Author Topic: Can we afford the luxury of Sissoko? (Read 29781 times)

jambutty · « **on:** August 11, 2006, 03:09:58 PM »

As a defensive destroyer, Mo is without equal. Against teams with formidable attacks he will disrupt their flow and service and make a general nuisance out of himself.

However, he is not without his shortcomings.

His touch is ~~precocious~~ adolescent at times, his passing erratic, his vision needs improvement, his heading lacks purpose, and most frustrating for me, his hold-up skills continue to disappoint. A man with legs that long should be able to keep the ball from any one defender until he can find another red shirt.

If you discount the first sentence, his other skills seem not only ordinary, but certainly below average for our team if not the league.

Finally, his raw talent and ability seemingly relegates Gerrard to one side of the pitch.

I've no doubt Rafa will improve all areas of his play, but at present we seem often like a stuttering engine with him in attack.

brunny · « **Reply #1 on:** August 11, 2006, 03:14:10 PM »

a player doesnt get kicked out the team for what he cant do, he gets put in the team for what he can do.

but i do agree that against lees attacking clubs that they wount have as meny attacks for him to brake up, but then again they will be more agresive, and it halps to have him against the boltons

liverpoolpaddy's son · « **Reply #2 on:** August 11, 2006, 03:17:54 PM »

He was absolutely fantastic on wednesday night, by far my MOTM. and to top things off didn't he have a decent shot on target to be saved only for Bellamy to equalise.

cruyff73 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 11, 2006, 03:17:59 PM »

When everyboy's fit I can't see him being a starting player (maybe in away games) unless Rafa decides that he is gonna go for 1 up front. Gerrard is wasted playing off the front man so it'll be him and Alonso in the middle IMO

woozie · « **Reply #4 on:** August 11, 2006, 03:18:30 PM »

apparently he used to be a striker, but id say that he needs to improve his shooting and attacking play but he is only young.

if he was English people would be goign bonkers about him. one for the present and future.

keep it up momo best signing of any team last season bar none

Hattori Hanzo · « **Reply #5 on:** August 11, 2006, 03:19:05 PM »

Quote from: jambuttytaffy on August 11, 2006, 03:09:58 PM

His touch is precocious, his passing erratic, his vision needs improvement, his heading lacks purpose, and most frustrating for me, his hold-up skills continue to disappoint. A man with legs that long should be able to keep the ball from any one defender until he can find another red shirt.

MAYBE when he first started to settle into the league you could have said a couple of those things... but now that is total bollocks.

fowlermagic · « **Reply #6 on:** August 11, 2006, 03:20:20 PM »

He will be ideal in a 3 CM with Gerrard alongside him who will be the anti agent to the two CM who sit back a little...Alonso & Momo.

He could feature all the time if Pennant & Mark become the plus we need

Personally I look at Chelsea , who play a similar system to the best of its ability and see the future scourge of football. Great talent like Duff, SWP, Robben & Co getting lost in the professional system that is built for counter attack football when it should be flowing stuff from end to end.

Maybe thats been naive but I would love to see a flowing 4-4-2 with two wingers and a proper strikeforce becoming the final stake in the heart of the counter attack football we see at Bridge

Something Else · « **Reply #7 on:** August 11, 2006, 03:20:49 PM »

Momo I think is crucial in our midfield, his work reat and the ground he covers is fantastic, he can retain possesion very well and is improving weekly

I personally think he is not a luxury, Xabi is, and one we can afford

stjohns · « **Reply #8 on:** August 11, 2006, 03:23:07 PM »

Agree with the swordmaker. Momo will be one of our players of the season. Now will some of you dicks be a tad more optimistic?

Dero · « **Reply #9 on:** August 11, 2006, 03:23:25 PM »

Quote from: jambuttytaffy on August 11, 2006, 03:09:58 PM

his vision needs improvement,

That's a bit harsh

Dundalis · « **Reply #10 on:** August 11, 2006, 03:24:54 PM »

Quote from: jambuttytaffy on August 11, 2006, 03:09:58 PM

As a defensive destroyer, Mo is without equal. Against teams with formidable attacks he will disrupt their flow and service and make a general nuisance out of himself.

However, he is not without his shortcomings.

His touch is precocious, his passing erratic, his vision needs improvement, his heading lacks purpose, and most frustrating for me, his hold-up skills continue to disappoint. A man with legs that long should be able to keep the ball from any one defender until he can find another red shirt.

If you discount the first sentence, his other skills seem not only ordinary, but certainly below average for our team if not the league.

Finally, his raw talent and ability seemingly relegates Gerrard to one side of the pitch.

I've no doubt Rafa will improve all areas of his play, but at present we seem often like a stuttering engine with him in attack.

I think he has fantastic hold-up skills for a guy his size if you mean what I think you mean by that comment. On numerous occassions he wriggled between 2 or 3 defenders using Vieira like close control with his gangly legs to retain possession and offload. He does occassionally give the ball away, but when you see him do it numerous times successfully in a match, you know as he develops he will become consistant at it. Most of the time his exuberence is the cause for him giving the ball away, rather than ability, almost like to puts too much energy into what he does, that he overhits the pass or takes a hard touch. For example you rarely see him underhit a pass. It is almost always overhit.

I think he has fantastic potential to be able to dribble past players and become an attacking force in a few years. More in a Vieira manner than a Gerrard manner, but nonetheless I think he will become proficient in attack.

djphal · « **Reply #11 on:** August 11, 2006, 03:25:35 PM »

i cant believe this thread even exists momo is improving all the time i think alonso is more likely to be dropped than momo, how can anyone pick at him for little things after what he did last season, he was one of our best players, you make me sick!

jackellis · « **Reply #12 on:** August 11, 2006, 03:26:07 PM »

he's only a young lad and has his best years ahead of him- its obvious to see that since he's been at the club, he has developed his play substantially and still he's nowhere near the peak of his talents. imagine what he'll bring to the team in a couple of seasons time- as rafa said, i truly believe that he'll be widely recongised as world-class.

we must be patient.

woozie · « **Reply #13 on:** August 11, 2006, 03:26:54 PM »

Quote from: djphal on August 11, 2006, 03:25:35 PM

i cant believe this thread even exists momo is improving all the time i think alonso is more likely to be dropped than momo, how can anyone pick at him for little things after what he did last season, he was one of our best players, you make me sick!

agreed, he is more consistent than alonso and never goes missing

BazC · « **Reply #14 on:** August 11, 2006, 03:27:27 PM »

His passings not shit- in fact it's a lot better than this time last season, his posession play is fantastic and he's certainy good on the ball. His heading is shit, yes- but he'll improve. He's 21/22? Fucking hell.

Almost as indespensible to the team as the 3 untouchable players- Gerrard, Alonso and Carra. Hopefully this season he'll show he's the best young midfielder in the country.

Something Else · « **Reply #15 on:** August 11, 2006, 03:28:59 PM »

Quote from: jambuttytaffy on August 11, 2006, 03:28:00 PM

surely this is a joke??? do u watch Liverpool? have you got any brains?

Alonso is more a luxury player than momo, fact.

Hattori Hanzo · « **Reply #16 on:** August 11, 2006, 03:30:05 PM »

Quote from: bazc350 on August 11, 2006, 03:27:27 PM

His passings not shit- in fact it's a lot better than this time last season, his posession play is fantastic and he's certainy good on the ball. His heading is shit, yes- but he'll improve. He's 21/22? Fucking hell.

Almost as indespensible to the team as the 3 untouchable players- Gerrard, Alonso and Carra. Hopefully this season he'll show he's the best young midfielder in the country.

Yeah, I've just been making some highlight of the game - so just watched it again start to finnish and he was immense.

He is quality and will just get better

StevieG26 · « **Reply #17 on:** August 11, 2006, 03:32:07 PM »

I see where you're coming from but his passing has surely improved from last season IMO. Attacking-wise I don't think he's up-to-standard yet but I don't think he'll need that much since his job is mainly as a destroyer. What I would've liked to see last Wednesday was Alonso and Gerrard pushing more up the field into attacking positions because when Pennant's crosses were coming in, there was no one in or around the box to at least latch onto a loose ball.

Anyway back to Sissoko. IMO he was MoM only behind Pennant who I thought was brilliant.

locultom · « **Reply #18 on:** August 11, 2006, 03:32:09 PM »

Momo is only 20/21 years old and plays with great athleticism and tactical maturity. As the new players settle in and we find our passing fluency i would expect to see his technical and creative skills improve but he is primarily there as a destroyer in a position that very few young players are developed enough to pull off. Put it this way, Momo's so good rafa could afford to let Didi leave and that is some compliment.

Ryde-On · « **Reply #19 on:** August 11, 2006, 03:33:25 PM »

Quote from: cruyff73 on August 11, 2006, 03:17:59 PM

When everyboy's fit I can't see him being a starting player (maybe in away games) unless Rafa decides that he is gonna go for 1 up front. Gerrard is wasted playing off the front man so it'll be him and Alonso in the middle IMO

eh? Not this debate again. Xabi & Stevie in the middle don't work - you're always gonna need Momo there to sweep up the mess. they make.

djphal · « **Reply #20 on:** August 11, 2006, 03:34:42 PM »

Quote from: Gareth 7 on August 11, 2006, 03:28:59 PM

Alonso is more a luxury player than momo, fact.

yes i agree

brunny · « **Reply #21 on:** August 11, 2006, 03:35:55 PM »

Quote from: Hattori Hanzo on August 11, 2006, 03:30:05 PM

Yeah, I've just been making some highlight of the game - so just watched it again start to finnish and he was immense.

He is quality and will just get better

hope you got the mazy dribble i asked for. when is it likely to be up? before i get home from work at 6??

stjohns · « **Reply #22 on:** August 11, 2006, 03:36:01 PM »

Sorry to go off thread but I was just looking at djphals little video up there. Was getting out of the way Baros' most important contribution ever in a Liverpool shirt?

hoonin · « **Reply #23 on:** August 11, 2006, 03:36:30 PM »

Quote from: brunny on August 11, 2006, 03:14:10 PM

a player doesnt get kicked out the team for what he cant do, he gets put in the team for what he can do.

True to some extent, but the issues of his passing were a regular discussion last season. I think a lot of us will be very happy if this area improves as it will mean we have one hell of a player under development.

I'm quite interested to know how he will be used this season, i.e. what sort of games he will play. This, I suspect, will depend on the formation.

If you were to use a more orthadox 4-4-2 then Gerrard and Xabi would surely be the central pair, with Pennant on the right. However, if more bodies are deployed in m/f, in those "between the lines" positions, them Sissoko would probably start.

So, to answer the question, yes he is a player we can afford to play regularly. Whilst he is sloppy with his possession at times it was never in critical position. All teams lose possession of the ball.

Will he play as many games this year? Perhaps, but more will be from starting on the bench.

djphal · « **Reply #24 on:** August 11, 2006, 03:39:15 PM »

Quote from: stjohns on August 11, 2006, 03:36:01 PM

Sorry to go off thread but I was just looking at djphals little video up there. Was getting out of the way Baros' most important contribution ever in a Liverpool shirt?

yes it was! i always think if he hadnt got out of the way it could have all been so different!

WorldChampions · « **Reply #25 on:** August 11, 2006, 03:47:53 PM »

The question should be can we afford not to? He will be the player of the year. His passing has improved and hes starting to get into advanced positions

Robbo1980 · « **Reply #26 on:** August 11, 2006, 03:48:05 PM »

Quote

As a defensive destroyer, Mo is without equal. Against teams with formidable attacks he will disrupt their flow and service and make a general nuisance out of himself.

However, he is not without his shortcomings.

His touch is precocious, his passing erratic, his vision needs improvement, his heading lacks purpose, and most frustrating for me, his hold-up skills continue to disappoint. A man with legs that long should be able to keep the ball from any one defender until he can find another red shirt.

If you discount the first sentence, his other skills seem not only ordinary, but certainly below average for our team if not the league.

Finally, his raw talent and ability seemingly relegates Gerrard to one side of the pitch.

I've no doubt Rafa will improve all areas of his play, but at present we seem often like a stuttering engine with him in attack.

Absolute rubbish once you get past the first sentence.

His passing, vision and touch were 2nd to none the other night.
There is this big conspiracy that he is shite with the ball and all he is, is a engine, a destroyer.
That is a massive dis-service to potentialy one of the best midfielders in world football, not an exageration at all!
I would infact argue that can we afford not to have Sissoko in our team, it is no suprise at all that our shittest run and performances last season came when Sissoko was out with his eye injury, it resulted in our CL elimination and various other performances that were below standard.
With Gerrard and Alonso in central midfield i would say we look suspect defensively and do not create enough as Momo wins the ball in more advanced positions than either of those.
I would say he is quickly making himself one of if not the most important player in the team and that includes Gerrard.

Utter shite thread!

Livbes · « **Reply #27 on:** August 11, 2006, 03:51:36 PM »

It is a toughy !!! With the widemen we now have we should be playng 4-4-2. We can all see that we r not very effective wid one man up front with stevie just off (esp. if that lone man is a dwarf like bellas).

Xabi has to start against the lesser teams, for his creativity, but when we are playing attack minded teams Momo has to start !!

WorldChampions · « **Reply #28 on:** August 11, 2006, 03:54:42 PM »

Should have sold gerrard then we wouldnt need this disscusion

Livbes · « **Reply #29 on:** August 11, 2006, 03:56:23 PM »

Quote from: WorldChampions on August 11, 2006, 03:54:42 PM

Should have sold gerrard then we wouldnt need this disscusion

Ha ha ha.

WorldChampions · « **Reply #30 on:** August 11, 2006, 03:57:20 PM »

Quote from: Livbes on August 11, 2006, 03:56:23 PM

Ha ha ha.

first catch of the day

stjohns · « **Reply #31 on:** August 11, 2006, 03:58:17 PM »

They all have to play ideally and I'd almost rather play 3 across the back to accomodate them and go for it.

Benitez · « **Reply #32 on:** August 11, 2006, 03:58:33 PM »

Quote from: jambuttytaffy on August 11, 2006, 03:09:58 PM

As a defensive destroyer, Mo is without equal. Against teams with formidable attacks he will disrupt their flow and service and make a general nuisance out of himself.

However, he is not without his shortcomings.

His touch is precocious, his passing erratic, his vision needs improvement, his heading lacks purpose, and most frustrating for me, his hold-up skills continue to disappoint. A man with legs that long should be able to keep the ball from any one defender until he can find another red shirt.

that bit in bold is utter rubbish.

It seems with some players, they get labeled early on, and it doesn't matter how they change, the label sticks. That seems to be happening with Sissoko, which is quite bizarre!

Morientes-19 · « **Reply #33 on:** August 11, 2006, 04:00:36 PM »

Quote from: jambuttytaffy on August 11, 2006, 03:09:58 PM

his vision needs improvement.

I'm sure his vision would have been better had that imbecile from Benfica not gone and poked his eye out.

The Bill Hicks Appreciation Society · « **Reply #34 on:** August 11, 2006, 04:00:47 PM »

what a silly thread! Momo is fast becoming my favourite player

StevieG26 · « **Reply #35 on:** August 11, 2006, 04:01:51 PM »

Funny how people were calling for his head before his eye injury and now he's everyone's god.

An amazing player though. He's more of a destroyer than a creator though and I don't think I'd mind another season without a goal from him if he keeps playing at this level.

mulfella · « **Reply #36 on:** August 11, 2006, 04:04:48 PM »

You are all having a pop at his views but there is a legitemate debate here.

Which is how best to deploy our current squad, in particular across central midfield and to a lesser extent on the flank (Right) and up front.

Obviously Rafa is going to pick the best team he can, suited the opposition and situation, and yes there is a good chance that Momo will be dropped on a fairly regular basis because of that.

So the question is, against which opposition and in which situations is a player like Momo best deployed?

If your answer is every game, then where do Alonso, Gerrard, Pennant, Garcia fit in?

Ps I think the original post is very harsh on him, but equally he's not the finished article yet.

Benitez · « **Reply #37 on:** August 11, 2006, 04:05:10 PM »

Quote from: StevieG26 on August 11, 2006, 04:01:51 PM

Funny how people were calling for his head before his eye injury and now he's everyone's god.

An amazing player though. He's more of a destroyer than a creator though and I don't think I'd mind another season without a goal from him if he keeps playing at this level.

where they? I must have missed that day, thank fec.

Can't imagine why people would have been doing that last season, he was one of our most consistent players even then.

filopastry · « **Reply #38 on:** August 11, 2006, 04:05:36 PM »

If we end up playing 4-4-2 with 2 genuine wingers, Xabi's probably as vulnerable as Momo if not more so

Robinred · « **Reply #39 on:** August 11, 2006, 04:06:04 PM »

Some ott reactions (particularly Robbo) to a reasonable question. The question is worth posing IMHO, because we find ourselves with too many 'key' players to fit into a 4-4-2.

If Xabi were to reproduce his best form, I suspect Momo's place would be less secure, but at the moment I'd drop Xabi before Momo to accomodate SG and two wide players.

Author Topic: Can we afford the luxury of Sissoko? (Read 29781 times)

hoonin