• The Fighting Cock is a forum for fans of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club. Here you can discuss Spurs latest matches, our squad, tactics and any transfer news surrounding the club. Registration gives you access to all our forums (including 'Off Topic' discussion) and removes most of the adverts (you can remove them all via an account upgrade). You're here now, you might as well...

    Get involved!

Player Yves Bissouma

Latest Spurs videos from Sky Sports

Yea, to such a wonderful extent too, right. With 4 rollovers in a row.
Or our midfield played through by Burnley with Bissouma leaving on 1:1.

He started season so superbly, I was mighty impressed. But his fall off grace has been equal to that. Biggest decline from the whole side and as a result regressed from being title-contender-level #6 to being one of the two weakest links in starting XI and worthy of being bottom-half #6.

#6 and ST with ability to keep the ball upfield are 2 most pressing issues of the squad.

Rubbish.
 
Insightful.

So are you suggesting that Bissouma has played well recently? And that his performance levels haven't declined significantly compared to first 7 rounds (when he arguably was among very best DM/CMs in EPL)? Would you make similar statement about whole of his season too?

Yes, he’s been consistently decent in the remit. And most non biased metrics support that.

We have much, much bigger issues.

It’s also laughable to suggest his position is in need of an upgrade before RF, LF, (and two more options for RF and LF to rotate too) and L8. Then we have a RB and and a LB that can’t defend, and have no back up for either of them. No back up LCB. We also need a back up keeper.

I also think it’s going to be very difficult to find a player to play that 6 role who has the rounded skill set of Bissouma.

He sees the ball more than most 6’s, he’s more press resistant than most 6’s, as @Guido 🇺🇦showed above he uses the ball well, he also moves well (is athletic) and wins the ball more than most in the PL.

Sarr is a lovely lad, but apart from his attitude and engine he’s really not contributing enough of quality offensively for an 8.

As a result, everything offensive goes through Maddison left or Porro right, and a lot of what Porro delivers is of poor quality offensively.

We have much and many bigger problems than our 6/Bissouma.
 
Last edited:
I think he was so good the first couple months, Dembele levels, that once he dropped off he looked completely shite. In reality he was probably still our best midfielder this season even with the drop in form.
 
It’s also laughable to suggest his position is in need of an upgrade before RF, LF, (and two more options for RF and LF to rotate too) and L8. Then we have a RB and and a LB that can’t defend, and have no back up for either of them. No back up LCB. We also need a back up keeper.
not sure how you can watch our games and not think that front line is in urgent need of upgrading. theres a clear lack of quality when the ball gets to the final 3rd.
 
not sure how you can watch our games and not think that front line is in urgent need of upgrading. theres a clear lack of quality when the ball gets to the final 3rd.
We are on course for our second largest goal tally since we got promoted.
We have conceded 2 goals or more 18 fecking times this season with Royal being involved in a lot of those games.
We urgently need to replace him and get a decent midfielder in to protect our defence.
 
We are on course for our second largest goal tally since we got promoted.
We have conceded 2 goals or more 18 fecking times this season with Royal being involved in a lot of those games.
We urgently need to replace him and get a decent midfielder in to protect our defence.

Or have three attackers, two other midfielders and two FB's that can do some defending as well as Bissouma and 2 CB's.
 
Yes, he’s been consistently decent in the remit. And most non biased metrics support that.

We have much, much bigger issues.

It’s also laughable to suggest his position is in need of an upgrade before RF, LF, (and two more options for RF and LF to rotate too) and L8. Then we have a RB and and a LB that can’t defend, and have no back up for either of them. No back up LCB. We also need a back up keeper.

I also think it’s going to be very difficult to find a player to play that 6 role who has the rounded skill set of Bissouma.

He sees the ball more than most 6’s, he’s more press resistant than most 6’s, as @Guido 🇺🇦showed above he uses the ball well, he also moves well (is athletic) and wins the ball more than most in the PL.

Sarr is a lovely lad, but apart from his attitude and engine he’s really not contributing enough of quality offensively for an 8.

As a result, everything offensive goes through Maddison left or Porro right, and a lot of what Porro delivers is of poor quality offensively.

We have much and many bigger problems than our 6/Bissouma.

Alright, I like this kind of thought sharing much more.

I can counter based on what I've seen in terms of our game dynamics and why I do not believe one can base everything in it to statistics (though generally being data-believer).

First of all - what he used to do - he used to collect the ball from deep positions, turn with the ball, progress it and then release it into space so our attackers could essentially attack the lines that are poorly set up. While not in possession he managed to close down the ball and win it back in favorable positions (close or within opposition side) that again allowed to give ball on to the attacking-minded players.

What I saw in recent games - he is still clearly expected to progress the ball. And he does, but he is so much more fearful in how he plays and he tries to get rid of the ball much quicker. Often to less favorable positions. And his closing down play has suffered a lot too - Luton first goal was pretty painful proof of that. How he just weakly jogged next to Townsend, politely escorting him to our box where he then assisted their first goal. I am talking about Andros fcking Townsend. I get if you don't manage to catch up to Bernardo Silva or Saka, but just to jog next to Townsend without stopping him or even force him wider it is soft as heck. And this has happened so many times him being almost like a passenger.

Now about stats - it is cliche but "midfield is where football matches are lost and won", so... i mean SO many times he's had games where he is doing well and being involved, and then he just switches off for 15-20-30 minutes. On stats-sheet it might look all fine and good - seems like he is really involved. But if you switch off for say 15 minutes while shielding the backline, you can so easily undo all the good you do with other 75 mins. Also his overall season statistics do indeed include the 7-game spell where he was one of the best midfielders in the league, in effect overly flattering his numbers.

And whatever you might think of the quality of him, availability IS key part of ability. And it is undeniable,
- he got sent off and put team into poor position vs Luton (45 min playing with 10 men);
- then had racked up enough yellows to have to sit out so important (take a look to table) Villa game;
- then earned utterly stupid direct red card that left him out for 3 games
- then went to Afcon for 3 further games + 2 in the cup
- and now misses 2 games with injury

All in total his tally will be 2083 minutes played from 3700 possible.
How do you arrive to conclusion that in such state we don't need better starting #6 desperately is beyond me.
 
Yes, he’s been consistently decent in the remit. And most non biased metrics support that.

We have much, much bigger issues.

It’s also laughable to suggest his position is in need of an upgrade before RF, LF, (and two more options for RF and LF to rotate too) and L8. Then we have a RB and and a LB that can’t defend, and have no back up for either of them. No back up LCB. We also need a back up keeper.

I also think it’s going to be very difficult to find a player to play that 6 role who has the rounded skill set of Bissouma.

He sees the ball more than most 6’s, he’s more press resistant than most 6’s, as @Guido 🇺🇦showed above he uses the ball well, he also moves well (is athletic) and wins the ball more than most in the PL.

Sarr is a lovely lad, but apart from his attitude and engine he’s really not contributing enough of quality offensively for an 8.

As a result, everything offensive goes through Maddison left or Porro right, and a lot of what Porro delivers is of poor quality offensively.

We have much and many bigger problems than our 6/Bissouma.

Alright, I like this kind of thought sharing much more.

I can counter based on what I've seen in terms of our game dynamics and why I do not believe one can base everything in it to statistics (though generally being data-believer).

First of all - what he used to do - he used to collect the ball from deep positions, turn with the ball, progress it and then release it into space so our attackers could essentially attack the lines that are poorly set up. While not in possession he managed to close down the ball and win it back in favorable positions (close or within opposition side) that again allowed to give ball on to the attacking-minded players.

What I saw in recent games - he is still clearly expected to progress the ball. And he does, but he is so much more fearful in how he plays and he tries to get rid of the ball much quicker. Often to less favorable positions. And his closing down play has suffered a lot too - Luton first goal was pretty painful proof of that. How he just weakly jogged next to Townsend, politely escorting him to our box where he then assisted their first goal. I am talking about Andros fcking Townsend. I get if you don't manage to catch up to Bernardo Silva or Saka, but just to jog next to Townsend without stopping him or even force him wider it is soft as heck. And this has happened so many times him being almost like a passenger.

Now about stats - it is cliche but "midfield is where football matches are lost and won", so... i mean SO many times he's had games where he is doing well and being involved, and then he just switches off for 15-20-30 minutes. On stats-sheet it might look all fine and good - seems like he is really involved. But if you switch off for say 15 minutes while shielding the backline, you can so easily undo all the good you do with other 75 mins. Also his overall season statistics do indeed include the 7-game spell where he was one of the best midfielders in the league, in effect overly flattering his numbers.

And whatever you might think of the quality of him, availability IS key part of ability. And it is undeniable,
- he got sent off and put team into poor position vs Luton (45 min playing with 10 men);
- then had racked up enough yellows to have to sit out so important (take a look to table) Villa game;
- then earned utterly stupid direct red card that left him out for 3 games
- then went to Afcon for 3 further games + 2 in the cup
- and now misses 2 games with injury

All in total his tally will be 2083 minutes played from 3700 possible.
How do you arrive to conclusion that in such state we don't need better starting #6 desperately is beyond me.

I also agree with both of these posts though!

I think if we get a decent offer for him he will go, but if we don't we will happily keep him. I'm not certain we can afford to be shedding decent midfielders right now anyway.
 
Yes, he’s been consistently decent in the remit. And most non biased metrics support that.

We have much, much bigger issues.

It’s also laughable to suggest his position is in need of an upgrade before RF, LF, (and two more options for RF and LF to rotate too) and L8. Then we have a RB and and a LB that can’t defend, and have no back up for either of them. No back up LCB. We also need a back up keeper.

I also think it’s going to be very difficult to find a player to play that 6 role who has the rounded skill set of Bissouma.

He sees the ball more than most 6’s, he’s more press resistant than most 6’s, as @Guido 🇺🇦showed above he uses the ball well, he also moves well (is athletic) and wins the ball more than most in the PL.

Sarr is a lovely lad, but apart from his attitude and engine he’s really not contributing enough of quality offensively for an 8.

As a result, everything offensive goes through Maddison left or Porro right, and a lot of what Porro delivers is of poor quality offensively.

We have much and many bigger problems than our 6/Bissouma.
100% agree I think Sarr gets off easy from a lot of supporters because he's young, a nice guy and runs a lot. Might cover a lot of grass but then lacks of ball winning of say kante to compliment his running, or the goal threat of say Gallagher to compliment his running. Like if just added one more string to his bow like these guys he'd be class but just lacks something in either direction to be truly top quality.
 
Have you seen how he played in French league, whatever ange told him after Chelsea game, he needs retract and apologise and let him play with freedom... When you see a talent you need to recognise that..

If anyone can keep ball playing players in spurs then we be good to watch..

Instead of son, you focus having romeo micky perro and bisoumma
 
Have you seen how he played in French league, whatever ange told him after Chelsea game, he needs retract and apologise and let him play with freedom... When you see a talent you need to recognise that..

If anyone can keep ball playing players in spurs then we be good to watch..

Instead of son, you focus having romeo micky perro and bisoumma

Pants to that.

Bissouma had plenty opportunity. Doesn't convince in my opinion. Not dominant enough by any stretch... marks - 6/10.
 
Bentancur fit again forces Bissouma to stay dialed in mentally. Also means he isn't such a huge miss if he does get into trouble with yellow cards and availability.

Unless he finds the maturity to put it together for a whole season, next season will likely be his last here but if he does put it together we have a better #6 than we would ever be likely to afford on the market.

If there was one better and we could shift him this summer then I'd be open to it but I don't see much out there for #6s and we have bigger priorities elsewhere.
 
He is extremely timid on the ball, most of the time he is too afraid to play any ball that isn’t short and on the ground.

Has to play with much more personality to have a real future here.

I think he lost a lot of confidence from that bogus second yellow vs Luton and it carried over into the season.

He was dominant before his suspension. I think he could use spending some time with a sports psych.

Doesn't do it anywhere near as often enough - there was a brilliant pass he done in the home game against Sheffield United in which Johnson scored from. Was given as offside, but the vision and the weight of the pass from Bissouma was excellent.

Agree. 100% has it in his locker. Combine regular pings like this and his ability to go by players and there is a legitimately elite #6 there.
 
Back
Top