I'm not one for unnecessarily scapegoating a player, and I always try to back our players, but with Sissoko it's becoming increasingly difficult.
I was screaming (at the TV, on my own) for Poch to take him off way earlier in the game last night, as he was so ineffective.
The main issue with him is that he is so utterly, completely predictable. You know he won't take a risk, he will always take the easy option - if the choice is between trying to beat a man or make a sideways pass, he'll make the pass. And you can see it coming a mile off every time he receives the ball, you know what he'll do with it. If he hits a cross, it's because it's the 'lowest risk' option. Last night someone played a through ball to him on the right wing, and immediately I knew he'd try and hit a first time cross - because the other option was to try and control the ball/beat a man etc. Sure enough he hit the first time cross, and the defender blocked it and it went out for a throw. A relatively minor thing, but it's what happens constantly with him, and makes him so easy to play against.
He has the attributes to be a great attacking player, but he has the mindset of a defensive player - get the ball and move it on quickly. Maybe he should be 'evolved' into more of a defensive midfielder?
The problem with Sissoko
posted on 5/1/18
Yeah but he took on some players at the Euros.
posted on 5/1/18
He struggled for a relegation outfit and then we bought him for £30m. The signs were there.
He's made a slight improvement in this second season but it isn't enough to justify the price tag, the wages or the game time. We find ourselves carrying his clumsy arris most of the time.
He should be sold in this January and replaced. Shame that isn't going to happen.
posted on 5/1/18
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 5/1/18
comment by NotSoMagicJuande (U1913)
posted 1 hour, 46 minutes ago
I love Poch but what baffles me is that we all know this, but he doesn't seem to realise.
Winks and Dembele were on the bench, so they must have been reasonably fit.
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Tbh, Poch for all his brilliance as a manager. Is still an average tactician. Which is also why we have a poorer record vs bigger teams than we should. Hopefully he will learn over time, and he looks to have in some aspects (the new counter-attacking game we have developed). Yet he still makes mistakes quite frequently.
posted on 5/1/18
comment by NotSoMagicJuande (U1913)
posted 1 hour, 54 minutes ago
I love Poch but what baffles me is that we all know this, but he doesn't seem to realise.
Winks and Dembele were on the bench, so they must have been reasonably fit.
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See this was my initial thoughts after the game but when we think much more about it the options wasn't there for him.
Waynama - Coming back from long term injury
Winks - Struggling with ankle injury and confidence
Lamela - Comimg back from a major injury and started a game just 48hrs earlier.
Dembele - back from another injury and on the serious decline imo
The squad atm is severely limited during this time and the back ups ( sissoko, nkoudou. llorente ) aren't good enough to rely on.
We need a decent CM asap imo
posted on 5/1/18
comment by ツ Hєиgу• (U9129)
posted 5 minutes ago
comment by NotSoMagicJuande (U1913)
posted 1 hour, 54 minutes ago
I love Poch but what baffles me is that we all know this, but he doesn't seem to realise.
Winks and Dembele were on the bench, so they must have been reasonably fit.
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See this was my initial thoughts after the game but when we think much more about it the options wasn't there for him.
Waynama - Coming back from long term injury
Winks - Struggling with ankle injury and confidence
Lamela - Comimg back from a major injury and started a game just 48hrs earlier.
Dembele - back from another injury and on the serious decline imo
The squad atm is severely limited during this time and the back ups ( sissoko, nkoudou. llorente ) aren't good enough to rely on.
We need a decent CM asap imo
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I think this is a fair point, and why I wasn't too critical with the lineup. Yet the Sissoko sub should definitely have been made earlier.
posted on 5/1/18
In fact, I was going to do an article on it but might as well post it on here:
I hate how Poch picks Aurie & Sissoko and then Trippier separately. It makes no sense whatsoever, Sissoko's biggest asset is his athleticism (Which is exceptional) as a result we should be playing him with Trippier to make up for Trippiers lack of.
Aurier is an exceptional athlete as well, but him and Sissoko take up the same positions. It really is a waste, and winds me up.
posted on 5/1/18
comment by Edinspur (U1109)
posted 6 minutes ago
In fact, I was going to do an article on it but might as well post it on here:
I hate how Poch picks Aurie & Sissoko and then Trippier separately. It makes no sense whatsoever, Sissoko's biggest asset is his athleticism (Which is exceptional) as a result we should be playing him with Trippier to make up for Trippiers lack of.
Aurier is an exceptional athlete as well, but him and Sissoko take up the same positions. It really is a waste, and winds me up.
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Yeah one good thing about Sissoko he will fill the gaps behind the full back something trippier needs especially in a back 4 or Drive ahead of them which again Trippier needs.
Aurier doesn't needs this. He needs lamela in front of him who cuts inside leaving the space for Aurier to use.
posted on 5/1/18
Maybe he should be 'evolved' into more of a defensive midfielder?
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That’s what he was in the first place, prior to and when he joined Newcastle. They pushed him further forward in 13/14.
He’s an athlete but ultimately he’s not a very good footballer. He’s not been too bad this season but then again he set his own bar very low last season.
posted on 5/1/18
I agree with all the complaints about Sissoko on here.
That said, he is a bit of a conundrum. He played several matches for France in the Euros - I seem to remember - correct me if I'm wrong.
Now to get into the French National team, one of the favourites for the upcoming WC, you have to be
1. a pretty good player
2. convince selectors that you can contribute to a team that is overloaded with talent.
I will also remind people that our pinch-penny Levy laid out 30mil for this guy not two years ago.
And he's in great physical shape.
So....all this talk about him not being "good at football" is clearly rubbish.
Obviously something has gone wrong - what is it?
Loss of confidence? Early Alzheimers?
Pochettino puts him on the pitch for 75 mins. So he is obviously seeing something in Sissoko in practice that does not seem to be showing up in actual games.
Was he really that bad against Wet Spam?
I'm stumped!