'll unleash him.

One thing I want to see from him is he use his strength more. Too much of a gentle giant. He needs to get some of that vic beastliness in him and devour players.

He also needs to be more ferocious in tracking back and covering. But, again, I think we'll see those two elements develop as he gains more confidence.

When midfielders/defenders see him charging at them they shit themselves and it opens up other space. When on form he's a dangerous, strong, direct threat thought the heart of the pitch.

If he's able to truly believe in himself, as limited as he is technically, he could be 2/3 times the player that he is now.

Fans need to get behind him and boost him up and give him love.

If we can help him, we should, as he could be a very good asset in the squad this season.

dondo · Sep 24, 2017

nasescoba1985 said:
Look you can't question Sissoko's commitment and fair play to the lad for getting stuck in today especially the Noble incident. But he's just not good enough on the ball in my opinion and will eventually cost us against better opponents. He seems to get the ball stuck under his feet when ever he brings it forward and can't seem to control it. It almost seems like he's a youth kid playing his 1st game for the club because he looks that nervous. The odd time he might sprint forward wit it and you think wow, then suddenly he blazes it 20 ft wide or runs into a brick wall at the last minute. He's just not goon enough in my opinion. He's a good option on the bench if need be as he certainly has the drive and desire we need in certain games but as a player he is bang average.

I ageee he is not the best on the eye and can look clumsy but this season he's been effective,he's been involved in most of our better games this season and poch keeps picking him so he must be doing something right?
MOTD did a good piece on him imo and highlighted his work rate and runs into the box creating space for others

seanwhite1961 · Sep 24, 2017

Cruyff said:
Did any of the other top six sides want to buy him? No.
Would he start for any of the other top-six sides? No.
Does he make such basic technical errors including control/first touch as well as weight and accuracy of pass that suggest that he may need a sports psychologist rather than coaching at this relatively late stage of his development? Yes.
Does he have an identical twin brother who plays for France? Possibly.

Generally speaking, when they do that's where they go(like Mane) because they offer higher wages and have a recent history of winning trophies.

If fans want to judge players by "Do any of the other top six want you? No? Then you're not good enough for us!", then we won't be signing many more players.

Vincent30 · Sep 24, 2017

If i see the starting line up and Sissoko as CM, i don't care one bit and don't feel nervous. He adds to our depth there and has yet to show any form of attitude or negativity against the club. I've actually been surprised by his character and it's nice to see not so many people childishly laughing at him during and after game, which is so negative for a Tottenham player that seems to actually put in a real shift when he wears the shirt.

Is he a first choice CM when everyone is fit, currently no, is he applying himself and putting in some good performances in that position, yes. Is our manager happy with him and what he is doing, yes. So i don't get why anyone has trouble accepting this.

Mr Pink · Sep 24, 2017

Playing him centrally is the only way we're going to get the best out of him.

Sissoko driving forward from central positions is a really effective, but different, dimension to our attack. It's creating over loads around the edge of the box. Note his cute pass on the edge of their bOx setting Aurier free in loads of space.

It's allowing Kane, Alli and Eriksen more time and Space.

Tactically it could be a great option to have, especially if those 3 are being well marshalled.

We know he was poor last season but in his mitigation he's never going to thrive outwide.

He's now being played to his strengths and is showing improvement.

He's never going to be a silky midfielder, he's a powerful midfield option who can disrupt the oppositions shape allowing the collective to benefit, that's his real strength. And like TT says, with confidence we could see a lot more from him.

Time for some to give him some slack, no?

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