Alasdair Gold slams “dreadful” Tottenham star who “kept putting team-mates under pressure” v Fulham

Tottenham Hotspur’s disappointing season took another turn for the worse on Sunday as they fell to a 2-0 defeat against Fulham at Craven Cottage. The loss piled further pressure on manager Ange Postecoglou, with midfielder Yves Bissouma coming under particular scrutiny for his performance.

Football journalist Alasdair Gold did not hold back in his assessment, describing Bissouma as “dreadful” in possession and highlighting his struggles throughout the match.

The Mali international’s inability to impose himself on the game ultimately led to his substitution at halftime, replaced by Lucas Bergvall as Spurs searched for a way back into the contest.

Fulham’s goals came late in the game, with Rodrigo Muniz breaking the deadlock just over 10 minutes from time and former Tottenham starlet Ryan Sessegnon sealing the win with a second goal in the 88th minute.

While the result was a collective failure for Spurs, Bissouma’s performance stood out for all the wrong reasons. Gold noted that the midfielder looked “panicked” on the ball, often delivering misplaced or overly powerful passes that put his teammates under pressure. This lack of composure and control was a major factor in Tottenham’s inability to gain a foothold in the game.

Bissouma’s struggles were evident in his statistics, which paint a picture of a player failing to live up to expectations. Below is a breakdown of his Premier League performance this season, compared to his Tottenham teammates:

As the table shows, Bissouma ranks poorly in key areas such as key passes and match rating, while his contributions in tackles and interceptions, though respectable, have not been enough to offset his shortcomings in possession.

His inability to adapt to Postecoglou’s style of play has become a growing concern, raising questions about his long-term future at the club.

Gold’s criticism of Bissouma was echoed by many fans and pundits, who have grown increasingly frustrated with the midfielder’s inconsistent performances.

Writing on X (formerly Twitter) just before halftime, Gold stated: “Yves Bissouma has been dreadful in possession so far when Spurs have been moving up the pitch. Panicked passes, either too powerful, misplaced, or putting team-mates under pressure.” This assessment summed up a first half in which Bissouma failed to provide the stability and creativity needed in midfield.

The defeat leaves Tottenham 10 points adrift of the top half of the Premier League table with just nine games remaining, a stark reminder of how far the club has fallen this season. While Bissouma’s struggles are symptomatic of broader issues within the squad, his performance against Fulham has intensified the scrutiny on his role in the team.

With young talents like Lucas Bergvall, Pape Matar Sarr, and Archie Gray waiting in the wings, as well as the experienced Rodrigo Bentancur available, Postecoglou may soon decide to move on from Bissouma and invest in a more reliable option.

The summer transfer window could see Tottenham actively seeking a replacement for Bissouma, especially if his form does not improve. However, with several promising young players already at the club, Postecoglou may opt to develop their potential rather than splashing out on a new signing.

Either way, Bissouma’s time at Tottenham appears to be at a crossroads, and his performance against Fulham has only added to the growing sense that change is needed.

As Spurs prepare for their remaining fixtures, the focus will be on rebuilding confidence and laying the foundations for a stronger campaign next season. For Bissouma, the challenge will be to prove he still has a role to play in Postecoglou’s plans—or risk being left behind as the club looks to move forward.