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Player Watch Player Watch: Pape Sarr

Bump

Well-Known Member
Feb 23, 2005
276
901
I think people are just frustrated, because he can be much better. He was so extremely passive last night. So many times he was walking around watching the ball be passed around him and not actually affecting the game. I would rather he just wiped someone out early on to make the opposition realise the game isn't going to be easy.
 

southlondonyiddo

My eyes have seen some of the glory..
Nov 8, 2004
13,180
16,540
Seemed completely lost last night, probably his worst and most invisible performance in a Spurs shirt

Shame, because he can offer so much

Would like to think it was our shape, Ange’s directives and the Oppo otherwise it was quite worrying
 

Marty

Audere est farce
Mar 10, 2005
42,982
73,101
I think people are just frustrated, because he can be much better. He was so extremely passive last night. So many times he was walking around watching the ball be passed around him and not actually affecting the game. I would rather he just wiped someone out early on to make the opposition realise the game isn't going to be easy.
He's just becoming a bit of a nothing player, he's obviously a good footballer and I hope nobody disputes that, but I'm finding it hard to see what he excels at that makes him stand out. He's not a tackler, not a passer, can score the odd good goal, is a runner but doesn't get involved enough either way. Most games recently have just passed him by.

Maybe it's a system thing with him, like so many others, but we know he can do so much better.
 

SUIYHA

Well-Known Member
Jan 15, 2017
1,947
9,502
He's just becoming a bit of a nothing player, he's obviously a good footballer and I hope nobody disputes that, but I'm finding it hard to see what he excels at that makes him stand out. He's not a tackler, not a passer, can score the odd good goal, is a runner but doesn't get involved enough either way. Most games recently have just passed him by.

Maybe it's a system thing with him, like so many others, but we know he can do so much better.

He's out of form and clearly low on confidence. When he's in form I'd say he's all of those things.
 

Bluto Blutarsky

Well-Known Member
Mar 4, 2021
21,551
96,671
He's out of form and clearly low on confidence. When he's in form I'd say he's all of those things.
I think he has always lacked a bit of aggression in both the attacking phase and defensive phase.

He has always been a willing runner, and helps recycle the ball, and can carry it forward at times - just needs to be more proactive.
 

hughy

I'm SUPER cereal.
Nov 18, 2007
33,266
62,151
I think it was the 4-0 against Man City where he absolutely ran the show, so there's a brilliant player in there somewhere. Not sure whether he's the latest one to suffer from fixture fatigue, but he certainly hasn't looked the same player in 2025.
 

werty

Well-Known Member
Aug 8, 2005
25,781
28,232
I don't think it's a coincidence that none of our midfielders have been consistent in the last 18 months.
 

bbunc

Well-Known Member
May 11, 2019
1,922
7,921
I share the concern a little bit about what he really excels at.

that said - he’s really an energy player at his best when he is running like a madman all over the pitch

With Benatcaur’s injuries and suspensions and Biss’s issues. we’ve basically played him 90 minutes every 3 days for a month and a half straight.

I think we’ve simply destroyed his legs and his performance is going to remain below par until he gets a real rest (although that is not in sight)
 

Spud82

Well-Known Member
Sep 10, 2020
199
566
Passenger last night. Delivers 1 good game out 5 or 6, not consistent enough, looks a bit lost and fed up... much like the rest of them!
 

FinnYid

Well-Known Member
Jul 18, 2006
5,352
5,730
Winning goal is rightly put down by most to ball loss by Biss, some are asking where was Porro pointing towards him or Ange via tactics. But Sarr was one who ought to have gotten Trossard when Porro was higher up the pitch. He is focusing on position where we had 3 to 2 advantage while not noticing Trossard.
 

southlondonyiddo

My eyes have seen some of the glory..
Nov 8, 2004
13,180
16,540
Winning goal is rightly put down by most to ball loss by Biss, some are asking where was Porro pointing towards him or Ange via tactics. But Sarr was one who ought to have gotten Trossard when Porro was higher up the pitch. He is focusing on position where we had 3 to 2 advantage while not noticing Trossard.
And the pathetic attempt by Drag to get across and close him down, block the shot!
 

DeadleyLedley

Well-Known Member
Aug 17, 2015
389
1,771
I think we have remind ourselves that Pape is still only 22.

He has all the physical attributes to be a top midfielder. His technical ability isn't quite there though. He's shown in glimpses that he is capable of picking a pass but, generally speaking, his use of the ball isn't accurate or quick enough at all distances. We've seen improvements in his attacking game, especially an ability to get into the box and score. I think we should also take into account that he hasn't had many extended periods playing alongside the same midfielders, and his consistency should improve when that happens. I want to see him really impose himself on games more often. He has the qualities, but he can too often drift for periods of the match without imposing himself.

All this being said, I think he's an important part of the squad and should remain so. For me the frustration stems from knowing what he can be on his day. I'm still pretty confident we will start to see those days more often.
 

14/04/91

Well-Known Member
Jan 13, 2006
4,087
7,134
Awful today, utter headless chicken. Positionally all over the place.
Tactics don’t help but we made Everton’s midfield look like prime United mid-90s.
 

Flobadob

Well-Known Member
Jul 22, 2014
4,027
13,777
The more I watch this guy the more I see a squad player. There’s a lot to like about him but the way he presses leaving huge gaps in midfield and his decision making on and off the ball really shows a poor football IQ for me. Still very young and he’ll get better but I’m not sure I see it when people mention him as the future of our midfield along with Gray and Bergvall. Those two are going to be classes above him I think.
 
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Bluto Blutarsky

Well-Known Member
Mar 4, 2021
21,551
96,671
Awful today, utter headless chicken. Positionally all over the place.
Tactics don’t help but we made Everton’s midfield look like prime United mid-90s.
He definitely needs a strong partner. A willing runner, but always going to be a side-kick, and not a leader, imo.
 

muppetman

Well-Known Member
Jul 29, 2011
12,082
34,266
He's a runner, who gets about the pitch and gets involved, but lately is struggling to get involved.
 
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