Maybe read some of the critisism again before you continually tell me what is true and untrue. It makes me laugh to read posts like yours which make out that somehow the Sissoko critics are somehow wronged.
Ok, Ill play along. These are the criticisms I can find over the last few pages:
It's not about comparative ability - most players in he world would fall short.
It's about style - Modric and Sissoko are at opposite ends of the scale.
Agreed, I was one of the original “haters” and I’m quite happy to admit that he surprises me every match how much he has improved over the course of this season.
I just don’t see the MOM, better than x,y,z player that some people do, in my eyes he is an athletic footballer just not a particularly skilful one.
I don't think anyone has claimed he hasn't improved - at least I haven't seen that in this thread. For me, the level of improvement is astonishing.
Problem is, he's come from such a low level that even such a huge improvement leaves him significantly behind the rest of the team in terms of talent. He's still at the very top of the list of players that need replacing and are easiest to replace in the summer, he's still at the bottom of our list of midfielders if everyone's fit (barring Skipp maybe on experience terms).
He still has his moments of looking like a pub player but I agree with this. And this time 6 months ago I was laughing at the fella thinking he was Ali Dia reincarnated. I love been this wrong about a player I'd written off.
For clarity and without prejudice, I think Sissoko has below average footballing skills and match awareness compared to his midfield peers in our current squad but I do think he has above average physical attributes that enable him to perform his current role. I also believe that his particular range of attributes and skills would be better showcased in a team that played to those strengths, maybe in a more counter attacking side rather than a team that like to patiently build up from the back.
On average, his performances must still rate as poor.
[All of them averaged together or the recent ones where, and brace yourself for this, he's been good (or not as disastrous)?]
All of them. He has a lot of ground to make up. Although he is getting there. I'd love to interview Sissoko - he is a bit of an enigma.
[fudging immense tonight. He sweeps up everywhere and just keeps us moving forward]
Then runs the length of the pitch and bricks the bed (meaning a pass that went straight to their defender).
[What would make you NOT come up with a critique of Sissoko?]
Him discovering some kind of vision, skill and understanding of the game that ends with him being a midfielder that doesn't look out of place in a team challenging for the title.
I thought Serge and Sissoko had very mixed games. A few good interventions/actions, but also some hopeless interplay where they went nowhere or just left the ball or passed to nobody. And the usual poor quality of touch and technique and pass selection. Hopefully we can upgrade these guys, they are trying hard and they DO contribute in some ways, but cannot reach the heights I would like to see at Spurs.
So, a single mention of him being one we could upgrade upon next season.
Not one stating the team cannot reach great heights with him in the side.
Mostly, really, just observing that while he is a great athlete, he isnt a great footballer. Most, specifically, make that in relation to the quality of our side.
It might surprise you to hear I am in agreement with that, but thats not really the point. The point is, agree or disagree, these are not unreasonable points.
The defence of him?
As much as you won't like to admit it... [starts response with personal shot]
It was clearly a pass. There is no way that he meant anything other than putting Son in on goal. There’s no way he was just clearing into an area.
See how ridiculous it is to talk in absolutes here? Neither you or I can know Sissoko’s intentions with that ball. However the previous opinion that you (and Scara) have formed, religiously stuck to and now probably feel a little foolish in continuing to do, lead you into ridiculous statements like yours above. [More personal shots]
Quite sad to see some fans not able or willing to appreciate what Sissoko brings to the team, but I don't know, maybe he fudged their wives or something to that effect which wouldn't endear me to him either. It's all about perspective though; Joseph was totally cool with GHod fudging his wife.
And to the point about "why can't you just let people disagree or have a different opinion?"...
If you want to think 2+2 = 5, sure, you can continue to believe that... but you're wrong. We're just trying to bring some enlightenment to the disillusioned.
Really didn't like the way he played. Runs around like his dingdong is too big and needs to take extra-long steps to compensate. Referee should've given him a red for tripping Sancho outside our box. Couldn't stand to watch him anymore so I turned off the TV before half-time.
Wow. You're a stubborn fudger aren't you
I agree, winning 3-0 against the Bundesliga leaders was a bit brick of a result.
Great post. Posters like scara would have us back to mid 90s Spurs where we were soft as brick.
Which leads me back to this little nugget:
Finally, if people are defending Sissoko more vehemently than other players, there's a very simple reason for that: people are offending Sissoko more vehemently than other players.
The scales are quite obviously tipping in the opposite direction.
Have I been wronged? If I were a sensitive soul Id suggest maybe I have. As have many who still reserve judgement on Sissoko as not being good enough.
Im not actually crying about it, Im really quite calm - more Im trying to point it out. Those virtuous self appointed defenders who take down the evil Sissoko slaggers at every chance are, actually, the ones being OTT and unreasonable.
