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Player Watch Player Watch: Pape Sarr

gavspur

Well-Known Member
Jun 24, 2004
5,624
9,839
His recent performances have been a bit set adrift. Maybe that’s the link to PM Dawn coming through?
 

Tucker

Shitehawk
Jul 15, 2013
34,889
162,675
I think he’s a problem for us. He works hard, and has great energy, but he doesn’t have the passing or touch to work in this system imo. Between him and Johnson on the right it causes a huge issue in our build up, and our ability to beat the press. If we had a real technician on the right it likely would be as big an issue, but as it stands both he and Brennn are problems on that flank.

I think he’ll be usurped by Bergvall before long if we don’t sign a better player for his position between now and the end of the window.
 

DannyNZ

Well-Known Member
Jul 3, 2017
2,306
6,506
I think he’s a problem for us. He works hard, and has great energy, but he doesn’t have the passing or touch to work in this system imo. Between him and Johnson on the right it causes a huge issue in our build up, and our ability to beat the press. If we had a real technician on the right it likely would be as big an issue, but as it stands both he and Brennn are problems on that flank.

I think he’ll be usurped by Bergvall before long if we don’t sign a better player for his position between now and the end of the window.
I agree and think he is at this stage of his career very limited, if Bissouma hadn’t let everyone down think we might have seen Bentancur in Sarr’s spot. Bergvall and Gray showed more in their cameos until Bergval had his wings clipped by Vicario’ tirade.
 

thebenjamin

Well-Known Member
Jul 1, 2008
13,675
45,364
I think he’s a problem for us. He works hard, and has great energy, but he doesn’t have the passing or touch to work in this system imo. Between him and Johnson on the right it causes a huge issue in our build up, and our ability to beat the press. If we had a real technician on the right it likely would be as big an issue, but as it stands both he and Brennn are problems on that flank.

I think he’ll be usurped by Bergvall before long if we don’t sign a better player for his position between now and the end of the window.

Agree. Was surprised he started as he was poor in pre season. Passing v sloppy and as you say the link up with Johnson is the weakest area of the team. I'm still not quite sure what Pape's ceiling is as a player.
 
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14/04/91

Well-Known Member
Jan 13, 2006
4,082
7,117
I think he’s a problem for us. He works hard, and has great energy, but he doesn’t have the passing or touch to work in this system imo. Between him and Johnson on the right it causes a huge issue in our build up, and our ability to beat the press. If we had a real technician on the right it likely would be as big an issue, but as it stands both he and Brennn are problems on that flank.

I think he’ll be usurped by Bergvall before long if we don’t sign a better player for his position between now and the end of the window.

I agree with that in games where we dominate possession, like last night.

Having seen how comfortable Bergvall is and how much he demands the ball, he has to start in games against low blocks. Starting Saturday.

Sarr just doesn’t offer enough in possession. He doesn’t move the ball quickly or cleverly when we need that bit of creative spark or quick thinking.

There are plenty of games where his strengths of box to box and timing runs forward will be an asset.
 

Tucker

Shitehawk
Jul 15, 2013
34,889
162,675
Agree. Was surprised he started as he was poor in pre season. Passing v sloppy and as you say the link up with Johnson is the weakest area of the team.
The positive is we all know he can do better. But he seems to have hit a wall right now.
 

Ron Burgundy

SC Supporter
Jun 19, 2008
8,947
27,986
At this point, shouldn't be starting. We don't lack huff and puff in the side - we lack quality.

I'd have Bergvall or Bissouma ahead of him personally
 

Dazzazzad

Well-Known Member
Jan 17, 2006
1,616
6,079
Actually thought he was solid. Not great but hell of an engine, great recovery tackle and was part of our period of domination.

Bergvall definitely offers something different.
 

Jamturk

Well-Known Member
Aug 13, 2008
10,451
24,426
I thought he was brilliant last night and shouldn't have been hooked.

Sometimes I think Ange acts too much on emotion when making changes.
 

jpascavitz

Well-Known Member
Aug 8, 2019
2,330
8,606
Actually thought he was solid. Not great but hell of an engine, great recovery tackle and was part of our period of domination.

Bergvall definitely offers something different.

Agreed. Can totally see why he's in the side and thought a few times his pressing was really good as well. it's a nice problem to have between him and Bergvall. They both will come in handy for sure.
 

stewartd

Well-Known Member
Oct 31, 2003
604
2,180
Watched a vey good pod today on you tube ( Echo Of Glory)where they were discussing our mid field and Sarr's best position was discussed.

They absolutely loved him a s a player but not as a 8 they were of the opinion that he would be ideal as a 6 and Bissouma the8. They argued that Sarr didnt have the close control and dribbling power of Bissouma but was more powerful in defensive attributes such as tackling heading and covering ground than Bissouma and didnt need the ball skills as a 6 that an 8 needs and I have to agree with them.Hope that Ange tries them out in those positions but they also argued that perhaps our best mid field trio on form at the moment is Bissouma Kulu and Maddison and once again the arguements they put forward were considered and strong.
 

mil1lion

This is the place to be
May 7, 2004
46,192
92,831
I do think his long term future will be as a 6. His best qualities are his ability to cover ground and put out fires. We could do with those qualities in defensive midfield covering across for counters. He doesn't offer enough in attack to be box to box.
 

Goldman

Well-Known Member
Jul 14, 2004
7,164
2,299
Watched a vey good pod today on you tube ( Echo Of Glory)where they were discussing our mid field and Sarr's best position was discussed.

They absolutely loved him a s a player but not as a 8 they were of the opinion that he would be ideal as a 6 and Bissouma the8. They argued that Sarr didnt have the close control and dribbling power of Bissouma but was more powerful in defensive attributes such as tackling heading and covering ground than Bissouma and didnt need the ball skills as a 6 that an 8 needs and I have to agree with them.Hope that Ange tries them out in those positions but they also argued that perhaps our best mid field trio on form at the moment is Bissouma Kulu and Maddison and once again the arguements they put forward were considered and strong.

Surely his lack of close control actually makes him a poor candidate for a 6 in Ange’s system?

As the position requires them to come deep, pick up the ball in dangerous positions, whilst often being closely pressed.
 

stewartd

Well-Known Member
Oct 31, 2003
604
2,180
Surely his lack of close control actually makes him a poor candidate for a 6 in Ange’s system?

As the position requires them to come deep, pick up the ball in dangerous positions, whilst often being closely pressed.
What I said ws he didnt have the close control and dribbling power of Bissoumsa which is far more necessary as an 8 than a 6.
 

Goobers

Well-Known Member
Jul 29, 2011
2,655
4,505
There's great elements to all his appearances but then poor moments and decisions too. I think potentially a wonderful player but easy to forget that he is very early in his journey in what is a massive position.
 

Flobadob

Well-Known Member
Jul 22, 2014
4,025
13,768
Sarr’s gonna be a box to box midfielder, clear as day, he doesn’t have the finesse on the ball in tight areas under pressure needed to be a 6. Playing him as a 6 would limit some of what are his best attributes and that’s his ability to cover ground very quickly and often, his ball carrying ability and he’s gonna score a lot of goals once he’s developed because he gets into really good area’s and he’s actually got a really good shot on him. Once he’s got that composure that comes with experience and confidence in those goal scoring opportunities I think he’ll be a 10+ goal a season midfielder for us.
 

mil1lion

This is the place to be
May 7, 2004
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I guess it depends what you from the 6 and 8. I think Bergvall is going to be the 8 carrying the ball out and linking with attack and Bentancur is also good in that role (or at times Kulusevski). While I think the 6 should be comfortable on the ball having someone like that as the 8 is going to give them the out ball so they dont need to dribble out of trouble. Similar to having Wanyama or Dier as the 6 worked because they had Dembele around or when Parker or Huddlestone would have Modric around. That's just how I see the dynamic working best. I like the 6 to cover the ground recovering counters and the 8 to retain control and get back on the attack.

What will generally happen is the 6 will vacate his position anyway as he has to get across or get back to fill in a hole vacated at the back. The 8 would stay central a lot more and make themselves available when we get the ball back. I can see why at 8 you can use someone like Sarr pressing high but I'd rather have more control of the ball in those areas so we don't turn over possession so much. Where I think we can get caught out is where Sarr presses and the opponent get past our press we then don't have the legs in defensive midfield to recover. Kante used to cover so much ground but it wasn't so high up the pitch and he closed off so many attacks and got his team back on possession. He wasn't the best on the ball but still good and I see that with Sarr. He's still very raw though and has a long way to get to Kante level but I do think he has the potential.
 

spurs9

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2012
12,821
39,416
I guess it depends what you from the 6 and 8. I think Bergvall is going to be the 8 carrying the ball out and linking with attack and Bentancur is also good in that role (or at times Kulusevski). While I think the 6 should be comfortable on the ball having someone like that as the 8 is going to give them the out ball so they dont need to dribble out of trouble. Similar to having Wanyama or Dier as the 6 worked because they had Dembele around or when Parker or Huddlestone would have Modric around. That's just how I see the dynamic working best. I like the 6 to cover the ground recovering counters and the 8 to retain control and get back on the attack.

What will generally happen is the 6 will vacate his position anyway as he has to get across or get back to fill in a hole vacated at the back. The 8 would stay central a lot more and make themselves available when we get the ball back. I can see why at 8 you can use someone like Sarr pressing high but I'd rather have more control of the ball in those areas so we don't turn over possession so much. Where I think we can get caught out is where Sarr presses and the opponent get past our press we then don't have the legs in defensive midfield to recover. Kante used to cover so much ground but it wasn't so high up the pitch and he closed off so many attacks and got his team back on possession. He wasn't the best on the ball but still good and I see that with Sarr. He's still very raw though and has a long way to get to Kante level but I do think he has the potential.
At Sarr's age this season, Kante was playing in Ligue 2, so Sarr is well ahead in his development so far.

Saying that, the most tackles Sarr has averaged per game in the league has been 2 and most interceptions has been 1.2 and that was at Metz. Kante averaged 4.8 tackles and 2.9 interceptions in Ligue 1 when he was 23, so he has a fair way to go to get anywhere near Kante defensively.
 
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