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Player Watch: Moussa Sissoko

Gassin's finest

C'est diabolique
May 12, 2010
37,355
87,831
Sissoko is a strange one.

There is so much that people like about him and, frustratingly, can have so many qualities when he really wants to put it in.

He'll be one of the fastest, fittest, strongest players on the whole pitch but ultimately, he let's it down with poor passing, shooting and composure.

The problem for me is, I have always been a massive fan of his and have always supported him and wanted it to work out for him but sometimes you just need to let go and realise there is better out there.

Perhaps people will have similar feelings about Kane soon? Does he limit us, could we use the money to invest elsewhere, etc.?
No.
 

fishhhandaricecake

Well-Known Member
Nov 15, 2018
18,702
46,941
I wonder if we signed hojberg as our main DM then Sissoko could potentially partner him and drive us forwards, this would also add GLC to our attacking midfield options.
 

ClintEastwould

Well-Known Member
Jul 3, 2012
4,748
9,845
I feel that Sissoko suffers from the same as everyone else we try at CM, he’s not rounded enough for a cm2. Put him in a 3 man midfield with one player responsible for protecting the defence, one player responsible for passing and him left to instigate transitions and protect his flank and he’s fine. Being part of a 2 man midfield pivot, whether an attack minded player or a defensive minded player, requires you to be at least decent at everything, and of course excel in a couple of areas. None of our midfielders have this, and all our midfielders are exposed by playing in a pivot.

Winks, Ndombele, Lo Celso, Sissoko all benefit from playing with one of the others AND a DM.

Why we don’t play 433 or diamond formation is beyond me as it highlights the strengths and mitigates the weaknesses of all our midfielders.
 

Shadydan

Well-Known Member
Jul 7, 2012
38,247
104,143
We also tried the diamond and spanked arsenal away in the cup.

Also literally everything Bayern hit that night went in. It has to be taken as somewhat of an anomaly.

I dunno, Poch seem to swear by it in his final year and we didn't look comfortable. I thought we all agreed that the diamond formation only really works with the correct personnel. When we played it it gave the opposition full backs too much space to play into and it gave our wide midfielders too much to do defensively. Looking at our team I don't think we have the players to play it personally.
 

Cochise

Well-Known Member
Aug 8, 2019
4,763
12,519
I still can't get over how poorly he positions his body when receiving a pass. It really is a strange thing, like watching a kid with limited years of playing football.

Aside from that though he had a decent game and was one of our better players.
 

ClintEastwould

Well-Known Member
Jul 3, 2012
4,748
9,845
I dunno, Poch seem to swear by it in his final year and we didn't look comfortable. I thought we all agreed that the diamond formation only really works with the correct personnel. When we played it it gave the opposition full backs too much space to play into and it gave our wide midfielders too much to do defensively. Looking at our team I don't think we have the players to play it personally.

I agree that Poch seemed to want to die on the diamond formation hill and shouldn’t have been so stubborn but when he first initially tried it we were outstanding. Massive amounts of injuries hit and the rest is history but I still feel every now and then it could work. 433 is preferred for me but I’d like to see us try the diamond again if possible.
 

Shadydan

Well-Known Member
Jul 7, 2012
38,247
104,143
I agree that Poch seemed to want to die on the diamond formation hill and shouldn’t have been so stubborn but when he first initially tried it we were outstanding. Massive amounts of injuries hit and the rest is history but I still feel every now and then it could work. 433 is preferred for me but I’d like to see us try the diamond again if possible.

I don't think Davies is mobile or quick enough to play as an overlapping full back and not sure if Serge is up to it either.
 

ClintEastwould

Well-Known Member
Jul 3, 2012
4,748
9,845
I don't think Davies is mobile or quick enough to play as an overlapping full back and not sure if Serge is up to it either.

Yeah you’re right it is super dependent on the fullbacks. I suppose I was focusing on getting the best out our midfielders though as individually they are all elite we just need to find a way to find some cohesion.
 

HildoSpur

Likes Erik Lamela, deal with it.
Oct 1, 2005
8,958
28,086
For all his limitations I absolutely love him and he has become a very important part of the squad.
 

Gassin's finest

C'est diabolique
May 12, 2010
37,355
87,831
Sissoko himself was critical of the diamond.

A 433 would be ideal imo, but you struggle to find a place for Dele then, and we still need a proper anchor/6
 

DiVaio

Well-Known Member
May 27, 2020
4,173
17,393
Looks much better when finally in 2 midfield he plays as central midfielder not as a right midfielder/wingback
 

-Afri-Coy-

Well-Known Member
Jun 26, 2012
5,838
18,570
Could he be the DMF we're looking for in that case or do we need an upgrade?

We could definitely do better in a sense of someone who has played the no 6 role their entire career as apposed to Sissoko, who is good enough but won't set our midfield straight.
 

punkisback

Well-Known Member
Apr 10, 2004
4,410
7,278
Could he be the DMF we're looking for in that case or do we need an upgrade?
In a three I think it depends on who the other two are. Sissoko's ball retention is poor, it would be a nightmare for the other two to be Ali and Winks or even Alli and Lo Celso. Ideally it would be Sissoko sitting with a revitalised N'Dombele and Lo Celso.
 
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