Player Watch Player Watch: Yves Bissouma

[rossdapep]

Thought defensively he was a wall. Shielded perfectly today. Some sloppiness on the ball, but that’s always been in his game. What I’ve been crying out for is some progression to his play with the ball. Those first 10 games he was carrying the ball so well and driving the team forward that way. I thought today his expansive and progressive passing game was very very good. In whichever method he progresses, one way or another it’s a must in that role. I’ll take the loose technical moments if it’s paired with his top defensive game and ball progression, which he showed today. It’s always nice to have a player in that position who can resist the press as well as he can too.

We certainly look stronger defensively with him and Sarr.

Bentancur needs to be utilized further forward until he hits his stride, he is more effective in the final third than Bissouma too.

 

[GutBucket]

He helped out Dragusin when he came in and helped him settle. Looked great defensively but didn't really progress the ball forward so Maddison had to drop deep often in the first half. Maybe it was a tactical decision for him to play safe in such important match for top 4. Everyone looked better once we scored 1 or 2 goals.

 

[Dakes]

He helped out Dragusin when he came in and helped him settle. Looked great defensively but didn't really progress the ball forward so Maddison had to drop deep often in the first half. Maybe it was a tactical decision for him to play safe in such important match for top 4. Everyone looked better once we scored 1 or 2 goals.

This was my biggest frustration with him yesterday. He goes backwards and sideways too often when, early in the season, he would progress the ball often.

 

[ajspurs]

Thought he was good to be honest, but is still missing that sort of aura about him that he had at the start of the season. He played well but because of how much ability we know he has, he still looks like he's playing within himself a little bit too.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

Thought he was good to be honest, but is still missing that sort of aura about him that he had at the start of the season. He played well but because of how much ability we know he has, he still looks like he's playing within himself a little bit too.

I don't disagree with that - but he's still likely the best shield we have for the back 4. If he's playing his way back into form, and still providing platform for the other midfielders, that'll work for now.

Whoever it is, allowing Sarr and Maddison to work their magic (in their own, unique ways) is a fairly important role

 

[ajspurs]

I don't disagree with that - but he's still likely the best shield we have for the back 4. If he's playing his way back into form, and still providing platform for the other midfielders, that'll work for now.

Whoever it is, allowing Sarr and Maddison to work their magic (in their own, unique ways) is a fairly important role

Fully agree mate. Definitely think he's the right person for that role right now, and like you say, can just be him playing his way back into form. We've seen the same with Maddison in that since returning, I think the second half yesterday was the first time I felt like I was seeing the Maddison from the start of the season. Bissouma is every bit worth persevering with, especially in that if he also rediscovers his form, I think that makes top 4 all the more likely.

 

[Trix]

He misplaced just 2 passes in the first half and none in the second. That’s hardly being sloppy on the ball.

Indeed, but the position he plays and where those misplaced passes are on the pitch is where the problem lies.

 

[easley91]

Thought it was his best game for a long while.

 

[Hercules]

Why the not-pick, and the pedantic nature of some critics ready to highlight the glitches in every game is beyond me

 

[keithtighe93]

Thought it was his best game for a long while.

Definitely. Not at his best and had a couple of bad passes, but he was good and he's the best we have at 6. Hope he continues to improve, can be a huge player for us

 

[Tucker]

Needs a spell out of the side. He just doesn’t offer enough either defensively or going forward, always seems to give the ball away and doesn’t look like he’s giving it 100%.

Conte was right about him.

 

[Stamford]

He needs to be upgraded on in the summer. He's played well for what 1/5 of the season. That's not good enough

 

[TOLBINY]

Needs a spell out of the side. He just doesn’t offer enough either defensively or going forward, always seems to give the ball away and doesn’t look like he’s giving it 100%.

Conte was right about him.

Conte was right about a lot of things - and Ange confirmed it in the press conference yesterday "The reality sometimes you can’t make the changes that you want to anyway because there are people committed to the club that you can’t change"

 

[Oh Teddy Teddy]

He’s a massive issue. Doesn’t have the discipline or know-how to be an effective 6. Teams like Fulham can pass through us with ease. As others have mentioned, he was subbed off far too late; damage was already done.

Midfield setup needs a massive looking at, not sure we can sustain not investing in that #6 position.

 

[Jamturk]

Lacks the drive for me, he is great when things are going well.

 

[ajspurs]

I want to shake the fuck out of Bissouma. So much ability there, but he now looks so scared to use it. Looks a completely different player to what's in a lot of this video. It's like all personality has been ripped from his game.

 

[jonnyp]

Shadow of the player he can be. Needs to be dropped and told what's required for him to get back in the side.

 

[Dazzazzad]

It's so weird. He has one elite skill, almost a superpower, and for most of his time with us he's either told not to use it or is scared to.

It's like if Peter North had quit porn to become a priest.

 

[mil1lion]

Hojbjerg has done better over the course of the season. Definitely a position of need for the summer.

 

[Tucker]

Hojbjerg has done better over the course of the season. Definitely a position of need for the summer.

Højbjerg should be starting over Bissouma in this form.