SISSOKO: BLADES LOSS OUR BIG TURNING POINT
MOUSSA SISSOKO can pinpoint the exact moment Tottenham’s whole mentality changed for the better. It was in the immediate aftermath of last season’s desperate defeat at Sheffield United.
As they prepare to return to the scene of that crushing 3-1 reverse today, Spurs midfielder Sissoko revealed just how significant that July afternoon proved to be post-project Restart.
An inquest into the Bramall Lane horror show was called by the players – the conclusion being their whole approach left loads to be desired.
French ace Sissoko, 31, said: “I remember we didn’t play that game seriously.we were missing a lot of things.the attitude wasn’t great.
“After the game we had a small meeting between us.we knew there were a few games left before the end of the season and we wanted to reach the European competitions.
“So we needed to perform.we did it – so that was a benefit.”
Fair to say that spelling out a few home truths to one another did the trick, turning Tottenham from persistent underachievers into genuine contenders in no time at all.
Jose Mourinho’s men were unbeaten over the final six games of 2019-20 and have maintained that impressive form for much of the current campaign.
Hence Sissoko’s warning to Chris Wilder’s Premier League basement boys, who have just five points so far, to expect a very different proposition today.
The ex-newcastle midfielder added: “We know it’s going to be a big battle. They’ve been in a difficult season since the beginning.
“But they won their last game and will be prepared for it. Let’s be prepared as well.this is a new season, a new game – let’s go there with the right attitude.”
Another factor in Spurs sitting only six points off the top is the ever-increasing impact of £56million record buy Tanguy Ndombele.
After an extremely disappointing first season, the ex-lyon playmaker has come to the fore – with the arrival of Pierre-emile Hojbjerg from Southampton providing a platform from which he can deliver.
Sissoko had long predicted Ndombele would come good given time.
“Maybe I am a magician,” he joked. “When you’re young and come from another country and don’t speak the language, it is a lot to assimilate to feel comfortable in a new environment.
“It’s difficult.that was the case with Tanguy.with time he’s assimilated and now you see he’s very happy showing his quality.that’s why the club brought him here.
“You can ask the manager – he’d be very happy with what Tanguy is doing at the moment.”
Sissoko reckons the same applies to Danish ace Hojbjerg and his tireless performances in the Spurs engine room.
He added: “Pierre is a big warrior. He is fighting from the first minute to the last.what he is doing is amazing.
“And to have Tanguy in front, as a
10, is a good combination.you give Tanguy the ball and he can create something to make the difference at any time.”
NOT GOOD ENOUGH: Spurs at
Bramall Lane last season