by anti-hero » Sat Apr 29, 2006 4:35 am
I'm not too quick to criticise Cisse.
No matter how you look at his situation, he has scored 17 goals and you cant deny that.
We know we've lost more than a few handfuls of hair watching his lack of communication with other teammates and his unwillingness to defend.
Obviously, 14 million pounds is a large sum to pay for a striker who has weak linkup play and doesnt bang in goals consistently.
But, although I may be just echoing the opinions of other members, some of you may have already have forgotten that he doesnt start many games. He doesnt play in his preferred position and not to mention the horiffic injury he suffered a while back.
Take those factors, add Rafa's rotation policy and the speculation about him moving away we cant really put all the blame on Cisse.
He hasnt found his feet yet.
Many players have found it difficult to adjust to the Premiership and Cisse is no exception.
My opinion is, that players formerly from Ligue 1 find it harder to adapt to the Premiership than players from, let say, La Liga because Ligue 1 isnt so demanding and fast-paced as the other two. You only have to look. We have ample evidence. Where are most of the French entourage that Houllier signed? Not in Liverpool. Where was Morientes before he came to Liverpool? Monaco.. Where was Cisse before he came to Liverpool? Auxxere..
In my opinion, Cisse is, in recent years, the best player we have signed from Ligue 1. With the exception of Riise of course. He only needs time. Though some of you may feel differently, I would want to give Cisse just ONE more season. Just one. An ultimatum for Cisse. Its do or die. Sink or swim. Whatever.
I'm not ready to give up on the closest thing we have to a striker at the moment.
