Pardew unsure where to play Sissoko

From an interview with Pards in the Chronicle:


The former Toulouse ace’s preferred position is as a box-to- box midfielder, but Pardew knows that he would have to axe either Cheick Tiote or Yohan Cabaye to make that happen.

Pardew will experiment in pre- season with his team and could field Sissoko in the No 10 role or out wide.

The United chief told the Chronicle: “You could argue that Moussa Sissoko needs to define a position for him. He needs to find a position and he needs to be in the first team.

“If he is going to play behind the striker then he needs a few more goals.

“If he is going to play through the middle, then who comes out?

“Is it going to be Cheick Tiote or Yohan Cabaye?

“Or is he going to play on the side where he played for France and Toulouse?”



http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/spor...s/moussa-sissoko-key-newcastle-united-5071840

 

It is a big question. He can play all 3 roles but is best in the box to box role. Problem is they don't work as a three as none are natural number 10's and you look a bit toothless and isolate the striker. Cabaye has to play as a central playmaker. Maybe you just throw caution to the wind, drop Tiote bar certain games and attack. Play Marveaux as a 10 or sign one.

Pards knows the problems and realises his squad is unbalanced. If he had a number 10 it just becomes a straight fight for spots instead of round pegs, square holes. Up to MA to allow him to fix it. Its either that or you trade Cabaye or Tiote.

 

Why is Ben Arfa not a number 10 again? And why is Pardew talking about two in the middle?

All the sh1t I hated the guy for at the end of the season is coming back and we've not kicked a ball yet. Sissoko out wide in a completely ineffective 4-4-2? I'd register on TotalJobs if I was you, Alan.

 

He has struggled there previously and looked best on the right. Bit more mature now though. Until we balance the squad, these issues will resurface regardless of manager. I can see what he is thinking, get the best players on the field. If you a number 10 or play Marv the issues are resolved. Problem with Marv is consistency and injuries.

 

Well, 4 - 3 -3 springs to mind;

Our best attacking 3 up front (currently: Gouff - Cisse - HBA

Cabaye -Tiote/Anita - Sissoko

All of the mid-field three can put in a tackle. Two of them can pop up with a goal. HBA and Gouff can keep Cisse from getting lonely

 

Sorry, I had built myself up for us to come with an identity this season, but his comments leave me feeling really flat.

It looks utterly transparent where Sissoko's best position is - in the same position as was occupied by Patrick Viera or Yaya Toure, true box-to-box players. He's a big, strong lad, can put himsefl about, win a header, has a great touch and is fantastic carrying the ball. You want him on the edge of the final third as your outlet - he carries, then it's Benny, Cisse, Gouff, Campbell, whoever else running ahead of him. He shouldn't be the first up top (Number 10/support striker) and shouldn't be on the wing because he runs towards the goal, he's not shown he can overlap or hit a cross. Is he good enough to build a team around? Probably, he's one of the best talents we have in the side. So what does he need? A defensive midfielder alongside him, Tiote and Bigirimana as backup should be playing with him. Does that mean you drop Cabaye, or Ben Arfa? I don't think it does. I think you need to work on your own style and, although far be it from me to have a club, Pardew just doesn't seem to have that in his locker. We worry about Joe Kinnear being manager 'cos he's archaic, but what's Pardew? Doesn't appear that the thought of not having a flat back four ever crosses his mind, it's like that's GOT to happen, because he couldn't contemplate any alternatives. And, like some of the guys here, he's into wingers....even though we rarely score from crosses. For me, he's hamstrung the team with ineptitude before they're all back for training. I suspect we're going to be watching experiment after experiment again next season, while the undroppables (which will include Jonas again) continue to play.

Honestly, I just find this kind of comment staggering. He goes from doing a good job presenting a united club the other day to sounding clueless the next. "Durrr, I don't know where to play him...." YOU FCKING BOUGHT HIM, YOU MUST HAVE SOME IDEA!!!

Like I said, just reinforces that fact that we don't have a tactical blueprint. Pardew just looks at his team, scratches his head and says "maybe I'll give him a go this week", then can't work out why we look so disjointed.

 

I disagree I think it shows Pards knows how he wants to play but needs more options in attacking areas otherwise he has to do the harlem shuffle

 

Yeah - four at the back, four in the middle and at least one up front. And Sissoko.

 

Kind of agree with you BUT is how he wants us to play a positive thing? Also, after seeing how poor and wasted Sissoko was playing out on the right, the thought of ever playing him there again shouldn't even be crossing Pardew's mind.

 

...let alone trying to justify it with comments like "well, someone else (Toulouse/France) made him do it, so that's why I did".

 

the season we finished 5th, we put Jonas in the middle, played 4-3-3. Why not just put Sissoko there instead? DONT GET IT

 

Suggesting Pardew drops Jonas?! How dare you!!

 

As if he would.

 

Personally I'd go for tiote, siss, anita and Bigi in he holding roles with cabaye given license to roam behind the front 3 playing balls through the defence to the strikers and then you have Jonas, marveux, hba, obertan and gouffran on the wings while hba and marveux can also play behind the striker.

Tiote sissoko
Cabaye
Hba. Gouff
Cisse

 

Cabaye won't be here for starters but to have a player of Sissoko's class and Pardew not knowing where to play him is just insane especially with the season a month away! Square pegs yet again, he needs to grow some balls, pick the right team and stop the 'jobs for the boys mentality'. If it means droping Tiote its not even a question - the guy is a ****ing liability and offers no protection, just gives a foul or worse gives the ball away in vital areas.

 

I'm quite happy to wait and see what happens. Its what happens on the pitch that counts and I can't buy into this negative response to every interview etc. I just hope that once the important stuff starts, our support is going to forget last year and get behind the team. Whats gone before is history, time to move forward and start being positive again.

 

Pardew is a waste of space, how is still here I don't know
The right manager for a shocking owner


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I think the majority will get behind the team and manager if things start well with our approach to games, set up, players in best positions etc - even if we lose the first game as is likely.

If however they take to the field against Man City and we are treated to Sissoko struggling out on the right, Jonas being old and past it on the left, Cisse isolated upfront, countless long balls neutralising the effectiveness of our best players, woeful corners etc etc... In short, if things look like they haven't changed a jot since last season, then there is no way people are not going to be up in arms against Pardew from the word go.

 

This. Pardew needs to work double fcking overtime this Summer. I may be in a minority, but he's far from forgiven. His efforts last season were embarrassing and for me he dined out on finishing 5th the whole season - that particular get of jail free card has well and truly expired. He's absolutely free from excuses - even if there's injuries, he can fck off.

What we MUST see from DAY ONE (Man City or not, I don't care);

- A clear and coherent gameplan
- Players IN position
- Effort and commitment
- Attacking intent
- NO FCKING HOOFBALL
- A significant improvement on our injury situation

 

This is disappointing to hear for me. Sometimes I think, yeah lets stick with pards and give him a chance. Then he comes out with this sort of thing. What is going on at the moment. They should hand the team sheet over to us lot one week as clearly we would be able to come to a more sensible conclusion.
Sissoko needs to be in the side. Yes he can play a few different roles but for me he should be first on the sheet in the middle of the park regardless of formation. He is our ya ya and needs the chance to make that role his own