While Sissoko has improved considerably in the past 12-18 months, I maintain that his constant presence in the midfield has played a role in our gradual decline under Pochettino
While Dembele used to single handedly dominate games at his best, Sissoko - while hard-working and good ball carrier - has nowhere near the technical quality, effecting our build up play from the back and our ability to smother teams
The thing is, I still felt he had to be starting games under Poch purely because whenever he missed out, our midfield lacked energy and physical presence. As a team the past 18 months we have looked slow and lethargic
With Jose cutting training sessions down from double to single, hopefully this makes an immediate impact on our fitness. The double sessions seemed to work when we had a young, fit and motivated team, which over time aged and seemed less effective
With several key players more experienced now, this squad seems more of a natural fit for Jose. The midfielders don't need to have iron lungs and our aging CBs don't have to play quite as high up
While there have been a few small things I've liked from Jose so far, taking Sissoko out of the team I think is one of the most important. He's simply not as good a passer as Winks or NDombele, who can set our tempo, and even defensively he statistically doesn't contribute a whole lot, he leaves gaps
Jose said today that while Sissoko is a good player, he doesn't suit his needs, saying that Dier is more of a stable player who can sit in front of the defence while Winks can find our forward players more quickly
While I'm not a Dier fan, I agree with this assessment that we need a specialist holding player rather than Sissoko
So while I appreciate Sissoko's efforts in recent years, I'm glad he looks like he's no longer a staple in our team, and will be more of a squad player
Good to see Dele higher up the pitch on Saturday as well btw, alongside Kane. So much better there than deeper in midfield, looks like Jose wants to make him a key man
Moussa Sissoko
posted on 26/11/19
comment by Flashy flibble (U10324)
posted 3 hours, 23 minutes ago
comment by Sir Tottenham of Hotspur (U17379)
posted 2 minutes ago
If any manager can get a tune out of limited players like Sissoko, winks and dier, it’s Jose
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Or Poch.
Walker and Rose were joke figures before Poch turned them in the best full backs in the league.
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Rose maybe, but Walker had been first choice for a few years. And to be fair, he's still a defensive liability at times.
posted on 26/11/19
Sissoko is a very good attacking midfield player.
His form does go thru periods of ups and downs.
And if only he could shoot, when he's "on" he'd be a real asset.
I do not agree with those who want to see him gone.
Its early days, and we'll see if Mourinho decides to work with him.
Last time I looked he was back in the French World Championship squad, so Deschamps thinks he can use him!
posted on 26/11/19
comment by JustCallMeTed (U21528)
posted 24 minutes ago
Sissoko is a very good attacking midfield player.
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Lmao
posted on 26/11/19
comment by Bales (U22081)
posted 58 minutes ago
comment by Flashy flibble (U10324)
posted 3 hours, 23 minutes ago
comment by Sir Tottenham of Hotspur (U17379)
posted 2 minutes ago
If any manager can get a tune out of limited players like Sissoko, winks and dier, it’s Jose
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Or Poch.
Walker and Rose were joke figures before Poch turned them in the best full backs in the league.
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Rose maybe, but Walker had been first choice for a few years. And to be fair, he's still a defensive liability at times.
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Walker was first choice but after a promising start he had become a complete liability
And whilst he's fallen into some old habits at city he was an absolute monster for us in his last season - probably our best and most consistent player in an absolutely loaded team, had cleaned up his act defensively too
posted on 26/11/19
Walker was first choice but after a promising start he had become a complete liability
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I disagree entirely. He's been remarkably consistent in that his pace makes up for his defensive lapses. He was my favourite player throughout his time with us.
Rose you have to hand to Poch - he transformed a player pilloried for getting a new deal into an England regular.
posted on 26/11/19
I think Dier is just rusty at the moment.
posted on 26/11/19
Flashy fuming with this article
posted on 26/11/19
No coincidence that our form went to crap the moment we sold Dembele and Sissoko became a regular starter. To say he was the best of bad bunch for most of last season says more about how bad everyone else was rather than how good he was. Man of the Match week after week without a single goal or assist and he's no defensive mastermind... Times up I'm afraid... squad place at best. We will not move forward with him as a regular starter
posted on 26/11/19
comment by Christopher (U20930)
posted 8 hours, 15 minutes ago
comment by JustCallMeTed (U21528)
posted 24 minutes ago
Sissoko is a very good attacking midfield player.
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Lmao
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Yeah, what on earth
posted on 26/11/19
comment by Amanda Hugginkiss (U11574)
posted 12 hours, 29 minutes ago
comment by Christopher (U20930)
posted 8 hours, 15 minutes ago
comment by JustCallMeTed (U21528)
posted 24 minutes ago
Sissoko is a very good attacking midfield player.
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Lmao
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Yeah, what on earth
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Thank God Mourinho knows a lot better than you idiots today!!!