Every time he is passed the ball, my first thought is 'oh ****'..... The last time I've felt like this was with Obertan. He was like Shola on ice yesterday and, coupled with his attitude and pea shaped heart I think it's time he was sacked off. For me it's therefore time to drop him. There... I said it. With the lads back from injuries I'd play the following: please log in to view this image
Agreed, but I think it's time to start playing with 2 proper wingers in Townsend and Aarons. Perez is limited on the wing, so unless Rafa plans on playing him up front as part of a 2 I would use him as an impact sub. Tiote or Saviet needs to start instead of anita as well imo.
Agreed, if Tiote isn't available. Anita is more of a playmaker than a sweeper. He doesn't get stuck in, and instead is running around like a headless chicken.
slows it down to much for me sissoko ..i always thought he be better in the middle ...couldnt belive it when he and mitro got in each others way last night ..that is damm right clumsy .. sums up the bloke i suppose
Don't think he will be dropped reading this... http://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport...lan-for-moussa-sissoko-at-newcastle-1-7795979
Not sure you'll see that under Rafa. One winger yes, but he likes the other one to be more team ethic focused to balance it out.
He is awful and please anybody don't try to peddle this "play him through the middle" ****e. He has zero technical quality, zero effort, we would get crucified. He had one half decent spell here at number 10 when Pardew free'd him of all defensive responsibilities. We can't carry him. The only role I'd consider him in is striker or number 10 in a 442. If you ask him to do anything team related you are ****ed because he is not interested. He ****ed all of our best moves last night. I despise the ****.
oh gawd, so Rafa wants to build his team around Sissoko just like McClaren then....FFS. Since Sissoko is averaging one goal every 11 games since he's been here, I hardly think his main focus should be getting us goals! Tiote should be back now and can perform the role "tactless blundering ox in midfiled with zero maneouverability" far better than Sissoko, so Sissoko should be bench fodder at best these days.
Things we should have learned by now: - Perez cannot play on either wing and is only effective in the middle. - Every team in England needs an effective and dedicated Defensive Midfielder whether you play 3, 4 or 5 across the middle. - Anita is not a Premier League player never mind a dedicated Defensive Midfielder - Saivet has looked like a decent Defensive Midfielder - Wijnaldum still looks lost, but nobody seems to know why - Shelvey has nobody to hit with 60 yard balls. - Mitrovic is only comfortable facing his own goal. - Colback's our best left back. please log in to view this image I think what Wijnaldum needs isn't a target man in the traditional sense, but a smarter forward. I'd keep Perez in reserve as a wildcard option, or go to two up top with Mitrovic as an other option. I think Gini gets lost because there's not enough intelligence ahead or behind. De Jong remedies that ahead of him, and Saivet (or Tiote if his head's in it) helps free up Shelvey behind him. They're our alternative to Drinkwater/Kante, which has clearly worked very well, or Fabregas/Matic, etc. Townsend right to help "game-manage" Janmaat (Daryl will bomb on less when Townsend is naturally ok with the ball). Sissoko left because I want him encouraged to attack, and drift infield a bit to stop Gini tracking back. Colback offer solid option behind him. CB's are based on what I've seen. Colo's a liability, Saylor slightly worse, Lascelles in my opinion is ok and Mbemba's the best by a mile. Perhaps Dummett for Lascelles if fit? Rafa won't play these two, of course, but I'm not in charge.
Somewhere inside Sissoko is a half decent footballer. We've seen it all too fleetingly though. He's either forgotten or can't be bothered to find it himself. However, We gave Rafa 10 games to save us. If he thinks he can get the 'footballer' back into Sissoko then we have to trust him. Same goes for him bringing on De Jong. He's rusty as hell, but maybe Rafa believes that getting him match sharp is our best option up front. Back in the autumn, De Jong's inclusion in the team probably saw us playing some of our most consistent and intelligent football (though that's not a very high bar). As for Mitrovic. He's not an out and out goalscorer. I think he's been hung out to dry by us not buying an experienced and accomplished goalscorer to play alongside and learn from. The result is now that his confidence is shot to pieces. He's young and could still come good. He is excellent at holding the ball up on his own. However, he's no good without more goalscoring threat around him.
Mitro needs someone to be running past him every time the ball is played into him. Which means 2 pure fwds up front or Gini making more effort to be the man in the box. Alternatively if we played two proper wingers (who can cross) and they are told to stop messing about and get some delivery into the box I think he would also do alright. As it is we play it straight up the field to him on the edge of the box back to goal and he has no options.
I'd pick pretty much the same team ACS, although I'd have Cisse up front if he's fit. See how Gini's doing, if he's not up to it, hoy Aarons on to run at them after an hour. We've got to beat them this time. Anyone who doesn't give 100% for this one should be tied up and thrown in the Tyne.
Isn't it ironic how Steve Mac said 'judge me after 10 games'... And this is exactly the amount of time we had left when he got sacked and Rafa booled in.
I could see Cissé and Mitro working quite well together for goals...but with no one to do the running... Fact is to get the best out of GIni we need a top striker who keeps two defenders busy. Right now, on this form Mitro isn't. He was a few games this season, against manU for instance and Norwich, and Gini had the space to get in. However, as things are... with the squad thats available... I don't see any solution. I'd just rather give Doumbia a start than see Mitro fail over and over. Also Mitro was better when he came on 2nd half against Bournemouth than he was when starting. Sissoko had a good game I thought against Leicester. Sure he wasn't brilliant but much better than he has been. And I don't see any feasable alternative to Sissoko in the team, as he does create stuff. More so than others.
