Momo Sissoko

[magneto]

Apart from his distribution at times, he was class. Last night he's timing during tackles was amazing and something he still has to work on to avoid getting booked.

 

Extend his contract!

[Scally the Wag]

Benitez:

 

Nope: he was repeatedly standing about 5-8 metres in front of Finan with his back to the Arsenal goal - open for a pass that was given: he then knocked it straight back to Finan who had, on at least two of these occasions, opposition players much closer to him than when he had originally released it.

 

I'm not knocking the guy. I actually suspect he has been told to be more conservative in this respect, and I pointed out above that we notice errors in part precisely because he sees so much of the ball, a fair portion of which is through his own winning of it...

 

But... he also needs to be aware of what is happening around him before he releases the ball.

 

A rough diamond, but a diamond nevertheless.

 

If I can be a bit more helpful, I am hoping he will develop like Batty (Leeds - remember them?): apart from his nastiness, Batty almost never ever gave the ball away in a game. Many of his passes were short and sideways but he didn't waste it after he'd won it or been given it.

 

And, it was he whom a certain Harry Kewell once praised as the greatest player he'd ever worked with. Obviously cos he gave a lot of great balls for Harry to work with...

Edited February 15, 2006 by Scally the Wag

[Leo No.8]

The area for him to work on is certainly his distribution, but I thought he kept it simple last night, which is what he should do. For me he was MOM.

 

He was an absolute colossus IMO, single-handedly stopped Arsenal from playing at times, pressing the ball from one side of the pitch to the other - I've never seen an engine like his, maybe Gattuso but that's about it.

 

He has massive potential, absolutely massive. He can run with the ball at pace, and actually has a few tricks, turns and skills which surprise opponents.

 

Wenger must have been reminded of a certain individual he let go in the summer...

[Tosh]

He made a great flick last night. Out on our right, edge of the penalty area. Ball played into him and he flicked it on to the byline where SG (may have been Finnan or Cisse, they all look the same) put in a decent cross

 

Simple flick, done well and took the defence out of the game. Excellent it was, and knowing he CAN do that, vs the 10 yard simple ball that he misplaces....

 

Imagine how much LESS work he'd have to do if he didn't give the ball awy so much!

[Ibby]

so far he has shown to be a very good signing by rafa. Lets hope the rumours of a buy back clause of £5m for valencia are untrue

 

(not that we would want to sell him of course - he could be a major player for us in the next 8 years hopefully).

[John Nada]

He was fantastic last night. If his passing was better (which I'm sure will come with age) he'd be almost unstoppable.

 

It's just occured to me, has anyone actually seen the guy smile?

He's got that same cold stare all the time, it's class!

 

In fact, I don't think I've ever heard him speak, I can't recall one interview (except for printed that is). Does he speak english?

[boohog]

Couldn't agree more. The distribution will come as he matures, learns to play the simple ball once he has won possession, but he is a Taz in the middle of the field. Nicked it off Henry in the second half, dummied to play to Finnan, and played to Carra in space instead. Very good showing.

 

Didn't pretty much every ne of our players nick it off Henry at one point or another? I distinctly remember Alonso, Finnan and Carra doing it aswell. Couldn't believe how softly he gave the ball away last night.

 

On Momo, he did have a great game last night and was probably MoM, but he still has a way top go before he is as good as Hamann at calming things down, being in the right place at the right time and breaking down attacks. Momo is more like a whirling dervish.

[Kenny_]

MoM for me.

 

So competitive and wins so many challenges, never tires and contributed highly in us taking over the midfield completely. Used the ball well. Kept it simple.

[Romario]

He really is a monster. I honestly can't remember ever seeing a player

who puts in so much graft and covers so much ground without looking tired.

I though Gerrard had a great engine but Sissoko is really a bit of a freak.

 

Must be dreadful playing against him.

[Bootle Buck]

The lad has an uncanny ability to stick his leg into situations and tackles he has no chance of winning and comes out with the ball. He gets so involved at times he runs into his own players. His ditribution further than 5 yards leaves a lot to be desired but he is the type of player Man Utd and Arsenal desperately need. He's got a tremendous future ahead of him.

[owenthomas]

considering he's the worst ever player to pull on a Liverpool shirt he didn't do too bad last night!

 

fkin immense yet again..

[Kenny_]

The area he's really helped us in, are in those hard, physical away games against lesser opposition where we have struggled over the years. Take last season, Palace away for instance, we were simply outfought in that game. Now we have a player who fights back and who's never afraid of getting stuck in and fighting for every ball. At the same time, players like Alonso for instance, has deffo toughen up and improved a lot when it comes to winning challenges and getting tackles in. Factors like that has IMO, contributed a lot in seeing us doing well in those sort of games this season. We have players and a team who's up for it when it comes to physical side of the game, as well as having the needed quality to play the oppositon off the park.

[Guest Jude]

Thought he had a good game last night and his all round game seems to be getting better by the week,great prospect.