Moussa Sissoko

[Skirge]

You dom't need need a DM if your midfield work hard as a unit and press the ball, if you decide to have a dedicated DM I think it creates a lack of desire from other midfielders to get back and help.

The DM role can be a very important one as long as they are supported so they have an easy outlet once the ball is won, no point in wanting them to be a DM without the ball and a creative midfielder with it.

Sissoko is more of your box to box type midfielder that is ideal in all types of central midfield setup, but in a three man midfield with a dedicated DM if he has burst forward to support the attack then the other CM must be aware and hang back to help out the DM, nouse a dedicated DM being left totally exposed.

 

[The College Dropout]

Every good team has a midfield player who sits and largely plays "behind the ball" in attack and in front of it in defence. If you get the other side of Busquets or even Arteta in attack, they are in deep trouble.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

One thing you definitely do need in the PL is athleticism though, as cliched as it sounds. This is why I still think Tiote still has a future for us in certain games... a lot of top teams play so fast.

[Skirge]

One thing you definitely do need in the PL is athleticism though, as cliched as it sounds. This is why I still think Tiote still has a future for us in certain games... a lot of top teams play so fast.

 

IF we are going to play Benny in a free role then I say Tiote as a keep it simple DM is a must.

[The College Dropout]

One thing you definitely do need in the PL is athleticism though, as cliched as it sounds. This is why I still think Tiote still has a future for us in certain games... a lot of top teams play so fast.

 

Agreed. especially in a Pardew team. I don't know whether Anita can be like Brittain but i'm on the fence about whether he can cope physically. His best games for us came in matches we got thumped in. For someone like Marveaux a creator, you can say at least in those games we can see what he offers going forward. But Anita? He needs to be a strong factor the other way for us imo.

[loki679]

Not sure about that like.  One of the problems with Tiote recently has been that he's not quick enough on the ball.  He's constantly getting caught in possession dallying around in our half.  Suggests to me that while he might have the athleticism to compete in that area he's not thinking quick enough and those extra one or two touches he's taking are costing us.

 

Playing a DM is fine anyway, problem is we play about 4 of the fuckers.

[Guest Lalasialex]

Tend to agree with mr. Dropout. We need someone who can do a demolition-job out there. Tiote is quick enough as long as the others make them self available whenever he gets the ball. He has been troubling this year, but so has Cabaye and the rest.

 

Don't think its fair to judge them based on this year. If Tiote is motivated, there is room for him.

 

Its Pardews job to make them work together, thats where the problem is. To make the best out of everybodys strengts...

[The College Dropout]

Not sure about that like.  One of the problems with Tiote recently has been that he's not quick enough on the ball.  He's constantly getting caught in possession dallying around in our half.  Suggests to me that while he might have the athleticism to compete in that area he's not thinking quick enough and those extra one or two touches he's taking are costing us.

 

Playing a DM is fine anyway, problem is we play about 4 of the f***ers.

 

Of all the midfielders - Jonas is the biggest problem. At least Obertan knew what was expected of him and provided width and an outlet. Sign a real wide man please.

[Mole_Toonfan]

Every good team has a midfield player who sits and largely plays "behind the ball" in attack and in front of it in defence. If you get the other side of Busquets or even Arteta in attack, they are in deep trouble.

 

Shame that they very rarely do.... as shown by Barca and Arsenal's defensive record.

 

 

 

Also this myth that Tiote is athletic needs to stop.... Athleticism =/= Strength.

 

Also the physical crap is getting very tiresome.... Liverpool has Lucas and Gerrard, Arsenal has Arteta and Ramsey, Everton has Osman and Gibson, Man Utd has Carrick and Cleverly, Swansea has Britton and De Guzman and many more.

 

Yet we play with a load of "defensive midfielders" and have less points and more goals conceded than all of them.

 

Plus with Sissoko in the midfield we are hardly lacking in the physical department there is no reason to play another physically strong player who offers nothing offensively.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Conjo]

Agree to an extent with Mole, only thing i'd like to point out is that while Sissoko is physically strong, he is far from a physical player. Hes got the worst timing of headers in the squad, so he never wins any duels. He never tackles, and pulls out of challenges. If we needed some steel in midfield, he is not the player I would consider as the solution.

[The College Dropout]

Every good team has a midfield player who sits and largely plays "behind the ball" in attack and in front of it in defence. If you get the other side of Busquets or even Arteta in attack, they are in deep trouble.

 

Shame that they very rarely do.... as shown by Barca and Arsenal's defensive record.

 

 

 

Also this myth that Tiote is athletic needs to stop.... Athleticism =/= Strength.

 

Also the physical crap is getting very tiresome.... Liverpool has Lucas and Gerrard, Arsenal has Arteta and Ramsey, Everton has Osman and Gibson, Man Utd has Carrick and Cleverly, Swansea has Britton and De Guzman and many more.

 

Yet we play with a load of "defensive midfielders" and have less points and more goals conceded than all of them.

 

Plus with Sissoko in the midfield we are hardly lacking in the physical department there is no reason to play another physically strong player who offers nothing offensively.

 

You're just agreeing with me. It rarely happens because they sit right in front of the defence and their teams mostly have the ball.

 

Gerrard - Lucas = lots of legs, energy and strength. Gerrard doesn't make as many forward runs but he's always been strong as owt.

 

Arsenal's midfield needs a huge upgrade. That's the worst CM they've had in a decade. The best? Vieira and Petit/Silva. Strength, legs, tackle, bite.

 

Everton & Man United, while Carrick has been immense. Their central midfields are helped out a huge amount because so much of both teams attacks comes from wide players providing width (and Carrick's the best at what he does in the division). Our midfield pattern is Tiote > Cabaye > Sissoko *lose ball*. Or at best to Santon or something. Width provides an easy outlet.

 

These are not great examples good central midfields. Look at Juve or Bayern.

 

Currently, we don't have anyone "sitting" in front of the defence, they just do as they like. I haven't mentioned defensive midfielders today, i'm simply talking about sitting in front of the day shielding it.

 

Tiote can get around laterally better than any of our midfielders.

 

Sissoko is an attacking player man. He's pretty poor defensively. He requires a proper sitter behind him, not Yohan bloody Kebab. City have always played a proper sitting midfielder alongside Yaya because defensively, he's not very effective. Turn him and he's not very interested, same with Sissoko.

[The College Dropout]

Agree to an extent with Mole, only thing i'd like to point out is that while Sissoko is physically strong, he is far from a physical player. Hes got the worst timing of headers in the squad, so he never wins any duels. He never tackles, and pulls out of challenges. If we needed some steel in midfield, he is not the player I would consider as the solution.

 

Aye, Sissoko is an attacking player. No good in the air, doesn't put a foot in.

 

 

That's another big issue for me. All our central midfielders suck in the air. Tiote's pretty decent. Think Siss may do better defensively in that regard.

 

With people wanting a Mbiwa - Colo CB partnership - i'd say we have the weakest first XI in the air, in the division.

[The College Dropout]

Of all January signings' Sissoko is my biggest concern.

[Mole_Toonfan]

Yeah but i never said anything about a sitting midfielder not being viable..... i said a straight destroyer who has shit bricks for a brain is not viable.

 

A midfielder who is intelligent that breaks things up, can pass and get forward when necessary is very viable.

 

Tiote is none of these things and he's not athletic, he just isn't good enough.

 

Also its funny you mention Juve and Bayern because neither have what you describe..... Juve don't have a sitter.... the deepest midfielder is Pirlo and is he defending the backline? as for Bayern they have two box to box midfielders neither are what you describe, they are just well rounded central midfielders.

 

And no Sissoko isn't an attacker, who are you Pardew?

[Deuce]

Yeah but i never said anything about a sitting midfielder not being viable..... i said a straight destroyer who has shit bricks for a brain is not viable.

 

A midfielder who is intelligent that breaks things up, can pass and get forward when necessary is very viable.

 

Tiote is none of these things and he's not athletic, he just isn't good enough.

 

Also its funny you mention Juve and Bayern because neither have what you describe..... Juve don't have a sitter.... the deepest midfielder is Pirlo and is he defending the backline? as for Bayern they have two box to box midfielders neither are what you describe, they are just well rounded central midfielders.

 

And no Sissoko isn't an attacker, who are you Pardew?

 

Spot on.

[Kanj]

This Moussa slagging is madness to me. The man was ran into the ground by his manager playing 1/2 a season out of position with new teammates, in a new league, and in a side that could barely buy a win.

 

He mauled Chelsea nearly single handedly and was absolutely crucial in 6 points that were enough to save our season, even if it was the first 2 matches he played in our shirt.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

This Moussa slagging is madness to me. The man was ran into the ground by his manager playing 1/2 a season out of position with new teammates, in a new league, and in a side that could barely buy a win.

 

He mauled Chelsea nearly single handedly and was absolutely crucial in 6 points that were enough to save our season, even if it was the first 2 matches he played in our shirt.

 

Feel exactly the same, him and Yanga-Mbiwa are a couple of the most exciting signings we've had for absolutely ages.

[TRC]

Sissoko should be played as the second striker in a 442. So he can win flick ons for Cisse.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

Sissoko should be played as the second striker in a 442. So he can win flick ons for Cisse.

 

Erm...

[Deuce]

This Moussa slagging is madness to me. The man was ran into the ground by his manager playing 1/2 a season out of position with new teammates, in a new league, and in a side that could barely buy a win.

 

He mauled Chelsea nearly single handedly and was absolutely crucial in 6 points that were enough to save our season, even if it was the first 2 matches he played in our shirt.

 

Feel exactly the same, him and Yanga-Mbiwa are a couple of the most exciting signings we've had for absolutely ages.

 

Great couple of players we picked up. Hopefully they'll be given a chance to play here for a good long while, rather than be sold on at max value.

[Wilson]

Sissoko should be played as the second striker in a 442. So he can win flick ons for Cisse.

 

Nice try.

[Kanj]

Moussa and Mapou are incredibly talented, gifted, could develop into first 11 players for France. Their reputations speak for themselves.  It was a massive coup that we were able to land these two. I watched both play many, many times and it doesn't take a genius to see their potential.

 

Anyone recall after Moussa signed and saying he'd basically carry the team on his shoulders to save us (not exact words, but the gist of it)? This is the type of attitude and player you want in our side. Yes he was losing the ball far too often as the season went on, but those are things a maturing player and one that is being coached (hopefully better) to fix that.

[Conjo]

This Moussa slagging is madness to me. The man was ran into the ground by his manager playing 1/2 a season out of position with new teammates, in a new league, and in a side that could barely buy a win.

 

He mauled Chelsea nearly single handedly and was absolutely crucial in 6 points that were enough to save our season, even if it was the first 2 matches he played in our shirt.

 

Feel exactly the same, him and Yanga-Mbiwa are a couple of the most exciting signings we've had for absolutely ages.

 

It's not slagging from my end. I think he (and Mbiwa for that matter) will become a brilliant player for us as long as he is utilised correctly. It's just that some people seem to percieve him to be something he isn't due to his size. Nobody can deny that he is poor in the air, pulls out of challenges and rarely does any defensive work to make note of. He just isn't that sort of player. His qualities far outweigh his weaknesses though.

[Kanj]

Him playing a similar role to that he was celebrated for in France will do a world of wonder to his form for us.

[The College Dropout]

Yeah but i never said anything about a sitting midfielder not being viable..... i said a straight destroyer who has s*** bricks for a brain is not viable.

 

A midfielder who is intelligent that breaks things up, can pass and get forward when necessary is very viable.

 

Tiote is none of these things and he's not athletic, he just isn't good enough.

 

Also its funny you mention Juve and Bayern because neither have what you describe..... Juve don't have a sitter.... the deepest midfielder is Pirlo and is he defending the backline? as for Bayern they have two box to box midfielders neither are what you describe, they are just well rounded central midfielders.

 

And no Sissoko isn't an attacker, who are you Pardew?

I pointed out your fallacies in another thread regarding this.

 

Juve have Pirlo then Vidal and Marchisio in midfield. They are immense defensively, strong in the tackle. They do get forward but in essence they are battlers. Moussa Sissoko is not, and has never been a battler.

 

Javi Martinez is not a box-to-box player stop it. He's a fabulous player with many attributes but for Bayern, he's a more combative and ambitious Busquets.

 

Sissoko - i'm not sure about him tbh. He was great for 2-3 games but very poor since other than Benfica away. He's not a link man. The most worrying thing is how often his passing is bad. IIRC it's the lowest in completion of any player in our side.