SISSOKO’S LANE GAIN
Bramall beating was key
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 the hands of Sheffield United.
As they prepare to return to the scene of that painful 3-1 crushing today, Spurs midfielder Sissoko revealed just how significant that July afternoon proved to be. An inquest into the Bramall Lane horror show was called by the players – with the conclusion being their whole approach left a lot to be desired. Sissoko, 31, said: “I can 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 European competitions. “So we needed to perform. We did it – 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 form for much of the current campaign.
And that is why Sissoko is warning Chris Wilder’s Premier League basement boys, with just five points so far, to expect a very different proposition this afternoon.
The ex-Newcastle man said: “We know it’s going to be a big battle. They’ve had a difficult season since the beginning but they CAPTION: won their This last game and wililsbtehperecpaapretidofnor it.
“sLteytl’es fboer prerespualrtetda as well. This is a new game, let’s go there with the right attitude.”
Another factor in Spurs sitting only six points off the top heading into the weekend is the ever-increasing impact of £56million record buy Tanguy Ndombele.
After a disappointing first season to say the least, 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 if he was 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 said: “Pierre, he 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.”